From government to the environment to music and the military in Humboldt, Natalie Arroyo has her foot in it or on it — figuratively and literally. One place that has special significance to her is the Eureka Waterfront Trail, the newly completed 6.3-mile contiguous trail that runs north from Herrick Avenue to Tydd Street. “Since […]
Andrea Juarez
Andrea Juarez moved to Humboldt County in 2013 from Colorado. She writes about health, the outdoors, business, food and culture. When she is not at her keyboard, you’ll find her exploring her new environs. She is enamored with the area’s stunning coastal trails, the smell of eucalyptus trees after a rain, and wild blackberries.
Posted inEat + Drink
Savory Empanadas
Empanadas are a staple for many Latinos. Whether sweet or savory, baked or fried, the little hand pies are a treat. When I was growing up, my momma baked us sweet empanadas, and her empanadas de calabaza (pumpkin) were my favorite. As an adult, it’s the savory empanadas that lure me in: tender, flaky bread […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Gift of Rice
Luscious oyster and artichoke soup, shrimp remoulade, perfectly spiced jambalaya and Creole rice custard pudding. That was celebrity chef Kevin Belton’s menu at the PBS North Coast’s benefit dinner in October at the Carson Mansion’s Ingomar Club in Eureka. Not to worry if you missed the decadent affair. Belton has graciously shared the recipe for […]
Posted inStories
Art on the Move
No event epitomizes Humboldt County like the Kinetic Grand Championship, where the quirky and clever come out for a good time Memorial Day weekend. It’s a three-day, art sculpture/crazy contraption race that’s a blast for both race participants and spectators. Onlookers delight in the elaborate, human-powered sculptures that maneuver over a treacherous 50-mile course on […]
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New Grit
The sweet smell of simmering grits wafts through the kitchen. As they cook, the grits gently bubble, pop and thicken into a golden, luscious porridge. They are made even more heavenly with cream, cheese and roasted green chilies. My grits in no way resemble the first bowl of grits I ate just out of college. […]
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Apples Made Savory
Fall is a glorious time of year. Green leaves turning golden and crimson. Brisk mornings and sunny afternoons. Best of all, apples abound — ready to be picked and eaten. It’s no wonder October is national apple month. For people like moi, who think apples are the perfect fruit, it is paradise. My crisper is […]
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Summer Stock
Your summer zucchini will shine in these two soup recipes perfect for a cool North Coast summer evening: sopa de calabacitas y elote, Mexican zucchini corn soup, and Peruvian caldo de gallina, chicken soup. The creamy zucchini corn soup was inspired by a gorgeous one I ate many, many years ago in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I […]
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Chimichurri in a Hurry
Whether you’re throwing beef, chicken, fish or tofu on the grill this weekend, one sauce that works with them all is chimichurri. It’s easy to make and will earn you some culinary cred. Chimichurri is a parsley-based sauce out of Argentina. There it accompanies grilled meats, chorizo and empanadas. There are countless ways to make […]
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Cabbage Burgers
Cabbage burgers are individual-sized, savory yeast bread stuffed with peppered beef, cabbage and onions, and they are to rural Nebraskans what sourdough is to Californians. Think calzone or empanada, rather than a typical burger. In Nebraska, these little treasures are also called cabbage buns or runzas; in the neighboring state of Kansas they are called […]
Posted inStories
Moto Tours
Motorcycling through the towering redwood groves of Humboldt County is a trip like no other on earth. “We have the majestic trees, the mountains, the rivers and the coastline. And, a relaxed pace of life here that’s hard to find anywhere else,” says Vince Campbell, president of the United Bikers of Northern California, a nonprofit […]
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Berries with Bounce
A warm scone is comforting when the temperature dips and the sky is more gray than not. It gets even better when the scone has fresh cranberries and chocolate. During cranberry season, I sub the fresh version for the dried or jellied kind in my recipes because nothing can compare to the bright, tart berries. […]
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Roasted Chilies
This time of year I long to be back in Colorado, where a bushel of freshly roasted chili peppers is an easy score. There, large metal cages packed full of chilies are turned slowly over open flames outside most markets and at several pop-up stands. As the chilies toast, they hiss, crackle and pop, emitting […]