Spice World: Revamp Your Culinary WardrobeMy husband's Grandma Ella knows how to feed a crowd: She's been doing it her whole life. One of the first times I met her, we talked in her kitchen as she finished a few dishes for a Thanksgiving spread.
Tailgating: My Favorite SportAttending a football game is complete torture for me. But while I can't appreciate the ins and outs that go into making a good game, I do enjoy tailgating. I enjoy the sights, sounds, good food and camaraderie and partaking …
A Love Letter to Birthday CakeDear Birthday Cake, I've loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you. The sweet smells of you baking in the oven swirls in my memory. Oh, and how you looked that first time all dressed up in …
Box Cake MakeoverMade-from-scratch cake is worth the effort, but if you've been making box cakes all your life, you might need the equivalent of culinary training wheels before you feel comfortable riding solo. Even if you're a fearless baker, sometimes a box …
Strange Beauty of FennelI spent years casting sly glances at fennel in the produce section before I ever brought it home with me.I was fascinated by the strange beauty of its feathery chartreuse fronds and the folds of its voluptuous, fluted figure. When …
Killer RibsIf you go to a restaurant called The Rib Shack, you'd better order some ribs. The Lynch Street barbecue joint just opened in late July, and I recently decided to put its namesake item to the test.
Food as ArtIf I were to take a survey of how many people watch some sort of cooking show in a week's time, I would guess that at least three-quarters of you watch some sort of demonstration or commentary on food.
Productive PizzaMany ways exist for one to entertain the taste buds with warm breadthe kind that is slightly crunchy with a soft middle, piled high with gooey mounds of salty cheese paired with an endless list of toppings. In my world, …
Love Conquers HateI'm no Tony Bourdain, but I consider myself an adventurous eater. I'll try most anything once, and if my first impression doesn't include the words "epi-pen" or "health code violation," I'm likely to take another bite.
Sweet Meets SavoryI have had this idea for a while about opening a pie shop in town similar to one I visited once upon a time in Seattle. This shop would serve various types of pies, but not the ones you think.
Salad Daze: Avoiding Lettuce BurnoutI enjoy few things as much as feeding people, but the heat in Mississippi can shrivel the will of even an enthusiastic cook. When summer rolls around, I'll take any flimsy excuse to keep my distance from the stove.
Taco Time!I've been yammering on and on for the past few weeks about how much I really love tacos. After living on the West Coast for two years, I became accustomed to the good stuff—genuine tacos that have not been changed …
Replacing Mr. PeanutIn the past few years, Americans have seen a surprising number of food contamination incidents. Most recently, 46 states reported the appearance of salmonella in peanut products, which was followed by a massive recall of baked goods, dressings, ice cream …
Bacon ForeverOver the past few years, I have become obsessed with the idea of pairing sweet and savory flavors in odd ways, pushing my taste buds to new limits. Often, I discover that my cooking experiments are not the best ideas, …
Jewish Soul FoodMy grandma, may she rest in peace, made the greatest chicken soup I've ever had. Most of the Jewish people I know believe their grandmother's soup is the best, and I believe them.