YOUR WEEKNIGHT DINNER GAME PLAN

GIVE BACK,
70 AMAZING WAYS TO

JUMP-START
BETTER
with TOMS
founder
Blake
Mycoskie

YOUR LIFE VOLUNTEER ON VACATION

BECOME A WINEMAKER
MOVE TO THE DESERT

IDEAS FOR A
SMALL-SPACE
REFRESH!

JANUARY 2017
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 January
EXPERIENCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
the WEST

Theres nowhere else in Seattle

48
THE TRIP
Finding center and
we could pay what we do getting lost in the
and have that kind of view. still-wild West of Cali-
TINY HOME, BIG DREAMS, p. 70 fornias Joshua Tree.
By Mickey Rapkin

60
GAME PLAN: A
WEEK OF MEALS
These flavorful, make-
ahead, mix-and-match
vegetarian recipes are
your path to healthy-
eating success.
By Charity Ferreira

70
TINY HOME,
BIG DREAMS
One Seattle couple
shrugs off traditional
homeownership
for a 200-square-
foot Airstream.
By Jess Chamberlain

Minimalist living goes

mobile: When settled
at an RV park like this
one near Seattle, an
Airstream can double
as a streamlined
home (see page 70).

Photograph by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
 EXPERIENCE the WEST

January
8 O O
THIS MONTHS
RECIPES

S O ST APPETIZER
Sumac Hummus
GF/LC/LS/VG...................62

MAINS
Braised Short Ribs with Pear,
Ginger, and Star Anise ......80
Buttered Herbed Potatoes
and Shrimp GF/LC .............89
Pressure Cooker Chicken
Pho GF.................................84
Roasted Wild Mushroom
Pappardelle V .....................89
Saffron Tomato Chickpeas,
Freekeh, and Brussels
1 T O
A g ee e ea , a b ed
concrete vases, barn-wood
Sprouts.................................66
Slow-Cooker Carnitas
GF ........................................88
furniture, icy vegan desserts, Sumac Hummus with Kale
and more Ribbons and Roasted

77 Delicata Squash .................64

Sweet and Spicy Red
Kuri Squash Bowl ...............67
TRAVEL
SIDES

17 For
PROFILE
TOMS founder Blake
HOME & GARDEN
82 Author
MASTER CLASS
Andrea Nguyen
cracks the pho code for
Brown Basmati Coconut
Rice VG ...............................62
Mycoskie, seeing the world
inspired him to do better in it. 33 Three
DECORATING IDEAS
creative attic renova-
tions prove just how much
the home cook. Freekeh Tabbouleh ...............68
Freekeh with Parsley
and Onions LC/VG ............63

22 Powder
TAKE ME THERE
play: Bypass hard
fun you can pack into a
small space. 88 Three
FAST & FRESH
quick weeknight meals,
including slow-cooker
Garnish Plate for Pho
(Dia Rau Song) ..................86
snow, long lift lines, and drafty Herbed Chickpeas
carnitas and roasted wild-
lodges for the new ski holiday.
42 From
IDEA GARDEN
Succulents, our new
book, comes a California
mushroom pappardelle
GF/LC/LS/VG ....................62
Kale Ribbons
GF/LC/LS/VG ....................63
28 Treehouses
TREND
elevate ordinary
vacations into experiences
garden devoted to the
low-water lookers. 90 Allbold,about
IN THE SUNSET KITCHEN
olive oil: mild vs.
Red Pear Salad with
Lemon Parmesan Dressing
all-purpose vs. finishing, GF/LC/LS/V .......................79
filled with wonder. and deciphering the label Roasted Winter Squash
46 What
GARDEN CHECKLIST
to do in your garden with Honey, Tahini, and
Lime GF/LC/LS/V ...............63
in January
92 Are SIP
you an aspiring wine-
maker? Realize your
Saffron Tomato Chickpeas
GF/LC/VG ..........................62
dream through a local Spiced Brown Basmati
FOOD & DRINK community college. Coconut Rice
GF/LC/LS/VG ....................62

77 Put
PEAK SEASON
juicy, sweet pears to
work in salad, dessert, 98 Enter
UP NEXT
our Instagram contest
DESSERT
Comice Pear Clafoutis
LC/LS/V...............................78
and even ginger-braised to win a coastal getaway for
short ribs. two to San Diego! PANTRY
Ginger Dipping Sauce
(Nuoc Mam Gung) ...........86

On our cover RECIPE GUIDE

Weeknight dinner game plan page 60 Give back, give better page 17 Jump-start GF: Gluten-free; LC: Low calorie;
your life pages 17, 33, 48, 60, 70, 92 Small-space refresh pages 33, 70 LS: Low sodium; V: Vegetarian;
VG: Vegan
Our full guide to nutrition
TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie in Malibu. TipiMarqui tent: Under Canvas, undercanvas.com. and good cooking:
All props from Found Vintage Rentals (foundrentals.com); prop sourcing by Sterling Social sunset.com/cookingguide.
(sterlingsocial.com). Shoes: TOMS. Mycoskies own RRL poncho (draped on crate). Photograph
by Thomas J. Story; prop styling by Joni Noe; grooming by Mia Baker Kessler.
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Available in dry, wet & treats

6 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 Your dog shares the spirit of the wolf.
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 CONVERSATIONS

New
JUMP-START
verb \j mp-strt\
to start (a vehicle whose battery is not
& Now

working) by connecting its battery

to another source of power (such as the
battery of another vehicle)
to cause (something) to start quickly
to give new energy to (something)
DIY succulents
We teamed with expert grower
JUMP-START YOUR LIFE. What does that Robin Stockwell to bring you
mean, exactlyother than as a handy little Succulents: The Ultimate Guide.
catchphrase for a January edition of Sunset? Get pro tips for planting and
crafting with these unthirsty
What does it mean for you right now? One beauties. $25; sunset.com/
of the trickier aspects of editing a monthly succulentsbook.
magazine, particularly in this digital-first
age, is the lag time between shipping an
issue off to the printer and getting it into a
readers hands: You need to intuit popular
sentiment weeks or months from the
moment you produce a photo shoot or type
words onto a screen. Never has that seemed
truer than today as I sit here writing this,
one week after our presidential election TIME-lapse
and with my news and social-media feeds From our sister brand TIME comes
100 Photographs, a coffee-
full of uncertainty and emotion. table book ($25), print series
So Im willing myself into a 2017 mind-set and trusting that by the time you read (shoptime.com), and website
this in two months, we will have made progress toward some sort of healing. Call it (time100photos.com) of 100
images that changed the world.
navet, if you like; I call it hope. Not that we will resolve the enormity of our differ- one for all :

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THOMAS J. STORY, E. SPENCER TOY, LISA ROMEREIN/GETTY IMAGES
enceseven among the 1.25 million subscribers of this magazine who live in places toms founder
blake
like Idaho and California, Washington and New Mexico, I certainly am aware that mycoskie in
differences exist. But I also believe that deep down, we cherish the same desires for malibu
our everyday lives. To feed our families a nourishing weeknight dinner (page 88).
To create an inspiring home, whether that be a homestead in the desert (page 48) or
a 200-square-foot Airstream in an RV park (page 70). To feel empowered to follow
our true calling, like 67-year-old NASA scientist Walt Brooks (page 92), who DEFINITION: MERRIAM-WEBSTERS COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY;

proved its never too late to become a winemakerand made it happen by enrolling
in his local community college. The year is fresh; the future is ours to imagine. The
West has always been about living the dream.
Meet me
IRENE EDWARDS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | @irene_sunset | readerletters@sunset.com in Palm Springs
Were thrilled to announce our
2017 Idea House in this beautiful
desert town. A collaboration
Write to us, tweet us, or tag us on your Instagram; we promise with Better Built Inc., o2 Architec-
JOIN THE SUNSET COMMUNITY we read each and every one of your comments. ture, and interior design team
30 Collins, the stunning modern
facebook.com/ @sunsetmag @Sunset pinterest.com/ home will open for tours in Octo-
SunsetMagazine on Instagram on Twitter SunsetMag ber. sunset.com/PSIdeaHouse.

8 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
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W H AT W E R E T R AC K I N G T H I S M O N T H

We wanted to create
a secret for people
to stumble upon in
the citylike a hot
spring discovered
while hiking in the
mountains. So says
Sunny Simmons
about Onsen, his
newly launched
holistic spa and tea-
room in San Fran-
ciscos Tenderloin
neighborhood.
Inspired by Japans
community bath-
houses, he and his
wife, Caroline Smith,
bought a defunct
auto body shop and
transformed the for-
mer mechanics pit
into a contemporary
bathing pool, com-
plete with a skylight
fringed with ferns.
Six private treatment
rooms offer afford-
able massages, Reiki,
and acupuncture;
a small restaurant
serves inventive
dishes (thick rice
porridge with miso
kimchi and quail
egg) along with a se-
lection of teas and
sakes. The duo spent
three years building
the spa by hand,
he raiding second-
hand shops for the
steampunk-style
showerheads and
she illustrating the

URBAN BATHHOUSE
signage that doubles
as wall art. Adds
RAQUEL VENANCIO

Simmons, Every
BEST element has its own
SOAK story. From $30 for
two hours; onsensf.com.
Jenna Scatena

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 11
 BEST
COLOR
STORY
YES, THIS
IS CONCRETE
Cold and gray is how most
people think of concrete, but
Matt Heide sees it as a blank
canvas. The English-lit grad
was applying a quick-set con-
crete to leaky storm drains
around Edmonton, Canada,
when its pliable, super-
sculptural nature suddenly
clicked. Thats when Heide
came up with the idea behind
Concrete Cat, where he devel-
oped a coloration process
that borrows techniques from
paper marbling. The result: a
mesmerizing array of one-off
tiles, bowls, vases, bookends,
and custom projects in dreamy,
on-trend patterns. Heide is
also beginning to experiment
with deeper shades. Im ex-
cited about rich jewel tones
right now. The late 70s and
early 80s were a good
source of color: browns, tans,
gold, maroon, navy blue,
green. I want to do it all. con
cretecat.com. Chantal Lamers
12 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
BEST
REUSE
BARN-WOOD REVIVAL
The initials in its name stand for rustic aged wood, and thats exactly what Salt Lake Citys
R.A.W. Restorations turns into furniture and pieces of art. Ive always made use of reclaimed
materials, says cofounder Kelley Jensen, a contractor for almost 35 years. Pallets, lumber, logs,
you name itIve taken it and reinvented it. Now hes in business with daughter Kate (pic-
tured), a former mortgage broker who has long had a passion for building. The two are true
partners: Kate finds retired barns, the two dismantle them, and then they create products rang-
ing from dining tables and dog beds to floor panels for Airstream renovations. Theres so much
character in wood, says Kate, who also runs the companys popular Instagram account (@raw
restorations). Its fun to give it a second life. Prices vary; rawrestorations.com. Jess Chamberlain
An alpine-style getaway in New Mexico
Next month, the 80-room Blake
BEST at Taos Ski Valleythe first major
HIDEOUT building in the base area in two
decadesopens with ski-in/ski-out
access and refined resort ameni-
ties, including a state-of-the-art spa. But its the
design details celebrating northern New Mexico
culture that truly set it apart: Navajo textiles,
BOTTOM RIGHT: KURT SCHMIDT
vintage photographs by ski racer and National
Geographic lensman Dick Durrance, and a cus-
tom desk inspired by the moccasins worn by
Taos Pueblo Native Americans. A gallery dedi-
cated to Ernie Blake, the visionary founder of
the valley, ensures that the character of this be-
loved ski resort remains true to iconoclastic
form. From $249; skitaos.com.
 Your one-stop shop
BEST
COOLDOWN

for winter sun

Only in Malibu would the Ranch at the Pier qualify as a bait and tackle shop.
BEST
SURF Overlooking Surfrider Beach and run by One Gun Ranch (page 17), the
SHACK nautically styled boutique celebrates the concept of endless summer. Saludos
espadrilles and Shaw & Tenney oars are sold along with botanical skin-care
products and gorgeously designed Arbor skateboards; chic housewares share the shelves
with model airplanes and vintage memorabilia, including black-and-white photographs
of legendary surfers. Pride of place goes to the bags of the ranchs biodynamic compost,
displayed in wagons out front and aptly dubbed Super(ior) Soil. Theres something for
everyonefrom tourist to local. ranchatthepier.com.

THE
HEALTHY
DESSERT
WERE
CRAVING
NOW
January might be an odd time to
have ice cream on the brain, but
the vegan frozen concoctions from
just-launched Seattle company
Frankie & Jos are a guilt-free way
to stick to your New Years
resolutions. Made by hand, the
dairy- and gluten-freebut
flavor-richrecipes feature a
sprouted-cashew and coconut-milk
base, natural sweeteners like
dates, and creatively good-for-you
ingredients. The Gingered Golden
Milk has fresh turmeric and ginger
root, both anti-inflammatories;
the Salted Caramel Ash contains
activated charcoal, which acts as
a purifier, removing toxins from the
FROM LEFT: BROOKE FITTS, JACK GUY (3)

body; and the Chocolate Date

consists of only four ingredients
(coconut milk, cocoa powder,
organic dates, and sea salt). Be
sure to try the waffle cones, made
with maple syrup and oat flour.
$14/pint, four-pint min. for online
order; frankieandjos.com. J.C.

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 13
 WE GROW
ALMONDS
AND A WHOLE
LOT MORE.
Almond farmers in California
grow more than a food thats
rich in nutrition.

Theyre also growing jobs,

water efciency, environmental
research and more.

Grow what you know

about almonds at
almondsustainability.org leafy and sunny:
the solarium
at pistils nursery

BEST
REFRESH
BRING THE GARDEN INDOORS
High on our list of dreamy winter escapes: the updated solarium at Portlands Pistils
Nursery. Were inspired to turn a sunny corner at home into our own version of this
green retreatstarting with the perfect woven basket and a cork-mounted philoden-
dron. pistilsnursery.com.
vining cork
mount,
from $34

beaded
beach- hagemann
comber botanical
Basket, oak print
$46 chart, $180

Kendall, A., Marvinney, E., Brodt, S. and Zhu, W. (2015), Life

Cyclebased Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse
Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part I: Analytical
Framework and Baseline Results. Journal of Industrial
Ecology, 19: 10081018. doi: 10.1111/jiec.12332.
University of California Agricultural Issues Center. The
Economic Impacts of the California Almond Industry. perched stone
December 2014. Pot Duo, $46
14 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
2016 Almond Board of California. All rights reserved.
 AN EXCELLENT
SOURCE OF
One serving of almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.

CAN - DO
IN EVERY CRUNCH
Whatever you take on, take it on with almonds.
Get 6g of energy-giving protein and 4g of hunger-
slaying ber to really bring it all day, every day.

Learn more at Almonds.com.

2017 Almond Board of California. All rights reserved.

CRUNCH ON
 ION

C D

Explore Scenic Style

Bring home the great outdoors with furniture and dcor inspired by our National
Parks, on sale for a limited time at Wayfair.com/SunsetDeals.

H
F

A. Drum Pendant LOON3961 B. Vintage Advertisement on Canvas

LOON1531 C. Eufaula End Table LOON1866 D. Lumbar Pillow LOON4349
E. Rustic Sofa LOON1388 F. Faux Leather Arm Chair LOON1356
G. Framed Photographic Print LOON3236 H. Katuu End Table LOON3065
 Travel

P ROF I LE

THE CHANGE
MAKER
For TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie,
seeing the world was what inspired
him to do better in it. By
PROP STYLING: JONI NOE; GROOMING: MIA BAKER KESSLER; PROP SOURCING: STERLING SOCIAL

Melissa Goldstein

One Gun Ranch in Malibu, an

educational working farm
thats among Mycoskies
recommended places to volun-
teer while traveling in the
West (for more, see page 20).

