Fall welcomes cool weather and football games. And, who doesn’t like a good tailgate meal before the big game? When our children were both students at the University of Michigan, we were invited to many tailgate parties before games in the Big House in Ann Arbor – and I perfected the art of eating well […]
Rosh Hashanah is the two-day celebration of the Jewish New Year, and falls on Sept. 14 this year. It is the first of the High Holidays, and is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Holiday customs include sounding the shofar (a hollowed-out rams horn) and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped […]
Nearly two decades ago, my friend, Abby Mandel, realized her dream of bringing a farmers market to Chicago. She worked tirelessly to secure the right location and non-profit status to make sure this would be a lasting institution for the city so more people could have access to locally- and sustainably-grown food. Thanks to the […]
Gardening is getting trendy! There is nothing fresher than the vegetables and herbs you grow in your own garden. Of course, if you don’t have room for a garden you can try to grow herbs in the sun that reaches your flowerbeds or grow them in pots and keep them on your front porch. Here are three pasta […]
Grilling season is at its height, but it’s easy to tire of steaks and burgers. Fish is easy to grill, very healthy and tastes wonderful. Here is a very simple grilled trout recipe to try the next time you feel like grilling. I look for whole trout with very bright eyes, which indicates freshness. I […]
I am a big farmers’ market fan and visit several markets each week from opening day in the spring through closing day in autumn. I so enjoy talking with the farmers and their families about their farms and the growing season. Also, I think the farmers can afford to grow wonderful produce when they are […]
This year, why not celebrate the Fourth of July with a fun, patriotic red, white and blue dessert? These easy-to-make shortcakes require some fresh, colorful berries and whipped cream. The shortcakes can be prepared in a food processor so that you can just drop the dough onto a lined cookie sheet rather having to roll it out. Whipped […]
Finally! It is soft shell crab season. My husband and I love to enjoy them simply sautéed and served with quinoa or couscous and sautéed fresh-shelled peas. Later in the summer when the weather is hot, we enjoy the sautéed crabs without the sauce over a simple Caesar salad. I look for live soft shell […]
When Memorial Day rolls around, we always get out the grill for dinner even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. It just feels right to kick off the grilling season that day. But rather than the typical burgers or ribs this year I am going to make a lighter supper for our fish-loving family. Halibut season […]
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the batalla de Puebla when the native Mexicans defeated Napoleon’s army on May 5, 1862. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than to prepare and feast on traditional Mexican fare. My friend, Maria Concannon, owner of Don Juan’s Restaurant in Chicago, tells me there is a […]
