I grow parsley in my garden year after year. There are so many uses for this herb that I can't imagine having to constantly buy it at the store. To me, parsley is so much more than just a garnish! The most common type of parsley is curly parsley. It has tightly curled or ruffled leaves and is a...

When Cinco de Mayo rolls around, the cravings of Mexican cuisine are in full force. Tomatillos are a staple in Mexican cooking, bringing a zesty tart flavor to many classic dishes. Despite the meaning of the name (tomatillo means "little tomato" in Spanish), tomatillos are not tomatoes, but rather...

For whatever reason, spring is the time to clean. (Let's just hope that it's not the only time you clean!) A deep scrubbing is necessary, particularly in the refrigerators of home kitchens, where bacteria can thrive. Spoilage bacteria (bacteria that causes deterioration in foods) slows down but can...

Power to the flower. Capers may not look like a beautiful flower, but they are in fact the flower buds of the wild bush, Capparis spinosa. They're actually picked before they bloom into white or pink flowers. Like olives, the caper bush is native to the Mediterranean region, and thus...

The Easter Sunday meal most notably includes a delicious ham with a heaping scoop of scalloped potatoes on the side. Or is it au gratin potatoes? Both of these rich, creamy dishes consist of round thinly sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish. It's no surprise they often get confused for one...

Springtime is the perfect time to enjoy fresh peas. Experience the flavors of the three most common type of peas: English peas (also called garden or sweet peas), snow peas, and snap peas. The pods of English peas are firm and rounded. The little round green peas inside need to be removed and the...

The fresh crab selection in Illinois is dismal. Head to the coast of Alaska, and you may have better luck finding this delectable species of seafood. However, the United States is still the largest importer of crab. That's no surprise as over 90% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported from...

Morels are the mushroom hunter's prey. Depending on the weather and location, the first Illinois morels of the season may begin to appear in late March to early April and generally ends in May. Morels are difficult to cultivate, thus are generally gathered in the wild rather than farmed. It may be...

If you're a kitchen gadget guru, or just a person who wants to put quick, delicious meals on the table, you must be in love with all the new modern kitchen gadgets and appliances on the market. The air fryer is just one of the ways you can enjoy delicious food with a little help from modern science...

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we eat or drink green food. Why? I'm sure there is tale to tell, but my eyes are too fixed on all the green to care. Green food is generally associated with optimal nutrition and good health, but I'm not talking about beer or eggs that's been dyed green. Natural green...