Smoked Salmon Spread

Image credit: Flickr / LonBinder

We are fortunate to have enough fresh salmon to smoke a portion of it to enjoy year round. I prefer our personally smoked salmon for this recipe, but you can purchase canned salmon from the local cannery and it will taste delicious. This salmon spread is handy to make ahead and is a great appetizer when friends gather.

Toasted Vanilla Almonds

Image credit: Coastal Cooking / Share with attribution

I am always looking for ways to share love from my kitchen.  This recipe is such an easy and fun way to share “the love” and is not something you just go run to the store to buy.  I like to place these Toasted Vanilla Almonds in a holiday mug, cute keepsake box or gift bag to add a special fun touch.

Wild Blackberry Pie

Image credit: Flickr / OnenJen

Wild Blackberries are plentiful in Oregon and what a treat to pick fresh wild blackberries for all my family’s favorite recipes.  Pick and clean enough berries to make jam, cobbler and pie.  If you decide to freeze, pre-freeze a single layer of berries on a cookie sheet and then place frozen berries into freezer bags.  I freeze between 4-6 cups in each bag a label accordingly.  This is usually enough for most recipes.

Holiday Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves

Image credit: Flickr / LibAmanda 

My family loves Pumpkin Pie during the holidays and I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays by baking up some Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves to share with family and friends.  The bonus is the aroma of pumpkin spice in the kitchen that filters all through the house adding to the holiday spirit.  It is also great to do this in the fall when fresh pumpkin is available.  This recipe can easily be baked and frozen, ready for gift giving at Christmas, when time is not as plentiful.  Also a great item to have on hand for unexpected guests, tastes great heated with a spoonful of whip cream!

Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Chimichangas

Image credit: Flickr / Masalaman

I like to prepare the filling for the Chimichangas ahead of time and pop in the refrigerator until I am ready to fry them.  They taste great when served warm after setting for a few minutes on a couple of paper towels that absorb some of the cooking oil.