When the number on the thermometer is smaller than your pants size, you know it’s cold. We need bowls of warm chili to counteract all that is unpleasant outside. So send us your recipes! We’re looking for three kinds: Traditional meat (Texas, Cincinnati or your famous Riverwoods Red Chili) Chicken or white (sometimes called California […]
In my book, the holidays are not a hassle. They are work and time and effort, but they lift us out of the hum-drum of winter. We light candles, decorate, share a special dinner with friends and family, all to forget that it’s dark at 4 p.m. and so cold that even high school students […]
This warm, delicious and nourishing soup is a regular in my menu rotation. It can be made ahead of time or as the hungry are grumbling. If you need to feed a few extra bodies, add a little more potato, stock and ham. It’s a very forgiving recipe. Butternut Squash and Ham Soup Serves: 6 […]
Classic Italian comfort food, stracotto, is as easy as pot roast and the leftovers are terrific with pasta—if you have leftovers—that is. You can make this in a dutch oven or a slow cooker. Italian Pot Roast Stracotto Serves: 6 with leftovers Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2 1/2 hours or 6-8 hours in […]
Another great addition to the Boo Fondue are “Skeleton Bones” breadsticks for dipping. Serves: 6 Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 15 min. Ingredients 1 package refrigerated breadsticks (11 oz.) 1. Preheat oven to 375°. 2. Open breadstick package and separate into 12 breadsticks. Pull to elongate, then snip the ends with kitchen […]
These are elegant and easy. The batter is a variation on chocolate chip cookies, but with fresh raspberries and pecans. Best of all, no shaping or scooping. Just bake into bars, then serve in decadent squares. Summer Raspberry Blondies Ingredients 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups light brown sugar, packed 2 […]
Most families have a hell day. Each kid is going in a different direction, and dinner isn’t going to be a sit-down meal…unless everyone’s willing to eat late and tolerate cranky kids. But if you pack a cooler with these appetizer-inspired sandwiches, dinner can be enjoyed on the sidelines (call it a tailgate picnic) while […]
Here are two dips that are perfect for backyard entertaining. A little exotic, but not too crazy different, and both are a snap to make. Roasted Red Pepper Dip Recipe Serves: 8-12 as part of a party spread Prep Time: 10 minutes 1 jar roasted red peppers (12 ounce) 1 small shallot 1 tbsp. extra-virgin […]
Any recipe that asks you to “open a can of beer and drink half” deserves a place on the menu for Father’s Day. Steven Raichlen, author of The Barbecue! Bible, made the Beer Can Chicken famous. Famous Beer Can Chicken Serves: 4-6 Prep Time: 30 Cook Time: 1 hr. Ingredients 1 chicken (3-1/2 to […]
This good-for-you and good-for-the-planet dinner combines hot food trends: local ingredients, less meat, international flavors and more produce. You can feel virtuous making it, and your family will happily eat it because it’s delish. Thai-Inspired Beef Salad Serves: 5 Prep Time: 35 min. Cook Time: Less than 10 min. Ingredients 1/4 cup fresh lime juice […]
