Cooking Articles

Sweet Valentines

It’s that Valentine’s Day time of the year. And what comes to mind? Hearts, red, pink, kisses, hugs, declarations of love, right? Yeah, it seems like the first two weeks of February are filled with...

French Onion Soup, Neat and Easy

A long slow simmer and plenty of carmelization. That’s the key to the best French onion soup. They really are the two most important aspects to take into account when making this fine French creation....

Rekindle An Old Flame With Fondue

Remember when you fell in love? And sometime after that there was a ring. After the ring came a bridal shower… and the three identical wooden salad bowls. After that came the wedding… and the bread...

Sweet Treats Made Miniature

If you are a sucker for sweet treats, then St. Valentine’s Day is just your holiday. The day is built around giving our loved ones small tokens of our affection, including lots of sweets like candy conversation...

A Procrastinator's Guide to Valentine's Day

Hey, you! Yeah, I am talking to you. How did I know you would be reading this? Easy. As the boyfriend/husband/fiancé to your lovely female counterpart, it is practically part of your DNA to procrastinate....

The Perfect Opportunity: Bake For Family Fun Month

Did you know that February is Bake For Family Fun Month? No, it's not something that's splashed across the headlines or that made the evening news lately, is it? The Home Baking Association has designated...

Two Cooks In The Kitchen Is Not Too Many

One of the biggest restaurant holidays of the year is of course Valentine’s Day. Millions of couples go through the same annual ritual— a box of chocolate candy, a bouquet of flowers, and a meal out....

A Sweet That Really Says Something

The candy canes have hardly been cleared from the shelves each December when the vacant spaces begin filling with the saccharine symbols of Valentine's Day. The red and green of Christmas are swapped out...

President's Day is Full of Beans

As promised, this week I am writing a very special edition of Real Meals. It is a historical and patriotic tribute in recognition of the upcoming President's Day holiday, and because February is a time...

Kids Cook Breakfast

Hey, kids! For Valentine’s Day, forget the candy . . . how about cooking breakfast for someone you love today. . . what better way to say I Love You? Breakfast. It’s the first meal of the day...

How About Some Mid-Winter BBQ?

One dark, cold night last week, I came home from being at work too late, and as I climbed the stairs to my third floor apartment (who had the brilliant idea to have a third floor apartment, anyway?), I...

Just a Little Bit Sweet

Whatever your thoughts on Valentine’s Day (i.e. Celebration of Love or Hallmark Manufactured Holiday), it just wouldn’t be celebration at all without something sweet. From my milk chocolate loving...

Valentine's Dinner Chez Vous

Like many of you, I do not much care for Valentine's Day. Although I am happily married with a loving family and friends, I find the whole holiday forced and overblown. Restaurants set overpriced prix...

Gumbolicious

Last week I toured Louisiana in search of friends, love, and beads. Along the way I bit into a plastic behbee eating King Cake (ouch), drank some Bloody Marys, saw a bare breast or two among the Mardi...

Getting (Your Hands) Dirty on Valentine's Day

Almost everything about Valentine’s Day is dainty and fragile: balloons that pop, flowers that wilt, chocolates that melt, hearts that can fill with hope and moments later crush with disappointment....

We Heart Soft Pretzels

Every time we take a trip to the local shopping mall, my two sons beg for the pretzels at the little stand that you find there. You know, the one with the blue checkerboard logo and aromas that travel...