Food & Drink

I’ve had some pretty amazing dining experiences in my life, like the time I had a 14-course meal at Chicago’s top-rated Alinea. I don’t remember much about the first 13 courses, but I do remember the finale: a helium-filled balloon made of banana taffy. I was told to “kiss” the balloon; the warmth of my lips melted a hole in […]

As I write this, I’ve just come in from the garden, and it’s so hot outside that by 10 a.m. the morning sun was beating down, and even in the shade, sweat was freely running into my eyes. I’d started garden chores early in the day, knowing that by lunchtime I wanted to be inside […]

From every restaurant in which I’ve apprenticed, I’ve walked away with at least one “pearl” of kitchen wisdom that has helped me up my cooking game. Sometimes I learn a clever little trick to improve my speed and efficiency. Sometimes I learn a new knife technique that increases my precision. Sometimes I learn to cook […]

Sometimes, you can have too much of a good thing. It wasn’t long ago that the selection of good dry rosé wines was limited in wine shops and practically nonexistent in grocery stores. Now, entire displays are set up at big box grocery stores with dozens of pink-hued bottles from regions all over the globe. […]

I have been very fond of the Magic Kitchen’s tiny fried eggrolls and accompanying peanut sauce as long as I have lived in Springfield. In fact, I am so much in love that I never share my order. I want a whole order myself and any of my dining companions who want eggrolls need to […]

Last Saturday at the farmers market, I was attempting to make my way back to my car and head home, arms sore and tired from toting around an overflowing market basket and a hot and stroppy five-year-old. I ran into Michael Higgins, an old friend who is the chef and owner of Maldaner’s Restaurant in […]

I dearly love asparagus – but I only allow myself to enjoy it in the spring and early summer, when local asparagus becomes available. After a winter of trying to come up with interesting and varied ways to prepare cabbages and root vegetables, those first fresh green shoots are the official prelude to the new […]

This Saturday is the opening day of the Old Capitol Farmers Market (OCFM). I’ve had the day circled in my calendar for weeks now – I feel like a little kid counting the days until her birthday party. Though I consider myself a farmers market enthusiast and regular, it wasn’t until I spoke with some […]

I was traveling recently and needed to stop for a dinner break while en route. I found an attractive looking restaurant that specialized in “fusion” cuisine. I ordered a grilled chicken Banh Mi and Korean Kalbi baby back ribs. Though both dishes were tasty, the Banh Mi was merely a grilled chicken sandwich with carrot […]

If you forgot to make a reservation or simply don’t want to face the Mother’s Day brunch crowds, here’s an elegant, make-ahead menu that is fully customizable and easy enough to make with the kids. Phyllo dough stands in for traditional piecrust as the base for a hearty, seasonal quiche. If you’re not familiar with […]

It was the middle of the afternoon of my second day staging at the celebrated new St. Louis restaurant Vicia. (It’s pronounced “stah-jing. That’s French for voluntarily working your butt off for free.) I’m stemming and slicing a huge box of shiitake mushrooms as fast as I can with my brand new razor-sharp carbon steel […]