If you've never tried orzo, now is the time. I know; there are so many different types of grains and grain products it's difficult to try them all. You've been told to try barley, couscous, quinoa and bulgur, but the product that makes it to the plate the most is pasta. Did you know that orzo is...

When people talk about beets, they either love them or hate them. However, they have so much to offer they deserve a second chance! One of the wonderful things about beets is the entire plant can be devoured. The green leafy top is similar to spinach and can be sautéed and eaten, while the bulbous...

Many people in the U.S. enjoy eating apricots, albeit its generally in the dried fruit form. But fresh apricots are equally delicious. Native to Asia, they are widely popular in the Middle Eastern countries with Turkey and Iran being the top producers. In the United States, California grows nearly...

I'm pleased to introduce this week's blog post author, Stephanie Sanderson! Stephanie is a student studying Food, Nutrition and Dietetics at Illinois State University. This early in the year, there are still individuals going strong on that New Year's resolution of being a "healthier you...

I love how produce can taste so differently depending upon how it is prepared. Steamed cauliflower is delicious but when it is roasted, it takes on a slightly nutty sweet flavor. Sautéed kale is soft, but baked kale turns into a thin crisp chip. An onion eaten raw is pungent and crunchy, but when...

Most kids would pass up a lobster or steak dinner for a chance to eat a bowl full of spaghetti, and in fact, many adults would too. There's something about this age-old dish that's screams comfort. While many people refer to spaghetti as the classic Italian dish made up of thin pasta and a red...

Many baked goods, such as pumpkin pie or gooey butter cake, taste even better with a hefty dollop of whipped cream, or as my grandpa used to call it: snowbanks. The slightly sweet and airy fluff makes any dessert just a little more decadent. But have you ever wondered what to actually buy for...

It's that time of year where we try to forget about all the high-calorie goodies we stuffed into our mouths during the holidays and start anew. It's the season of trying out new diets, some of which yield success on the scale but hunger pains in the stomach. Many try to drastically restrict...

Much like Thanksgiving is bombarded with pumpkin spice, the flavor of Christmas is most notably peppermint. There's peppermint mochas, chocolate peppermint bark, cool peppermint pies and delicious peppermint cookies. It's the chief mint chosen to flavor candies and gum, and it comes to good little...

Somewhere packed between holiday shopping, stringing of lights and putting up the tree is a marathon day of cookie baking and candy making. A platter of goodies just wouldn't be the same without the famous gingerbread man. While this little guy may try to run away from being eaten, he's too tasty...