Make cooking for a crowd more manageable

October 14, 2026

METRO — Milestone moments like graduations, birthdays and wedding anniversaries are worthy of celebration. When such celebrations feature a significant number of family and friends, it’s customary to host a gathering at home. Celebrations held at private residences tend to be less formal and lengthy affairs. Such gatherings also require hosts to decide which foods to serve, and who will prepare them. Cooking for a crowd can be a tall task, but there’s plenty of ways to make the job more manageable. — Choose simple fare. A homecooked gourmet meal might suffice for a more ...

Convenience cooking moves beyond processed food in American kitchens

October 14, 2026

Home accounts for 86% of all food occasions in America, but speed matters. Circana’s Eating Patterns in America report identifies protein and convenience as the top two forces that influence America’s evolving eating habits as consumers look for faster ways to prepare meals without giving up the foods and flavors they value. Convenience food is increasingly becoming part of the cooking process rather than a replacement for it. The result changes what convenience cooking looks like. Instead of relying solely on frozen dinners or highly processed meals, many home cooks now combine ...

Fresh-baked bread

October 7, 2026

Last week my focus was on soups for warming us as colder weather creeps in. That’s why for this weeks’ column I thought I would focus on fresh-baked breads because I believe most people like a slice of buttered bread or biscuits for sopping up all the goodness of the broth, especially if the bread is homemade. The recipes I’m sharing, two yeast breads and a quick biscuit made with a mix, all vary in technique but aren’t difficult. Dutch oven bread turns the tables on how yeast dough is usually prepared. The water used is on the cool side, no kneading is required, and the rise, ...

Nkrakra is a slow-cooking light and spicy broth from the cookbook ‘Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen’

October 7, 2026

This light and spicy broth is so wholesome and warming. It’s my go-to dish on chilly winter days to stave off cold symptoms … and it works every time! If you’re happy to go low and slow while cooking, this dish from my cookbook, “Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen,” is perfect for cheaper cuts ...

Ming-Na Wen’s recipe for ‘Popo’s Wontons’ is as good as gold in her family

October 7, 2026

Wontons hold a special place in my heart. Sitting around our kitchen table making wontons is something I loved doing with my mother as a child. Time was scarce, so the chance to make wontons with her became special mother-daughter moments for us. She always had all the fillings ready to go ...

Pack some homemade protein for a fall hike

October 7, 2026

METRO — Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors. Moderate temperatures, ample sunshine and colorful landscapes make fall a popular time to hike, kayak, go camping, ride bikes, and engage in other outdoor activities. For hiking enthusiasts, nothing beats a fall day on the ...