It’s no secret that the poke trend is taking Seattle- and the entire country- by storm. And while it seems this hot craze is new to the scene, traditional Hawaiian poke has actually been around for centuries. Seriously- centuries!

So what makes poke so popular? Well it’s healthy, delicious, and so customizable! The raw fish salad is traditionally made with cubed ahi tuna, seaweed, onions, and an Asian inspired dressing made of soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. But these days poke shops offer much, much more- allowing YOU to tailor your experience! And living in the Northwest we also love our salmon poke. Just be sure to use Alaska Salmon that has been previously frozen for safety purposes.

Alaska Salmon Korean BBQ Poke
Here are some fun Poke recipes that we worked on!

And lucky for us- Seattle has some amazing poke restaurants that are a must-try! My go-to spot is Poke To The Max, created by the Hawaiian poke legend Chef Sam Choy. With locations in Tacoma, Hillman City, and 3 mobile food trucks that travel throughout the Seattle area- it’s easy to become a regular.

On August 21st you can really get your poke on at Chef Choy’s Seattle Poke Contest where dozens of local chefs will come together to prove that their take on the dish is the best. Expect live music, delicious food and drinks, and of course- lots and lots of POKE! And if that’s not enough to convince you- each ticket purchase benefits The Bennett Foundation, founded by Seattle Seahawk’s beloved Michael Bennett! So get out there and enjoy great food, for a great cause.

For more information and tickets to The Seattle Poke Contest, visit their facebook page! or get tickets here! -Kathy

Almonds whether raw, toasted, or made into a smooth butter — these little nuts are so great for you. They’re rich in dietary fiber, vitamin E, and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Most importantly, they’re a great source of protein and perfect for a mid-day snack — just 10 almonds can get your energy going!

I love them toasted and tossed into basmati rice, sprinkled over yogurt or morning oatmeal, and subbed into a batch of chocolate chip cookies instead of walnuts. And of course they add a great crunch factor to salads – like in my Cranberry Almond Crunch Slaw recipe.

Have you ever had fresh ground almond butter? Lots of our local stores offer “grind your own” – so yummy spread on whole grain toast and topped with a few fresh berries for a quick and healthy start to your day.

Add a healthy crunch to your next dish with d’lish almonds! –Kathy

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Cranberry Almond Crunch Slaw
Makes about 8 servings

1/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Sriracha
4 green onions, thinly sliced
10 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage (about 1 large head)
1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup toasted sliced almonds

In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, sour cream, salt and Sriracha. Add green onions, cabbage, cranberries and cilantro and toss until well coated.

The salad should sit for 30 minutes before serving. If making way ahead, refrigerate dressing and salad ingredients separately, then toss together 30 minutes before ready to serve. Toss the almonds into the salad right before serving.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Why do I wish for rain every fall? As soon as our Northwest grounds moisten up, our local wild mushrooms start to pop up!

I have been a huge mushroom foraging enthusiast for years and the Pacific Northwest is a mushroom-ers paradise. From the beloved chanterelle and the brilliant lobster mushroom to the sparassis (also known as the cauliflower mushroom), there are a LOT of edible mushrooms out there for the pickin’. Farmer’s Markets are abundant with these tasty NW gems and chef’s menus sprinkled with local finds.

But it’s so fun to pick wild mushrooms – think of it as hunting treasure in the forest! I was introduced to picking wild mushrooms years ago by an amazing group of local enthusiasts. But remember when picking wild mushrooms, you must know how to identify edible species. It’s important to learn from an experienced mushroom forager, go picking with an experienced person, or join a group such as Puget Sound Mycological Society. It’s a great place to learn all about wild mushrooms, meet great people and join in a fungi field trip.

A beautiful photo of my dearly departed friend Patrice Benson who taught me the love of wild mushrooms.
I learned from the best!

If you live in the Seattle area, this weekend is the Puget Sound Wild Mushroom annual show at Bellevue College, where there will be hundreds of species exhibited and a cooking display for you to try something new.