Photographs by T H O M A S J. S T O RY SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 17
Travel

A llegedly, Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, celebrated turning 40

this year. Objectively, it doesnt sound like there was time. When we
meet at Malibus One Gun Ranch, where hes dropped in for an event
to spread the TOMS gospel (delivered with Bill Clintonlevel cha-
risma and Matthew McConaughey looks) and to learn about the
propertys volunteer programs, Mycoskie has just gotten back from
a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with his wife and collaborator, Heather, and their 2-year-
old son Summit. Prior to that, his schedule verged on the Carmen Sandiegoan: One minute
he was in Iowa, at the high school graduation of his Ethiopian adopted son, Wubetu (they
met when Wubetu was 14); the next, he was at Cannes, accepting an award for his charitable
work. In a few weeks, hell be taking a TOMS giving trip to Appalachia to distribute shoes
to people in need.
For many, the four-decade mark brings with it a sense of urgency, a desire to find fulfill-
ment in ones personal life and career. For Mycoskie, all that seems to be missing is time to
eat (which hell do later in the interview, devouring dinner in the wilds of his Topanga Can-
yon backyard). The Texas natives life-changing moment came more than 10 years ago.
While vacationing in Argentina, taking a monthlong break from the software company he
was running at the time, he had an epiphany: I was there long enough to keep seeing these
kids without shoes, says Mycoskie. Modeling TOMS shoes after the canvas slip-ons farm-
ers in the area wore, he came up with a one
for one business model that links a chari-
table donation to every sale. People see
travel as a luxury, but its also an invest-
ment because the brain works in a weird
way: When youre not trying to come up
with the solution to something, you can
actually be the most productive.
Since launching in 2006, TOMS has
soldand donatedmore than 70 million
pairs of shoes around the world. The brand
has also added eyewear, coffee, and a range
of bags to the portfolio, helping restore
sight to more than 400,000 people, pro-
vide more than 335,000 weeks of safe wa-
ter, and train birth attendants as well as
provide birth kits to help more than 25,000
women safely deliver babies.
In 2015, Mycoskie passed the title of
Scenes from the 25-acre
CEO at TOMS to Jim Alling, in order to fo- ranch, where horses are avail-
cus on, among other things, the TOMS So- able for trail rides. Opposite:
Mycoskie on the property.
cial Entrepreneur Fund, a venture partially Tipi, undercanvas.com; crate
funded by the 50-percent sale of the com- and textiles, foundrentals.
com; shoes, toms.com.
pany to a private-equity firm in 2014. The

18 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 I think that more
and more
people are looking to
have meaningful
experiences in travel.
BLAKE MYCOSKIE
 Travel

GET AWAY, GIVE BACK

Volunteering lets you experience
a place on another level. Here are
some of Mycoskie and Sunsets fa-
vorite places to do that in the West.
Mycoskie also likes the app Gold-
en (goldenvolunteer.com), which
connects volunteers with organiza-
tions based on their interests.
A gardener at One Gun
Ranch; old wagon wheels ONE GUN RANCH
and horseshoes at the sta-
This biodynamic farm in Malibu,
ble. Below: Mycoskie in
his Land Rover Defender. where the primary goal is educa-
tion, invites volunteers to help out
in the garden and holds monthly
classes on sustainable growing
project aims to support the next wave of socially minded companiesfor example, ArtLift- methods. Teaching people about
food is so important, says My-
ing, an organization providing representation and gallery licensing for homeless or dis- coskie. With so much of what we
abled people who are artists. eat, we dont even know where it
Having changed the course of his own life through a business built on betterment, My- comes from. 1gunranch.com.
coskie is now looking to help others do the same. I feel so blessed that Im doing at 40 what SURFERS HEALING
a lot of people have to wait until their 70s to do, he says. Its really fun being the mentor, Pro surfer Israel Paskowitz and
the coach, helping the next generation and not just focusing on your own stuff. his wife founded this organization
Its an idea thats neatly summed up by a recent tattoo on his arm, which reads, for one for their autistic son, whose senso-
ry overload issues were assuaged
another. The phrase came to him during a collaborative marketing exercise. It goes back by riding waves. Based in San
again to travel and why its sometimes hard for me to be home, Mycoskie admits. Because Juan Capistrano, the group offers
when Im home, Im focusing on my issues, my problems. But when youre traveling, you volunteer opportunities all along
the West Coast. If youre a good
have to engage with peopleit gets you more in that for one another mind-set. swimmer, you can volunteer, says
Travel has long fueled his give-back mentality, starting with an appearance on the show Mycoskie. surfershealing.org.
The Amazing Race with his sister when he was 25. That was when I first traveled to places
JACKSON HOLE THERAPEUTIC
that had some poverty: the townships in South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and parts of Thai- RIDING ASSOCIATION
land, he says. I started to develop a curiosity of how differently we all live, and how we Pairing military veterans and
really are connected as a global village. disabled individuals of all ages
Given that globe-trotting with a 2-year-old isnt the easiest, these days Mycoskies jaunts with horses, JHTRA achieves life-
changing results. When they get
tend to be closer to home, often in the West. Mountaineering trips are a passion; not surpris- people on the saddle on the horse,
ing, given his sons name. I hope its not too amazing things happen with their
much pressure on him. I hope he doesnt minds, says Mycoskie. jhtra.org.
feel like hes gotta climb every mountain, MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY
he says, smiling, but also revealing a hint of The Beach Buddies program al-
genuine concern. After all, Mycoskie him- lows travelers to explore the island
self seems to embrace that challenge: Earlier with a shelter dog by their side.
Volunteers can take their dog for
last year, he attempted The Grand Traverse, a hike in the hills or a walk along
a series of 10 peaks in the Grand Tetons. the sand. mauihumanesociety.org.
You do them consecutively without coming
down, but it was pretty grueling, so we only SOLID GROUND
got three or four, he says. Tellingly he adds, Devoted to food justice, this non-
profit invites volunteers to jump
I went back, and got a few more. in at its community farms in South
Seattle. From planting seeds to
distributing vegetables, partici-
DIGITAL BONUS Plan a truly good pants help get crops from the
vacation with our voluntourism guide: farms onto well-deserving tables.
sunset.com/voluntourism. solid-ground.org.

20 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 THE YEARS
BIGGEST
BREAKOUT
TV STAR

Your favorite entertainment

brands are now on TV
New! Original programs, celebrity interviews and live events available FREE on-demand

ALWAYS STREAMING on:

Amazon Fire TV | Apple TV | Chromecast | Xnity | Roku Players | Xumo | mobile iOS and Android

www.people.com/PEN
Copyright 2016 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
Travel

TA KE ME
THERE

POWDER PLAY
Not a fan of hard snow, long lift lines, and drafty lodges? Well, get ready:
The new and improved ski day is about to knock your socks off.

ITS THAT TIME of year when a line is drawn in the snow. On one side better way. While youve stayed away, ski resorts have been upping
are the powderhounds who stockpile gear and bank PTO days wait- their game, from adopting new snowmaking technologies to ex-
MELISSA GAYLE

ing for the next dump. On the other side, the rest of us. Weve sat in panding their aprs scene beyond buffalo wings. Today the snow is
the traffic jams, slept in the cheesy chalets, and shivered our butts better, the terrain is endless, and the base camps are badass. Make
off, all in the name of fun. No more. Were here to tell you theres a this the year you cross the line and call yourself a skier.

22 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 OWN A MOMENT IN TIME.

100
3+272*5$3+6
BUY THE BOOK | shop.time.com/100photos
7LPH,QF7,0(LVDUHJLVWHUHGWUDGHPDUNRI7LPH,QF$OIUHG(LVHQVWDHGWH/,)(3LFWXUH&ROOHFWLRQ*HWW\,PDJHV
+XOWRQ$UFKLYH*HWW\,PDJHV0DUJDUHW%RXUNH:KLWHH/,)(3LFWXUH&ROOHFWLRQ*HWW\,PDJHV%HWWPDQQ*HWW\,PDJHV
Travel

STATS TOP STOPS

MORE RUNS, MORE FUN

Resorts love measuring contests. More
mountain means shorter lines, and more
time to plot aprs plans. Three mergers that
give you the most downhill for your dollar: say hello to
perfect corduroy

BLACKCOMB WHISTLER
3,414 4,757
acres acres

Whistler Blackcomb:
8,171 acres

BRAGGING RIGHTS Largest ski resort

in North America with 200-plus runs,

THE BEST IN SNOW

including one called Burnt Stew, which
goes for almost 7 miles.

There was a time, if you can imagine it, when we waited for nature to
buffer. During the 1920s, the first ski resorts in the country relied on
SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS natural falling snow to blanket their mountains. Which worked out
3,600 2,400
acres acres great when the flakes were flying but, in between storms, the slopes
were often an icy-patchy-melty mess. We now live in a world where
high-powered guns launch pristine powder 100 feet into the airin July.
And state-of-the-art grooming machines prowl the mountain, turning
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: todays ice into tomorrows corduroy while we sleep. Todays snow is
6,000 acres better, more abundant, and like everything else in our lives, on-demand.
Are we spoiled? Probably. Does it feel good? Judge for yourself at these
BRAGGING RIGHTS The Squallywood pub
crawl. Start with a pint at Le Chamois and top flake-making mountains.
finish at Umbrella Bar, the countrys only
mountaintop bar with a pool and hot tub.
Sun Valley, Diamond Peak, Boreal Mountain,
Idaho Nevada California

Their snowmaking Two years ago, Dia- Schussing in your

PARK CITY CANYONS RESORT system harnesses mond Peak deployed T-shirt on a gorgeous
3,300 4,000 data from 114 moun- the countrys first California day? It
acres acres tain monitors (on GPS-enabled groom- might sound crazy,
temperature, humidi- ing machines, which but this Lake Tahoe
ty, wind direction), use highly calibrated resort uses a new
so snow guns can location information all-weather snow
adapt their technique to measure snow machine from Italy
to real-time condi- depth to the inch that pumps out
Park City Mountain Resort: tions. The result: Up- then reconfigure 2.3 tons of fino
7,300 acres to-the-minute awe- their sculpting appro- flakes every hour.
someness at every priately. diamond rideboreal.com.
BRAGGING RIGHTS Being able to ski all turn. sunvalley.com. peak.com.
three of the resorts peaksMurdock,
Ninety-Nine 90, and Jupiter Peakfrom
rope to rope. Estimated time: 7 hours.

24 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET

HANG OUT AT BASE CAMP
In the old days, resorts lacked comforts. You might expect to eat bland chili, sleep in a drafty lodge, and find the town asleep
by 8. Now, the hills are alivewith top chefs, craft cocktails, even mountaintop yoga. Welcome to your perfect aprs-ski.
NEW
Squaw Valleys
take on dinner
and a movie
EAT stars a four-
course meal, kill-
er cocktails, and beanbags for
kids. From $59; squawalpine.com.
This winter, Mt. Hoods old-school
Timberline Lodge unveils YBar,
a pub redone by the designers of
RAGE the space-age Seattle W. Roll-up
doors open onto a deck, where
you can sip from a river of local
beer. $$; timberlinelodge.com.
Glide to the slopes without hit-
ting one traffic light on Den-
vers newly resurrected ski
CHILL train. Plush railcars whisk you
to Winter Park from Union
Station. From $39 one way; am
trak.com/winterparkexpress.
BYO rig, and luxe
new Angel Fire RV
Resort provides the
CRASH clubhouse, hot tub,
and weekly wine and
cheese tastings. From $59; angel
firervresort.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: BRYCE BOYER, AUBREE DALLAS, DON RIDDLE
olympic Q&A
veteran
LEARNING CURVES
Ski school is so much better
when taught by a pro. Heres
Olympic racer Wendy Fisher on
the art of not looking stupid.
Tips for first-timers?
If youre winded and struggling,
youre not doing it right. Skiing
PLAY
CLASSIC
Amid pine beams and throw-
back photos at Whitefishs
Cafe Kandahar, the James
Beardnominated chef serves
dishes like elk carpaccio and
forest-mushroom gratin. $$$$;
cafekandahar.com.
Perched high in the
Wasatch, The St.
Regis Deer Valley
slings elevated cocktails, like the
7452 Mary, a Bloody made with
local vodka distilled at 7,000 feet.
$$$$; stregisdeervalley.com.
Dont you dare call it
a hot tub: The 85
pool at Alaskas Aly-
eska Resort is set
under beamed ceil-
ings, surrounded by epic views.
From $139; alyeskaresort.com.
Overstuffed chairs, roaring
fireplaces, cross-country
trails outside your door. Little
has changed at Mammoth
Lakes Tamarack Lodge.
And thats just fine with us.
From $99; tamaracklodge.com.
should be effortless. Try to learn
on mellow runs, so you wont
fear losing control. And be sure
to get equipment thats sized
right. You want a shop where
the employees ski every day
and understand the gear.
Should I take a lesson?
Yes! You dont want to start ski-
ing wrong; its harder to correct
later. Often an instructor will tell
UNEXPECTED
Utahs Solitude Mountain lets
you snowshoe through lantern-lit
pines to dinnerin a Mongolian
yurt!Inside,finddelicacieslikeespresso-
crusted rack of lamb and maple
bourbon pots de crme. $130 ;
skisolitude.com.
At Idahos Schweitzer, Schpring
Finale means music, beer tastings,
and a Cardboard Derby. Suit up,
make a tobog-
gan, and join the
fun. Apr 89;
schweitzer.com.
Find Zen atop
Aspen Moun-
tain, where a
yogi leads sun
salutations in the
resorts window-walled Sundeck.
$5; aspensnowmass.com.
Three words: bourbon
body scrub. Four Sea-
sons Vail dishes up de-
lights, from pocket-size
bacon treats to an aprs
whiskey cart. From
$619; fourseasons.com/vail.
you something, and you wont
get it. Then after trying over and
over, youll have a breakthrough,
and suddenly youre on the next
level. Its incredible to watch.
Why do you love skiing?
The freedom. If you play tennis,
you need a court. But skiing
you can do anywhere theres
snowon the trails, in the
treeline. I love that.
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 25
Travel

GEAR

BETTER, WARMER
No more clunky coats and rickety skis to muck up your mountain fantasy. Todays gear is engineered for
maximum performance, while keeping you warm from nose to toes.

Your hands Your face Your toes

Take one pair of waterproof
gloves, add a rechargeable
lithium-ion battery, and you
get...the new Capstone Heated
Gloves. Now, you can warm your
mitts at the touch of a button.
$500 ; outdoorresearch.com.
The futuristic Anon M3 MFI Cold, stiff boots are tough on the
Goggles have concealed toes. The solution: the Transpack
magnets that attach to your Heated Boot Pro bag, an
face warmer, keeping you ingenious satchel that plugs right
mr. bond, your goggles
covered from chin to nose are ready into your car lighter. Works on
on windy lift rides. $265; socks, gloves, and hats too.
burton.com. $220 ; transpack.net.
 the only pair of skis
youll ever need

Your tush
Nothing can ruin your run quicker
Your core Your new skis than an ice-cold lift chair. The spe-
Made from 100 percent merino With an hourglass shape, cially designed Womens Cheeky
wool, the REI Merino Midweight a lightweight core, and a tip Pants combat bum-freeze with an
base layer has the warmth of and tail curved like Elvis additional, removable pair of ther-
wool with the soft feel of a synthet- Presleys lips, the Rossignol mal shorts. $450 ; marmot.com.
ic. The top also wicks moisture, Soul 7 HD skis practically
keeping you dry until the sun sets. turn on their own. $850 ; By Jeremy Pugh, Megan McCrea,
$80 ; rei.com. rossignol.com. and Marie Salcido

Big Sky, Montana is your home for winter adventure. Everywhere you look, natures unspoiled beauty will surround you.
With over 5,800 acres of downhill terrain, youll see why Big Sky is the Biggest Skiing in America. Come out West for the best.
Head to BiggestSkiingInAmerica.com today.
Travel

TREND

Sleep in amid the

palms at Mexicos Playa
Viva eco retreat.

