Induction cooktops are taking the food-preparation appliance market by storm. Nearly every cooktop manufacturer — from the high-end La Cornue range models that cost thousands of dollars, to small portable single-burners for RVs and restaurants selling for only $100 or so — is available through appliance showrooms and online. Offering a safe and energy-efficient way […]
Barb’s Open Kitchen
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Figgy Pudding
“Oh bring us some figgy pudding, and bring it right here!” Those familiar with the ancient traditional Christmas song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” will recognize the second verse asking for figgy pudding. What is figgy pudding, and why is it included in a Christmas carol? In the 14th century, figgy pudding was a […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Everything Pumpkin
As the temperatures cool and the days shorten, leaves begin to turn from greens to golds, orange and scarlet, and pumpkin season is just around the corner. While most of us consider pumpkins a vehicle for carving scary faces and lighting for Halloween, we overlook the delicious and nutritious aspect of this ubiquitous squash. Pumpkin […]
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Baking on the ‘Barbie’
When midsummer temperatures rise, no one wants to heat up the house by turning on the oven, but an enjoyable alternative can be baking on the barbecue grill. With just a little time spent learning how to regulate the temperature on the grill, everything from pies, cobblers and cookies to cakes can be successfully baked […]
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Spring Soup Suppers
The days are longer, the rain feels a little gentler, the patches of blue sky are bluer and the bird nesting frenzy is in full swing — it must be spring. In our kitchens, we are looking for lighter menus and timesaving dishes that will give us more time to spend gardening or enjoying other […]
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Asparagus Quiche
There is no other vegetable that speaks to spring like asparagus. It emerges from the bare ground when soil temperatures reach about 50ºF and grows rapidly for two to three weeks. Gardeners who grow asparagus understand the difference in size of the stalks, with the skinny ones being produced by young plants and the thicker […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Appetizers in a Flash
Your phone dings and a favorite friend asks, “Are you home? We thought we would stop by for a few minutes.” Or, you look at the clock and think, “It would be so nice to have Dick and Jane stop in for a drink this afternoon.” Your brain clicks into entertainment mode, and myriad possibilities […]