Humans have been successfully drying food around the fire, in the sun, or on hot rocks for centuries. Dried food is portable, flavorful, and ripped with a toothsome, chewy texture. Flavor combinations and permutations abound, as do the cuts of protein that can be dried, … Read More

I first ate Pesto Genovese while in France and Switzerland 45 years ago and have been making it ever since. Over the years, I graduated from growing a few pots of herbs on a city balcony to a country herb garden. When … Read More

 The earliest cheese makers had to do everything themselves, even make their own equipment from whatever materials they had on hand. Some cheese makers … Read More

Lake Michigan is a quiet, subtle force in the American landscape. It’s a source for recreation and fishing and food, affecting what we grow, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. On clear days, we stare into the sunset, thinking we can catch … Read More

This is the time of year when menu fatigue sets in — at least in the North, where the snow is still retreating and there is little hope of locally grown vegetables for at least six weeks. Have you thought about expanding your lentil repertoire … Read More

Wind your way through New England and points north in late winter or spring, when subfreezing nights give way to warming days, and you’re liable to see great plumes of steam billowing up from wooden structures tucked in the trees. Slow down — it’s sugaring … Read More

Piecrust has a reputation for being tricky, even for experienced cooks and bakers. The secret to keeping it flaky is keeping the fat in the dough cold and not to overwork it. Using something other than your warm hands to blend the butter with the … Read More

We know it hurts for Minnesota fans, but the Vikings are out. Minneapolis is bracing for this weekend’s onslaught of fans of the Patriots and the Eagles (the team that inflicted the final blow for the Super Bowl host city’s home team). That’s worth at … Read More

In Ayurveda, along with sleep and balanced sexuality, food is one of the three sub-pillars (upastambhas) of health — and the most important. Undigested food becomes toxicity in our body, called ama or aam in Sanskrit. Ama is a causative factor in physical and even … Read More

Break out the latkes: Hanukkah is coming. For most people, said latkes — grayish, greasy potato pancakes slathered with sour cream and applesauce — are beloved just because they are reminders of home and childhood. But what if your latkes didn’t have to be mere … Read More