UP IN THE AIR
Hoteliers are transforming guest rooms into treehouses, elevating ordinary
vacations into experiences filled with wonder. By Charyn Pfeuffer

YOU ARE IN A TREE . be careful. The sign at Washingtons Doe
Bay Resort & Retreat is a gentle reminder to watch your step
in the hotels newest suite, a cottage-esque treehouse 18 feet above
the ground. Being cradled by the forest as you sleep is something
few people forget, says River Augenstein, general manager of
the Orcas Island resort. Like many other hoteliers around the
Guys, on which Doe Bays suite was featured).
Theres something playful, almost primal, about sleeping in the
trees, says David Leventhal, the developer behind Playa Viva,
a beach resort south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The hotels creatively
designed treehousean oval bamboo structure with a canopied
king bed, open to Pacific breezesis a world away from those nail-
KEVIN STEELE

West, Augenstein added the rustic-luxe structure in response to and-2x4 home-builds of childhood. Yet as you climb the ladder up
the growing love for houses high up in the forest (theres even to it, you almost expect to see a different kind of sign: no adults
a DIY Network show dedicated to the topic, called The Treehouse allowed. Here are six of the Wests best new treetop digs.

28 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET

the treehouse at bajas acre resort
TROPICAL TEMPLES
MEXICO
The dozen new thatched treehouses at San
Jose del Cabos Acre (pronounced ah-cray)
resort soar 15 feet into the palm-forest cano-
py, high enough to see the entire 25-acre
farm theyre perched on. Using the surround-
ings for inspiration, the palapa-style rooms
are made from the propertys stock of palo
de arco trees; each has a terrace shower with
views of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains.
When youre not lounging amid the leaves, the
on-site bar is the spot to mingle over Mexico-
centric cocktails. From $200; acrebaja.com.
Playa Vivas bamboo treehouse was
designed with a lookout tower in mind. Hover-
ing 10 feet over the cactus-studded landscape
of a secluded eco resort 35 minutes south of
Zihuatanejo, the cylindric abode provides a
clear shot of the Pacific Oceanclose enough
for the waves to lull you to sleep at night.
Come morning, you may want to desert your
perch to explore the 200-acre property, a
sanctuary and estuary home to hundreds of
birds, turtles, and ancient Aztec ruins. From
$445; playaviva.com.
TOP LEFT: MAKIKO ARA
acres restaurant uses local
ingredients in its global cuisine
paddle up b.c.s sunshine coast from secret cove treehouse
a contemporary interior at
secret cove treehouse
COASTAL CLUBHOUSES
BRITISH COLUMBIA
British Columbias best-kept secret is its Sun-
shine Coast, a rugged 100-mile shoreline
laced with bays and inlets. The best place to
cozy up is high atop a craggy fjord at the
Secret Cove Treehouse, a knotty-pine dwell-
ing with radiant-floor heating and picture win-
dows with vertigo-inducing views cascading
down to the placid cove below. Revel in it with
an in-room massage, soak in the moonlit hot
tub, or amble to the private dock stocked with
canoes. The propertys two treehouses can
be booked in tandem for bigger groups. From
$135; secretcovetreehouse.com.
For total seclusion, slip into the Cliffhouse
Cottage, a cabin-in-the-sky on little-visited
Galiano Island. Tucked away on the scenic
Trincomali Channel, the cottage is built for fam-
ilies, with a kitchen, outdoor grill, and wood-
burning stove to add warmth to living areas on
brisk evenings. Two sprawling decks and a so-
larium let you soak up the surrounding natural
beauty. From $169; cliffhousecottages.com.
Travel
EVERGREEN HIDEOUTS
WASHINGTON
Sleep in the sweet spot between the clouds
and the forest floor of the Columbia River
Gorge on the Washington/Oregon border
at Skamania Lodges two new cabin-style
treehouses. Cedar walls and an indoor-
outdoor fireplace give them a modern forest
feel. Their location, 20 feet in the air, makes
for stellar owls-eye panoramas, and the prop-
erty has 4 miles of hiking trails and a zipline
(for those craving even more tree time).
From $399; destinationhotels.com/skamania.
Staying in Doe Bay Resort & Retreats
newest suite is like glamping in the branches:
The structures wraparound deck, elevated
18 feet and outfitted with Adirondack chairs,
serves as an all-day, open-air lounge. The
loft bedroom is accessed by a hand-forged
ladder. From $178; doebay.com.
DIGITAL BONUS More sky-high
places to sleep and play: sunset.com/
treehouses.
surveying the scene at
skamania lodge
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 31
See
inside from
anywhere.
The new Family Hub refrigerator
It has built-in cameras that take a photo
every time the doors close, so you always
know what you have and what youre missing.

2016 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. All rights reserved. Samsung is a

registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
 Home & Garden
D E C O R AT I N G
IDEAS

RAISE THE ROOF

Three creative attic renovations
prove just how much fun you
can pack into a small space.
By Chantal Lamers

Up a notch
CASSANDRA LaVALLE
TAKES THE HOME OFFICE
TO NEW HEIGHTS
p. 34

Photographs by D AV E L A U R I D S E N SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 33
Home & Garden

keep it classic with

black-and-white
polka-dot shades
blogger
cassandra
lavalle

lighting, and furnishings, she

created a cozy and chic dressing
room that she chronicled on her
design and lifestyle blog, Coco
Kelley (cocokelley.com).
At the same time, LaValle
whose company, Emerald Studio,
styles shoots for clients such as
Amazon and Starbuckshad been
using a breakfast nook as her occa-
sional workspace, complete with
laptop cords and piles of paper.
But after their kitchen demo got
under way, she realized she had to
put plan B into effect. What better
place to work than the attic? Its
tucked away from the rest of the
house, she explains, so I can
close the door and not see laundry
in the corner.
LaValle opted to outfit her new

1 THE HOME OFFICE

office with pared-down, slightly
masculine pieces and a neutral
palette to better reflect the homes
evolving aesthetic: Steep stairs,
low ceilings, and a very tiny door-
A longtime design blogger carves out a quiet nook in way limited what we could get in
a shared Seattle nest. there. Luckily, there was room for
well-chosen toucheslush wallpa-
TWO YEARS AGO , when Cassandra LaValle moved into her fiancs South Seattle Craftsman, she per, polka-dot window treatments,
was faced with the daunting task of merging not only closets but also disparate decorating and a sheepskin thrown casually
styles. Craving dedicated space for her wardrobe, LaValle claimed the homes 140-square-foot over a chairthat bring subtle fem-
attic, which had been retrofitted by a previous owner. With a little paint and new hardware, ininity into the picture.

34 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
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Home & Garden
THE DETAILS
WO R K O U T T H E
S E AT I N G A structured
settee-style sofa takes
the place of the former
dressing-room chaise.
That was more condu-
cive to reading a book
or taking a napnot
so good for working.
Leather loveseat, $3,322;
bdantiques.com. Metal
side table, from $295;
firstpickdesign.com.
P L AY W I T H PAT -
T E R N For one key wall,
LaValle selected wallpa-
per that echoed the tree-
top views from her attic
perch. I wanted some-
thing that had an indoor-
outdoor feel, she says.
Makelike wallpaper in
Lush Light Grey, $200/
roll; makelike.com.
K E E P A L OW P RO -
F I L E Because of the low
ceiling and petite quar-
ters, LaValle decided
against putting up shelv-
ing. Piling books on
a bench felt more stream-
lined. Antique bench,
bdantiques.com.
36 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7
CHOOSE THE WRITE
S U R FAC E An old farm-
house table was her
dream, but because she
needed a solid, even
workstation, LaValle opt-
ed for the next best
thing: a classic campaign
desk redone in a warm
wood. Desk, $229;
worldmarket.com. Wish-
bone chair, $314 ; atg
stores.com.
why not match
your stationery
to your shades?
keep it
old-school
with an
inspiration
board
T H ROW S O M E
S H A D E I knew I wanted
pattern for the Roman
shades, but it had to
work with the bold wall-
paper, LaValle explains.
The solution: playful yet
discreet polka dots that
act as a classic comple-
ment to the maximalist
accent wall. The cotton-
linen fabric provides pri-
vacy while still allowing
plenty of sunlight into the
room. Roman shades in
Domino from the Kate
Spade Collection at The a white dresser
Shade Store ; theshade fits perfectly
under the eaves
store.com. Leather
campaign stool, $798 ;
serenaandlily.com.
SUNSET
 Its tucked away from the rest of
the house, so I can close the door and
not see laundry in the corner.
C A S S A N D R A L aVA L L E

create an asymmetrical
gallery wall with
frames and mirrors

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 37
Home & Garden

cubbies with tubs are

easy for kids to sort

designer jenna
wilson and
daughter adah

2 THE PLAY SPACE

Smart organization and imaginative decor make this
kids bedroom an all-ages wonderland.

JENNA WILSON was immediately captivated by the 500-square-foot attic in her fami-
lys 1920s Craftsman in artsy Southeast Portland. She envisioned canvasing the plas-
ter walls with inspirational images for her textile-based clothing company, Ace&Jig
(aceandjig.com). But her two children, James, 8, and Adah, 6, called it first. My kids
immediately assumed this magical fairy house would be theirs, said Wilson. I had
to give it upthere are two of them and only one of me. With its low, pitched roof and
multiple nooks, the long, narrow room serves as the siblings sleeping quarters, cre-
ative retreat, and performance space (a series of ceiling hooks allow brightly colored the chalkboard
wall: a tried-and-true
patchwork curtains to hang down for playacting). It also gives Wilson a leg up on kid favorite
bedtime: The pitter-patter of small feet overhead is a giveaway theyre up to no good.

Photographs by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
 THE
DETAILS
FA K E A RU G Wilson
purchased a large can-
vas drop cloth for $30
and let the kids loose
with paint. Textile paint
is the best to use because
its permanent, she
says. You can throw
the cloth in the washing
machine and not have
to worry about transfer.

LET IT ALL HANG

O U T Hardware-store
hooks above the kids
beds display soft pom-
poms and puppets, all
made from scrap fabric
from Wilsons company.
Its an easy way to
rotate art.

D R E S S U P A WA L L
Adahs vintage dress-up
clothes are too beautiful
to hide behind closet
this nook doors. A row of hooks
doubles as helps keep them out on
a dress-up display; below them,
stage! knitting baskets are an
easy place for Adah to
toss accessories.

CORR AL THOSE
T OYS Almost every par-
ent knows that feeling:
the pinch of stepping on
a LEGO. Theres noth-
ing worse, says Wilson,
laughing. So when she
scored a vintage black
filing cabinet with 40-
something little drawers,
she knew it would make
the ideal storage unit
for organizing the tiny
pieces categorically.

A D D A C R A S H PA D
The attic is a popular
destination for cousins
PROP STYLING: MIKHAEL ROMAIN

and friends to sleep

over. Rather than lug ex-
tra mattresses up the
stairs, Wilson stacks a
couple in the corner and
disguises them under a
patchwork quilt. Now
they double as a daybed
(and the components of
a killer fort) .

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 39
Home & Garden
3 THE MASTER BEDROOM
A San Francisco artist turns an iconic blanket design into a larger-than-life motif.
FOR YEARS, Windy Chien awoke every morning to her light-filled
Mission District attic bedroom, staring up at the ceiling and delib-
erating over her vision for the blank walls.
Chien, a wood and fiber artist and product designer (windychien.
com), has an intriguing work history: Formerly the owner of San
Franciscos Aquarius Records, she transitioned into an eight-year
career as a playlist curator, then app-store editor, at Apple. I was
tired of being a poor punk rocker. Id never had a boss; I wanted
to see how other people lived, she says. In 2010, she purchased a
character-laden two-unit building with a friend, gutting and re-
modeling her attic for an additional 800 square feet of living space.
The design for the attic started to fall into place two years ago
when boyfriend Gary L. Baker II moved in. He suggested moving
the bed closer to the wrought-iron staircase, freeing up the far side
of the room for built-in bookshelves (made from redwood and birch)
Photographs by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
artist windy chien
and her work
and a listening nook for Chiens vinyl collection, which spans Nor-
wegian black metal, Brazilian tropicalia, and Jamaican rock steady.
Now Chien was free to scheme up the right stripe for the space.
Inspired by Baker, whom she affectionately describes as a preppy,
neat millennial in contrast to her thrift-store, grunge-leaning,
Gen X self, she chose Pendletons precise, multicolored Glacier Na-
tional Park blanket as inspiration. The timeless design bridges the
couples sensibilities and is the furthest thing from trendy in Chiens
eyes. Think about the patterns and prints youve loved since you
PROP STYLING: ROD HIPSKIND
were a kid, she advises those searching for a design motif of their
own. Do what resonates with you. Pendleton Glacier National
Park blanket, from $199; pendleton-usa.com. Queen Bed Makeover
bedding set in indigo and natural, $831; roughlinen.com. Nicole Myer
pillows, $95 each; theperishtrust.com. Helix light by Windy Chien, $225;
windychien.com. Eye art by Gary L. Baker II; andthenithought.com.
 this paneling
was made from
redwood fencing

DRAWING THE LINE

Dario Garcia, owner of SF Paint Works (face
book.com/sfpaintworks) and Chiens go-to
painter, explains what it takes to bring a big
stripe to life on your wall.

STEP 1 Start with a flat, clean, painted

wall. A surface with texture will result in
uneven lines.

STEP 2 Using a laser level, measure and

tape the top and bottom borders 1 foot at
a time. (A yardstick works best when working
on sloped walls.) Use a framing square to
check for uniformity.

STEP 3 Start by painting the darkest color,

which will need the most coats. Allow paint to
dry between coats.

STEP 4 Remove tape when paint is com-

pletely dry. Touch up with the walls original
base color.

DIGITAL BONUS Amazing transforma-

tions for your home and garden: sunset.
com/makeovers.
wall-to-wall white
carpeting embraces
the retro mood SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 41
Home & Garden

Photographs by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
 IDEA
GA R D E N

BOLD BEAUTY
From our new book, Succulents, comes a California
garden devoted to the low-water lookers.

WHEN LELAND AND MARIAN Zeidler moved to Aptos, California, they gave
landscape architect Steve Sutherland a creative challenge: to dream up a
garden that was like an extension of their modern home. His mind immedi-
ately went to succulents. They are the only plants dramatic enough to
stand up to that task, says Sutherland. They command attention.
To complement the homes graphic lines, the designer arranged pow-
dery blue agaves, icy blue senecios, and pinkish echeverias in blocks
around the property. Mass plantings within a very restrained palette
make for a more powerful design, says Sutherland. Ornamental grasses,
placed in equally wide ribbons, add a little softness.
Sutherland chose their plants for toughness as much as looks. All of them
are drought-resistant, can stand up against the salt and wind, andat the
homeowners requestrequire little main-
tenance. Neither Leland nor Marian
M A K E A M O D E R N STAT E M E N T
consider themselves gardeners, but the
Strong shapes and angles are
hallmarks of the garden, where landscape feeds their love of art. Leland
a row of Agave attenuata goes out nearly every day to check out the
Nova encircles the house. succulents, sometimes bringing their
A red metal sculpture by local
artist Kenneth Hepburn plays blooms inside as arrangements. After all, he
off the plants forms. says, Theyre as contemporary as it gets.

