Every year I look forward to the last weekend in March. Why? Because it’s the Annual Razor Clam Festival!

Taking place in Ocean Shores (Washington), this fun event is going to be bigger than ever this year. They’ve even added an extra day, and a new seafood cooking competition!

The festival runs from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, March 23 and 9am to 4pm on Sunday, March 24 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.  It is an event for the whole family; with live music, craft vendors, cooking competitions and demonstrations, gift giveaways, and so much more. Kids 12 and under get in free.  Adults are $3.00 for each day or $5.00 for both days. There will be lots of great food and chowder samples of course!  Don’t forget to stop at the various Bloody Mary and beer booths to wash down all that great chow.

The KCFS Crew doing the “Official” Razor Clam Dance!

But the true headliner event is the Clam Chowder Cook-Offs for both the pro and amateur chefs. Each year the festival has an array of contestants enter the Amateur Chowder Cook Off and compete for the best of the best on the Northwest Coast. (My chef team will be judging again this year!) The First Place Winner gets bragging rights for a whole year and will be one of the judges for the Professional Clam Chowder Cook Off at the Festival in 2014. How cool is that!

If you like to forage for your own clams, make sure to check out the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife for more info on this year’s dig…and don’t forget your clam license and essentials.

Once you’ve reached your razor clam limits, check out this video that my friend Scott Surdyke and I made on how to clean them properly. And for a super tasty way of cooking this bi-valve, try our recipe for our Clam-tastic Razor Clam Fritters with my Rock-the-World Tartar Sauce below.

So pack up your clammin’ gear (including you razor clam license) and head down to Ocean Shores – it’s the clamtastic place to be! –Kathy

Scott & Kathy’s CLAMTASTIC Razor Clam Fritters
Makes 24 – 26 fritters

3 cups chopped/diced razor clams
3 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix with buttermilk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1 Tbsp minced lemon zest
2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
Fresh-ground pepper to taste
1 Tbsp minced garlic
3/4 cup clam nectar (or reserved clam juice)
1/4 cup Northwest amber beer, flat
2 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 cup fresh corn kernels
6 scallions/green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped orange or red bell pepper (about 1/2 pepper)
—————————————————
Crisco shortening for frying
Lemon wedges for garnish/squeezing
Kathy Casey’s Ultimate Rock-the-World Tartar Sauce (recipe follows)

Drain the clams and save any juice for use in recipe.
In a large bowl combine the Krusteaz, corn meal, baking powder, lemon pepper, zest, salt and pepper. Stir in the garlic, clam nectar/juice, beer and eggs to combine.
Then fold in the celery, corn, green onions, bell pepper and drained clams.

Heat 2-inches of Crisco in a large cast iron skilled till hot – about 375 degrees. Scoop out fritters a few at time – I use a 1/4 cup measure – they should be kind of spread out and not too thick. Fry on first side till golden and then flip over. Continue frying till golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Cook fritters in batches being sure oil stays hot. Keep fritters warm in a 300 degree oven on a rack if needed – but they are best served right away – the fritter cook will just have to keep cooking! Serve with Rock the World Tartar Sauce and fresh lemons.

Recipe by Scott Surdyke and Kathy Casey

Kathy’s Rock-The-World Tartar Sauce
Makes 2 cups

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle or dill pickle relish
2 Tbsps drained capers, chopped
1 green onion, very thinly sliced
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 Tbsps chopped parsley
1/4 tsp celery seed
2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients.

Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books

Our favorite “green” celebration is just around the corner! Celebrated for hundreds of years, St. Patrick’s Day certainly calls for a d’lish meal!

Here’s a four leaf clover for a ‘lil luck!

Slow simmered corned beef with tender carrots, onions and cabbage is always traditional fave. Colcannon is a favorite side dish, consisting of sautéed green cabbage, stirred into fluffy mashed potatoes. For another tasty side, serve it up alongside caraway-roasted carrots.

Soda bread is another traditional Irish staple. It is super easy to make, as it is leavened with baking soda instead of slow-rising yeast.

I like to dish my corn beef dinner with a variety of mustards. Try herbed mustard, cassis mustard or country mustard mixed with creamed horseradish – yowza!