So here’s to the rainy days for a d’lish mushroom bounty! –Kathy

Colorful Wheat Berry, Edamame and Matsutake Mushroom Salad
I used the fragrant matsutake mushroom in this recipe for its lovely flavor profile. But you could also use oyster mushrooms as a substitute. This recipe is also delicious made with farro instead of wheat berries.

Makes about 5 cups

3/4 cup whole wheat berries
2 quarts water
1 Tbsp. each vegetable oil and sesame oil
1 cup thinly sliced matsutake mushrooms*
1 cup frozen, shelled edamame beans, defrosted
1 medium red bell pepper, julienned
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 to 3 Tbsp. coarsely chopped parsley
1 medium carrot, thinly bias cut
1 cup thinly sliced napa cabbage

Dressing
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 to 1 tsp. Asian chili paste, such as sambal oelek
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh garlic

To cook the wheat berries: In a large pot, bring the wheat berries and water to a boil then reduce to a slow simmer. Simmer until wheat berries are very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add more water if needed. Drain wheat berries and cool.

To cook the mushrooms: Heat the oils in a large sauté pan over medium high heat and then add the mushrooms. Sauté until soft and cooked through then let cool.

Meanwhile, mix the dressing.

When the wheat berries and mushrooms are cool, combine with remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and mix well. The salad can be served right away, or refrigerated for up to 4 hours. Bring to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Ahh blackberries… the glorious summer berry growing in backyards, parks, and all along our northwest trails. These delicious juicy little fruits are definitely worth the fight with the prickly bushes that they grow on – and your patience will be rewarded!

Not only are blackberries delicious, but they’re good for you! With one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit – these berries are also a wonderful source of vitamins C and K as well as fiber.

Truth be told, I think blackberries really are a taste of summer, which is why they’re the perfect addition to a refreshing summer cocktail. Add them into a shaker tin with some fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup and rum, and you have a wonderful (and easy to make) Blackberry Mojito!

Gone blackberry picking and now have a big bowl in the fridge? Throw some in your pancake batter and start the morning off with some d’lish Blackberry Pancakes topped with Citrusy Syrup.

Photo from Dishing with Kathy Casey.

Or how about a summer salad tossed with Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette – a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts and fresh goat cheese – a great start to any summer meal.

Enjoy the last days of summer with a fresh bowl of blackberries! –Kathy

Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette
Toss with summer garden greens, and fat blackberries. Scatter with toasted hazelnuts and a crumbling of blue cheese or chevre. Dressing recipe can easily be doubled.

Makes about 1 generous cup of dressing.

1/2 cup fresh (or frozen) blackberries
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp Liquid Kitchen® No. 5130 honey or local honey
2 tsp Dijon mustard
6 Tbsp olive oil
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until needed. Can be made up to 3 days in advance.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

For me, nothing says summer like fresh corn on the cob. Personally, I love my corn with just a bit of seasoning, but naked is just fine by me! A little smear of butter is the perfect complement to hot corn on the cob.

Put on your thinking caps; it’s time to get creative. Try whipping in a bit of local honey with chili powder (like in my Honey Butter recipe below) or combine fresh basil, roasted garlic and some finely grated cheddar cheese. The combinations are endless!

More commonly boiled or steamed, corn is also amazing done on the grill. If you’ve already got your grill turned on for a sizzling summer barbeque, throw your corn on, too. Leave the stem on for an easy handle and roll it along the grill just enough to heat it through and get some great color on it.

Serve it just like that, or cut off the kernels for my Summer Roasted Pepper, Corn, and Arugula Salad. Other options are to add the kernels to fresh salsa, folded into a chopped veggie salad, or in your favorite potato salad with some roasted hot peppers.

Speaking of cutting off the kernels, I have a great trick to share with you; if you have a bundt pan. Insert the corn into the center hole and carefully cut downwards as close to the cob as you can, without cutting into the cob. The bundt pan will catch all the kernels for you. If you don’t have one, just hold the corn vertically, making sure the tip is firmly in place and cut downwards.

