October is National Apple Month and the timing is perfection. Farmers markets and grocery stores are teeming with apple varietals, piled high in gleaming pyramids of green, yellow, and red. How important are apples to our produce economics? Consider this: In 1904, the celebration of the humble apple lasted but a week. The USApple Association is […]
Beans or no beans? In many kitchens, that question throws down the gauntlet. Is it really chili if it uses legumes? Or tomato? There are seemingly as many variations on prize-winning chili recipes as there are stars in the sky — or at least stars on the American flag. Texas style means chili con carne, […]
September is National Honey Month, so before it’s over, we thought we’d give some love to the sweet stuff. Although honey should be used sparingly just like any other type of sugar, it boasts a number of health benefits that make it a smarter choice than plain old granulated sugar. It contains powerful antioxidants, and […]
September has been deemed National Potato Month, and that seems fair enough. Except such is the versatility, economy, and general deliciousness of the humble spud, I’d say it deserves even more celebration. The “Season of the Potato?” The “Year of the Potato?” I wouldn’t quibble with either. Whether red, white, blue, yellow, or orange, every […]
I’ve loved pickles for as long as I can remember, and it must be hereditary, because I come from a long line of pickle aficionados, and my kids both have the gene as well. Growing up frequenting Jewish delis in Detroit, I came down firmly in the middle of the great “new dill vs. old […]
Ice cream and summer walk hand-in-hand down an Atlantic boardwalk, breathing in the salty sea air. They go for a sail. They hang at outdoor fests and carnivals, fireworks displays, baseball games, and parades. They are BFFs, and we are the beneficiaries of their mutual admiration society. Sure, there are plenty of amazing ice cream […]
I do love a picnic. There’s something special about eating a meal outdoors, sipping rosé, and laughing with good friends and family. But it’s easy to fall into a picnic rut, because once you find a dish you like, the desire to branch out is lessened. Don’t let this happen to you! Live large! Dream […]
In a dinner rut? Read It & Eat, an uber-hip culinary bookstore in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, recommends these mouthwatering new cookbooks to reignite your creative spark (and your stove). Korean BBQ: Master Your Grill in Seven Sauces Bill Kim and Chandra Ram Anyone who’s tired of the usual barbecue fare will find inspiration in this […]
Packing a healthy and well-balanced lunch can help you avoid those notorious afternoon energy slumps. But, it’s easy to fall into a lunch-time rut with the same boring salads or sandwiches on regular rotation. For some inspiration, we turned to registered dietitians to find out exactly what they eat for lunch. These 12 lunches pack […]
Packing a healthy and well-balanced lunch can help you avoid those notorious afternoon energy slumps. But, it’s easy to fall into a lunch-time rut with the same boring salads or sandwiches on regular rotation. For some inspiration, we turned to registered dietitians to find out exactly what they eat for lunch. These 12 lunches pack […]
