Distinctly Northwest - Holiday Edition 2018 by Rosebud Media

Decking the Halls

for the Holidays Home for the Holidays A Touch of Tuscany in the Rogue Valley

Perfect Pairings Wines for Every Holiday Meal

Top 5 Hottest High-End Gadgets for the Home Chef

Time to Impress! Tips for Setting a Stunning Table

Holiday Edition 2018 H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

DistinctlyNorthwest.com

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Holiday Edition 2018

CONTENTS

Creating a Cozy Retreat

Perfect Pairings

16 22 24 28

for your Holiday Guests

Wines for Every Holiday Meal

COVER STORY

Home for the Holidays A Touch of Tuscany in the Rogue Valley

Make New Traditions

Three New Holiday Side Dishes

Time to Impress! Tips for Setting a Stunning Table

Top 5 Hottest

High-End Gadgets for the Home Chef Distinctly Northwest Magazine is published by the Rosebud Media Advertising Department 111 N. Fir Street, Medford, OR 97501 General Information: 541.776.4422 To advertise in this magazine, contact Athena Fliegel 541.776.4385 â&#x2013;Ş afliegel@rosebudmedia.com

Publisher & CEO: Steven Saslow VP Associate Publisher: Gail Whiting Special Publications & Events Manager: Athena Fliegel Editor: Linda Mounts Graphic Design: Jaren Hobson Contributing Writers: Buffy Pollock Tammy Asnicar Linda Pinkham Valerie Coulman Maureen Battistella

Reproduction is prohibited without the permission of the publisher.

www.distinctlynorthwest.com

Contributing Photographers: Steve Johnson Buffy Pollock

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by Valerie Coulman

Creating

Perfect Bedroom the

for your Holiday Guests

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Traveling can be stressful, especially over the holidays, and one of the most welcoming things you can do for your guests is to create an oasis for them in the busyness of holiday plans. Your guest room can do much to make their time away from home a holiday to remember.

Room to Relax The room itself can set the tone for your guests’ visit. “Make it inviting and comfortable,” says Joan Schuler, interior designer and owner of Joan E. Designs in Medford. For walls and artwork, Schuler recommends calm colors like cool grays, calming blues, creams or greens. Adjustable lighting can also be key to creating an attractive but functional environment. Comfortable seating is also inviting, and clean, updated contemporary styles will give your guest room to settle in. “If you can,” suggests Schuler, “put in a window bench with lots of pillows to give your guests a chance to relax away from the other guests.” continued on page 6 H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

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Room to Slumber A good night’s sleep can refresh your entire day so be sure your guest bed is comfortable and adaptable to different sleep styles. “The first thing is the mattress,” says Sandy Dowling, innkeeper and co-owner of The Willows Bed & Breakfast in Central Point. Even if you’re not ready to replace the mattress set, adding a new pillow topper or mattress pad can give just the right touch of indulgence. “Even if you must use a blow-up bed,” says Dowling, “consider adding a down mattress cover.” Good quality linens that have been freshly washed are important, say both Dowling and Schuler, and layering several blanket options will let your guests choose their own level of comfort. And don’t forget the pillows. “Give them good quality pillows,” says Dowling. “Don’t relegate the worn-out pillows to the guest room.” Additional items that can be a sleep-saver for the traveler include a fan/heater unit to customize temperature or for white noise. Add eye masks and a discrete light in case they need to be up at night.

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Room to Indulge Luxury comes in the details. At the bedside, a small table or shelf on each side with a lamp and access to an outlet is crucial to give them space to charge phones or technology, reminds Dowling. Consider adding a printed itinerary for their stay, she adds, as a fun and informative way to let your guests know meal times, planned events, and times to explore the region. It’s also important to let them know your guest WIFI password or any important alarm codes. “I always like to put a guest basket or tray in the room,” shares Schuler. Create an upscale experience with bottled water and a sampling of local chocolates, cookies, breath mints, or late night snack or drink options. “People don’t want to get up and rummage in your cupboards at night,” reminds Dowling.