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 43
 Home & Garden

Tastes like a treat.

Cleans like a toothbrush.*

Unique twist
design

Scrubbing
nubs

Taste
theyll
love

F I N D BA L A N C E I N C LU D E A FO CA L P O I N T

Above: Along the Right: Tall containers

Helps fight tartar side of the house, blue of succulents are an
fescue (Festuca glauca easy way to add archi-
build-up and bad breath Elijah Blue) and tectural interest to a
coppery-hued Carex patio. A fan aloe (A.
testacea fringe a bor- plicatilis) fringed with
der of Agave attenua- blue-tinged Senecio
ta Nova. Because the mandraliscae make
large windows make a sculptural duo by
the garden such a the front door.
prominent part of the
view, the plants serve Adapted from Succu-
as a backdrop for the lents: The Ultimate
couples indoor art.
Blue fescue is a perfect
Guide to Choosing,
Designing, and Grow-
Ive never been a
match for a modernist ing 200 Easy-Care gardener, but now Im
house, and requires Plants (Oxmoor House,
much less water and January 2017; $25) outside every day,
*When fed daily, Milk-Bone Brushing Chews are
maintenanceyet of-
fers more textural inter-
by Robin Stockwell.
sunset.com/succulents
admiring my plants.
as effective as brushing a dogs teeth twice a
week based on the reduction of tartar build-up.
estthan turf grass. book. LELAND ZEIDLER

44 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
Big Heart Pet Brands.
 Try our twist
on clean.

Clinically proven as
effective as brushing*
Patented twist bone
design with nubs & ridges
Helps clean hard-to-reach
back teeth

*When fed daily Milk-Bone Brushing Chews are as effective as brushing a dogs teeth twice a week based on the reduction of tartar build-up.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council recommends daily tooth brushing for optimal effectiveness. Big Heart Pet Brands. FMB004

NORTHERN
C A LIF O R NIA
PLANT
Nurseries are stocked
with a wide selection of bare-
root fruit trees this month. For
Northern California gardens,
the team at Dave Wilson Nurs-
ery suggests these: Sugar
Twist, a pluerry (plum-cherry
cross), which has fruit that
hangs on the tree for four to six
weeks instead of dropping all
at once; Tomcot apricot, which
has a late bloom time that
makes its fruit production more
reliable than other varieties ; or
the blight-resistant pear War-
ren, a good substitute for the
familiar Bartlett.
Plant a fragrant white winter
bloomer. The vines Jasminum
polyanthum and Clematis arman-
dii will produce sweet blooms
in February if the winter is mild.
Set out bare-root strawberries
in well-drained, acidic soil, 14
to 18 inches apart in mounded
rows that are about 2 feet apart.
Reliable varieties include Chan-
dler, Seascape, and Sequoia. make surfaces slippery.
Refresh the vegetable garden
by sowing seeds of broccoli,
cabbage, cauliflower, lettuces,
and mustard. Plant onion sets,
which look like small bulbs, just
under soil surface so the point
of the bulb is visible.
MAINTAIN
Prune hybrid tea and
grandiflora roses. Remove
dead, diseased, crossing, or
badly placed branches first,
Learn what to plant when with our year-round checklists : sunset.com/checklists.
46 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
Home & Garden
CHECKLIST
Long-lasting aloe
blooms are winters
best ower.
JOHANNA SILVER,
GARDEN EDITOR
then cut the previous years
growth, making cuts above
outward-facing buds. Ideally,
the result is a V-shaped bush
with a relatively open center.
Remove foliage and place in
green bin to prevent disease.
Shrub or floribunda roses (such
as Iceberg ) should be cut
back by one-fourth to one-third.
(Dont prune roses that bloom
only once in spring now.)
Pick up fallen camellia blossoms.
Leaving them at the base of the
shrub encourages disease.
Clean moss off steps and path-
ways with boiling water and
a stiff brush. Otherwise, it can
IDEA WE LOVE
Weeds can get out of control
if neglected this month, but
theyre easy to pull from damp
New Year blooms
soil. In particular, dont let As other plants go dormant for the winter, many succulents are
Oxalis pes-caprae, with its clover- still in their prime. Certain aloes, for instance, send up spectac-
shaped leaves and highlighter ular blooms that can brighten the garden while all other plants
yellow blooms, take over. are snoozing. At the San Diego Botanic Garden, the Aloe Super
Red rises among shapely boulders, showing off its tall candles
HARVEST of scarlet blooms. Other cool-season favorites include coral aloe
Pick ripened citrus as (A. striata), whose branched clusters of coral pink flowers last
you need it. Leave unripe fruit from midwinter into spring, and mountain aloe (A. marlothii),
to hang; it wont get sweeter which sends up towering blooms ranging from golden yellow
once picked. to orange and red in fall and winter.
DAVID E. PERRY
Reported by E L I Z A B E T H JA R D I NA & J I M M c CAU S L A N D
Homework
in backpack,
backpack on kid,
kid on bus.
Gold star.







 


 

 

    


 


 


 F I N D I N G

CENTER AND

G E T TI N G

LOS T I N

JOSHUA TREE
THE

Trip By

Mickey Rapkin

Photographs By

Daniel Hennessy

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 49
On a blistering-hot October af-
ternoon in Flamingo Heights,
a desert community 20 miles
west of Joshua Tree National
Park, Claire Wadsworth is
flipping tables. Its Sunday
brunch at La Copine, the restaurant she owns with her wife, chef Nikki Hill. This
quaint, 42-seat spot would be easy to miss if not for the impressive crowd waiting
outside. La Copine sits on a secluded two-lane highway that seems to go on forever,
which makes it feel like a mirage. The sausage and English muffins are made in-house,
as is the fresh ricotta cheese. There are no reservations, Wadsworth says. No
phone, either. Sometimes we have to close because the power goes out.

The couple hadnt planned on opening a
restaurantor even leaving Los Angeles.
But after getting married in 2015, they sud-
denly found themselves asking the Big
Questions. We went home and were like,
This is the life we made for ourselves?
Going back to the same jobs, the same apart-
ment? Then Hill (a veteran of Santa Moni-
cas Huckleberry restaurant) and Wads-
worth (a musician and teacher) were visiting
friends in neighboring Pioneertown when,
by chance, one of the locals mentioned that a
JAY AND ALISON CARROLL,
PART OF A NEW GENERATION OF DESERT
PILGRIMS, AT THEIR OLIVE - OIL SHOP
IN WONDER VALLEY. PREVIOUS SPREAD :
SKYLINE STUDIOS, PIONEERTOWN.
restaurant nearby was for sale. The building
had a chain-link fence around it and
appeared abandoned. When the newlyweds
finally got a peek inside, Wadsworth recalls,
Everything was caked in grease. There was
pink jelly-fat pouring out of the fryer. But
the minute Nikki saw the walk-in fridge,
this smile came across her face. I knew right
then that that was it. We were going to move
to the desert.
What her wife was responding to wasnt
a hulking, stainless steel cooler as much as it
was the whiff of hope and possibility thats
been part of the DNA out here forever. Josh-
ua Tree, California, is still the Wild Westa
place where the couples modest honey-
moon fund stretched to a down payment on
the restaurant, and maybe on a new life. Call
it a revolution. Call them the next wave of
desert pilgrims. But theyre not alone. Josh-
ua Tree and its surrounding communities
Yucca Valley, Wonder Valley, Pioneertown,
Twentynine Palmsare luring todays cre-
ative class with a promise of a better life, a
place to think, cook, make, play, reboot.
Ive come out here to take the temperature
of the cool-kids-in-the-desert phenomenon.
And Ill admit, Ive brought a skeptical eye. I
booked a one-bedroom cabin on Airbnb thats
owned and operated by two fashion models
from L.A. The house is decorated with mid-
century furniture; on the bedside table sits a
copy of Desert Oracle, a local zine about desert
culture that includes an article about a leg-
endary Mojave phone booth. Naturally there
is an Airstream trailer next door, which is
also for rent. Its snake season, the home-
owner warns me by email, so please make
sure to keep the doors closed at all times so
you dont have any snakes wondering in the
house! That typo is sic. But it also captures
the spirit of the new Joshua Tree: wonder.
Over a plate of La Copines still-hot bei-
gnets, Jay Carrollwho spent five years at
the creative helm of the Levis Global Brand
concept team and looks the partshares his
own path with me. I became obsessed with
the appeal of the emptiness, says Jay. He
and his wife, Alison, had been looking for a
weekend home in Joshua Tree in 2015 when
they decided to go all-in and make a perma-
nent move. Theyre now producing a line of
olive oil and home goods under the label
Wonder Valley while renovating a 1950s
homestead cabin they tore down to the
studs. But their great life changeup was less
about entrepreneurship than about lifestyle.
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 51
Says Alison: When you live in a city, you
sometimes think, Oh, Id love to wake up
and meditate and eat well and exercise and
have the headspace to tackle this creative
project. Out here you can do that.
The tradition of artists seeking inspira-
tion from the desert runs deep. In 1969,
Keith Richards, Gram Parsons, and Italian
actress-model Anita Pallenberg wandered
around Joshua Tree National Park taking
LSD and chasing UFOs. Dennis Hopper and
Peter Fonda passed through on choppers
while filming Easy Rider. Similarly inspired
by the open expanse, artist Noah Purifoy
(who founded the Watts Towers Art Center)
relocated to the Mojave in 1989, where he
opened a 10-acre sculpture garden that feels
like something out of Mad Max: Fury Road.
In 2000, artist Andrea Zittel traded her tiny
Brooklyn studio for a 50-acre compound in
Joshua Tree, where she later launched the
nonprofit High Desert Test Sites, a lab for
other artists to come create in.
Attendance at Joshua Tree National Park
topped 2 million visitors for the first time in
2015, a spike some credit to Instagram and
an influx of millennials. Kate and Laura
Mulleavy (the sisters behind fashion label
Rodarte) have talked about Joshua Tree as
an inspiration for their designs. Solange
spent New Years Eve 2015 glamping in the
desert, documenting her experience with
the hashtag #turnupteepee.
Then theres Pioneertown. In the 1940s,
Gene Autry and Roy Rogers built a Wild West
backlot here to make movies. These days, its
a hipster hangout. (Picture HBOs Westworld
populated by bearded young folk.) The old-
timey post office is a popular spot for desert
selfies. But the big draw is Pappy & Harriets,
a local watering hole and music venue where
indie bands like Panda Bear and The War on
Drugs have performed. When I arrive, the
town is still buzzing over Paul McCartneys
surprise show at Pappys for 300 fans lucky
enough to get there in time.
The more desert transplants I spoke to,
the more I thought about what my life might
look like here. I would become someone
who confidently wears cowboy hats. The
long-shuttered Pioneertown bowling alley
was for sale. I imagined myself teaching
tourist kids the art of keeping score the old-
fashioned waybut with tiny, bespoke pen-
cils made by a local artisan.
Outside of La Copine, Id met Peter
Brooks, a Marine vet who works in water
conservation and was in the midst of a guys
weekend. He and his buddies were on their
way home to do some recreational masonry.
He suggested I connect with his wife, Lily
Stockman, co-owner of the textile firm
Block Shop; the couple split their time
RIGHT: MUSICIAN ROCCO GARDNER IN
ONE OF HIS AIRSTREAMS. BELOW:
IN 2013, GARDNER OPENED SKYLINE STUDIOS
IN PIONEERTOWN.

between L.A. and Joshua Tree. In 2013 they
purchased a run-down homestead on 5
acres, drawn here largely for the communi-
ty of like-minded artists.
No one happens to end up in the desert,
Stockman tells me. People are looking
for space and timethe two greatest luxu-
ries of the modern age. She cites the com-
petitive real estate market in the Bay Area
and Los Angeles as a driving force behind
this great migration to the desert. But she
believes theres also a cultural shift at work.
couple of projects at High Desert Test Sites.
The two got serious and Dellinger, then 35,
felt ready to take the leap on all fronts. She
found a house in Flamingo Heights on a Sat-
urday, put an offer in on Sunday, and quit
her job on Monday to help launch a produc-
tion company out in the desert. (The experi-
ment is working. She recently produced
shoots for Urban Outfitters and GQ.)
Of her generation, she says: Were so
connected, it almost doesnt matter where
you are. Though part of what makes this
place tick is its proximity to L.A. If someone
needs to have a meeting with me this after-
noon, I could be there in two hours. She
likens the creative energy in Joshua Tree to
what she felt in Portland in the late 90s.
We have access to all this beauty and na-
ture. If we just want to go camping, we can
throw some sleeping bags in the back of the
truck and drive out to the dry lake bed.
I know what she means about the scenery.
On my second morning in town, Im driving
down Twentynine Palms Highway on my
way to check out Steve Haltermans studio,
which he runs out of a rehabbed 1950s gas
station that looks like an Ed Ruscha paint-
ing. I want to pull over and take a million
selfies with the massive rock boulders and
the mountains reaching up to a forever blue
Theres something about this generation
that wants to be in that environment, she
says. It scratches that itch for wilderness
and nature.
The Internet has made it possible for a
generation of creative self-starters to work
from anywhere. Genevieve Dellinger was in
Los Angeles producing photo shoots for a
big ad agency when she started dating the
artist Dan Andersonof the Portland-based
collective Von Tundrawhod relocated to
Joshua Tree in 2012 after working on a
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 53
sky. I looked at the temperature on the car
dashboard. Its closing in on 85. Im remind-
ed: This land could swallow us whole.
Halterman isnt surprised by the influx.
Theres this idea that artists live in a urban
environment, he says, but thats only be-
cause urban environments were traditional-
ly cheap. His studio turns out to be its own
piece of art. He and his husband, Glen Stei-
gelman (previously an analyst at Xerox who
now dresses like an off-duty lumberjack),
had always imagined theyd retire to the des-
ert. But they made the move sooner when an
abandoned gas station in downtown Joshua
Tree went up for sale in 2011. The place was
a dump, but where others saw ruin, they
squinted and pictured a midcentury modern
clubhousewhere a surfboard hangs from
the ceiling and a vintage pinball machine
decorates one corner. Hozier and the Pixies
have both shot music videos here, which
doesnt surprise me. Neither does the news
that the couple run a quarterly members-
only party on their back patiowhich is
decorated with a yellow 1965 delivery truck
they dug out of a neighbors backyard and
restored to mint condition.
The desert is the last great opportunity.
Perhaps its always been that way. I met
Stephanie Smith, an architect who previ-
ously taught at Sci-Arc in Los Angeles
and moved to Joshua Tree permanently in
2010 when the economy crashed. In the
desert she met her partner, Jay Babcock, the
cofounder-editor of the now-defunct (but for-
ever hip) Arthur magazine. Together they run
JT Homesteader, a lifestyle brand with three
Airbnb rental cabins, including one painted
green in the 1950sthe original coat fading
beautifully over time into a patina Restora-
tion Hardware would kill to replicate. CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE : little bit hungry, a little bit hard. A lot of
In the 1920s and the 1950s, Smith says, THE INTEGRATRON ; 1950S GAS STATION people come out here and think its cool.
TURNED ART STUDIO, THE STATION,
the federal government started giving CO - OWNED BY GLEN STEIGELMAN. Then a year in theyre like, This is the hard-
away 5-acre parcels of land to anyone who est place Ive ever lived. It toughens you up
could homestead them. The pitch was sim- to do better work. To think bigger.
ple: Build a small cabin, work the land, and Another idea emerges: Lost in all the talk
make a life for yourself. Smith runs a sell drought-tolerant fruit from local jujube about how home-share websites like Airbnb
monthly artists salon out of one of her sev- trees and apple cactus. are ruining communities and turning
en properties, but shes already prepping I ask her what, besides the cheap real es- homes into party houses is another side of
her next move: Sunever Farms, a desert or- tate, keeps her here: The desert has always the coin. It sounds like spin, but (gulp) may-
chard shes cultivating on a 20-acre plot had this mystery of the other. Its not quite be these sites really are giving artists a way
where shell open a farmstand in 2017 and safe. Youre always on edge. Youre staying a to make cash so they can pursue their (gulp

