Food & Drink

As I emerged from my late adolescence into early adulthood, I harbored dreams of traveling the world. But like the derailed plans of George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, my hippie-inspired dream of backpacking through Europe had to be put on hold. Marriage, children and the practical demands of paying off student loan debt […]

Panna cotta is a chilled dessert that manages to be simultaneously rich yet delicate and perfectly elegant while still economical and make-ahead friendly. Hailing from the northern Italian region of Piedmont, the name panna cotta literally translates to “cooked cream,” though in reality it spends very little time on the stove. The preparation is simple […]

I am a staunch supporter of family farms and sustainable agriculture, and I prefer shopping at small, local businesses over large corporations. This deeply held belief is why the sight of an Amazon package on my porch inevitably triggers a sense of guilt. The Amazon box symbolizes my struggle to uphold my values in a […]

If you’ve never before made your own turkey stock, let this be your official notice to do so. With turkey prices expected to reach record highs this season, it makes sense to get as much gobble for your dollar as possible. The resulting aromatic, collagen-rich stock is the key to a host of delicious dishes, […]

Growing up in a middle-class Chicago suburb during the 1950s and 60s, my family’s life was comfortable, though not lavish. My father, an art school graduate, became a commission-based salesman when he realized he couldn’t support his young family as an artist. Consequently, vacations were beyond our means, and except for our weekly Saturday outing […]

Pomegranates are in season now, just in time for bedazzling festive dishes and adding a ruby sparkle wherever they land. This ancient fruit has held deep symbolism and cultural significance for centuries, from tying Persephone to the underworld in Greek mythology to dyeing priestly garments in the Bible’s book of Exodus. While there are a […]

Farro, an ancient and increasingly popular whole wheat grain, offers a delightful nutty flavor and chewy texture. This versatile grain is available in three forms: whole grain, which is the most nutritious but requires longer cooking; pearled, with the bran removed for faster preparation; and semi-pearled, where the bran is partially removed. The earthy and […]

I love a good party sandwich. From towers of plush chicken salad on soft rolls at a shower to crusty rolls piled high with meat and cheese at a tailgate, well-made party sandwiches are reliable crowd pleasers that love to be prepped well in advance.  It’s important to start with a good foundation and use […]

My late wife, Julianne, and I were undergraduates at the University of Illinois in Champaign when we married. During our first year of marriage, while living in a mobile home on the outskirts of Champaign, we engaged in a fundraising pie-making marathon. This event supported the U of I Concert Choir’s concert tour of Puerto […]

There’s a longstanding culinary tradition of crafting delicious meals out of repurposed leftovers. From Italian arancini, crispy fried rice balls rolled out of cold risotto, to shepherd’s pie made with yesterday’s roast, some of our most beloved dishes exist thanks to generations of creative and resourceful cooks. This recipe for butternut squash lasagna was born […]

Mushroom hunters command my utmost respect. Their observational skills are keen, and their patience, especially during unproductive spells, is remarkable. My own forays into mushroom hunting have yielded little success. However, when a friend arrives at my door with a basket overflowing with fungi, my excitement is undeniable! Every autumn, I used to look forward […]