Photo from Simply Recipes

So go enjoy one of the best tastes of summer while you can – fresh-picked, local corn! –Kathy

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Honey Butter
Pull back the husks and pull out the silk, then tie off the husks with a strip of husk. This makes for a decorative and very useful handle.

Makes 8 servings.

8 whole ears fresh corn

Honey Butter
1 stick (1/4 lb.) butter
2 Tbsp. local honey, such as my “5130” Honey
2 tsp. Tabasco or hot sauce (more or less if desired)
2 Tbsp. coarse chopped Italian parsley

Dish D’Lish French Seasoning Salt – or sea salt
fresh lime wedges

Peel back corn husks and pull out corn silk. Heat barbecue coals or wood fire.

Meanwhile, in a mixer whip the butter, honey, Tabasco and parsley together until fluffy.

When coals are hot, place corn on grill and cook, turning every few minutes. Cook until corn is lightly charred and cooked through. Spread corn with Honey Butter and sprinkle with seasoning.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Summer Roasted Pepper, Corn and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese Crostini
Makes 6 servings

1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
3 ears fresh corn, husked
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
—————————————
12 thin slices (1/4-inch) of French bread baguette, lightly toasted
6 oz soft chevre goat cheese
—————————————
4 to 6 cups baby arugula

Roast peppers over a hot grill or coals or under the broiler, turning often until skin is totally blistered. Peel, seed and thinly slice peppers. Set aside.

Grill corn, turning when each side is marked and lightly roasted. Cut corn from cob, and add to peppers.

In a large bowl, whisk mustard, garlic, vinegar and lemon juice together. Slowly whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper, and toss in basil, roasted peppers, and corn. Set aside.

Meanwhile, spread toasted French bread slices with goat cheese, and heat in the oven or on the grill until just warmed and toasty.

Add arugula to roasted pepper mixture. Toss well. Divide among individual salad plates and garnish with the warm goat cheese crostini.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

I remember when I ate my first pomegranate as a kid….seated in a chair with a TV tray. Yes, it occupied my little hands for hours! Take note moms: it’s fun for kids. And yes, it will make their hands bright pink, but only for a day.

Juicy pomegranate seeds!

Pomegranate’s brilliant tart-sweet seeds are prized for their distinctive flavor and are high in antioxidants. I love the texture and how they pop in your mouth.

They are so great sprinkled on a winter salad of arugula, slices of orange, and fennel or endive, tossed with a champagne vinaigrette. Or finishing a dish of roasted Brussel sprouts and toasted walnuts adding their tart crunch.

Try them on ice cream or yogurt or even shaken into your favorite cocktail.

And I have a great tip to make de-seeding simple:

•Cut the pomegranate in half, then holding a half firmly over a large bowl.
•Hit it with a heavy wooden spoon and watch the seeds come tumbling out.
•Repeat – then eat.

PS. This is also a great holiday stress reliever. And be sure you put on a bib apron, the pink speckles will be flying! –Kathy

A true sign of fall: apples appear everywhere. From thick caramel-coated and dipped in nuts to sweet and tangy cups of fresh-pressed cider at the local market to grand glass bowls filled with elegant red apples simply used as a table centerpiece.

The Northwest has always been the hub for amazing apples. Glorious Galas with their perfume-y sweet flavor, firm Fujis that hold their texture amazingly well when cooked, deep-blushed Braeburns, and the list goes on.

What most of us (at least us pie-lovers) think about when thinking of apples is pie, I love to make my apple pie with a little cheddar in the crust – yum!

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist

But in addition to desserts there are bushels of other great ways to cook with apples. Try whipping up a Spinach & Apple Salad with Warm Meyer Lemon-Bacon Vinaigrette. It’s really quick and delicious.

Looking for a new side dish? How about a toothsome Apple Barley Risotto – a twist on the classic using pearl barley instead of Arborio rice?