54 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
again) dreams. The Web is flooded with
Joshua Tree prospectors whove hung a few
succulents, bought some chic linens, and
marketed themselves to tourists. Most of
the guests are chill. But the specter of noisy
weekend-party palaces lingers as festivals
like the alt-rock Desert Daze become more
popular. In February 2017, Joshua Tree will
welcome Desert & Denim, the third-annual
trade show for artisans. Lily Stockman ad-
mits shes as guilty as anyone of hyping the
cult of Joshua Tree. But clarifies: Its easy to
be romanced by the Airbnb/macram/Pap-
py & Harriets Saturday night/Coachella
thing. But this is not a glamorous place. Its
one of the poorest parts of the poorest coun-
ties in the state.
In downtown Joshua Tree, run-down
storefronts coexist with a pour-over coffee
joint that roasts its own beans and a vege-
tarian breakfast place, where the line
stretches out the door. But its not exactly
Williamsburg. I watched a football game at
the JT Saloon on a Sunday night. The
cheeseburger was delicious, and if the meat
was grass-fed, nobody was talking about it.
As Dellinger told me: The desert looks

really good on Instagram, but people get
here and theyre like, What is there to do? I
think that is the big surprise, that its actu-
ally pretty sleepy.
Andrea Zittel echoes that point, telling T H E D E S E RT HA S
me: Joshua Tree is such a beautiful, inter-
esting, and profoundly complicated place.
People like to romanticize the desert, but its
also a very politicized landscape. Right now
A LWAYS HA D
there is a massive rush to use our area for
large solar and wind-farm developments.
And I can see the largest Marine base in the
TH IS MYS TERY OF
country from my studio; when they run ar-
tillery target practice, it shakes the entire
house, sometimes for days. But while many THE OTHER .
things about this area are quickly changing,
I still feel a sense of huge potential here.
There is something unique to Joshua Tree
that cannot be co-opted: its undeniable spir-
ituality. Thats part of what drew Rocco
Gardner to Pioneertown. The London-born
musician and entrepreneur purchased a
ranch in 2013 and converted it into a record-
ing studio (where Grammy-winning artists
have laid down tracks). His expansive prop-
erty has two goats, several fruit trees, and
three Airstream trailers, including a rare
1953 Cruisettethe smallest model the
company ever made. Gardner had been liv-
ing in New York, where he produced a mu-
sic festival on a Shinnecock Reservation.
I still love New York, Gardner says,
but it had gotten to a point where if you
want to do anything creative, it has to be
paid for. You either have to raise money or
find someone to sponsor you. In the desert,
you can build something yourself. He re-
calls that first night he spent on the seclud-
ed property a mile from Pappy & Harriets,
but a world away. I looked out at the moun-
tains and I had a conversation with them,
he says. I said, Please take care of me. It was
a really important moment for me.
Id never talked to mountains before. But if
I was going to start, Id need to visit The Inte-
gratron, a domelike structure in nearby
Landers that allegedly has healing powers.
Visitors come from all over the world for an
hourlong sound bath, which is said to am-
plify the thoughts you put out into the uni-
verse. Others have called this place a time
machine. Im not sure about that, but I will

56 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 LEFT: JAY BABCOCK AND
STEPHANIE SMITH OF JT HOMESTEADER.
ABOVE : RETRO COT TAGE RENTALS FROM
THE 1950S.
say this: I stopped in the gift shop and found
a series of gemstones for sale. The rocks had
been charged in the Integratron, and the
shopkeeper explained the purported powers
of each, telling me to reach for the crystal that
spoke to me. Sort of like how, in Harry Potter,
the wand chooses you. I picked up a $35 pink
amethyst rock and my head started to throb.
Like, serious intense vibrations. I asked the
girl next to me what drew her to the Integra-
tron that day and her answer was: Good
vibes and high fives.
The Integratron is its own unbelievable
reboot story. The inventor, George Van Tas-
sel (a former aeronautical engineer who
worked with Howard Hughes), built the
dome in 1957, claiming that aliens from Ve-
nus took him aboard their ship and gave
him the instructions for the building. The
Karl sisterswhod grown up in New York
and first visited the Integratron in the
80spurchased the property in 2000 and
consider themselves stewards of Van Tas-
sels vision for the property. I asked Nancy
Karl whether she believed in aliens. There
was a pause. I believe George believed,
she said. Fair enough.
The first time I visited, she continued,
it felt like somebody just lifted the lid off
the top of our heads. Finally we could
breathe. These sisters are not kooks. Nan-
cy worked for CNET as an associate vice
president of marketing before moving to the
desert. Her sister, Joanne, was a cardiac
nurse. The building had come up for sale in
2000, but the Karl sisters didnt have the
money. They were so distraught over the
thought of it falling into less-than-spiritual
hands that they traveled to the building to
meditate on the solution.
We said, This cant happen. If this is
meant to be available for the publicif we
are meant to be stewards herethen we
need some serious magic. So we put our
hands together, bowed our heads, and we
prayed. All of a sudden, this giant dust
storm starts whirling and whirling. It comes
across the property and it blows the lid off
the top of the building. Its a crazy story.
The day before the close of escrow, the
FBI closed the accounts of the would-be
buyerwho was apparently under investi-
gation for fraudand the deal fell through.
With the help of two well-funded friends,
the Karl sisters bought the building and re-
stored it to its former glory. Some 15,000
people now visit annually.
Spiritual beliefs aside, the acoustics in the
Integratron are stunning; 30 of us lay down
on rugs and closed our eyes for our sound
bath. We focused on our breath as a man
played crystal bowls that rang out. Chakras
opened, or whatever. The way the dome is
constructed, its like taking a nap inside a
gigantic cello.
Maybe the desert really is magic. Claire
Wadsworth from La Copine certainly
thinks so. Thats the other thing about the
desert that I really love, she says. Be care-
ful what you wish for out here because it
comes true. Wadsworth tells me she re-
cently asked the universe for a piano for the
restaurant. Twenty-four hours later, one
showed up on their doorstep.
DIGITAL BONUS Live like a local at
these Joshua Tree rentals: sunset.com/
socaldesertrentals.
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 57
58 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 The desert done right
Five ways to live the
desert dream
Make your mark
Sisters Lily and Hopie Stockman
honed their textile skills under
master block printers in India. At
Block Shop, they teach future
makers how to coax brilliant colors
from everyday plants. The week-
end workshops kick off with sunset
margaritas by the bonfire and fin-
ish with a farm-to-table lunch pre-
pared by local hot spot La Copine.
Expect to walk away with two self-
made silk scarves. From $350;
blockshoptextiles.com.
Get bent
You cant swing a sarong in Josh-
ua Tree without hitting a yoga in-
structor. But if that yogi happens
to be renowned author Darren
Main, consider yourself lucky. His
four-night retreats may start and
end with downward dog, but in
between theyre packed with rock
climbing, hiking, hot-spring dips,
and bonfires. Sleep in a tent
under the stars and enjoy chef-
prepared veggie feasts before
being shocked back to reality won-
dering if it was all a dream. From
$300; desertspiritretreat.com.
YOUR G UI DE TO G E T TI NG RO OTE D I N J OS H UA T RE E
Shhh, listen
What, exactly, is a sound bath?
Youll find out at The Integra-
tron, the New Agey structure
thats drawn everyone from An-
thony Bourdain to Jason Mraz
looking to untap its restorative,
and some say supernatural, pow-
ers. An hourlong session under
the 28-foot-high domed ceiling
will melt you into a meditative
state, as earthly stressors drift
away to the echoing vibration of
music played on a set of crystal
bowls. From $25; by appoint-
ment only; integratron.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
LA COPINE ; GROOVY CRYSTALS;
THE INTEGRATRON
Spin a yarn
The Hi-Desert Cultural Center
has been showcasing performing
arts for a half-century. With up-
dates this year (plush new seats,
Swarovski chandeliers, and
state-of-the-art lighting), the
interior now matches the cutting-
edge acts that take its stage. Dont
miss the 10th annual Desert Sto-
ries, a storytelling roundup with
past performances by everyone
from songwriter Eric Burdon to lo-
cal war veterans. Jan 28; hidesert
culturalcenter.org.
Turn on the night
Anyone with an iPhone can snap
off a cactus masterpiece
during the day! To capture the
deserts haunting moonscapes
and stellar celestials, sign up for
the night-sky photography
workshop with professional
shooter Casey Kiernan. His month-
ly get-togethers will have you
traipsing through the starlit desert
with your lens aimed high,
before crashing at his B&B.
Youll wake to banana bread,
hot coffee, and a primer in post-
processing your shots. From
$399, including lodging; joshua
treeworkshops.com.
Where to rest
your head
Family-owned for five generations,
29 Palms Inn embraces its desert
roots with nine historic adobes
and four wood-framed cabins out-
fitted with mission-style furnishings,
hammock-bedecked patios, and
desertscapes by local painter
Dean MacKenzie. Add weekend
yoga, free nature walks, and a
poolside restaurant, and youve
got yourself a vacation. From
$175; 29palmsinn.com.
Make like the pioneers at one of
JT Homesteaders three restored
cabin rentals, built in the 1950s
but ushered into the 21st century
with modern kitchens, outdoor
showers, and Wi-Fi so you can
stay comfy and connected even
though the closest neighbor is a
mile away. Starting in March,
owners Stephanie and Jay will
host farm dinners on their proper-
ty, with menus highlighting native
edibles like prickly pear and aga-
ve, all gussied up by guest chefs.
From $79; jthomesteader.com.
If a sleeping bag and tent arent
your scene, the Mojave Sands
is worth the upgrade. The five-
room boutique hotel takes rustic
minimalism to a new level, with
thatched roofs and floating walnut
beds. And there are plenty of
nooks for finding your Zen, none
better than the courtyards reflect-
ing pool. After a long day on the
trails, make use of the outdoor
barbecue and cap off the night
stargazing from one of three hot
tubs. From $150; mojavesandsat
joshuatree.com. Marie Salcido
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 59
 GAME
PLAN T H E S E F L AVO R F U L , M A K E - A H E A D
V EG ETA R I A N R EC I P E S A R E YO U R PAT H TO
H E A LT H Y - E AT I N G S U C C E S S .

By Charity Ferreira

Photographs by Iain Bagwell

 WE all know by now
that eating more
vegetables is good for us and
for the planet. And theres
never been a more delicious
time to do it: Big flavors from the
Middle East and Asia, combined
with new choices of produce
and grains, have transformed
vegetarian cooking.
Weve brought these flavors
into five easy, big-batch vege-
tarian recipes. Cook them on
a weekend and theyll last at
least a week in the refrigerator.
Or, freeze them (for up to three
months) as a gift to your future
hungry self or family. Then,
when youre ready for dinner,
combine a couple or customize
them with store-bought
condiments. For minimal work,
thats a lot of healthy eating.
FOOD STYLING: RANDY MON; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE WOLHEIM