For dessert, try a Guinness float: ice cold stout with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

Have enough corned beef for leftovers? Perfect! Because after all that “green” beer, stouts, and Black & Tans , there’s nothing better the next day than a corned beef hash topped with a poached egg!

Make sure to leave a comment and fill us in on your St. Patty’s Day traditions, too.

So a toast to St. Patrick’s Day and may the luck ‘o the Irish bring you all good cheer! -Kathy

Ahh, coffee! That first cup o’ joe usually sets the tone for the rest of the day. And certainly the Pacific Northwest is known as the mecca for coffee drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Some think of us as coffee snobs…maybe some of us are!

After all, we do love our coffee, as much as we cherish our wines. Many independent coffee shops and cafes (frequented by the true coffee geeks) often hold coffee “cuppings” – picture a wine tasting, but for coffee!

I love the scent of fresh roasted coffee beans!
(Photo courtesy of Fontee Coffee)

While dark chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven, it pairs well with other flavors and other applications too. Add ground espresso to spice rubs for a flavor pop – excellent on steak or Alaskan salmon. Brewed coffee is great in baked beans, hearty stews and in d’lish in my Red Eye BBQ Sauce – try slathering over grilled chicken or ribs…yum!

On the sweeter side of things, try adding a little ground espresso to chocolate cupcake batter for a mocha-licious treat. For a zippy twist on zucchini cake, work in a little strong brewed coffee for a Northwest take on this perennial favorite.

So put a little pick-me-up into your next dish. -Kathy

Red Eye Barbecue Sauce
Makes 2 1/4 cups

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup 1/4-inch-chopped yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brewed coffee
5 tablespoons Worcestershire
3 tablespoons molasses
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
3/4 teaspoon Tabasco
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sprinkle the black pepper and other dry spices on top. Stir and sauté until the onions are glossy, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté about 1 more minute.

When the onions are translucent, whisk in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. If not using the sauce right away, cool and store, refrigerated, for up to 10 days.
Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Seattle has always been on the cutting edge of culinary and drink trends – and we sure love to celebrate it! There’s almost always a festival or event going on. Take for example the Seattle Food and Wine Experience, which will be this Sunday (February 24^th) at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall from 12pm – 5pm – it’s definitely one of my faves!

Held annually, this year’s event is going to be as exciting as ever. Its jam packed with tons of chefs, demos, expert speakers, and lots of wine to taste (featuring cellars from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and more!). Don’t forget to make room for all the available gourmet bites as well as Pacific Northwest distilled spirits, coffees, and brews, too. Yum!

Tons of exhibitors will be selling their wares, so keep your eyes out for any gifts you may need to buy, or even take something home for yourself! Make sure to buy  your tickets soon.

So raise a glass and toast to the Seattle Food and Wine event! -Kathy

The beginning of 2013 marked the start of Vinum Importing’s monthly cocktail competitions and for March, the theme is anise. Native to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, anise-flavored spirits have already made appearances in plenty of cocktails, but Vinum’s competition challenges bartenders to put anise in the spotlight. If you’re a fan of anise then this is the event for you!

(Photo Courtesy of World Spice Merchants)

The competition will take place at Vessel on March 4^th at 6:30pm. The guest judges include Imbibe Magazine’s Jen Boelts, 5th generation distiller Matteo Meletti, and Cocktail Chronicles’ Paul Clarke.

For more information on the Vinum Cocktail Competitions and the schedule, check out the competition website.

Do you ever stop to think about the garnishes, liqueurs and syrups you put in your favorite cocktails? Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist, definitely has! She has uncovered some seriously cool history on some common, and some not-so-common cocktail ingredients

I heard Amy speak this last summer at Tales of the Cocktail – it was one of my favorite seminars of all times. Not only was the content interesting but Amy is a fun and engaging speaker. If you love booze and you love geeky stuff – you will love her book!

From oak trees to lemon verbena, Amy gives a detailed and intriguing account of the various herbal ingredients we use in cocktails and liqueurs. With over 50 recipes, chemistry of over 150 plants, and growing tips for gardeners, this is the perfect gift for those with a green thumb and love to imbibe.

