On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived with federal troops at the far reaches of what was then the settled boundary of freshly united United States of America. The reading of General Order No. 3, that all enslaved persons were now free, sparked the great jubilee tradition we now know as Juneteenth. As Springfield […]
Ashley Meyer
Ashley Meyer has been cooking as long as she has been walking. The daughter of beloved former Illinois Times food columnist, Julianne Glatz, Ashley offers a fresh, inspired take on her mother’s culinary legacy. Ashley studied winemaking at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand and recently achieved the Level III award from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust. Ashley founded and successfully operated RealCuisine Catering for five years, then turned her focus to motherhood and homesteading. These days, when she’s not cooking, gardening, parenting or writing, you can find Ashley at It’s All About Wine, offering insightful recommendations and mouthwatering pours.
Posted inArts & Culture
Taking your pup out in public
The dog days of summer are almost here. Balmy days and abundant sunshine beg for leisurely walks in the park, al fresco dining and browsing the farmers market. For many, these quintessential summer activities just wouldn’t be complete without their canine companion by their side. Indeed, many local businesses and activities in the area are dog-friendly. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Homemade pooch treats
Homemade dog biscuits are a fun project for owners and a delicious treat for their fur-babies. True, there are hundreds of different varieties on store shelves, but many are filled with cheap ingredients like chicken byproducts and other foods that can cause flare-ups for allergy-prone pets. “Wheat, corn, chicken and beef are the big four […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Grilling on a budget
Grilling season is finally upon us. Unfortunately, so is frequent sticker stock as prices continue to rise at the grocery and gas station. For those looking to celebrate the season on a budget I present three cookout menus just in time for Memorial Day. All are as delicious as they are wholesome while making good […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Strawberry-rhubarb trifle for Mother’s Day
My family has a decades-old tradition of baking a three-dimensional lamb-shaped cake for Easter. It started when I was a kid and has become a tradition that I’ve enjoyed with my own children. We’d hold our breath each time we unmolded the three-dimensional cake, praying that he’d come out of the pan in one piece, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Daytime cocktails
Whether it’s for a large gathering of friends or just as a treat for yourself, these fresh takes on classic daytime cocktails will make the most of out of brunching at home. Experiment with favorite flavors and colors to come up with a signature cocktail all your own. A Bloody Mary – spiced tomato juice […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Matzo for Passover
Signs of spring are everywhere. In addition to spring flowers and chocolate, large displays of matzo have appeared in grocery stores just in time for the Passover holiday, which begins April 15 at sundown. Passover commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from slavery and lasts for eight days in the diaspora. The Seder meal is a culinary […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Try a soufflé
Soufflé is one of those miraculous dishes that transforms seemingly humble ingredients into a marvelous main course or decadent dessert. Julia Child writes about them extensively in The Art of French Cooking, with several pages dedicated to detailing every nuance of the process. She wrote that, “Many people consider the dessert soufflé to be the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Shepherd’s pie, classic Irish pub fare
Shepherd’s pie is classic stick-to-your ribs pub fare. Its origins can be traced back to the pastry-topped Scottish meat pies, with the Irish supposedly swapping creamy mashed potatoes for the dough. One important, if slightly nerdy clarification, is that it’s not really a shepherd’s pie unless it is made with lamb. When made with beef […]
Posted inFood & Drink
King Cake for Mardi Gras
King Cake is a decadent, buttery confection prepared to mark Epiphany, or Twelfth Night – the day when the wise men returned from Bethlehem with the news that Christ had been born. Whether as a galette des rois in France or a dreikönigskuchen in Germany, these celebratory cakes all consist of a rich, yeasted dough, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Wedding menus adapt to the times
It’s been an incredibly tough two years for weddings. Celebrations that weren’t completely canceled had to pivot hard and fast. Thankfully, wedding caterers have always been problem-solvers at their core. Whether it’s last-minute additional guests or a sudden thunderstorm at an outdoor wedding, a professional caterer is experienced at rolling with the punches and making […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Oysters are for lovers
Oysters are a natural choice for intimate entertaining. They’ve been touted as an aphrodisiac since Roman times and were reputedly consumed as a virility booster by Casanova himself. Questionable libido-boosting claims aside, oysters are indeed perfect to serve on a date night at home or indeed any occasion. Not only are they a delicious and refreshing […]