In the bathroom, “think something more spalike,” says Schuler. Supply fresh towels, add plush white robes or slippers, and have fun putting together special indulgences of shampoos, soaps, lotions and other necessities. Not only can your guest pamper themselves, it may also provide items forgotten or lost during their trip.

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Murphy Beds: Compact Comfort

hen Gail Whiting and her husband moved into their 2-bedroom home in Jacksonville, she knew she would need a guest bed but wasn’t really satisfied with the usual choice of futons or sofa beds. Then, while visiting Beds For Less in Medford, she recalls noticing an unusual piece of furniture in the store. About the size of a large stereo cabinet, Whiting was looking at a Murphy bed. Murphy beds, sometimes called wall beds or pull-down beds, attach to the wall inside a cabinet or case with a bedframe and mattress that hinge open when the bed is needed. They come in a range of styles and configurations and the cabinet model seemed ideally suited to Whiting’s home. After testing it, Whiting was impressed with how easy it was to operate and the comfort of the mattress. In their home, the compact design of the Murphy bed allows them full use of their second room as a home office space when guests aren’t visiting. “It’s perfect for us,” says Whiting. While she admits it was not the cheapest option they considered, Whiting has been very happy with its place in their home. “All our guests have commented how comfortable it is,” says Whiting, “It’s exactly what I was looking for.” 

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Room to Just Be Each guest and occasion is unique so finish off your guest room with individual touches. For the adventurer, include maps of the area or brochures of local events. For the avid reader, provide a selection of books and a cozy reading corner. For the wine enthusiast, leave a bottle of local wine and a tour of tasting rooms, suggests Schuler. Even a basket with a yoga mat, resistance bands or small weights can be welcome additions. “If you want to be the perfect hostess, you have to make your guests as comfortable as possible,” sums up Dowling, then laughs, “If you want them to come back, that is.” 

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Perfect

Pairings Wines for Every Holiday Meal

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by Maureen Battistella

The holidays are upon us bringing feasts with friends and family. It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before that board will groan with roasts and bakes and sides and sweet surrenders. What wines work best with the proteins that center traditional holiday meals? continued on page 12 MF-00098712

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“It’s hard to select a wine for the Thanksgiving Day turkey platter with a spread of every flavor that’s around,” admits 2017 Oregon Iron Chef, Josh Dorcak, who specializes in Cascadian cuisine at Mäs. Dorcak suggests a white wine that has skin contact, like Pinot gris for America’s favorite holiday dinner and prefers to serve the wine chilled. Foris Winery has a long tradition of making fine and affordable Pinot gris wines. “The wine has a nice minerality to it,” longtime Foris winemaker Bryan Wilson says. “It’s not a fruity wine and it’s more tightly structured with a hint of residual sugar that round out the phenolic bitterness.” Pinot gris’ clean and refreshing finish will leave the palate open for the array of flavors at the Thanksgiving table and not compete for attention. Big beef roasts are another holiday favorite, a prime rib, tenderloin or sirloin. “Beef is such a masculine flavor; it’s fatty and rich, with a char,” says Dorcak. “The bolder wines go really well with it and our local wines are ideal for this profile flavor —dry, and bigger, and bolder.” One doesn’t have to look far to find exceptional Syrahs, Malbecs and Cabernet Sauvignon here in Southern Oregon. These varietals thrive in many of the microclimates that make up the Rogue Valley American Viticultural Area.

gold in 2017. “Carménère is a very unique wine the way it’s grown here, the way it expresses itself. You smell the nose and you get pepper, jalapeno,” Ginet says. “It’s a spicy wine and works great with a leaner cut of beef.”

Two wines that have won awards and a strong regional following are Plaisance Ranch’s Carménère and Syrah. Joe Ginet, who calls himself winemaker and cow boss, should know – he raises certified organic beef on their Williams Valley spread in the heart of the Applegate Valley. Ginet isn’t shy to credit the matching of Plaisance wines and beef for their complementary appeal.

