A summer sausage roll with a triple dose of fennel

Fennel loves fat. That's why fennel seeds are such a common seasoning in sausages. They contribute a mildly peppery, fresh flavor that cuts through the delicious heaviness of the rich meat.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Tex-Mex meets classic comfort for Super Bowl grub

Most classic Super Bowl party grub generally can be classified one of two ways — spicy Tex-Mex or basic comfort. And since there's already a lot of crossover between those categories, we decided to embrace them and create a Super Bowl party dish that combines the best qualities of both.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Pulled pork makes friends with soba noodle soup

We tend to associate pulled pork with Southern-style barbecue. But for this hearty fall soup, we decided to take our favorite moist and tender pork in a decidedly Japanese direction.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Turning classic French ratatouille into a salad

Real ratatouille, the classic Nicoise dish, is neither grilled, nor a salad. It is a stewed vegetable dish consisting of eggplant, tomato, pepper, zucchini, onion and herbs.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

10 fresh way to dress your hot dog this summer

Remember when all it took to dress a dog was a squiggle of neon yellow mustard and a splash of ketchup? We've come a long way.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

3 fresh takes on the basic boneless chicken breast

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are literally THE white meat of the meat world. They are a great lean protein, quick and easy to prepare, freeze well, and take to just about any flavor or cuisine you care for. But they also can be rather dull. So we've come up with …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

A coconut and berry no-bake pie for Fourth of July

Just because summer seems to scream for pie doesn't mean we are eager to crank up the oven. This is especially true at the Fourth of July, when we'd rather focus on the grill and preparations for fireworks.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Grilled shrimp salad with a taste of the Caribbean

Caribbean flavors jazz up this simple supper salad. We glaze the shrimp with a zesty rum-spiked marmalade, then toss them on a hot grill with tomatoes and corn before combining everything with a few more veggies. We serve the whole thing with grilled bread seasoned with garlic and orange for …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Two-step method for ensuring moist roasted chicken

The curse of roasted chicken - especially when you are working with parts rather than a whole bird - is how easily is dries out. A few too many minutes in the oven can be all it takes to go from juicy to chewy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

Keeping (mostly) the traditional glazed Easter ham

Who says the traditional Easter ham has to be traditional?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

A minty Easter lamb deliciously turned inside out

The classic Easter or spring lamb often is served with mint jelly. And that's fine, assuming you want to play it safe.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Oscar entertaining made easy? It's formulaic!

Canapes may sound stuffy, but they actually are the ultimate in ease when it comes to party food. Plus, they look great and can be combined in endless ways to suit any taste.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

A decadent chocolate cake for the holidays

You want something rich and decadent for the holidays. Something chocolate. Something that will impress. Something that really screams celebration.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

A glass of eyeball punch or a shot of orange haze?

It's not enough for Halloween drinks to be delicious. They also have to be creepy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

A zucchini muffin for breakfast or dinner

This savory muffin studded with zucchini and cheddar cheese pairs as wonderfully with dinner as it does breakfast. And consider taking advantage of all that extra zucchini piling up in the garden by baking a double batch. The moisture from the zucchini means these muffins freeze well.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Putting the coffee back in the coffeecake

Adding coffee to coffeecake is a simple way to take something great and make it even better.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

It's taco time!

Whether you prefer your tacos hard and crunchy or lean more to the softer side, this grilled shrimp filling perfect for a summer barbecue will leave you satisfied.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Try some bruschetta in a salad

It's easy to love basic bruschetta - thick slabs of toasted bread topped with a heap of chopped tomatoes and shredded basil, then drizzled with a mess of olive oil.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a bit less fat

Dublin coddle is considered one of Ireland's national dishes. But like many of Ireland's great foods, it is rich in fat.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plums give a fresh,tangy taste to a classic crisp

When we think of winter desserts, we often think of spiced flavors and butter-laden richness.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Cupcakes for the Super Bowl

These are not your girlfriend's cupcakes. There is no frilly pastel frosting piped on top. They are not delicate. They are not pretty.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Winter demands the warm comfort of mac and cheese

In this grown up version of macaroni and cheese we take a trip to Italy. Sort of.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Think big beefy roast for a big holiday feast

A rib roast is a classy addition to your holiday table. Served alongside roasted potatoes and vegetables, it is hearty, homey and elegant.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

For Christmas, do-aheadham and cheese scones

With all the ripping of wrapping paper and worry over Christmas dinner, having a delicious breakfast stashed in the freezer can make the big morning go much more smoothly.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Give thanks for the scent of turkey, sage

Simple, beautiful and wonderfully scented.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

A delicious pumpkin pie... That you drink

Why should Thanksgiving have all the fun? Let Halloween in on the pumpkin pie action by turning the classic autumnal dessert into a punch.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Remember that pies can have a savory side, too

Though apple pies tend to dominate this time of year, on chilly nights it's nice to remember that pie can have a savory side, too.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

DIY butter: Easy, insanely good

Why go to the trouble of making butter at home? After all, that's why they package it all up neat in little sticks for us at the grocery store... So we don't have to.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Taking apples beyond pies, sauces