Just remember, one of the best apple tips to observe is to always keep your apples refrigerated. At 70 degrees, apples break down and become soft 10 times faster than if refrigerated. Many a Northwesterner accomplished this in the olden days by stashing the winter’s apples under the bed, back when winter bedrooms were quite chilly. I bet those rooms smelled appley great!

Cheers crisp fall apples – crunch! -Kathy

Spinach & Apple Salad with Warm Meyer Lemon–Bacon Vinaigrette
This salad is delicious as a starter, or serve it as an entrée topped with grilled chicken breast and crumbled blue cheese.

Makes 6 servings as a starter salad

6 cups baby spinach
1 apple, cored and cut into thin slices
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion

Vinaigrette
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed Sunkist Meyer Lemon juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
———————————————
1/4 cup finely diced raw bacon
2 tsp. minced fresh garlic

Place spinach, apple and onion in a large, heat-proof bowl and refrigerate until ready to dress salad.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, sugar, pepper, salt
and olive oil. Set vinaigrette aside.

In a small nonstick pan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until three-quarters done, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, but do not brown garlic. Add the reserved vinaigrette to the hot pan. Immediately remove from heat and pour over reserved spinach mixture.

Toss until salad is well coated with dressing, and serve immediately.

Recipe created by Kathy Casey for Sunkist®

Apple Barley Risotto
Allow about 50 – 60 minutes total cooking time for this recipe.
Makes 4 servings

2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 Braeburn or Fuji apple, unpeeled, cored and diced 1/4-inch
1/2 cup pearl barley
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1/4 cup shredded, high-quality Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, lightly toasted
1/8 tsp. black pepper
salt to taste (If using canned broth, less salt will be needed.)

In a large heavy-bottom saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and red onions. Sauté till mushrooms are limp. Add the garlic and stir around for about half a minute. Then immediately add the wine, increase heat to high and reduce wine till syrupy, about 3 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium and stir in the diced apple and barley. In a bowl or large measuring cup mix together the broth and water. Add 1 cup to the barley and simmer till almost all the liquid is absorbed about 6 – 8 minutes.

Stir in another cup of the broth-water mixture and continue cooking, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this process again until all the liquid has been used and the barley is tender.

Remove from heat and fold in cheese, nuts and pepper. Taste and season with additional salt if needed.

Recipe © Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Oh honey! That amazing sweet and flavorful product our wonderful bees give us!

I love bees, but I use to be afraid of them until I had a couple of hives in my urban garden and there were a LOT of bees! Honey bees go about their business and are busy, busy zooming around the everywhere. They are on a mission so make sure to not get in their flight path.

Did you know a bee will only produce about one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime? Wow!

The United States alone has 300+ varieties of honey. The variety depends on the type of blossom the bees are collecting nectar from. In the northwest, we have one of my all-time faves – blackberry honey!

My Liquid Kitchen 5130 Honey harvested from my Ballard urban garden!

If you are like me and love to whip up creative beverages and cocktails – then swap out your simple syrup for honey syrup – take 2 parts honey and 1 part hot water and mix together until they are combined. It will store for over a week in the refrigerator.

Try adding it to a summery drink like a tall Lemony Collins or a Watermelon Honey Limeade, or in a delicious salad dressing like below!

There are some great recipes on The National Honey Boards site as well as.

Cheers to a sweet summer! –Kathy

Local Greens with Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette, Toasted Hazelnuts & Chevre
Makes 4 servings

8 cups local, mixed baby greens
Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
1/2 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries
1/4 cup (1 ounce) chopped toasted hazelnuts
2 ounces chevre-style goat cheese, crumbled

Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette
1/4 cup fresh blackberries
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. honey such as wildflower or blackberry
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp. canola oil or light olive oil
pinch cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until needed. Can be made up to 3 days in advance.

To serve salad: Toss greens with dressing and divide among 4 plates. Scatter with berries, hazelnuts and goat cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com