Ginet favors Syrah with beef, too, saying Syrah has notes of white black pepper that go with beef, and a touch of peppermint, and almonds. “Definitely black fruit, not red fruit and there’s some meatiness to the wine in the flavor profile.”

Plaisance’s Carménère earned a double gold at the 2016 Oregon Wine Experience and their Syrah won the best of show award in 2016 and a double

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Ham is also often the center of a holiday meal and can be prepared in many different ways. Mäs’ Josh Dorak accompanies ham or roast pork with yams glazed in reduced apple cider. He recommends a Grenache or even a Grenache Rosé as a beautiful complement to the spicy, meaty yams, salty ham flavors and succulent pig.

Several Rogue Valley labels are known for their Grenache and Grenache Rosé including Upper5, Goldback, 2Hawk and QuadyNorth. Andy Meyer, who makes his Goldback Grenache and Grenache Rosé at Weisinger Family Winery, says that the varietal offers flexibility because the profiles are different but similar and both pair well with ham and pork. Meyer’s Goldback Grenache has a savory spice and lower tannin, so a softer wine with a fresh acidity – think of that wine paired with pork loin or a shoulder roast. If you’re baking a ham, crusted with a sweet spicy glaze, consider the Grenache Rosé with its bright red fruit flavors of peach and strawberry. A delicious wine, well-matched with your food, makes that special gathering with family and friends all the better. Happy holidays to all and enjoy! 

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Tabletops

Dressed

Don’t have a mantel to deck out for the holidays? No problem. A perfectly-staged, well-designed vignette or tabletop can transform any plain Jane furniture into a dazzling holiday showstopper. If you’re needing suggestions, “an inspired tabletop arrangement is a good place to begin,” says Candy Garay of Essentials Home Décor in Medford. For an over-the-top, whimsical arrangement, Candy chose Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” as one of her themes. The perennial holiday ballet captures every little girl’s sugar plum dreams of becoming a ballerina, she says. Candy’s arrangement is a lesson in fashioning an eye-catching holiday tabletop display. First, she suggests settling on a color scheme. She chose black, white, and red. Black and white is trendy, she says, adding “red is always the color of Christmas.” She built her “Nutcracker” set with a tall nutcracker as the focal point. “Use one big piece to build (your arrangement) around,” she says. Wooden boxes of varying heights can help stage other significant pieces. In this case, she staggered pairs of 10-inch tall nutcrackers at each side.

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by Tammy Asnicar photography Buffy Pollock

in Holiday

Style

Swags of faux pine greenery, ornamental garland with red balls and a string of tiny white lights woven together form one seamless piece long enough to stretch across the table top. This creates the backdrop for the other elements. Also, with artificial greenery, the arrangement will last throughout the season. She advises placing elements randomly rather than symmetrically and scattering the little bits and pieces so your eye will naturally travel through the display. She then tied the prerequisite props: ballerinas, rocking horses, toys and brightly colored packages into her greenery.

For a hint of nostalgia, she added silver ornaments with vintage pearl beading, and for a touch of class, medium to large black and white glass pieces. Small white and silver ornaments were used as accents along the bottom of the greenery. Pine cones were scattered throughout the display and tea lights spotlighted “the ballet” with a warm glow. “Steer clear of real flame. Use LED lights or battery-operated lights to avoid fire danger,” she advises. Traditional tabletop arrangements may feature Santa Claus or the Nativity, says Candy. Or, as she demonstrated, simply capture the beauty and magic of a sparkling, snowy winter’s night. For this theme, she chose two gold-speckled reindeer in fur collars grazing under the watchful eye of two 24-inch angels. Three silver finials are staggered small, medium, large on one side, and two gold and silvertipped trees of varying heights on the other. To create a forest scene of “all is calm, all is bright,” she slipped faux green sprigs of greenery and goldleafed poinsettia leaves into the garland of glass beads, baubles and ornaments. A strand of lights glimmers like moonlight. There are a ton of themes to choose from: Traditional, fun, family, religious, animal, elf, the list goes on and on. Inspiration and imagination are the keys to creating any display, says Candy. “Play with (the elements), create a focal point and see where it takes you.” 