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 61
 WEEKEND
PLAN
COOK BIG
BATCHES
OF
CHICKPEAS
HERBED CHICKPEAS
MAKES ABOUT 5 CUPS / 2 HOURS
Cooked dried chickpeas have a firmer
texture and better flavor than canned, so
its worth the time to make a lot. Choose
plump-looking dried beanstheyll cook
faster than more shriveled ones. Use these
chickpeas in soups, salads, and pastas
anyplace youd use canned chickpeas.
2 cups dried chickpeas
2 bay leaves
4 or 5 large sprigs fresh thyme or
1 2 tsp. dried thyme
About 1 tsp. fine sea salt
1. Rinse chickpeas and discard any grit or
debris. Soak overnight in water to cover
to reduce cooking time (depending on
age of beans, this can shorten the time by
an hour). If you do, drain chickpeas
before proceeding. Put in a large pot with
bay leaves and thyme and add enough
water to cover by 1 in.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, covered,
and let boil 5 minutes, partially covered.
Reduce heat to low, cover fully, and
simmer until tender, 11/2 to 2 1/2 hours,
adding more hot water as needed to keep
chickpeas covered by about 1 in. When
tender, stir in salt. If not serving right
away, let cool in cooking liquid (youll
need some of it for Saffron Tomato Chick-
peas or Sumac Hummus, both at right).
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 129 Cal., 14% (18 Cal.) from fat;
7.2 g protein; 2 g fat (0 g sat.); 22 g carbo (6.5 g fiber);
160 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/VG
NO. 1
VARIATION
SUMAC HUMMUS
MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS / 10 MINUTES
Just before serving, swirl in another 1/2 tsp.
sumac, for a little hit of freshness. Drain
2 cups Herbed Chickpeas, reserving 1/2 cup
liquid and discarding bay leaves, and put in
a food processor. Add 1/4 cup each chickpea
liquid and water, 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive
oil, 2 tbsp. tahini, 1 tsp. sumac, 1 tsp. fine
sea salt, 2 tbsp. lime juice, and 1 chopped
garlic clove and whirl until smooth, scrap-
ing sides of bowl periodically, about 2 min-
utes. Add more chickpea liquid if you like
your hummus looser and creamier.
PER TBSP. 34 Cal., 53% (18 Cal.) from fat; 1.1 g protein;
2.1 g fat (0.3 g sat.); 3.1 g carbo (0.9 g fiber); 68 mg
sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/VG
VARIATION
SAFFRON TOMATO CHICKPEAS
MAKES 6 CUPS / 1 HOUR
Drain 1 batch Herbed Chickpeas, reserving
liquid, and put chickpeas back in pot with
3 cups liquid (a surprising amount of liquid
will get absorbed as the chickpeas cool).
Grind 1/2 tsp. saffron threads to a coarse
powder in a spice grinder; set aside. Heat
2 tbsp. vegetable oil in a medium frying
pan over medium-high heat, add 1/2 cup
diced onion and cook, stirring often, until
softened and beginning to brown, 3 to
5 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp. each ground cumin
and ground coriander and sizzle, stirring,
30 seconds. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves,
reserved saffron, and 1 tsp. fine sea salt,
then pour into chickpeas. Add 11/2 cups
canned crushed tomatoes to chickpeas,
stir, and simmer, covered, 10 minutes to
meld flavors.
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 142 Cal., 25% (36 Cal.) from fat;
6.7 g protein; 4.2 g fat (0.3 g sat.); 21 g carbo
(6.2 g fiber); 3.3 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/VG
NO. 2
BROWN RICE
BROWN BASMATI COCONUT RICE
MAKES ABOUT 6 CUPS / 1 HOUR
Like all types of brown rice, each grain of
brown basmati retains its nutritious bran
and germ. The gentle sweetness of this rice
comes from unrefined coconut oil, which is
rich in antioxidants. Use this rice as a base
for saucy Middle Eastern or Indian dishes,
including curries; in pilafs; and in soups.
2 cups brown basmati rice
11 2 tbsp. unrefined virgin coconut oil*
1 tsp. fine sea salt
1. Put rice, oil, salt, and 1 qt. water in a 6- to
8-qt. pot. Bring to a boil, covered. Reduce
heat to low, and simmer, covered, until
most of the water is absorbed and grains
are tender, about 45 minutes. If not quite
tender, add 1/4 cup water.
2. Remove from heat and let stand 10
minutes, covered, to steam. Fluff with
a fork, then serve.
*Find unrefined virgin coconut oil at well-
stocked grocery stores.
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 120 Cal., 20% (24 Cal.) from fat;
2.5 g protein; 2.8 g fat (1.7 g sat.); 23 g carbo (1.4 g fiber);
129 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. VG
VARIATION
SPICED BROWN BASMATI
COCONUT RICE
MAKES ABOUT 6 CUPS / 10 MINUTES
In a small pot, heat 1 tbsp. vegetable oil.
In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 tsp. each
ground cardamom, allspice, turmeric,
and red chile flakes with a pinch of
ground cloves. Stir into hot oil and sizzle,
stirring, 5 seconds to release flavors; then
scrape into 1 recipe hot Brown Basmati
Coconut Rice (above) and stir well to mix.
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 131 Cal., 26% (34 Cal.) from fat;
2.5 g protein; 4 g fat (1.9 g sat.); 23 g carbo (1.4 g fiber);
129 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/VG
 NO. 3
FREEKEH
FREEKEH with PARSLEY and ONIONS KALE RIBBONS
MAKES 5 1 2 CUPS / ABOUT 1 HOUR
Middle Eastern freekeh has a sweet-smoky
flavor and a juicy, chewy texture. Its deli-
cious in burgers, with lentils, and strewn
over saladsas is, or fried until crisp. You
can use store-bought vegetable broth, but
for exceptional flavor, its worth it to make
your own (find our Hearty Vegetable Broth
recipe at sunset.com).
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
(about 1 2 medium)
2 cups freekeh (roasted green wheat)*
or farro
1 tsp. each dukkah* and fine sea salt
31 2 cups vegetable broth, homemade
(see headnote above) or store-bought
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 3 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1. Heat oil in a 4- to 6-qt. pot over medium-
high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring
often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir
in freekeh, dukkah, and salt.
2. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until
liquid is absorbed and the grains are
tender, 25 to 35 minutes (if using farro,
drain off excess broth and save it for
soup, if you like). Remove from heat and
let steam, covered, 10 minutes; then stir
in lemon juice, parsley, and salt to taste.
*Find both freekeh and dukkah, an Egyptian
spice blend, at well-stocked grocery stores,
Middle Eastern markets, and online. To make
your own dukkah, blend 1/4 tsp. each sesame
seeds, ground coriander and cumin, dried
thyme, and finely chopped roasted hazelnuts.
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 142 Cal., 22% (31 Cal.) from fat;
4.7 g protein; 3.6 g fat (0.4 g sat.); 23 g carbo (5.4 g fiber);
315 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. LC/V
NO. 4
KALE
MAKES ABOUT 6 CUPS / 45 MINUTES
Heres a simple way to cook one of winters
most flavorful vegetables. Try it with
cooked penne or orecchiette; stirred into
sauted mushrooms; added to a Spanish-
style potato omelet; or folded into quiche.
2 lbs. lacinato (aka Tuscan or dinosaur)
kale (4 or 5 bunches), rinsed well
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 tsp. fine sea salt
1. Tear kale leaves from stems, keeping
leaves as intact as possible. Stack leaves,
roll into rough bundles, and slice into
thin (1/4 in.) ribbons.
2. Heat oil in a large wide pot over
medium-low heat. Add shallots and
cook, stirring, until just beginning to
brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Add kale ribbons and salt. Cook over
medium-high heat, turning often with
tongs, until kale is just wilted but still
bright green, 4 to 7 minutes (if youre
cooking it to store, keep it slightly
crunchy, since it will soften when
you reheat). Serve warm or at room
temperature.
PER 1 2-CUP SERVING 93 Cal., 65% (60 Cal.) from fat;
0.5 g protein; 7 g fat (1 g sat.); 7.1 g carbo (0.7 g fiber);
147 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/VG
NO. 5
WINTER SQUASH
ROASTED WINTER SQUASH with
HONEY, TAHINI, and LIME
MAKES 8 CUPS / ABOUT 1 HOUR
Almost any kind of winter squash can be
cooked this way, including red kuri, which
has a nutty flavor and a potato-like texture
(red kabocha is similar but not as starchy)
and mild, sweet delicata. All three varieties
have tasty, edible peels, so theres no need
to cut them off. Theyre good in stews, as
a side for roasted meat, and in salads.
2 small red kuri or kabocha squash (4 to 5
lbs. total) or 3 delicata squash (3 lbs. total)
1 3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. honey
14 cup lime juice
2 tbsp. tahini
About 1 tsp. fine sea salt
1. Preheat oven to 425. If using kuri
or kabocha squash, pierce squash in a
couple of spots with a knife or skewer
and microwave 4 minutes to soften. Cut
squash into quarters and slice off stem.
If using delicata, cut in half lengthwise.
For all types, scrape out seeds and
membranes with a big spoon, then cut
into 3/4-in. slices.
2. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with
parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk
oil, honey, lime juice, tahini, and salt
together to create a glaze. Put squash in
bowl and turn to coat well. Spread squash
pieces in a single layer on baking sheets,
drizzle with a few tbsp. of remaining
glaze, and cover baking sheets with foil.
3. Roast squash 20 minutes, then remove
foil and turn pieces over. Return to oven
and roast, uncovered, until squash is
nicely browned, 10 to 15 minutes more.
Season with salt to taste.
PER 1-CUP SERVING 170 Cal., 57% (97 Cal.) from fat;
2.1 g protein; 11 g fat (1.6 g sat.); 18 g carbo (1.6 g fiber);
192 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/V
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 63
 WEEKNIGHT
PLAN
MAKE DINNER
IN A SNAP

SUMAC HUMMUS
WITH

KALE RIBBONS
AND

ROASTED
DELICATA SQUASH
Spread Sumac Hummus across a plate
and top with a mound of Kale Ribbons
and slices of Roasted Delicata Squash
with Honey, Tahini, and Lime. Drizzle
with extra-virgin olive oil, then sprinkle
with crumbled feta cheese, toasted
pine nuts, and pomegranate seeds. Serve
with warm pita bread or lavash.
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 65
 SAFFRON
TOMATO CHICKPEAS,
FREEKEH,
AND

BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Spoon Saffron Tomato Chickpeas and
Freekeh with Parsley and Onions into a
bowl. Top with thinly sliced brussels
sprouts (seasoned with lemon juice, fine sea
salt, and turbinado sugar), plain yogurt,
and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Season
brussels sprouts and yogurt with fine sea
salt and a pinch or two of dukkah.

66 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
 SWEET
Use any Asian chili paste or sauce you have in your refrigerator to give
this rice bowl a touch of salty heat, including sambal oelek, garlic chili
sauce, or even Sriracha chili sauce.
AND Fry thinly sliced shallots in unrefined virgin coconut oil or vegetable
oil until brown, then sprinkle with salt.

SPICY RED KURI Spoon Spiced Brown Basmati Coconut Rice into bowls and top with
cut-up slices of Roasted Red Kuri Squash, a drizzle of Asian chili sauce

SQUASH BOWL (such as Mae Ploy), fried shallots, and toasted unsweetened coconut
flakes. Squeeze a lime wedge over the bowl and serve.
FREEKEH TABBOULEH
Make the vinaigrette: In a bowl, whisk
together 2 tbsp. each lemon juice and extra-
virgin olive oil, 1 tsp. fine sea salt, and
1/4 tsp. pepper. In a serving bowl, toss 1 cup

Freekeh with Parsley and Onions;

2 Persian cucumbers, cut into 1/4-in. dice;
1 cup lightly packed whole flat-leaf parsley
leaves; 3 medium thinly sliced green
onions; and 1/2 cup diced feta cheese with
2 tbsp. vinaigrette. Arrange tabbouleh
on a platter and top with a small handful of
watercress leaves. To make it a meal,
serve with Sumac Hummus and pita.
 DIGITAL BONUS
More meatless recipes,
for vegetarians and
veggie-loving omnivores:
sunset.com/vegetarian.

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 69
 T I N Y

HOME
B I G

DREAMS

One couple shrugs off traditional

homeownership in favor
of a 200-square-foot Airstream.

BY JESS CHAMBERL AIN

PHOTOGR APHS BY THOMAS J. STORY

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 71
Two years ago, as Natasha Lawyer and her hus-
band, Brett Bashaw, wrapped up a six-month
road trip, they found themselves dreading
the return to their old life in Seattleto put it mildly. The idea of com-
ing back and all our money going to rent pissed me off, says Lawyer, a
freelance illustrator. Plus, after living out of a VW bus as they criss-
crossed the country, they had proof that they could live lightly. We
learned we didnt need all the stuff we thought we did.
So the couple found new digs: a 1971 Airstream they purchased for
$4,600 and set up in an RV park just outside of Seattle. We werent in
a position to buy a house in the city, says Bashaw, a special-needs edu-
cator. An Airstream was a way to have something of our own.
Compared to the 40-square-foot van, the 200-square-foot trailer
was downright luxurious. But it was essentially a tin shell, without
plumbing, electricity, or walls. The first two months were devoted to
taking care of the basicswaterproof-
ing, painting, installing flooring, and
more. Natasha did pretty much all of FIND HIDING SPOTS
it, says Bashaw. Im not a fix-it guy. Lawyer constructed a ply-
Im just her assistant. (Lawyers fa- wood daybed doubling
ther, a master electrician and carpen- as storage. A twin-size
mattress pops off easily.
ter, also offered guidance.) Striped Valpo twin day-
The couple moved in as soon as the bed mattress, $498;
Airstream was livable and made the anthropologie.com.
rest of the updates incrementally, in-
BRIGHTEN UP
vesting what they would have spent in
rent each month. There was an order One of the worst things
about traditional RVs
of operations, says Lawyer. Every is all the dark wood,
time we got paid, we considered, What says Lawyer. The couple
will improve our quality of life right brought airiness to their
space by sticking to light
now? Some essentialsa sink, a wood, and they opened
stovewere obvious priorities, while up the interior by eliminat-
others were motivated by the arrival of ing the overhead bins typi-
cal of Airstreams (which
visitors: We put in the daybed when also made it more com-
my mom was coming to visit, says fortable for Bashaw, who
Lawyer. And when a friend wanted to is 6'2"). Threshold Mid-
century Collection desk
stay with us, we decided we needed a lamps (similar), $30
bedroom door. each; target.com. Triangle
Along the way, the couple came shelf, 18 in., $38; the
smallandsavagewild.com.
up with smart storage solutions, which
range from a hidden compartment EDIT, EDIT, EDIT
to stow camping gear, to a laundry
Lawyer trimmed her book
hamper built into a bedside table. and art-supply collections
The decor that has taken shape is a so they would fit on the
Scandinavian-leaning mix of white, shelves beneath the TV.
She plans to attach a
wood, and brass. Mostly we decorate hinged sheet of brass to
with really good kitchenware and the front of the shelf that
lots of plants, says Lawyer. Still, lots can lift up to turn it into
a dining table. Threshold
is an understatement: At last count, six-cube organizer shelf,
there were 63 potted plants around $60; target.com.

72 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
We love that we have
the choice
to live differently.
NATASHA L AW YER

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 73
COOK UP A PL AN
To keep the kitchen
(above) streamlined,
the couple whittled
down its features, opt-
ing for a stovetop
but forgoing an oven,
and choosing cook-
ware that stacks.
With space for uten-
sils at a premium,
theyve gotten used
to being creative
cooks (Lawyer recent-
ly discovered, for
instance, that a
74 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7
vinegar bottle works the home with utilitari- lamp, $20; ikea.com. cover set in dark Lawyer made of
just as well as a roll- an items. In the kitch- Plants and containers, gray, $129; hm.com. pipe and plywood,
ing pin). Dansk Ko- en, she uses a metal skynursery.com. Holmes sconce, is evidence that the
benstyle cookware, towel rack to hang $119; schoolhouse couple still arent strict
from $39; amazon. tea towels and tools. electric.com. minimalists. Were
STICK TO A PALET TE
com. Udry drying mat She also installed not interested in that
in Charcoal, $15; open shelves in a A tight color story SET LIMITS capsule wardrobe
umbra.com. Knodd corner of the kitchen makes a small space WITHIN REASON idea, says Lawyer.
bin with lid, $15; and the bathroom more harmonious, Were interested
ikea.com. (opposite, top right) says Lawyer, who A jam-packed clothing in making it work
to display pretty little sticks with black, rack at the foot of with our space, while
vignettes of dishes white, and gray the bed (opposite, being able to express
FIND BEAUT Y IN
THE EVERYDAY and plants. Copper throughout the kitch- bottom right), which ourselves.
towel bar, from $80; en, living space,
Without a lot of space brass S hooks, $20; and bedroom. Oppo- DIGITAL BONUS Discover more great storage
for trinkets, Lawyer schoolhouselectric. site, bottom center: ideas and lessons in small-space style: sunset.
decorates throughout com. Vitemlla wall Washed linen duvet com/smallhomes.
SUNSET
 SHOW ME THE MONEY

AIRSTREAM TRADITIONAL
HOUSING COSTS
Median price of Lawyer and
a home in Seattle Bashaws Air-
(Oct 2016; stream (purchase
up 14 percent price plus
from 2015): renovations):
$594,600 $25,000

Median monthly Lawyer and

apartment rent Bashaws
(Sep 2016; monthly RV-park
up 7.5 percent rent (average;
from 2015): seasonal rates):
$2,000 $800

the home. They give us amazing air quality and a pop of color.
Greenery aside, the couple keep their possessions to a minimum.
They admit that downsizing was emotionally draining at first, but
as they cleaned out their storage unit in preparation to move into the
Airstream, the process became liberating. It got to the point where
I wanted to throw out whole boxes, says Lawyer. Today, they try to
abide by an in-and-out policy. If you want a new pair of shoes, you
PROP STYLING: JANNA LUFKIN
The small footprint has paid off in unexpected ways, though. For
one, Lawyer and Bashaw spend more time outdoors, where their
small deck serves as a dining space and home office. Theyve started
a container garden full of vegetables and succulents, and even have
a water view: the parks small lake, where geese and turtles mingle.
It feels like were on vacation, says Bashaw. Theres nowhere else
in Seattle we could pay what we do and have that kind of view.

have to get rid of one, says Bashaw.
And the couple chooses to do without in ways that many people
cant imagine. They dont have an oven, microwave, orsince they
had the option of using the parks shower facilitieshot water.
Thats the biggest thing: Not having a lot of space requires a lot of
compromise, says Lawyer.
While Lawyer and Bashaw can easily rattle off a dozen more rea-
sons they love their less-is-more lifestyle, they admit the Airstream
probably isnt their forever home. But thats also one of the best
things about itwere investing in something and were not going to
have to leave it, says Lawyer. If we want to go somewhere else, we
can take it with us.

