Our Local Flavor: A Celebration of Washington Foods

Unexpected Pairings from Made In Washington Artisan Food Producers

Ever considered topping your ice cream with garlic chili crisp? No? 

Us either. 

Until we tried it. 

The sweet and salty, the cold and heat, the umami—all of it just works.

If you’re going to need some time to warm up to that idea, what about starting your locally-inspired foodie adventure by adding orange juice to your scone mix instead of water? 

Yeah? 

Citrusy scones, here you come! Brunch has never been brighter—literally. Just add some berries to your platter, line up a selection of bubbly, tap “Play” on a great playlist, and you’ll be set. 

And if you really need to dip your toe into fun food combinations, try some of our simple swaps and add-ins like BobbySue’s nuts in the brownies you’re already planning to bake, or sprinkling a little kimchi salt on your next bowl of popcorn. There’s something for every attention span and palate in our guide to unexpected food pairings, and what they all have in common is that they support at least one of our Washington artisan food producers. 

Let’s talk about local flavor, shall we?

Artisanal Foods from Washington State

At Made In Washington, we celebrate the rich bounty of Washington State’s food, art, and lifestyle by offering a huge range of the best local products. Curating for our customers is one of our love languages, so in this piece, we’re focusing on our artisan food producers, the people who define local flavor. 

Washington is home to so many great culinary experiences, based on both the natural bounty of our region and the creativity of the people who call it home. When you make something from this list, you’re supporting a local small business while adding new ideas to your recipe box—and, just like that, everyone wins. 

How These Recipes Came To Be

Before we get too far into the recipes and food combinations we’ve curated, we want you to know how they were sourced. 

Not only did our employee and store teams offer many of the ideas you’ll see here (they are super passionate about our products!), but we also asked our makers to contribute their favorite unique ways to use their foods. “Coleslaw with a Kick” from our Meals & Sides section came from Papa Tony’s wife, who makes coleslaw for countless get-togethers! 

We’re forever in awe of the creativity that flows from our maker community. Their innovation and openness to sharing their ideas are just two of the many things we love about our impressive Made In Washington community. And if you’re reading this, you’re a part of that community, too!

Keep scrolling to find your next unexpected (and decidedly delicious) pairing, inspired by one of our 150+ food makers from across the state. 

Appetizers

Who doesn’t love an app? Sweet, savory, or somewhere in between—you’ll find a recipe to try for your next dinner party (or a reason to host one) here. 

Tailgate Smoked Salmon: Spread chive cream cheese on crescent dough, top with chunks of SeaBear Smokehouse (based in Anacortes, WA) smoked salmon. Roll, bake, slice, and serve! Mmm, tasty. 

Pistachio Cherry Cheese Log: Roll a log of room temperature goat cheese in chopped Chukar Cherries (based in Prosser, WA) Cherry Pistachio Mix.

Burrata with a Kick: Top burrata cheese with chopped Mama Lil’s Peppers (based in Yakima, WA), and have guests scoop out and enjoy on crackers or crostini.

Marinara Mussel Toast: Toast your favorite sourdough bread. Top it with ricotta, marinara, sundried tomatoes, olives, basil, and Ekone Oyster Company (based in Willapa Bay, Bay Center, WA) Mussels in Marinara.

Rainbow Cucumber Bites: Dollop cream cheese on cucumber slices, top with alternating sprinkles of San Juan Island Sea Salt (based in Friday Harbor, WA) Garlic & Friends or Truffle & Friends spice blends.

Whipped Ricotta with Honey: Whip ricotta with a mixer, spread on your favorite toast or crackers, and drizzle with Garvey’s Enterprises (based in Bellevue, WA) Mt. Rainier Fireweed Honey.

Meals & Sides

When you’re ready to go big while supporting local, your tastebuds will thank you for these easy, fun recipes. 

Buffalo BLT: Layer bacon strips, lettuce, and heirloom tomato slices on toasted bread, then drizzle with Mitch’s Foods (based in Issaquah, WA) Best Buffalo Sauce. Top with toasted bread.

Artichoke Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, then stir in The Bread Dip Company’s (based in Maple Valley, WA) Artichoke & Capers Dip and spread for a quick, Mediterranean-inspired dish!

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Cheese: Spread mayo, Girl Meets Dirt (based in Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA) Tomato Jam and a dollop of chili sauce on bread slices, add cheddar and American cheese, and grill until golden brown. Your favorite tomato soup for dipping optional (but highly recommended)

Shallot Mustard Vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, Tom Douglas’s (based in Seattle, WA) Toasted Shallot Mustard, and garlic. Slowly add olive oil until blended, then season with salt and pepper.

