Summer shows go on, in novel ways
All the world’s a stage but COVID-19 compromises the traditional platforms and performers that we count on for entertainment this summer. For some troupes, that’s […]
Recipes
Winning recipes: grasshopper cheesecake, choco cheesecake bars
Two home bakers in Wisconsin have taken the top prizes in the Taste of Homes recipe contest, “Best-Ever Baking”. Sue Gronholz of Beaver Dam was […]
Greece: What makes Greek food authentic
Last of three parts. We all make presumptions based on our limited exposure to people whose culture, heritage or religion seem foreign to us. That […]
Ultimate Eats: Savoring food as culture
Food is an easy, on-target introduction to a location’s cultural roots, and a new book latches onto must-try dishes when traveling the world. “Ultimate Eats: […]
Native American cuisine: potential exists for sophisticated offerings
In my “in” box is no shortage of annual predictions that involve food trends. Native American ingredients, recipes and culinary traditions never seem to make […]
Two cookbooks that tantalize beyond their recipes
Someone occasionally approaches me about writing an endorsement for a new book, and it’s an invitation that I don’t take lightly. I politely decline unless […]
Grilled cheese: worthy of complex treatment, sandwich contests
If dressing up a grilled cheese means sneaking in a slice of tomato or bacon, or switching from wheat to sourdough, please take a moment […]
Great chili debates: sauce to seasoning, mac to meat
If you seriously doubt our nation’s ability to seriously but pleasantly debate anything, I have one word for you: Chili. After asking Facebook friends what […]
Old Fashioned products, recipes, nostalgia, roots
To you, an Old Fashioned is the unofficial cocktail of Wisconsin and a popular prelude to special meals, especially during end-of-year entertaining. To Bob Meyer, […]
Breakfast: an all-day meal whose variety grows
Remember what Mom used to say about breakfast? Most important meal of the day. Less predictable, as time goes on, is when and what is […]
Autumn’s bounty of food fests, hearty recipes, cooking contests
Hard to believe it’s October as I write this because forecast temps remain about 10 degrees higher than average for the month, but that hasn’t […]
Meet State Fair’s competitive bakers, recipe makers
In the world of competitive cooking, baking and recipe making, Patti Flaker of Wausau is a bit atypical. She had never attended the Wisconsin State […]
Biggest holiday cookie sale? Try St. Peter’s in little Lebanon
I saw a Lutheran school cafeteria with dozens of church mice a few days ago, but all will disappear by the time many of you […]
Kentucky bourbon trails big on distillery diversity
During a much younger life, I was introduced to horse race wagering, earthy bluegrass music and long-simmering stews called burgoo while living in western Kentucky. […]