Ashley Meyer

A customer recently walked into the wine store where I work. She was looking to pick up a few bottles to take to a dinner party and to stock up for the holidays. As we perused the white wines, I asked what she normally liked to drink. Her responses made it clear that she was […]

When we moved into my great-grandmother’s little old farmhouse over 10 years ago the quantity of stuff that cluttered every room was positively overwhelming. Nana wasn’t exactly a hoarder, but, like many folks who survived the Great Depression and a world war, she didn’t like to throw anything away. It might have been easier if […]

Curious wine lovers have likely noticed a new category emerging in recent years. “Natural” wines have been popping up on wine lists and in boutique wine shops throughout the country. And while the current trend can be traced back to the early 1980s, natural winemaking has existed for centuries. If you’re lucky enough to have […]

I’m not sure why I love camping so much. It’s quite an effort, especially when kids are involved. Yet each year when the frenetic pace of summer relaxes into the steady amble of autumn, I simply cannot wait to make the lists and haul out the gear and prep the food and get outside for […]

As I stepped outside early this morning the shot of air that greeted me was cold and crisp, a welcome indication that the seasons are beginning to shift. Now that we’re in the homestretch of summer, chilly mornings are giving way to warm afternoons and our gastronomic focus has switched from sweet corn and blueberries […]

It would be difficult to find a garden vegetable more versatile or resilient than okra. Tall plants with delicate cream and burgundy-tinted flowers give way to slender pointed pods that can be stewed, stuffed, blanched, sautéed, deep-fried, roasted, grilled or even eaten raw. The history of okra is a long one and deeply woven into […]

Crispy vegetable tempura is my favorite way to satisfy a State Fair-induced craving for fried food at home. Tempura is a Japanese preparation in which vegetables and seafood are dipped in a light batter and deep-fried until perfectly crisp and golden. Unlike so many of the fried creations that we Midwesterns are so familiar with, […]

“Greens! Greens, and nothing but greens!” This line from the Witch’s entrance in the first act of Sondheim’s Into the Woods often runs through my mind on repeat as I attempt to wrangle my unruly midsummer garden. I truly love my botanical refuge and the nourishment it provides, but, honestly, keeping up with the deluge […]

Francophiles rejoice! Excuses to throw on a beret and eat delicious Provencal cuisine abound this weekend. Beauty and the Beast opens at the Muni July 13 (running through July 22). The Tour de France cycling race is just past the halfway point and Bastille Day (the French holiday commemorating the storming of the notorious Bastille […]

Chilled soups and garlicky flame-licked toasts are a perfect summer combination, whether you’re looking for an elegant make-ahead menu for entertaining or for those evenings when you just can’t be bothered to cook. While these refreshing chilled soups sadly don’t prepare themselves, they are ideal make-ahead dishes. Both soups will keep well in the fridge […]

Springfield’s official Juneteenth festivities will feature an expanded six-day schedule of events this year, including a talent showcase and display of Juneteenth artifacts, Juneteenth Levitt AMP concert and Noir Art show at the Illinois State Museum – culminating with a parade and festival in Comer Cox Park June 17 and 18, and closing out with […]