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Home

for the

Holidays A Touch of Tuscany

in the Rogue Valley

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by Tammy Asnicar photography Steve Johnson

COVE R STORY Two years ago, Andrea Cook’s Central Point home, located just outside of Jacksonville, was deemed a total gut job. The 24-year-old house had “all the right bones,” but was in desperate need of a facelift. Determined to make it the home she had always dreamed of, Andrea worked for more than a year to give the entire house a new look. More than a skin-deep renovation, the outdated 4300 square foot Craftsman was infused with Tuscan-inspired charm. With outdoor views of Mediterranean-like sunbaked hills, expansive green vineyards, rich furnishings, and artisan finishes inside, it’s easy to imagine that you’ve stepped into an Italian villa. The holidays are when the stunning home really shines though. Andrea spends ten days decorating every nook and cranny with a splash of red, green, gold and silver. Stair railings and mantels are star attractions and the traditional colors of the season enhance the walls washed in warm golden tones. Stepping through the home’s front entry, the fireplace is the first thing to catch your eye. Added during the renovation, the 14-foot stacked boulder fireplace with a bench hearth and wide wooden mantel is a commanding presence in the formal living room. The mantel, which was hewn from a beam salvaged when the Sacred Heart Church in Central Point was demolished, is the perfect stage for holiday vignettes. The living room is bathed in natural light from a large arched bay window that is the perfect fit for the Cooks’ nine-foot Christmas tree. Andrea decorated the room and the tree with a palette of just three colors: red, gold and cream. She believes in the “less is more” principle of decorating. A “rainbow of colors is too busy on the eyes,” she says. “And contrasting styles and images or mismatched objects disrupts the ‘natural flow’ of the room,” she adds. continued on page 18 H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

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She stays away from trendy Christmas decorations and prefers simple elements such as candles, garland, elegant ribbon and oversized ornaments that will complement the existing decor in a room. The gold and red packages underneath the tree coordinate with the red and gold ribbon and vintage gold-brocaded red balls. In the less formal family room, a smaller tree is decorated for her grandchildren using a palette of silver, lime green and red. Fun red and lime green stockings are hung with care on the room’s equally stunning stone fireplace. A gracious host with a flair for entertaining, Andrea says friends and family love coming to her home for the holidays. “It’s not unusual to have 36 here for Thanksgiving,” she says. And, no wonder — she makes sure her guests dine in elegance. The formal dining room is furnished with a rich wooden table, plush red cushioned chairs and antique chocolate-toned consoles and sideboards. A red velvet table runner graces the wood. Miniature red bells with place cards, water goblets, fluted wine glasses and lovely cloth napkins with decorative napkin rings complete the look. The ceiling over the dining area is Venetian plaster with a bronze wax finish that gives it a coppery look, reminiscent of an oldworld banquet hall. Adding flickering ambient candlelight from cranberry-colored votives and gold pillars gives the scene depth and warmth, says Andrea. “Guests should be made to feel special…that the table was set just for them.” Mocha wallpaper embellished with velveteen stencil-like flourishes cover two walls. On the opposite wall is a luxury in-home bar that is a sommelier’s dream. Fully stocked, it has plenty of work space for any bartender worth his/her salt. In keeping with the Tuscan décor, topiaries and lush houseplants abound. continued on page 20

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The kitchen, like most homes, is the heart and soul of the house, especially during the holidays. The spacious gourmet room has a farmhouse sink, garden bay window, two islands, breakfast nook, wine rack and bar seating. It opens wide to the family room. The countertops are chiseled leathered granite chosen for their unique durability and easy maintenance. Custom cabinets of dark mahogany and dark oak hardwood floors frame the scene. Elegant fabric window coverings throughout provide the backdrop. A must-see is the spacious master bedroom and en suite bath. Here, she stepped away from Tuscany and slipped in a bit of European spa luxury, especially in the bathroom. A gorgeous deep freestanding tub sits on marbled tile and his and her vanities are at opposite corners of the bathroom – for stylish convenience. A delicate chandelier with crystal pendants completes the luxurious look. The bedroom definitely has more of a sleek, stylish contemporary feel. A plush king-size bed with its massive dark walnut headboard is the perfect place to retreat from the holiday hustle and bustle. The gray walls of the bedroom are off-set with white crown molding and high baseboards– accents she also had installed in other rooms. A cozy alcove is wellappointed for quiet evenings and reading a good book. After all the hard work, Andrea Cook now gets to enjoy the stunning results. Her lovely home has become a restful retreat for the busy homeowner who created a touch of Tuscany right here in Central Point, Oregon. 

