Food Features

Years ago I was given a white peach tree as a memorial for my mother by some thoughtful colleagues. Before her death my mom, Julianne Glatz, was the original author of the Illinois Times food column, and one of my coworkers recalled that she’d once written that white peaches were one of her most favorite things. […]

Lentils, whose scientific name is Lens culinaris, are little legumes with lens-shaped seeds. One of our most ancient food crops, lentils were first cultivated 10,000 years ago in an area of the Middle East known as the Fertile Crescent. Lentils are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein and fiber and are becoming increasingly popular as […]

Fritters are what you call a back-pocket recipe. The same technique can be employed to turn small amounts of practically anything into a satisfying and delectable treat. It’s a wonderful way to take advantage of the overwhelming variety of produce that is locally available and is a handy way to use up leftovers and minimize […]

I spent the first month of the summer working at a camp in Washington’s Cascade mountains with a cellphone signal that flip-flopped between one bar and “No Service.” Though I was by no means “off the grid,” I wasn’t able to get my Facebook and Instagram feeds to refresh, so I pretty much gave up […]

Whether you’re looking for healthful make-ahead lunches or a colorful dish for a cookout, these recipes make the most out of summer’s bounty. All are nutritionally complete and can be modified to suit many different dietary requirements. Use whatever veggies you have on hand when making the Pan-Asian noodle salad. The addition of shelled edamame […]

“Oh my goodness! What have I gotten myself into this time?” It’s 5 a.m. and the sun is about to rise. I’m in the Pacific Northwest working as a head cook at a summer camp for kids. In about three hours, I have to have breakfast ready for 120 campers and 40 staff. After I […]

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 […]

According to a recent survey, beets are the second most disliked vegetable in Am erica, second only to turnips. Even the Obamas hate beets – so much that they insisted that no beets were to be planted in the White House vegetable garden. Yet beets are one of our most nutritious vegetables and are extremely […]

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 […]

A few years ago I was camping and I asked my companions: “Who would like grilled cheese?” The response was enthusiastic; everyone loves grilled cheese. “That sounds wonderful!” they exclaimed, “But we didn’t bring any bread.” “We don’t need bread,” I responded. “Have you heard about halloumi, the grillable cheese that doesn’t melt?” They eyed […]