Amy is an award winning author of 6 books detailing the delights and dangers of Mother Nature. Living in sunny California, her backyard is one big herbal experiment, and the bookstore she and her husband own is a veritable maze of fascinating finds.

The Drunken Botanist: “The plants that create the world’s great drinks”, by Amy Stewart is coming this March. Available for pre-order now at drunkenbotanist.com and on Amazon. Make sure you check out her funny promotion video!

Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves…  It’s time to spice it up! We love these spices in tasty cookies, cakes, and muffins. And there are even more dishes out there ready for that hit of warm spice pizazz!

One of my favorite and somewhat un-sung spices is the cardamom seed. This flavorfully potent spice is native to India, but its flavor and use has spread throughout the world, from Scandinavian to Middle Eastern cuisine.

Cardamom adds a sassy flavor to my Spiced Squash Bisque. The aromatic spices combine well with the flavor of sweet winter squash making this soup a great cold weather dish.

Other favorite spices that I love are allspice and cloves, so great in spiced shortbread cookies, stews – and I especially love them infused in my recipe for Spiced Red Vermouth … perfect in a Manhattan!!

My Spiced Vermouth!
For the recipe and more inspired sipping, check out Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen™.

Rubs are another great way to incorporate new and unique spices into your meal. There are so many great pre-made options available like my Fragrant Star Anise Rub. It’s an excellent way to add an exotic flair to a roasted pork or chicken.

If you like to experiment with creating your own rubs, check out the bulk spice section at your neighborhood grocer, or head on over to Pike Place Market’s World Spice shop to pick out what you want. World Spice has tons of loose spices, and you can buy just what you need, whether it’s a pinch or a squiggle. You can also find spices online from BulkFoods.com to Amazon.

One last hint: a coffee grinder is excellent for grinding your own spices. Just be sure that you keep one for solely that purpose… the star anise “scented” coffee at my house was not a big hit!

So remember, a little bit of spice can go a long ways in bringing out your dish’s flavor!  -Kathy

Spiced Squash Bisque
Organic or homegrown squash is preferable to use for this recipe because it creates a much more pronounced and sweet flavor. I like to use hubbard, Danish, or butternut squash, or a combination. Make the Crispy Seeds while the soup is cooking.

Makes 6 starter servings

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced onion
4 1/2 cups (about 1 1/2 pounds) peeled, seeded, and cubed winter squash (any type of sweet squash or pumpkin combination may be used; reserve 1/4 cup of seeds for Crispy Seeds)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, finely crushed
1 teaspoon cardamom seeds, finely crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (more or less depending upon whether you are using a homemade stock)
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup sour cream
Salt to taste

Crispy Seeds
1/4 cup seeds from squash
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a large heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add squash, garlic, spices, bay leaf, and salt. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, partially cover the pan, and simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until the squash is very tender.

Meanwhile, make the Crispy Seeds: preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Rinse seeds under cold water to remove any squash flesh or strings. Drain well and measure. Place in a bowl and toss with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine cumin, sugar, and salt and sprinkle over the seeds. Toss well and spread seeds on a nonstick baking sheet. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy and toasted.

Remove bisque from heat. Remove and discard bay leaf. In a blender or food processor, carefully purée the hot soup in small batches with the sour cream. (Be careful not to make your batches too large, since the soup is very hot.) Taste for seasoning and add salt as needed, especially if using homemade broth. Pour the puréed soup back into the pan and keep warm.

Divide the soup among warmed soup bowls. Sprinkle each serving with about 2 teaspoons Crispy Seeds.

For a vegetarian version: substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock.

Chef’s Tips:
For a fun and impressive presentation, thin out a small portion of sour cream with milk or cream until it is a “squeezable” consistency and put in a squirt bottle. Swirl the top of each serving with the sour cream.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Looking to create some chocolatey goodness for your sweety? Check out the Pool & Spa Outdoor blog featuring the 10 Chocolate Dessert Recipes for Valentine’s Day – including my recipe for  Chocolate Covered Cherry Jumbles!

(Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios® for the National Cherry Foundation)