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 75
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 Food & Drink

P E AK
SEASON

PEAR POWER
Put their juicy sweetness to work
in salad, dessert, and even
short ribs. By Charlotte
March
FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN

Photographs by V I C T O R P R O TA S I O SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 77
Food & Drink

Winter
wonders
The Northwest is pear coun-
try: More than 80 percent of
the countrys crop is grown
there, including these six
standouts. To ripen, let pears
stand at room temperature;
when the neck yields to gen-
tle thumb pressure near the
stem, the fruit is ready to eat.

ANJOU
Mild, juicy, and dense, with a
subtle sweetness and green
or red skin. All-purpose fruit
for salads to desserts.

BOSC
Firm, dense, grainy flesh with
complex flavor and honeyed
sweetness. Holds its shape
cooked, but also good raw.

CONCORDE
Crisp, dense, and vanilla-
sweet. Slow to brown when
cut. All-purpose variety.

COMICE PEAR
1 8 tsp. nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
14 tsp. kosher salt
1 2 cup flour

CLAFOUTIS
SERVES 6 / 65 MINUTES, PLUS 15 MINUTES TO COOL
Somewhere between a custard and a pancake,
youll find clafoutis. This version of the classic
French dessert, made with slightly floral Comice
pears, is best when the stem end of the pears
yields slightly to the touch, signaling that the
fruit is flavorful but neither hard nor squishy.
Salted butter for the dish
2 firm-ripe Comice pears (1 lb. total), peeled,
cored, and sliced lengthwise about 1 3 in. thick
1 cup whole milk
3 large eggs
1 3 cup plus 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
11 2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange zest
Powdered sugar
COMICE
Luscious and juicy. Lovely on
1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter a shallow 3-qt. cheese plates and in salads,
baking dish (about 10 by 11 in.) and arrange or baked if on the firmer side.
pears in an attractive pattern over the bottom.
(Fruit will rise to the top as batter bakes.)
2. Put milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla,
orange zest, nutmeg, salt, and flour (in this
FORELLE
order) in a blender and whirl until very smooth Crisp, snack-size fruit
and frothy, 1 minute. Pour batter over pears. turns from green to yellow
when ripe.
3. Bake until clafoutis is well browned and a little
puffed, about 50 minutes.
4. Let clafoutis cool on a rack about 15 minutes.
Serve warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar.
PER SERVING 204 Cal., 21% (42 Cal.) from fat; 5.8 g protein; SECKEL
4.7 g fat (2 g sat.); 36 g carbo (2.5 g fiber); 122 mg sodium; Fist-size and exceptionally
sweet; excellent raw or
112 mg chol. LC/LS/V
poached. Elaine Johnson

78 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
RED PEAR
SALAD with
LEMON
PARMESAN
DRESSING
SERVES 4 (MAKES 2 QTS.) / 25 MINUTES
Imagine a cheese plate in salad form: sweet
Red dAnjou pears team up with sharp,
nutty parmesan. Though the red pears add
a pop of color, green ones work well too.
Save any extra dressing as a dip for raw
vegetables or to slather on bread.

1 oz. parmesan cheese, freshly

and finely shredded (2 3 cup)
14 cup extra-virgin olive oil

11 2 tsp. lemon zest

2 tbsp. lemon juice
About 1 2 tsp. kosher salt
About 14 tsp. pepper
1 large fennel bulb
1 lb. firm-ripe Red dAnjou pears,
cored and thinly sliced lengthwise
3 cups loosely packed baby arugula
1 2 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

1. In a food processor, whirl cheese, oil,

lemon zest and juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and
1/4 tsp. pepper until pured.

2. Remove tops and tough outer layers

from fennel. Cut bulb in half lengthwise,
core, and thinly slice crosswise.
3. In a large bowl, toss pears, fennel,
arugula, and hazelnuts. Drizzle salad
with as much dressing as you like and
toss until evenly coated. Season to taste
with salt and pepper, and serve more
dressing on the side.

PER SERVING 336 Cal., 65% (220 Cal.) from fat;

7 g protein; 26 g fat (2 g sat.); 26 g carbo (7.8 g fiber);
350 mg sodium; 6.2 mg chol. GF/LC/LS/V

DIGITAL BONUS More ways to savor

pearslike sparkling-wine sorbet:
sunset.com/pears.
Food & Drink
BRAISED SHORT RIBS with PEAR, GINGER,
and STAR ANISE
SERVES 4 / 3 1 2 HOURS
This Chinese-inspired take on short ribs gets its freshness from Bosc pears cooked in the
sauce, plus more pears on top in a raw relish. If you have time, cook the recipe a day ahead.
The flavors will be deeper, and you can more easily lift the fat from the sauce.
4 bone-in English beef short ribs, each
4 to 5 in. long, 21 2 to 3 lbs. total
About 14 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. canola oil
11 2 cups chopped shallots
4 cups peeled, cored Bosc pears (2 to 3
pears), half coarsely chopped, half cut
into 1 2-in. dice
1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
2 star anise
1 2 tsp. red chile flakes
4 tsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
14 cup each coarsely chopped cilantro
and thinly sliced green onions
Kosher salt
Steamed white rice
80 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly season
short ribs with 1/4 tsp. pepper.
2. Heat oil in a 5- to 6-qt. dutch oven or
other heavy ovenproof pot over medium-
high heat. Add short ribs and brown on
all sides, turning as needed, about 15
minutes total. Transfer short ribs to a
plate; set aside. Discard all but 1 tbsp. fat
from pot.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add shallots
and coarsely chopped pears to pot; cook,
stirring, until shallots are softened and
lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add
ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until
fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chicken
broth, scraping up any browned bits
from bottom of pan. Add soy sauce,
brown sugar, sesame oil, star anise, and
chile flakes.
4. Increase heat to high and bring mixture
to a boil. Return short ribs to pot, cover,
and braise in oven 1 hour. Turn meat
over and cook until tender but not falling
apart, 45 minutes to 1 hour more.
5. Meanwhile, stir diced pears and rice
vinegar together. Chill pear relish,
covered, until used.
6. Uncover meat and continue to oven-
braise, turning ribs once or twice, until
sauce is reduced by about two-thirds
and meat is very tender when pierced,
40 to 45 minutes more. With a slotted
spoon, transfer ribs to a plate. Spoon fat
from sauce.
7. Stir cilantro and green onions into diced
pear relish and season to taste with salt
and pepper. Spoon rice into wide soup
plates and set short ribs on top. Spoon
a little sauce over meat, then add some
pear relish. Serve remaining relish and
sauce on the side.
MAKE AHEAD Through step 6, up to 1 day,
chilled (with meat in sauce), but dont re-
move fat. Before serving, spoon off and dis-
card fat from chilled sauce. Reheat on stove,
covered, over medium-low heat until meat is
hot (an instant-read thermometer inserted in
center registers 150), 20 to 30 minutes.
PER SERVING 602 Cal., 50% (299 Cal.) from fat;
33 g protein; 33 g fat (12 g sat.); 42 g carbo (5.1 g fiber);
1,279 mg sodium; 106 mg chol.
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 Food & Drink

SOUP MASTER CLASS

SECRETS
Andrea Nguyen cracks the
code of pho for the home cook.
By Margo True
EVERY SATURDAY, when Andrea Nguyen was
a little girl in Vietnam, her mother cooked
up a pot of the flavorful noodle soup known
as pho, charring onions and ginger, then
simmering meat and spices for hours. We
all have those smells that remind us of who
we are, and pho is that for me, she says.
These days, you can get pho in practically
any town in the West, but a great home-
cooked version is a world away. In Nguy-
ens upcoming The Pho Cookbook (Ten
Speed Press; $20), the James Beard Award
nominated author explores the history of
Vietnams national soup and offers scrupu-
lous recipes for beef, chicken, vegetarian,
and vegan pho, along with regional twists
and ways to use leftover broth and meat
(pho fried rice!). For her Fast and Fabulous
pho, she hit on a brilliant shortcut: Use a
pressure cooker to get authentic flavor in
about a third of the time.
Home-cooked or not, says Nguyen, pho
has the same irresistible appeal: Its brothy,
spicy, restorative, gluten-free Its comfort
food, yet its light. And its great for hang-
overs. What better food for the new year?

Soup-making staples
YOU CAN USE TOOLS YOU ALREADY HAVE, BUT THESE ITEMS ARE SO USEFUL THEYRE WORTH BUYING.
FIND THE SKIMMER, LADLE, AND STRAINER AT ASIAN MARKETS, AND THE MUSLIN AT FABRIC STORES.

A flat, fine-mesh skimmer
easily and quickly whisks the
scum from the top of the broth as
it simmers.
A simple metal soup ladle
with a thin rim scoops fat from the
top of the broth to keep it light
(though youll want to leave a lit-
tle bit of fat for flavor).
For straining, lining a colander
with unbleached muslin ensures
a clear broth. The material is
much sturdier and cheaper than
cheesecloth, and can be washed
and reused many times.
With its vertical handle, a noo-
dle strainer holds noodles more
efficiently than a regular strainer
as you dunk them into boiling wa-
ter. The bowl is just big enough to
contain one serving.

82 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET Photographs by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
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Food & Drink
PRESSURE COOKER
CHICKEN PHO
SERVES 4 / 2 HOURS
Andrea Nguyen loves her 6-qt. Fagor Duo
pressure cooker ($67; amazon.com). Its
not too expensive, and its easy to useno
jiggling valves or dials. That said, you can
also make this recipe in a stockpot (see
method, opposite page); just allow more
time. If youre serving more than four peo-
ple, recruit some helpers to put together
the bowls, assembly-line style, so the soup
doesnt get cold.
BROTH
1 whole chicken (4 lbs.)
1 rounded tbsp. coriander seeds
3 whole cloves
1 medium yellow onion, peeled, halved, and
sliced 1 2 in. thick
3-in. piece ginger, peeled and thickly sliced
1 small Fuji apple, peeled, cored, and cut
into thumbnail-size chunks
34 cup coarsely chopped cilantro sprigs
About 214 tsp. fine sea salt
About 11 2 tbsp. fish sauce
About 1 tsp. organic sugar* or 2 tsp. maple
syrup, if needed to round out flavor
BOWLS
10 oz. dried narrow flat rice noodles*
About half of cooked chicken from
the broth
1 2 small red onion, halved lengthwise,
then thinly sliced and soaked in water
10 minutes
14 cup thinly sliced green onion, green
parts only
14 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Pepper
Garnish Plate (recipe on page 86)
Ginger Dipping Sauce (recipe on page 86)
1. Make broth: Rinse chicken and set aside
to drain. Put coriander seeds and cloves
in a dry 6- to 8-qt. pressure cooker. Over
medium heat, toast until fragrant, shak-
ing, several minutes. Add onion and gin-
ger and cook, stirring, until browned on
edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Traditionally, the
84 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET
TIP
Bruise the ginger by
smacking it with the flat side
of your knife.
ginger and onion would be charred
directly on a burner. Ive found that
this is the best shortcut to get that
flavor, says Nguyen.
2. Add 4 cups water, then the chicken,
breast side up. Add apple, cilantro, salt,
and another 4 cups water. Having only
half the water in the pot when the
chicken goes in means you wont
splash yourself. Lock the lid in place.
3. Following your cookers instructions,
bring to low pressure (8 psi) over high
heat. Lower heat to maintain pressure.
Cook 15 minutes, or a few minutes longer
if your cookers low setting is less than
8 psi. If your cooker has only a high-
pressure (15 psi) setting, cook 12 minutes.
4. While broth cooks, soak noodles in hot
tap water until pliable and opaque, about
10 minutes. Drain, rinse, and drain well.
Divide among four large soup bowls.
5. When broth is done, lift cooker to a cool
burner and let pressure decrease until
pressure indicator drops, about 20 min-
utes. Remove lid.
6. Let cool 5 minutes, then use tongs to
transfer chicken to a bowl. Dont wor-
ry if some parts fall off. Just add them
to the bowl too. Add cold water to
cover, then soak 10 minutes to cool. Pour
off water, partially cover chicken, and set
aside to finish cooling.
7. With a shallow ladle, skim most of fat
from broth. Strain broth through a
muslin- or cheesecloth-lined strainer
into a medium pot, pressing to expel as
much broth as possible. Discard solids.
Season broth with fish sauce, plus salt
and sugar to taste. Add fish sauce now,
at the end. Otherwise you lose some
of its umami oomph.
8. To serve, bring broth to a simmer over
medium heat. Fill a medium pot with wa-
ter and bring to a rolling boil for noodles.
9. Meanwhile, prepare your pho assembly
line: Slice breasts and legs from chicken;
set aside half for another use. Cut or tear
breast and leg meat into 1/4-in. slices or
shreds (discard skin) and put in a bowl.
Put red onion, green onion, cilantro, and
pepper in separate small bowls. Set out
the bowls of soaked noodles.
10. When water is boiling, tip the first
bowls noodles into a noodle strainer (see
page 82) or other small mesh strainer.
Dunk strainer into boiling water, stirring
 STOCKPOT PHO
Using a pressure cooker gives you
velvety, round flavorslike cash-
mere. A stockpot makes soup thats
more like shantung silk; you get
more hills and valleys in the flavors,
Nguyen says.

1.
Follow steps 1 and 2 of recipe at left,
but use a 6- to 8-qt. stockpot and
add 10 cups water (rather than 8) to
pot. Partially cover, then bring to
a boil over high heat.

2.
Uncover, skim off scum, then lower
heat to a gentle simmer.
Cook, uncovered, 45 minutes; turn
chicken over and cook 45 minutes
more, then transfer with tongs to
a large bowl (leave any parts that may
have fallen off in stockpot to
flavor broth). Let broth simmer
another 1/2 hour, covered.

3.
noodles with chopsticks or a fork to loos- Meanwhile, soak noodles as directed
en them, until theyre soft, 20 to 40 sec- in step 4 at left, and soak and
cool chicken as directed in step 6.
onds. Lift one out and pinch it to see
whether its tender. Some noodles 4.
are thicker and need more time. Pull When broth is done, proceed with
recipe as directed.
strainer of noodles from water, shaking to
drain into pot, and empty into the soup
bowl. Top with chicken. Arrange the
chicken so its flat in the bowl. That
way, it gets nicely heated by broth.
Add red onion, green onion, cilantro, and
a sprinkle of pepper, to give it a little pop.
11. Taste broth once more and season with
fish sauce, salt, and/or sugar if needed.
Divide among bowls. Serve immediately,
with Garnish Plate and Ginger Dipping
Sauce.
MAKE AHEAD Broth, through step 6,
3 days, covered and chilled, or 3 months, fro-
zen (season before serving). Cooked chicken,
up to 3 days, chilled, or 3 months, frozen. Re-
hydrated noodles, up to 1 week, chilled.
*Organic sugar has more of the molasses left
in it and thus more flavor; you could also
use turbinado sugar. Find the noodles in the
international aisle of most grocery stores
(often theyll be labeled pad Thai).

PER SERVING 492 Cal., 17% (84 Cal.) from fat;

29 g protein; 9.3 g fat (2.6 g sat.); 69 g carbo (1.3 g fiber); DIGITAL BONUS Watch this pho come
1,443 mg sodium; 76 mg chol. GF together: sunset.com/phovideo.

SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 85
Food & Drink
GARNISH PLATE
(DIA RAU SONG)
SERVES 4 / 10 MINUTES
You can go super-simple with this garnish
plate and stick to just mint and slices of
chile, or add more herbs if you like. If
theres a Vietnamese market near you, its
worth heading there for spicy Thai mint
(hung cay); culantro (ngo gai), an herb with
a strong, slightly sweet cilantro flavor; and
rice-paddy herb (ngo om), which tastes of
citrus and cumin. Thai basil is available at
farmers markets, Asian grocers, and well-
stocked grocery stores.
4 to 6 sprigs mint or spicy Thai mint, plus the
same amount of any of these if you like:
Thai basil or lemon basil, culantro or
cilantro, and rice-paddy herb
4 handfuls bean sprouts
1 or 2 limes, cut into wedges
2 green or red Thai, jalapeo, Fresno,
or serrano chiles, thinly sliced (on
diagonal if small, so they dont get
lost in the pho)
1. At least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours
before serving, refresh herbs: Trim
stems. Set mint (and cilantro and regular
basil, if using), stem side down in a large
bowl of water. Submerge Thai basil,
culantro, and rice-paddy herb (if using)
fully in bowls of water. Pat herbs dry.
2. Leave bean sprouts raw, or soften them
a little so they add just a gentle crunch
to pho: When water is boiling for pho
noodles (step 10 of master recipe), add
bean sprouts, stir around for a minute
or so, and lift out with a strainer; set
on a paper towel to drain.
3. Put chiles in a small dish and set on
a large plate or a platter. Arrange
everything else on plate and serve
GINGER DIPPING
immediately.
SAUCE
(NUOC MAM GUNG)
MAKES 3 4 CUP / 5 MINUTES, PLUS 15 MINUTES
TO REST
This zippy sauce is intended for dipping
pieces of chicken from the phoa season-
ing station between bowl and mouth. You
can drizzle the sauce into the soup if you
like, but it will change the flavor of the
broth, says Nguyen.
2 lightly packed tbsp. finely chopped
fresh ginger
6 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 to 212 tbsp. sugar
2 to 3 tbsp. fish sauce
2 tsp. finely chopped seeded red or
green Fresno or jalapeo chile
1. In a small bowl, stir together ginger, lime
juice, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
Taste and adjust as needed.
2. Add fish sauce and chile; set aside 15
minutes to meld and develop flavors.
MAKE AHEAD Up to 1 day, covered and
chilled.
PER TBSP. 14 Cal., 1.4% (0.2 Cal.) from fat; 0.3 g protein;
0 g fat; 3.5 g carbo (0.1 g fiber); 291 mg sodium;
0 mg chol. GF
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Food & Drink

FA S T & F R E S H

WEEKNIGHT COOKING
SLOW-COOKER CARNITAS
SERVES 6 / 40 MINUTES, PLUS 8 HOURS IN COOKER
Using a slow-cooker to braise pork means you can start this
recipe in the morning, go about your day, and just sizzle the
meat right before dinner. Store any leftover carnitas in the
cooking liquid and use for sandwiches, or serve over polenta.

5 tbsp. grapeseed or other 1 tbsp. adobo sauce from

neutral-flavored oil, divided canned chipotle chiles
1 boneless pork shoulder roast 1 tsp. achiote paste
(31 2 lbs.; aka Boston butt) 4 wide strips orange zest
1
1 2 tsp. kosher salt 12 corn tortillas (6 in.)
1 tbsp. pepper Pico de gallo, store-bought
1 cup reduced-sodium or homemade
chicken broth

1. Heat 3 tbsp. oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-

high heat. Season pork with the salt and pepper. Add
pork to skillet and brown on all sides, 12 to 14 minutes.
Place pork in a 6-qt. slow-cooker.
2. Discard fat from skillet and wipe clean with paper towels.
Stir together broth, adobo sauce, and achiote paste in
skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour
over pork, then add orange zest.

JENNIFER CAUSEY (FOOD STYLING: MARIANA VELASQUEZ; PROP STYLING: MINDI SHAPIRO)
3. Cover slow-cooker and cook on low until pork is very
tender, about 8 hours. Lift meat to a cutting board or
platter. Pour cooking liquid through a fine wire-mesh
strainer into a measuring cup, then discard solids. Skim
W I N E PA I R I N G fat from cooking liquid. Using two forks, shred meat into
Lone Madrone
2013 Sheep Camp large chunks.
Zinfandel 4. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in cleaned cast-iron skillet over high heat.
(Paso Robles; $45) Arrange half of meat in an even layer in skillet and cook,
undisturbed, until deeply caramelized, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in 1/2 cup cooking liquid; transfer to a bowl. Repeat
with remaining 1 tbsp. oil, pork, and 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
5. Toast tortillas over an open flame 20 to 30 seconds per
side and wrap in a clean kitchen towel until ready to serve.
Or, wrap in towel and microwave 1 minute to warm.
6. Serve pork with warm tortillas and pico de gallo.

PER 2-TACO SERVING 852 Cal., 64% (548 Cal.) from fat; 49 g protein; 61 g fat
(18 g sat.); 25 g carbo (2.6 g fiber); 705 mg sodium; 188 mg chol. GF

ROASTED WILD
MUSHROOM
BUTTERED HERBED PAPPARDELLE
POTATOES and
SHRIMP
SERVES 6 / 30 MINUTES
Think of this as the West Coast version of
a shrimp boil, with plenty of fresh herbs.
Dont overcook the shrimp; theyll finish
cooking as you toss everything together.
Serve with a refreshing arugula salad.
11 2 lbs. baby Yukon Gold potatoes,
scrubbed, then halved
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp. salt
1 2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 lbs. peeled deveined large shrimp
(26 to 30 per lb.), tails on or off
1 2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter
1 2 cup chopped fresh dill
14 cup very thinly sliced chives
1 tsp. pepper
1 lemon, cut into thin wedges
1. Bring 5 qts. water, potatoes, bay leaves,
and salt to a boil in a large pot over high
heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; sim-
mer until potatoes are almost tender
when pierced, about 12 minutes.
2. Add vinegar and cook 2 minutes (this
sets the potatoes and keeps them from
being a starchy mess). Add shrimp and
cook just until curled and pink, about
1 minute. Drain potatoes and shrimp,
then return mixture to pot off the heat.
Discard bay leaves.
3. Add butter, dill, chives, and pepper,
and toss until butter melts. Transfer
to a serving bowl and serve with
lemon wedges.
PER SERVING 329 Cal., 47% (152 Cal.) from fat;
23 g protein; 17 g fat (9.9 g sat.); 23 g carbo (2.2 g fiber);
743 mg sodium; 231 mg chol. GF/LC
SERVES 4 / 30 MINUTES
For maximum flavor and chewy-soft
texture, the mushrooms are roasted and
then simmered in broth. Save a bit of pasta
water to moisten each bowl before serving.
2 lbs. mixed fresh wild mushrooms (such as
shiitake, cremini, and oyster), quartered,
or, if small, halved
34 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
8 thyme sprigs
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
12 oz. pappardelle pasta
11 2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 3 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley
leaves, divided
1 3
cup loosely packed tarragon
leaves, divided
2 oz. parmesan cheese, shredded (34 cup)
1. Preheat oven to 475 with a rack in top
third of oven and another in lower third.
Combine mushrooms, oil, garlic, thyme,
pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl;
toss to coat. Divide seasoned mushrooms
between two large rimmed baking sheets
and spread in an even layer.
2. Bake mushrooms 10 minutes, then
remove from oven and increase heat to
broil. Broil mushrooms, one baking sheet
at a time, until browned, 5 minutes each.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to
package instructions. Drain, reserving
at least 1/2 cup pasta water.
4. Transfer broiled mushrooms to a bowl.
Scrape browned bits from one baking
sheet onto second baking sheet. Set
baking sheet with browned bits on
stovetop over medium-high heat. Add
broth and cook, stirring and scraping
to loosen browned bits from bottom of
baking sheet, until mixture boils and
reduces slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Combine mushroom mixture, pasta,
half of parsley, half of tarragon, and
remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl;
toss to coat. Divide among four shallow
bowls, then drizzle with broth mixture
and a bit of pasta water if needed. Top
with remaining parsley, tarragon, and
the parmesan.
PER SERVING 844 Cal., 51% (428 Cal.) from fat;
25 g protein; 48 g fat (8.1 g sat.); 81 g carbo (7.9 g fiber);
817 mg sodium; 56 mg chol. V
W I N E PA I R I N G
FEL 2014
Pinot Noir
(Anderson Valley; $38)
SUNSET J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 89
 Food & Drink

In the SUNSET KITCHEN TIPS FROM

OUR TEAM

SHOPPING SMARTS
BEST IN CLASS
Liquid gold All-purpose Finishing
After salt and pepper, extra-virgin olive oil is the
ingredient we cant do without in the Test Kitchen.
This month, were uncapping the newly released har-
vest, nearly all of which comes from California (in the 1
States, anyway). To help us choose among hundreds of
the states oils, we sat down with a proLinda Sikorski, For sauting, High heat dissi-
baking, and sal- pates flavors, so
senior buyer at Market Hall Foods (markethallfoods.com), ads, look for save these com-
a specialty foods store in Oakland. extra-virgin oils plex oils for driz-
by Corto ($22/ zling: Bondolio
liter; markethall ($22/250 ml. ;
foods.com); bondolio.com);
Enzo ($20/500 Katz Rock Hill

WHATS IN A 2
Style or vari- ml. ; enzostable. Ranch ($22/
etal Some mak- com) ; and 375 ml.; katz

LABEL?
ers give information Ska Hills farm.com);
about the flavors to ($18/500 ml.; Massiglia ($35/
guide your choice. sekahills.com) . 375 ml.; marci
anoestate.com);
and Pacific Sun
(from $16/500
1
California Harvest date ml. ; pacificsun
Olive Oil Coun- More useful than sell- 2 oliveoil.com).
cil certification Veri- by date. Olive oil is
fies that the oil has freshest and most fla- Oils worst enemies
passed the chemical vorful within a year of Air, heat, and light degrade oil over
and sensory stan- harvest, says Sikorski. time. Buy oil in dark bottles, in a quan-
dards that qualify it Dont save it!

LEFT: FOOD STYLING: RANDY MON; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE WOLHEIM. TOP RIGHT: RESSMA DESAI/STOCKSY (2)
tity you can use up in a few months,
as extra-virgin, the and keep in a dark, cool cupboard.
highest grade.

Awards seals
The most prestigious
olive-oil competitions
are the L.A. Interna-
tional, Good Food
Awards, and New
York International.

MILD OR BOLD? Later-harvest oils taste more

A good oil balances fruity,
pungent, and bitter flavors, but
intensity varies depending on
maturity and variety, where
fruit is grown, and miller style.
buttery. In terms of varieties,
Arbequina is a great beginners
oil, mellow with almond-y
overtones, says Sikorski.
Oils from early-harvest fruit taste
greener and more bitter and
MILD BOLD pungent. Tuscan-style varietals,
like Frantoio, Leccino, and Mauri-
no, fall into the bold category.

90 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 S U N S E T Photograph by I A I N BAGW E L L
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 Food & Drink

Back to
school
SIP A short list of
Western community-
college winemaking
programs :

Napa Valley
College, CA
Viticulture and
Winery Technology
Program;
napavalley.edu.
Geo advantage:
World-renowned
Napa Valley
enough said.
From $138.

Santa Rosa
Junior College,
Santa Rosa, CA
Viticulture and
Wine Studies;
santarosa.edu.
Geo advantage:
Sonoma Countys
prodigious diversity
of wines, from Pinot
Noir and Chardon-
nay to Zinfandel,

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WINEMAKER?

Syrah, and all the Bor-
deaux varieties (Cab
and cousins). From
$69, plus tasting fee.
Take it from one scientist turned vintner: You can make it happen through
a local community college. By Sara Schneider Chemeketa
Community
College,
SOMEWHERE BET WEEN the desk job and retirement, an education heavy on theory, but rather hands-on Salem, OR
theres a dream. For Walt Brooks, a longtime NASA experiencemore vintages and wines to play with. Wine Studies;
chemeketa.edu.
scientist, that plan B fantasy was to make wine. Walt And thats just what Napa Valley Collegeone of a Geo advantage:
and his wife, Bernie, fell in love with wine when they handful of community colleges in the West with bonded The Willamette Valley
moved from New York to Northern California in the wineriesoffers. We cover everything from the soil to is home to serious Bur-
gundian-leaning Pinot
1970s. But the desire to act on the passion became per- when the guest consumes the wine, says program co- Noir, plus Pinot Gris
sonal; a couple of friends passed away too early, and, ordinator Paul Gospodarczyk, who cites a surge in in- and beautiful Char-
says Brooks, I realized I didnt want to die at my desk. terest in the program. This is inclusive education: Our donnay. From $282.
Brookss purchase of 5 Napa Valley acres, with a run- students range in age from 18 to 75, he says. Well take
down house and 2 1/2 acres of vines, put the dream in his anyone who signs up. Translation: no nail-biting wait Walla Walla
sights. A few vines dont turn one into a vintner, how- for an acceptance letter. Community
College, WA
ever. I needed a way to catch up after 40 years of not Brooks, for his part, relished the programs immer- Enology & Viticul-
doing this! says Brooks, now 67. With a PhD in physics sive approach. When they put you in the vineyard to ture; wwcc.edu.
and a master of science in management from Stanford, prune, you pruned the whole vineyard, he says. In Geo advantage:
Walla Walla Valley,
he caught up through the Napa Valley College Viti- 2010, he fully segued from scientist to winemaker, put- which spans the
culture and Winery Technology Program. At first I ting in more time on the tractor and with the barrels border into Oregon,
thought one of the universities would give me more and (rather impressive) chemistry-lab equipment in his is producing head-
turning Cabernet,
cred, he admits. But his brother, Larry, who was already nanowinery, producing wines for a small family co-op. Merlot, and Syrah.
a winemaker, told him that what he needed wasnt I use what I learned in the program every day, he says. From $35.

92 J A N UA RY 2 0 1 7 SUNSET Photograph by T H O M A S J. S T O RY
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Order free advertiser information here or at sunsetgetaways.com

 UP NEXT

WIN THIS
COASTAL ESCAPE!
A bustling seafood market is our happy place. In next months issue,
were showcasing one of our favoritesSan Diegos open-air Tuna
Harbor Dockside Marketand weve partnered with the San Diego
Tourism Authority to offer a greatest-hits getaway to this beautiful
seaside city. The prize package includes round-trip airfare for two,
courtesy of the SDTA; a three-night stay at The US Grant, a Luxury
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of San Diego Bay; two tickets to SeaWorld; and a Harbor Tour for
two on Hornblower Cruises & Events. For more details on this
THOMAS J. STORY

Instagram contest, visit sunset.com/sandiegocontest.

SUNSET (ISSN 0039-5404) is published monthly in regional and special editions by Sunset Publishing Corporation, 55 Harrison St., Ste. 200, Oakland, CA 94607. Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, CA, and at addi-
tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2.) Nonpostal and military facilities: Send address corrections to Sunset Magazine, P.O. Box 62120, Tampa, FL 33662-2120. Vol. 238,
No. 1. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2017 Sunset Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. Sunset, The Magazine of Western Living, The Pacific Monthly, Sunsets Kitchen Cabinet,
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at P.O. Box 62120, Tampa, FL 33662-2120 or call (800) 777-0117. U.S. subscriptions: $24 for one year.
Just a few hours of your time can make a big difference.
Together, with our nationwide community of volunteers,
you can help the Feeding America network of food
banks end hunger.

Pledge to volunteer at your local food bank.

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 Bella is a part of
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Real Pet Parent paid for real opinions