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Home cooking from the old country

Chances are that if your family has a collection of treasured recipes, the dishes, and techniques, were brought to America from Europe by immigrant ancestors searching for a better life. To feed their families, they worked hard and made do with what they had. If lucky enough, they farmed, growing vegetables in a garden, cured meats from the field and produced dairy products from the milking cow. Their recipes, passed down through the generations, are still relevant though some have become slightly Americanized. From English origins there is Steak and Onion Pie, a basic beef stew, ...

Pop the cork Oscar bites

As a movie fan I love Oscar night and all the glitz and glam that go with it. And while Sunday night I’ll probably watch the awards in sweats, I want the Champagne to flow and the snacks to be “Red Carpet” worthy. For those of us who live on a beer budget but have Champagne taste, let me assure you that it is possible to produce an award-winning Oscar night menu. With just one small bottle of bubbly, create a hot chicken appetizer, decadent Champagne truffles and fancy Champagne Jello Shots. Fill in with a few supporting dips and crisps and wait for the applause. And the Oscar ...

Smoked paprika: The one spice pitmasters and pro chefs swear by

It’s vibrantly red, versatile enough to go in a variety of dishes and may even fight cancer? While the health benefits are still being studied, an average increase of more than 6% in sales indicates the popularity of smoked paprika continues to grow. Paprika itself has been a key ...

Chicken breasts: The meal maker

We use a lot of chicken breasts at my house. As a protein they hit the mark, plus, as grocery bills sky-rocket they are still one of the least expensive meal options available. Boneless skinless breasts (my favorite,) served whole, cubed or sliced, lend themselves well to quick-cooking methods like stir-frying and sauteing. They’re also delicious baked, provided they’re coated to seal in juices, or cooked with a flavorful sauce. Chicken-Parmesan Bundles 4-ounces cream cheese, softened 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained 1 1/4 cups shredded ...