With the onset of apple season, it's time to start thinking about ways to use up all those bushels you bring home from your picking adventures.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

A little fat gives salmon a lot of flavor

Though relatively high in fat - especially compared to most white fish - salmon is a great choice for a healthy diet.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Dips help us eat healthier snacks

Maybe you need another idea for packing fiber and vitamins into your child's lunch. Or maybe you're looking for a way to convince yourself to eat more fruit. Either way, making a dip (or three) to dunk your fruit in can make it a little more enticing, and a lot …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Angel food cake: Light as air, sweetly satisfying

It’s light, pairs perfectly with fresh berries and ice cream, and even is low-fat. It’s summer’s perfect dessert — angel food cake.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Lunch served with a side of the unexpected

Getting creative with kids' lunches can be a bit of a minefield. It can be hard enough to get them to embrace new foods at home, never mind when they are surrounded by friends at school.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Stuffing zucchini with Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a rich tomato-based dish from Louisiana that is jammed with meat and bold flavorings. And it is not generally considered a healthy dish.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Light, refreshing,vegetarian take on antipasti

An antipasti platter doesn't have to be a selection of cheese and fatty cured meats. You can make a delicious and beautiful one from the many colors of the vegetable garden.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Make home-cured bacon for Father's Day

Home-cured bacon? Sounds like one of those things the average person wouldn't in a million years attempt.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

For great flavor on the grill, think spice rubs

Grilling season is here and spice rubs are an easy way to pump up the flavor. Grocers offer a huge selection of rubs intended for steak, chicken, pork, seafood, even veggies. But consider saving your money and making your own. They are easy to assemble and you can better cater …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Love is like a box of chocolates... that you make

Giving Mom a box of chocolates on her special day can be a fine way to show your love. Even more so if you made the chocolates yourself.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

For the crispiest hash browns, use a panini press

To make their hash browns so satisfyingly ultra-crisp, most restaurants resort to deep-frying. But you can pull it off at home with far less mess and fat. This version uses a panini press to produce easy, fast and incredibly crispy has browns.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Goodbye flour, hello matzo

To be suitable for Passover, baked goods must be made without flour.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

A light, fruity dessert perfect for spring

The pastry that cream puffs, profiteroles and eclairs are made from is called pate a choux. It is made by cooking a dough first on the stove, then beating whole eggs into it. This mixture - which lies somewhere between a dough and a batter - then is piped or …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Spring is coming, and so is better produce

With spring around the corner, it's time to start watching the grocer for seasonal - and therefore tastier - produce, such as asparagus, fennel, watercress, radishes and avocados. And once you find them, you might as well combine them into a seasonal salad.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Ribs for an easy Super Bowl party

Nothing says game time like eating meat off the bone. Though ribs take a long time to cook, most of the cooking is unattended.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

For Chinese New Year, take a break from takeout

It doesn't take too much effort to do better than takeout.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Chocolate, mint together in a festive tart

Ganache tarts are elegant, decadent and the epitome of chocolate love.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

A green bean side with bright flavors, color

Many of the classic flavors of Thanksgiving are heavy, rich flavors. So it can be good to brighten up and offset them with something lighter and fresher.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Italian flavors create addictive turkey, stuffing

There is nothing subtle about the flavors of this turkey. But it is so intensely good, you won't be able to stop eating it, or its salami-studded stuffing.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Your favorite Halloween candy, as a cupcake

As one of Halloween's most iconic candies, candy corn seemed worthy of a makeover. After all, we've seen the candy mixed into cookie dough, sprinkled over ice cream, worked into brownies and blondies, even used to infuse vodka for a very adult sort of sticky tricky treat.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Jazz up some wheat bread with wheat berries

Wheat berries are the whole grain from which wheat flour is milled. And they increasingly are being used as a standalone grain. Cooked and eaten similar to rice, oats and barley, they have a pleasantly chewy texture and a nutty taste.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

A muffin to top all other muffins

The goal here was simple: an autumnal muffin to top all other muffins.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Cookies and milk: Together as a frozen treat

The classic combination of oatmeal cookies and milk. Together at last in a cool summer treat. These ice cream sandwiches start with oatmeal cookies speckled with flecks of chocolate. Nestled between them is purchased vanilla ice cream (for ease) that gets dressed up with bits of toffee.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Cookies and milk: Together as a frozen treat

The classic combination of oatmeal cookies and milk. Together at last in a cool summer treat. These ice cream sandwiches start with oatmeal cookies speckled with flecks of chocolate. Nestled between them is purchased vanilla ice cream (for ease) that gets dressed up with bits of toffee.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Sweeten up Easter candy with chocolate

Easy to make and fun to do with your kids, this colorful no-bake Easter treat also is a good way to use up all that Easter candy. Candy coating chocolates can be found at most craft stores in the candy and cake decorating aisle, as well as in the baking …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Ski and shoot, or just dig in to venison

Biathlon competitors don't generally aim for deer when they ski and shoot, but accidents happen, right? These assertively seasoned venison steaks also can be made using bison or beef. Like most game, venison is lean; keep it rare to avoid drying it out. This is part 11 in a series …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO