Karista's Kitchen

06/12/2013 02:45 PM

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Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Madeira Wine Pan Sauce

When I was little, I would stand with my face pressed against the chain link fence that surrounded our yard, watching my Grandfather attempt his daily chores outside. Grandpa was a hard worker. Once a policeman, then a plumber and always semi-retired. Grass never grew under Grandpa’s feet. He was always up to something. Digging holes […]

Karista's Kitchen

06/05/2013 12:54 AM

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Slow Oven Baked Ribs

If there is one thing the Bennett Crew loves, it’s a barbecue. The deck table filled with Grandma Eilene’s Macaroni Salad, Chipotle Lime Grilled Corn on the Cob and this weekend… Slow Oven Baked Ribs. Once the weather turns lovely, we dine outside every evening. A tradition since the two sassy gals were little ones. […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/28/2013 03:12 PM

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Sweet Baby Peas and Mushroom Pappardelle tossed in Sherry Cream

Assorted lush shades of green encompass the landscape this time of year. Spring, a time of revival, renewal and start over’s. Yes, start over’s. As in something keeps eating the spring greens in my garden, so now I have to start over. At least the chicken gals are the beneficiaries of the demolished plants. They’re […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/21/2013 01:29 AM

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Eggs in Purgatory with Spring Greens

My chicken gals are rolling out the eggs these days. I’ve been passing them out to my lovely neighbors who put up with an occasional cranky hen. One that decides to exercise her vocal chords at 6am or during the dinner hour. I adore my plump and well fed chicken gals, but they are a […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/17/2013 11:14 AM

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Chive Blossom Popovers from Pink Patisserie

I love seasonal, I love fresh, especially fresh from the garden or local farm, and I love my friend Maria. Maria is the author of the baking blog Pink Patisserie. I’ve known Maria for over 10 years. A gracious, beautiful and talented gal who hails from deep Norwegian roots. Immersed in her family’s heritage, Maria […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/14/2013 04:26 PM

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Chicken Avocado Tortilla Torta

Oh for the love of all things Avocado. I’m on an intense avocado kick these days. I feel like adding avocado to everything. Actually, Suzie Q, my youngest, made that very comment the other day. “Mom, you add avocado to everything. Next it’ll be in our dessert”. Hmmm… I just came across ice cream prepared with avocado. […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/10/2013 09:00 AM

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Banana Chip Cookies from Everyday Maven

I’m so pleased to present this most delicious Guest Post and recipe by my friend and fellow food blogger, Alyssa from Everyday Maven. I met Alyssa last year at a blogging conference here in Seattle and we’ve been friends ever since. Alyssa is an NYU Graduate and a dynamic, beautiful young woman on a mission to help others […]

Karista's Kitchen

05/07/2013 01:21 AM

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Asparagus and Leek Soup with Crispy Mushroom Gremolata

It’s been a beautiful few days here in the Pacific Northwest. Unusually warm spring weather brought everyone outdoors, with barbecues grills heavily in use. It’s just a little exciting when one can grill outside without donning the rain gear. In addition to grilling all weekend, I made a big bowl of my Mother in Law’s [...]

Karista's Kitchen

05/04/2013 09:03 AM

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Tacos, Ceviche and a Dessert

Over the years, I’ve had a long love affair with Mexican food. I must have 50 different taco recipes floating around my kitchen. All with an abundance of fresh ingredients, fragrant aromas that fill my house and robust and spicy flavored dishes that make my family smile big toothy smiles. The Bennett Crew and I have spent countless summer evenings sitting out on the deck, dining [...]

Karista's Kitchen

05/02/2013 10:32 AM

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Porcini and Rosemary Slow Braised Pot Roast

There is something exceptional about porcini mushrooms. They aren’t your run of the mill button’s and much more interesting than cremini; although I do love a bowl of sautéed cremini’s. Still, much more flavorful than shitake‘s and almost as intriguing as chanterelles or oyster mushrooms. I nearly swoon when I see the first of the fresh local chanterelles. [...]

Karista's Kitchen

04/23/2013 10:03 AM

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Mixed Seafood and Avocado Ceviche

I’ve forgotten how much fun it is to take a road trip. Cruising down the highway to some cool tunes, aptly selected and managed by my teenage daughter. Stopping for a coffee and then a little snack. Talking, laughing, reminiscing about my daughter’s childhood and the adorable things she did and said when she was [...]

Karista's Kitchen

04/20/2013 01:30 AM

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Herbed Quinoa Salad

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several culinary, health and nutrition professionals. Brilliant individuals who have grown their passions into successful careers and practices. One such professional is Frances Arnold, a Registered Dietician and Yoga Teacher and author of the website, Namaste Nutritionist. I read Frances’ blog often and I’m constantly inspired b

Karista's Kitchen

04/15/2013 09:34 PM

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Tuscan Grilled Rib-eye

The sun is slowly setting, gradually creating a luminescent twilight. And with this twilight comes the warm fragrance of fresh and earthy rosemary, combined with the spicy knowing scent of simmered garlic in the freshest of olive oil. Two perfectly grilled rib eye steaks bask in the fragrant and luxurious liquid. With just a moment [...]

Karista's Kitchen

04/06/2013 09:00 AM

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Crawfish Fettuccine

Late winter and early spring I always get a craving for crawfish. It’s in season around this time of year and paired with Mardi Gras, these two events always remind me of several delicious years living in Louisiana. My time in Louisiana were pre-culinary school. My lack of culinary skills back then were sorely evident. [...]

Karista's Kitchen

04/03/2013 02:56 PM

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Crab and Egg White Muffins

There’s a whole lot of egg love goin’ on at The Bennett Camp. Orange Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast and now these tasty little Crab and Egg White Muffins. It’s possible I’m a tiny bit over joyed with my chicken gals. They’ve been laying at least two eggs a day for a while now. It’s feels [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/29/2013 09:20 AM

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Orange Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast

With sleepy eyes and mussed hair my youngest gal saunters into the kitchen for breakfast. On the weekends my sassy gal of 14 is the last one to rise. I know she can smell whatever I’m cooking. The lingering scent of food travels right to her bedroom. It’s the best method for waking a teenage [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/26/2013 02:02 AM

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Fresh Spinach, Arugula and Lemon Risotto

One of my chicken gals laid an egg today! Yes, I splattered the good news all over facebook, instagram, and twitter. After my little social media blitz, I joyously announced the good news to my two sassy gals. To which the reply was less than enthusiastic. One of my sassy gals gets a pass on enthusiasm [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/22/2013 11:57 PM

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Today, My Heart is Grateful

Today, my heart is filled with overwhelming appreciation. Friends and family who share in my fear and anxiety, my sadness and hope. Beautiful dishes of food, cookies, desserts and love arriving on my doorstep. Meant to comfort and heal. Phone calls, texts, emails, messages of well wishes, friendship, love. Today, my heart is grateful. Grateful [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/15/2013 02:00 AM

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Slow Braised Barbacoa with Cucumber Avocado Salsa

I’ve been trying to write this post for at least a week. I’d like to think my days are so filled with exciting and essential work, of momentous proportions, that I had to continuously delay this post. Nope. Just my beautiful life. Work, family, chasing chicken gals who escape their chicken yard, chasing Tank down the street [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/07/2013 12:04 PM

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A Little Spring Love

The song birds have begun their annual melodies of sweet tunes announcing the arrival of spring. Each morning, at the break of dawn, It sounds like a festival of little bird choirs outside my window. Making me smile as I slowly wake, I listen quietly to the mini concert. Thinking to myself how much joy such [...]

Karista's Kitchen

03/04/2013 09:50 AM

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Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Last June I decided it was high time I got out-and-about my local area and begin meeting some of my fellow food bloggers and food writers. After all, I can’t just hang out with my chicken girls all the time. While attending various food and blogging events, I met Alyssa from Everyday Maven. A lovely, [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/25/2013 11:16 AM

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Run To The Bus Breakfast

My kitchen was tea and jelly stained Saturday morning. Trying desperately to get the “perfect” picture of these delicious little lovelies, I must have been leaning over to far and my darling little red step stool went flying out from under me. You can only guess what happened then. Yep. Tea, jelly, oatcakes, linens and [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/19/2013 12:50 AM

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Hearty Winter Bolognese

When I was little, I remember my Grandmother standing at the stove top stirring her homemade tapioca pudding. I stood close by, waiting, asking to help, so I could somehow sneak a sample of her delicious recipe. Grandma smiled and with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes, she said “little one, I think you should [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/15/2013 12:34 PM

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Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Roasted Red Pepper Hazelnut Sauce

I always keep a spare pork tenderloin, or two, in the freezer. It’s one of those quick fix meals that pairs beautifully with most any sauce or roasted winter fruit. I had planned to use this tenderloin with a spiced apple compote, which is delicious, but I just wasn’t feelin’ the apples that day. I must be longing [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/11/2013 09:00 AM

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Moroccan Spiced Shrimp with Polenta Cakes

Fat Tuesday and Valentine’s Day… all in one week. Boy, did those two events sneak up on me. Feeling like “Last Minute Karista”, I quickly planned my week’s menu and raced off to the market yesterday morning before the Andouille sausage could sell out. I know you’re wondering how Andouille sausage could ever possibly sell out here in [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/08/2013 01:03 PM

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Raspberry Jam Muffins

I’ve always felt dinner was the easy meal. You know me, I’m all over dinner. It’s been my life’s work for the last 13 years and I’d like to believe I’ve gotten it down to a science. Well… most days anyway. But breakfast? Ugh. It’s the meal that remains a thorn in my side. Although, [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/04/2013 10:17 PM

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Cardamom and Ginger Spiced Yogurt Sauce

I’ve been a member of several book clubs over the years. Each time, I joined with the exuberance of puppy playing with a new bone. Excited about all the new books I’d be discovering and reading, all the new friendships to be made and girlfriend time to be savored. Unfortunately each time, my enthusiastic participation [...]

Karista's Kitchen

02/02/2013 11:44 AM

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Super Bowl Sunday Round-up!

As usual I’m ”late to the party” with this post. But if you’re like me and haven’t decided what to prepare for Super Bowl Sunday, here’s a rowdy round-up of complete deliciousness ……………………………………………………………………&

Karista's Kitchen

01/27/2013 08:09 PM

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White Fish Florentine

Life is not perfect. But of course, we all know this right? In fact, my life is messy (sometimes literally). Like many, I work diligently to keep it all together while raising a family, building a career and business and nurturing the important relationships in my life. Let alone finishing the laundry, cleaning the bathrooms [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/23/2013 05:03 PM

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Spiced Banana Bread

A really good banana bread is like a dear friend. A friend that has been with you through thick and thin, and all of the in between. A constant in one’s life with fortitude that transcends the test of time. Banana bread is enticing to the palate, earthy in color and fragrant in aroma. It [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/20/2013 09:20 AM

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Apple and Curry Spiced Turkey Meatballs

Everyone seemed to land at home today. No school, no work, no plans, on this cold and foggy winter day. Wow! That almost never happens. It was nice. Nice to have everyone under one roof, all at the same time. Food simmering stove top and fragrantly spiced meatballs baking in the oven. All of us hanging about [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/16/2013 05:16 PM

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Simple Is Sometimes The Most Delicious

It begins with fresh, naturally grown ingredients. Clean flavors, bright colors or even brilliant whites. Like waking up to a new snow that’s settled on the frozen ground. I like white. Ask Ranger Craig. He’ll tell you I have an obsession with white. It seems every trip to Costco I come home with a package [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/11/2013 02:00 PM

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Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad

My winter quarter classes begin next week and I couldn’t be more excited about the menu. I’m proud to say this will be my fourth year teaching cooking classes for our local Co-op market here in Seattle. PCC is the Puget Consumer and Co-op Natural Market that began in 1953. An amazing story about 15 [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/08/2013 10:00 AM

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Slow Cooked Red Ginger Chicken

My girls (of the chicken variety) are growing up and will be egg laying hens soon. Although they are now considered pullets, my teenage chickens are finding their grown up voices and developing the most comedic personalities. I love to walk out into the yard and see those four brilliantly feathered girls line up by [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/05/2013 03:02 PM

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Baked Eggs in a Basket

My twin sister will cringe when she reads this blog post. Sunshine was my nickname in high school. Yep, I was quite the perky gal. Too perky probably. Annoyingly positive. I’m not sure why. Life certainly wasn’t always sunshine and roses. But for me, survival was optimism. Perky is nice, but I would have rather [...]

Karista's Kitchen

01/02/2013 02:20 PM

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A Delicious New Year!

One of my favorite things to do, is share the love of good food. Being in the culinary business, I’m constantly surrounded by fabulous foodies, inspiring chef’s, passionate farmer’s, rancher’s and food artisans and in general, really great people. I feel so blessed! This first post of 2013 is a sharing post, a thank you [...]

Karista's Kitchen

12/19/2012 12:46 PM

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Present In The Moment

I’m basking in the quiet this morning. A rare moment. The day will get busier and by the end, I’ll wonder where time went. With a full daily schedule, I constantly remind myself “be present in the moment”. Sage advice from my lovely yoga Instructor. Advice that has allowed me to relish time, instead of [...]

Karista's Kitchen

12/10/2012 11:12 PM

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All I Want For Christmas Is Bleu Cheese and Bacon

It was my birthday last week. Although the new number is daunting, I love birthdays. Not so much my birthday, I love celebrating my family and friend’s birthdays. As long as I remember the birthdays. Thank goodness for Facebook. Ranger Craig surprised me with the sweetest, most thoughtful of gifts. New muck boots and a waterproof work [...]

