Apple Cider on the San Juan Island

It was a crisp and rainy autumn day when I went to go visit Westcott Bay Cider. Suzy and Hawk Pingree are two retired professors from Madison Wisconson who moved to the San Juan Island to help their good buddy Rich in making some of the regions best cider. Besides the incredible surroundings, the highlight of the day was we actually got to cook with the cider in the orchard it came from! I have never seen people so passionate about what they do, and the good news is they are opening a distillery! 

Roadside Panna Cotta

In Washington you see dozens of gorgeous fruit stands along the freeway. On a road trip to the Okanagon Valley, my buddies challenged me to make a dessert using only what I find at a fruit stand, and prepare it on the side of the road. Local cherry and lavender panna cotta was a Risky call, but it all paid off in the end!!!

Billy's Tomatoes

People from all over grow great tomatoes, but I promise Billy Allstot's tomatoes are even better! Between the soil, the climate and the passion he puts into these litttle guys, there is no one who does it better. Using some of his sungold tomatoes I cooked up a little duck with Billy and his wife Stephanie on a bluff overlooking the Okanagon Valley. Check it out!!!

Lake Washington Crayfish, Seward Park, WA

I grew up swimming in Lake Washington, and I guess so did Crayfish! I got my hands on a couple, and made an incredible summer time dish, with some braised cuccumbers, farro and wild dill. What a great way to show off what this unassuming lake has to offer.  

Vashon Picnic, Vashon Island WA

Vashon Island is mintues outside of downtown Seattle. This was the perfect place to have little picnic by Puget Sound. I rustled up some gorgeous ingrediants from my friends at Langley Fine Gardens.Then headed straight to Kurtwood Farms to pick up some mind blowing Dinahs Cheese. This day was a great one!

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Oregon beaches are hiding something special. The creamiest most delicate of clams are right beneath the sand. Razor clams thrive in Oregon especially in the spring; no chance I was going to pass it up. I met up with Razor clam guru Dane Osis, who spent the entire morning showing me up. I felt better when I got him behind the stove. Tons of rain, lots of sand, and completely worth it!