Hot and heavy may be great for kissing—but not so much for a summer meal. Opt for cool and light instead. Vietnamese shrimp summer rolls consist of fresh ingredients wrapped in rice paper and served at room temperature or cooled; they’re not deep fried or otherwise cooked on the outside like egg rolls or spring […]
In summer, we’d rather warm up outside than in front of a hot stove or oven. Summer meals should be fast and easy and utilize the bounty of the season. Cold soups fit the bill. They’re a great way to convert fresh fruits and vegetables into a refreshing meal. Gazpacho is the heavyweight of cold […]
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 […]
Lettuce wilts. Mayonnaise spoils. It takes a special salad to maintain its flavor and appearance an hour into the heat of a summer picnic or barbecue–coleslaw, potato or Caesar won’t do. You can place this tasty and colorful corn salad on any buffet table and rightly expect to take home an empty bowl. The recipe […]
Peek-a-boo, I see you. Now where’d you go? This year, it feels like our Midwestern summer is a fickle toddler hiding from us. Our hot days have been infrequent and brief, which means we have to be ready to spend time outside when one comes along. These fish tacos will have you firing up the […]
The smell of a freshly mown lawn and the feel of that grass under your bare feet are summer staples. So are treats we can heat over a fire and those that will cool us back down. Warm weather is the time for desserts so messy that they demand to be eaten outside. S’mores and […]
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 […]
What do you think chefs—on their feet for 12 to 14 hours a day toiling away in their restaurant kitchens—do when they get home? The surprising truth? They cook. Cooking is one profession where you take your work home with you, and that’s just fine as far as chefs are concerned. We had the delicious […]
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 […]
With summer weather comes summer cocktails. Drizly, a new beer, wine and spirits delivery service available throughout the North Shore, makes summer cocktails at home easier than ever. Let Drizly deliver the alcohol while you soak up the summer sun. In partnership with Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits, Drizly provides a superior shopping experience for […]
