So you’ve been invited to a holiday cookie exchange…that’s great news, right? Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something that’s both yummy and fun? Except you don’t want to show up with another plate of Toll House cookies or brownies from a box. That just wouldn’t fly. Here are three easy-to-follow recipes from […]
I’ll be the first to come out and say that I don’t really like kale. I’ve tried, being that it’s the sexy green of the moment, but I can’t get past the tough texture and dirt-like flavor. This is why I was surprised when I found myself buying a huge bunch of it at the […]
Hiring someone to cater your party is a wonderful luxury, but it’s not always in the cards. Preparing the food on your own for say, 24 people, might seem a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all a matter of planning—knowing how to choose the right (i.e. easy!) menu, what to buy […]
It’s Deep Dish November, and we’re looking at openings, closings, upcoming wine dinners and special events in Chicago and the North Shore. Openings and Closings For every door that closes, another two open! We say goodbye to Benjamin Tapas in Highland Park andEverest Burger in Glencoe, but hello to Naf Naf Grill,Lao Sze Chuan, OMG […]
The Michelin Man was very, very good to Chicago this year. And while our wonderful North Shore restaurants were snubbed—again—for the coveted stars (No Quince?Restaurant Michael? Oceanique? A travesty!), a number of our neighborhood favorites were singled out as Bib Gourmand winners. Being selected for this category, while not quite as prestigious, is still something […]
The leaves are peaking, the air is crisp, and harvest vegetables are at their best. This means, of course, that it’s time to make soup! These chefs from a few of the North Shore’s most popular eateries have shared their best recipes with us. So start cooking, and enjoy. Bluestone’s Butternut Squash Soup Bluestone owner Jennifer Enright offers […]
Most of us have been to at least one “Cookie Exchange Party” during the holidays, right? Bring a plate of your cookies and leave with samples of everyone else’s. It’s fun, it’s festive, and someone else makes the hot cocoa. What’s not to love? It’s a fairly low-maintenance way to entertain in high-pressure December—unless you’re […]
I’ve been to 27 Live twice. Both times, the meals were enjoyable. Both times, the room was virtually empty. Is that because of the location, just slightly off the beaten path in downtown Evanston (but only two blocks away from the bustling movie mega-plex)? Or perhaps it can be chalked up to the weather, on […]
This year, think outside of the sugar-cookie cutter and throw an unexpected ingredient into the mix: anise seeds. This holiday cookie recipe has been in my family for three generations, and we’ve been making them together at the start of each season for as long as I can remember. Of course, anise seeds are the […]
Is your apple crisp recipe ho-hum? Time to wake it up! Adding cranberries and fresh lime will brighten it considerably with the interplay of tart and sweet; the oatmeal-almond crisp topping adds texture and crunch. As desserts go, this one is health-conscious AND delicious. Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe 1 package (12 ounces) cranberries, picked over […]
