Untitled Document One of the most interesting aspects of parenthood has been watching my three children evolve into unique individuals. Their similarities and differences have given a whole new perspective to that “heredity vs. environment” argument in my Psych 101 class. Nowhere is this more evident than in my daughters. They’re both redheads (which has […]
Food Features
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Pressing matter
Untitled Document Consider the olive. The olive tree has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years, starting in the eastern Mediterranean. Trees can live and bear fruit for as long as 1,000 years. The Greek word for olive, elaia, is the root of the word “oil.” It’s difficult to overstate the importance of olives to […]
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Women in the kitchen
Untitled Document Until only the last few decades, the professional restaurant kitchen was an exclusively male domain, particularly in sophisticated establishments with elegant cuisine. The culture and attitudes that kept women out of restaurant kitchens were mostly no different than those regarding women in any workplace. Specifically, however, it was commonly accepted that professional kitchens […]
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Taking stock
Untitled Document Well, the holidays are over. As always, much as I’ve enjoyed the parties and celebrations, and the copious amounts of food and drink, I’m ready for it to end. Nothing sounds so good as a quiet evening at home and a simple meal. This time of year, I’m always glad I have a […]
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Have a sparkling New Year
“Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!” — Winston S. Churchill Most New Year’s celebrations have seemed a bit awkward to me. The silly hats, noisemakers, and excessive drinking just feel wrong, somehow. We had a party at my house every year when I was growing up. There was little […]
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A taste of Italy
There must be Italian somewhere in my background. I’m sure of it, even though a cursory glance at my family tree reveals a mongrel mix of German, Irish, and Welsh. What else could explain my love for Italian food? Well, it’s more than just love. Italian food seems somehow right, feels like home — even […]
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Smoking in the kitchen
With any luck, by the time you read this things will have warmed up a bit. As I write this, however, it’s 17 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind-chill factor of three below zero. I can see our grill collection outside, covered with snow and ice, sitting forlornly among the tangle of branches that fell during […]
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Remember what’s important
“God invented Christmas as a trial for women,” a friend said to me many years ago. I laughed — it was funny — but I also felt a little sad that she was so cynical. Every year since then, however, her words have come to mind as I begin to prepare for the holiday season. […]
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Books for kid cooks
Say what you will about the Food Network (and I can say plenty), the cable channel has gotten many children interested in cooking. With any luck, some youngsters are able to look beyond the glitz and hype to discover the pleasures of cooking and eating real food. Food and cooking can provide a way for […]
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The best and worst Thanksgiving – ever
It was the best of Thanksgivings; it was the worst of Thanksgivings. It was two years ago. A couple of months before, my family had realized that we all were dreading Thanksgiving a bit. Our family is very close but very small. I’m an only child, as is my mother. With little extended family, the […]
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Books for cooks
Untitled Document There are literally hundreds of cookbooks in our house. The bookshelves in the pantry are packed so tightly that it’d be impossible to squeeze in an extra sheet of paper, so we’ve ended up jamming some of them horizontally wherever there’s space on the top of the rows. There’s another row lined up […]
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Bistro on the prairie
We lost a good friend last month. Harry Radwine lived in Taylorville and, in his later years, Springfield. He was active in Temple B’rith Shalom and civic organizations, but Harry also made an important contribution to the culinary life of central Illinois. Not because he was a chef, professional, or amateur. His wife, Leila, an […]
