Feb. 14 is right around the corner, which means it’s time for the usual Valentine’s Day routine: spending the whole day trying to figure out where to have a romantic dinner and ultimately settling for takeout and a cheesy rom-com on Netflix (then heading to bed early so you can hit up the ca…
At our house, you might say that we have added another food group: snacks.
When I want a quick and easy lunch, I sometimes make a stir-fry. This meal-in-a-skillet is an excellent way to use any meats and fresh vegetables you have on hand.
Contrary to what most people do on Easter Sunday, our family seldom has a big meal. Instead of the traditional ham and all the fixings, we sometimes rely on an old favorite: chicken.
It didn’t take long for Christopher Mendez, the new pastry chef at Garfrerick’s Cafe in Oxford, to capture the attention of the local fine-dining crowd. "Have you tried the baked Alaska?" was the question of the day.
When you want a simple but filling lunch, a bowl of hot soup and a tasty sandwich seem perfect.
Meatballs are a great mealtime treat. If you keep some meatballs in the freezer, making that meal is easy. I like to go ahead and bake the meatballs first. Then all that is needed is to remember to remove them from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator the night before you plan to u…
What better way to say "I love you" on Valentine’s Day than with a special breakfast? Sure, you might also want to give chocolates and/or flowers later, but a homemade breakfast would certainly start the day off in a memorable way.
I am hungry for some good Cajun food, but I really don’t have the time to make the traditional jambalaya or gumbo. The next best thing is my Jambalaya Stir-Fry, which can be made quickly if all the ingredients are chopped and ready.
Now that the college bowl games are over, you might be ready to think about healthier eating habits. If you want to lose a few pounds or just want to look better and live longer, it is important to start eating right.
If you are a foodie, with more than just a passing interest in food, you may have heard that Chuck Williams, the world champion of foodies, died at his San Francisco home on Dec. 5 at age 100.
Chips and dip will probably never disappear from the appetizer menu, because no matter what special gourmet appetizers you might have on the table, someone is going to want chips and dip.
When I was growing up, we didn't get many sweets during the year — but at Christmas time, there was a table just for homemade candies. Personally, when I was young, I would rather have had candy than cake or pie as my dessert.
I have always been seduced by beautiful barware. When most children made beelines for toy departments, I loved strolling the glassware departments of Birmingham department stores — especially Loveman’s, which had a glass engraver that affixed one’s monogram to a myriad of old fashioned, mart…
Meatballs, whether served over spaghetti or as an appetizer at some of the upcoming holiday parties, are sure to get compliments when you add a special creative touch.
Fall is the time of the year when we start searching for ways to use pumpkin. There’s always pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread. Both of these would be great to serve during the holidays. While researching pumpkin, I couldn't help but think that surely there must be some new ideas that will boost…
Deciding what to carry to a dinner at church is sometimes difficult. Should I just look into the kitchen pantry and use whatever I find, or maybe look through some files for something a little different?
Certain words, when included in the title of a recipe, will spark my interest. Who doesn't want to know what is "hidden" inside or what technique or ingredient makes the recipe a "mystery"?
When I am thinking about desserts that could be called "comfort food," bread puddings come to mind. Our Southern ancestors wouldn’t dare throw away leftover biscuits because with just a little milk, sugar and eggs, these could be made into a tasty bread pudding. At serving time, they would s…
If you are in charge of the grill at your house, you will certainly want to take a look at "Southern Living’s Ultimate Book of BBQ with Pitmaster Christopher Prieto." This is one of the most complete and interesting cookbooks on grilling and smoking that I have ever read.
Even though we can buy berries of all kinds year-round, summer is the perfect time for our favorite fresh berry desserts.
I enjoy reading about the history behind recipes. Perhaps that is why I was so excited when my niece, Marcella, recently sent me a cookbook that covers "100 years of timeless American recipes."
Some cookbooks ignite a spark of interest, while others make a big impression. "Southern Living Community Cookbook" makes that big impression. It is one of the best cookbooks I have read in a long time.
If you want Dad to know that he is special, give him something you made. These types of gifts are so much more meaningful than anything you could buy at a store.
I was reminded recently that some of the most cherished recipes are those that have appeared on the backs of boxes, cans and bags. Some of them, such as German Chocolate Cake, Rice Krispie Treats and Nestle’s Toll House Cookies, have even reached the status of classics.