Karista's Kitchen

12/04/2012 02:07 PM

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Shrimp Linguine with Fresh Arugula Lemon Pesto

From the time my two sassy gals were little, I’ve given them this tidbit of advice. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep alert, watch where you’re going, and watch your step. Excellent Motherly advice. Right? Why you ask? Because I am notorious for ending up sprawled out on a parking lot, grassy hills, rocky slopes, [...]

Karista's Kitchen

11/27/2012 08:39 PM

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Stuffed Olive and Sausage Bites

There is no doubt the holidays are always a busy time of year. However, the last few years it’s become a reason to put the brakes on. Or at least slow down long enough to savor the season. I find myself turning off my computer earlier in the evening, leaving the iPad on my desk, [...]

Karista's Kitchen

11/23/2012 08:00 AM

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Tired of Turkey Yet?

I have to confess, I eat turkey year round. Yep. I roast turkey breast and turkey legs all year-long. My family loves roasted Turkey legs, especially for Super Bowl Sunday. There is so much to be done with this simple poultry. Mostly I carve it up for sandwiches and salads, and during the winter months [...]

Karista's Kitchen

11/16/2012 09:05 AM

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Garam Masala Spiced Pear Galette with Dark Chocolate Sauce

My culinary journey has been a winding road. Sometimes with hairpin turns and sometimes with steep uphill jogs. (If you know me, you know I am NOT a jogger) A few downhill walks and some lovely flat, grassy roads have led me from the past to the present. And it seems that in every phase, I [...]

Karista's Kitchen

11/06/2012 10:01 PM

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Vanilla Spice Rubbed Pork Chops with Roasted Pears

I think the vanilla bean is underused in savory cooking. It’s a uniquely flavored spice that can certainly make any dessert taste spectacular. But it can also make a plain pork chop light up the dinner hour. You guessed it. I had some pork chops that needed to be prepared, and a few pears that had [...]

Karista's Kitchen

11/01/2012 10:36 AM

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Sweet Potato and Apple Bread Pudding

Much of my daily culinary work leads me down the path of nutrition. It’s amazing the healing power of whole foods, herbs and spices. “Food should not only satisfy our hunger, it should nourish our body, feed our soul and delight our senses” Karista~ This runs through my mind constantly. Especially when I’m writing recipes for a [...]

Karista's Kitchen

10/28/2012 08:42 PM

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Kabocha Squash Soup

I have a brother. I also have a twin sister, who I completely adore, but this particular post is about my brother… and Kabocha Squash. Yep, my baby brother. My “Bro” as my sister and I love to call him. Youngest of three, six feet of handsome, über intelligent and the best brother a gal [...]

Karista's Kitchen

10/23/2012 02:14 PM

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Coconut Pecan Crusted Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Apricot Sauce

Sauces reign supreme at the Bennett Camp. And why you might ask? I blame it on culinary school. Almost every entrée recipe I learned to prepare had some sort of brilliant sauce. I loved practicing sauces. I relished the challenge of tweaking them to my tastes and adding new and unusual flavors. The Bennett Crew loved [...]

Karista's Kitchen

10/18/2012 09:00 AM

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Mulligatawny

Every morning I find myself sitting on the kitchen floor in front of my baby chick’s crate, coffee cup in hand, chatting and playing with my four fuzzy little gals. This morning was no different. I heard Ranger Craig walk up the stairs to the kitchen and out of the corner of my eye, I [...]

Karista's Kitchen

10/16/2012 12:00 PM

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Roasted Pumpkin Risotto

I probably have 20 different methods of preparing risotto. Mostly because that’s the one dish my youngest gal always requests. Suzie Q will request risotto for her birthday dinner, when she’s sick, when she scores a perfect 100 on an exam, when she’s having a really rotten day, or any other evening she might need a little [...]

Karista's Kitchen

10/10/2012 10:00 AM

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Sweet Onion Marmalade with Pork Chops

Nothing says Washington State like sweet onions, apples, stone fruit, blackberries, Dungeness crab, lavender and of course…. rain. Just to name a few. Seattle is a culinary heaven. James Beard award-winning chefs, a divine selection of restaurants that garner national attention, organic and sustainable farms and ranches, food artisans, and of course a wealth of fabulous food bloggers. [..

Karista's Kitchen

10/09/2012 12:19 PM

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I’d love your vote!

Karista’s Kitchen has been nominated for Best of Western Washington Food Blog! We have only 3 days left before voting closes and I’m in 6th place. I really want first place, but I’ll take 5th. I used to think I wasn’t terribly competitive…. but this little contest has really gotten me fired up. Just [...]

	Karista's Kitchen
	Keeping dinner simple... Enjoying the flavors of Life!

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