Cheesy Crouton Twist: Add bold flavor and texture by tossing crunchy Moon Cheese (based in Ferndale, WA) Cheddar Believe It bites into your green salad for a uniquely savory crunch. 

Coleslaw with a Kick: Combine shredded cabbage and carrots with mayo, a splash of vinegar, and a drizzle of Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce (based in Seattle, WA) Mango Habañero sauce for sweet heat and bold flavor.

Sweets & Snacks

If you’re like us, one of your favorite ways to play with food is with sweets and snacks. Plus, kids will go wild for these dishes!

Umami Ice Cream: Spoon KariKari (based in Seattle, WA) Garlic Chili Crisp on a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a surprising crunch and savory-sweet twist.

Orange Scones: Make bright, citrusy scones by mixing Fisher (based in Seattle, WA) Original Fair Scone Mix with orange juice instead of water, add orange zest, then bake until golden.

Raspberry Roca Mini Tarts: Bake snickerdoodle almond dough in mini muffin tins at 350°F for five minutes, press centers, add crushed Brown & Hayley (based in Tacoma, WA) AlmondRoca®, cool, remove from tins, and top with raspberry jam—plus more Almond Roca.

Brownies Your Way: 

• Nutty: add BobbySue’s Nuts (based in Monroe, WA) Original Nuts
• Java: sub Forecast Coffee Company (based in Bellingham, WA) Pedal Pusher for any liquid
• Dark Chocolate: add Spinnaker Chocolate (based in Seattle, WA) 70% Belize chunks

Popcorn Your Way:

• Zippy: add Firefly Kitchen’s (based in Seattle) Kimchi Salt
• Spicy Fusions: add Vashon Island Coffee Dust (based in Vashon Island, WA) Cocoa Calm
• Terroir: add San Juan Island Sea Salt’s (based in Friday Harbor, WA) Truffle & Friends

Drinks

When cocktail hour comes around, every sip tastes a little more satisfying knowing it supports a Washington-based food producer.

Maple Old Fashioned: Stir together bourbon, a splash of Woodinville Whiskey (based in Woodinville, WA) Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, and bitters over ice, then garnish with an orange twist 

(Pro tip: If you made orange scones earlier, reserve some extra slices for your Old Fashioned!)

Huckleberry Hound: Mix vodka, lemon juice, and Spokandy Chocolatier’s (based in Spokane, WA) Huckleberry Syrup over ice, shake well, and strain into a glass and enjoy!

Girlie French 75: Mix gin and Girl Meets Dirt (based in Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA) Lemon Lavender Shrub, add ice and shake vigorously, strain into chilled champagne flutes and top with sparkling wine.

MarketSpiked Tea: Brew MarketSpice (based in Seattle, WA) Cinnamon Orange Tea, chill it, then mix with vodka or bourbon over ice, garnish with an orange slice and mint.

DIY Your Next Washington Foodie Adventure

Want to get everything you need and have it at the ready chez you? Try one of our combo ideas, bringing together items from several of our artisan food makers! Just compile the items below to make something tasty. 

 These simple, everyday ideas are so easy to make, you might just discover a new favorite dish. And don’t be afraid to add a few of your own ideas or take a different spin on what you see here—no one will say no to the addition of Aplets & Cotlets to the Local Trail Mix you see below, and if they do, well, more for you!

Smokehouse Sliders: Add together SeaBear Ready To Eat Sockeye, AJ’s Edible Arts Walla Walla Mustard, and Mama Lil’s Original Pickled Hungarian Pickled Peppers in Oil on your buns of choice

Savory Scones: Use Fisher Original Fair Scone & Shortcake Mix, and mix in Coro by Salumi - Classic Salumi Piccolo Salami, Oh My Gouda Moon Cheese (chopped up), and some Mama Lil’s Original Pickled Hungarian Pickled Peppers in Oil

Sweet Scones: Use Fisher Original Fair Scone & Shortcake Mix, and mix in Girl Meets Dirt Hot Damn Pepper Jam, Maeve Honey Ohs Truffle Bar

Local Trail Mix: Mix full packages of Hot Cakes Cold Smoked Chocolate Chips, Chukar Cherries Dried Cherry Medley Mix, BobbySue's Original Nuts (we’re taking this on our next hike!)

Show Us Your Local Flavor

We’ve given you a lot to work with here, and our local store teams are more than happy to help you put it all together if you prefer the in-person experience. However you choose to shop, we can’t wait to see what you’re nomming—and sipping. 

Show us what you’ve whipped up with these ideas! Tag us on social media. We’re hanging out @madeinwashington_ on Instagram and @made.in.washington on Facebook, and we can’t wait to drool over your new favorite foods.