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by Buffy Bollock

Time to Break Out Some

Different Holiday

Side

Dishes

A celebration of family and food, holiday feasts are serious business. While most Thanksgiving and Christmas menus involve an array of predictable-but-beloved side dish fare from mashed potatoes and green bean casseroles to stuffing and salads, a pair of local chefs encourage holiday cooks to think outside the box and challenge tradition. Planned well, side dishes can be a pleasant surprise combining old favorites with some unexpected – but delicious – pairings. Instead of sweet potatoes covered in scorched marshmallows or scalloped russets, create a layered casserole of both. Try sweetened spaghetti squash for a version with sundried tomatoes and parmesan. Heavy veggie casseroles can also give way for sautéed blends of colorful winter sprouts, peppers and squashes.

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Leah Calhoun, owner of Arbor House, says her motto is, ‘the fresher, the better.’ Eat what’s in season and don’t overcook it. “My favorite way to do side dishes is to do contrasting flavors and contrasting colors. Mix salty and sweet, for example, she says. “Don’t overcook the vegetables and don’t be afraid to be more daring. Try things you haven’t tried before.” Joseph Armstrong, executive chef for The Point Pub & Grill, says to branch out. Swap chicken eggs for duck eggs in deviled recipes for more flavor. For garnish, think bacon instead of parsley or paprika (though paprika can be mixed with yolk for flavor). Throw tradition aside and substitute a potato dish mixing russet and sweet potatoes. “I made my au gratin potatoes one year for my wife’s family, and now they make me do it every year because they all love it so much,” he says. “You never know how something will go until you try it.” 

RECIPES

photos by Buffy Bollock

Roasted spaghetti squash with sun-dried tomatoes and brown sugar (courtesy of Leah Calhoun, Arbor House) 1 small spaghetti squash 1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup shredded parmesan 3 tbsp garlic butter Salt and pepper Cut spaghetti squash in half, remove seeds and roast at 350 degrees until fork tender (approximately 30 minutes). Let cool. Scrape out spaghetti squash and put it into a baking pan, fluffing into spaghetti-like texture. Dust with salt and pepper, sprinkle brown sugar over the top and drizzle with melted garlic butter. Top it with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh grated parmesan and parsley. Bake at 425 degrees until golden brown.

Sautéed In-Season Vegetables for a Lighter Side (courtesy of Leah Calhoun, Arbor House) 2 cups sliced zucchini 1 cup blanched butternut squash cut into cubes 1 cup blanched Brussels sprouts cut in half 1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers 1/4 cup chopped red onions 1 tsp chopped fresh garlic 2 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper In a hot frying pan add olive oil, chopped garlic, red onions, zucchini, roasted red peppers, butternut squash and Brussels sprouts. Toss in pan until cooked al dente, salt and pepper to taste.

“Sweet potatoes au gratin” (courtesy of Joseph Armstrong, The Point Pub & Grill) Peel and rinse 10 sweet potatoes and 10 russet potatoes cut into quarter-inch rounds (use a mandolin if you have one). Place sweet potatoes and russet potatoes in baking dish, stacking (alternating) sweet potato and russets. Cover in chicken stock and sprinkle a quarter cup of fresh thyme and fresh rosemary on top then cover with foil and bake for two hours at 350 degrees. When they are fork tender, drain all the chicken stock. In a separate pan reduce heavy cream until thick (you’ll need enough to cover the potatoes) and add 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of nutmeg. Pour the cream mixture over the cooked potatoes and cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

