Stuff YourselfI grew up in a survival-of-the-fittest (or survival of who-knew-how-to-cook) atmosphere. Even though my mom was a stay-at-home type, she wasn't the have-dinner-on-the-table-by-5:30 type. My siblings and I soon learned that if we were hungry, we might just have to …
What I Learned in CollegeMy niece Jessie, who is a freshman in college, recently called home pitifully exclaiming how tired she was of eating ramen noodles. I firmly believe, however, learning to survive off those 25-cent packs is a rite of passage into adulthood. …
Magic Times ThreeBecause Feb. 14 is rapidly approaching, I was told that in writing this food piece I could "garnish with edible underwear or something," which I confess wasn't even the slightest bit tempting. So this is the Valentine's Day issue, but …
The Search For The Elusive WontonI was a child when first introduced to wonton soup. During regular visits to the local Chinese buffet, I feasted only on the life-giving wonton soup and the occasional egg roll. I didn't know at the time that the strange-looking, …
Army Of The Night KitchenA bread maker's day begins at 1 a.m., so it's good that Amy Breckenridge is a night person. Breckenridge, the baker at Rainbow Natural Grocery, spends her nights baking bread, usually four different breads a night. When I meet her, …
Vienna Via MexicoNegra Modelo has become my favorite Mexican beer. I was perfectly happy with Corona until I discovered this darker, much tastier beer. Although Negra Modelo is a dark beer, it does not have the bitterness that most dark beers are …
The Fajita KingOn rare occasions during my childhood, my family ventured to "Los Amigos," the one and only Mexican restaurant in our town. For a Mexican restaurant located in the Montana Rockies, at least 1,000 miles from the Mexican border, it wasn't …
New Year's Eve In The CapitalOne of the most exciting things about a new year, other than a chance to wipe the slate clean of all those indiscretions from the previous year, is all the chances you get to party (and maybe start an all-new …
Do It For Your CountryThere are certain holiday essentials. One such essential: eggnog. And you simply can't have eggnog without alcohol. Now, <i>that's</i> a holiday essential.
Then There Were FourHoliday dinners with my family, particularly on my father's side, have always been interesting. For the past 15 years or so, our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners have consisted of the same meal, which my stepmother, Jan, and I prepare. Before …
Here, Piggy, PiggyChristmas dinners have changed over the years. My family used to sit down to turkey, ham and all the fixins'. Now, my aunt drives three hours to Chicago to buy deep-dish Uno pizzas. It doesn't matter to her that she …
The Greenhouse EffectIf your mama was anything like mine, you probably heard "Eat your vegetables!" more than once at the supper table when you were a kid. As grownups, though, we've all read numerous times that eating a diet rich in fresh …
Thanksgiving FareIf there are two things I love, they're my momma and her famous nobody-can-do-it-better cornbread dressing. My family can't imagine eating out for Thanksgiving dinner. Whoever is around gets together at one of the family's houses and brings their respective …
Party With PaulaSouthern cooking maven Paula Deen was at Lemuria Oct. 31 signing her new book, "Paula Deen Celebrates!: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life." Deen is best known for her Food Network show, "Paula's Home …
Tacos and Fish SticksThe surfboard on the wall reads, "Go with the 'FLOW'ood," and Taco Del Mar is the most recent restaurant to come rushing in with the influx of eateries opening in Flowood. So how did "Tacos of the Sea" end up …