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by Buffy Bollock

Tips for setting

a Stunning

Table

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A big part of the festivities when enjoying a beautiful holiday meal is to use color and texture to create a memorable table. Any dining room can be dressed up and it doesn’t have to break the budget, says Pretty in Paint store owner, Cindy Conner. With a wealth of ideas online, Cindy says look for tips and tricks and mix wonderful ideas with your own to create a beautiful centerpiece and table setting. Use florals or squash from the grocery store, evergreen clippings from outside and favorite old pieces of glassware to create a gorgeous setting. Simply find things you love and display them. “I don’t believe it’s rocket science or that there’s any special formula. Right at this moment, I don’t even own a full set of flatware that actually matches but it’s my belief that it brings warmth and character,” says Cindy.

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Accent pieces

Fabric and texture instead of bare wood

Getting down to individual place settings, don’t be afraid to mix and match plates and glasses to create a unique look. At each place setting, consider a handmade name card – think card stock with twine or let kids get creative – and adorn each setting with favorite seasonal touches such as a faux leaf, candy cane or other items.

Whatever type of linens, a piece of burlap, random pieces of fabric or a favorite tablecloth, warm things up with some fabric. “I like layers of textures - a bare wooden table feels cold to me. I like to cozy it up with linens,” says Cindy. Try two contrasting colors with your tablecloths or even an elegant runner to highlight your floral or candle displays.

Lighting Instead of just settling for existing overhead lights, set the scene with candles or tea lighting. Just make sure no lit candles are placed where guests are reaching for food. “Lighting is important. Nothing says uncomfortable like harsh overhead lighting. Bring the glare level down with candles or tea lights if you don’t have a dimmer switch - or even if you do,” She adds.

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Erica Gottula with Party Gallery Event Planning suggests collecting pieces of favorite textured items for an inviting look. “We all have a love of glass, candlelight, metal and greens as our table centerpiece. This combination gives your table both a rustic and elegant feel,” she says. It can easily transition into your winter and holiday décor later. “Use different sized glass vases for your centerpiece and make festive cards for each place setting that have a little note on them for each guest. Use height and little splashes of foliage for a festive look,” she adds. “Throw in little touches of red and green, like rosemary from your garden or maybe a few branches of berries and a red and white

tablecloth. To add some ambience, place some large white candles on a cake stand for a simple centerpiece!” says Gottula. Play with different heights for a more custom look.

Add attention to final details When designing a focal point on your table, remember the main focus is to create a place for guests to gather. Don’t make display objects sit too high, precluding conversation, or too busy. If centerpieces or décor take up too much space, set up a side table for housing platters and let guests serve themselves. Most importantly, adorn the area to be both aesthetically pleasing, functional and inviting. Guests will feel special eating at a beautiful, inviting table that you created yourself. “To me, who is at your table is far more important than what is on your table,” Cindy says. “Ultimately, I want my guests to know I am thrilled to have their company. And it’s fun to make everything look beautiful, too.” 

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TOP 5 Hottest Gadgets

High-End for the

Home Chef

Sous Vide What are the hottest gifts this holiday season for the discerning home chef? Local cooking shops gave us their top recommendations for some of their most popular items.

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The latest appliance you may never have heard of, unless you subscribe to several cooking magazines, is a sous vide. A sous vide circulates and precisely controls the temperature of a water bath in which you cook vacuum-sealed foods. The main benefit is that foods cooked in their own juices create intense flavors and preserve more nutrients. A sous vide is also a foolproof way to cook some foods. For example, an expensive steak can be finished to perfection (130°F for medium rare) without danger of overcooking. A quick pan sear to brown the steak completes the cooking process. You can choose between two types of sous vides— an immersion circulator that stores easily in a drawer or a standalone appliance for countertops. Got a techie on your holiday list? Some models of the Anova Sous Vide can be controlled via WIFI or BlueTooth from your smart phone! Prices range from $80 to $430, with the countertop models most costly.

The Instant Pot The appliance that everyone has heard about but may not have purchased yet is an electric multi-cooker. The Instant Pot has won brand name recognition, although many manufacturers make models with similar features. They come in a variety of sizes from 4 to 8 quarts. These sleek modern pressure cookers allow you to get dinner on the table in half the time as a traditional pot, but without the volatility and complexities of using pressure cookers from yesteryear. For example, you can cook a beef brisket, normally a tough piece of meat, in about one hour. These multi-cookers can double as slow cookers, rice cookers, steamers, sautĂŠs, sterilizers, and yogurt makers. Prices range from $80 to $170. continued on page 30

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541-552-4900 | bellefiorewine.com H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

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Air Fryer If your family likes to eat fried foods, but they’re trying to adopt healthier eating habits, then consider purchasing an air fryer. While you have probably seen these on TV, the most versatile option recommended by manager Nicole Schneider at The Kitchen Company in Grants Pass may be a countertop convection oven that is powerful enough to work as an air fryer but also can bake a pizza as a toaster oven or dehydrate vegetables and fruits. Prices range from $250 to $550.

Spiralizers Spiralizers are also a hot ticket for healthminded cooks. These handy gadgets convert vegetables like zucchini, beets and carrots into gluten-free, low calorie “noodles” that can be substituted for regular pasta or fun vegetable shapes in many recipes. Spiralizers come in a variety of tabletop and hand held models, ranging in price from $15 to $40. Look for tools that are easy to clean and have a variety of sharp blades with an onboard covered storage compartment.

Knife Sharpener Serious home cooks usually have a collection of high-quality knives that they like to keep extremely sharp. While some home cooks have learned to use sharpening steels, others rely on taking their knives to a professional. Store owner Joann Freeland at the Pot Rack in Jacksonville recommends the Brod & Taylor Professional Manual Knife Sharpener. This versatile tool is solid stainless steel with Austrian tungsten carbide that will sharpen dull knives and keep them sharp without removing any metal. It can even be used on serrated, single bevel and Japanese Damascus knives. The suggested retail price for the professional model is $120. These culinary gifts will not only thrill your favorite home cook, but you’ll be able to reap the fantastic reward of many delicious meals to come. It’s a win win! 

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STOCKING STU F F ER S Here are some smaller gifts for the cooking connoisseur’s stocking:

■ Le Creuset Activ Ball Cork Puller ($50) is a self-pulling corkscrew that’s foolproof. Add a good bottle of wine for trying it out. ■ Joseph Joseph Stainless Steel Garlic Rocker ($15) is a cleverly designed multi-function tool for crushing and mincing garlic. It’s easy to use and clean. Plus the stainless steel removes the garlic smell from your hands as you wash it off. ■ Cookbooks for multi-cookers, sous vide and spiralizers are great gifts because they show how to use an unfamiliar gadget. Good cooks will be able to adapt their traditional recipes once they learn the options available with their new toy. ■ Sous vide cooking accessories are great companion gifts for anyone receiving a sous vide. Consider getting a vacuum sealer or a set of reusable vacuum bags. Sous vide containers and racks that are designed for use with immersion sous vides make using the tool much more convenient. ■ Specialized high-end knives like Wusthof ($50 for a paring knife and up) are well-loved by cooks, especially if they have never experienced a really good knife.

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

CBB# 179541

O.A.C. MF-00094903

Ph: 541- 664-2698 - www.TitanHeatingAir.com H o l i day E di ti o n 2 0 1 8

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Uncork the good life. When you choose Rogue Valley Manor, you’re choosing an unparalleled retirement lifestyle—more than 100 on-site activities and interest groups, beautiful residences that range from studio apartments to three-bedroom cottages, and incredible resort-style amenities. Plus, you’ll enjoy easy access to all of Southern Oregon’s cultural and recreational wonders, with more time to enjoy them thanks to our hassle-free lifestyle.

Call today to schedule your personal tour.

541-857-7214 • retirement.org/rvm

Rogue Valley Manor is a Pacific Retirement Services community and an equal housing opportunity.

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