Ask Chef Phyllis: This fall we became empty nesters, and because of that I sometimes work longer hours than I used to. I come home tired and want to get a nutritious and fast dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. I buy chicken breasts often—they’re a fast, easy, good protein—and I do […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
17
Feb
Feb
In many parts of the country, winter is long and gray. These long, gray days can take a toll on the psyche, making us wonder if we’ll ever be able to go outside without layer upon layer again. But the wonderful thing is that spring arrives every year without fail—even if it doesn’t come quick […]
11
Feb
Feb
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a prime opportunity to showcase a food synonymous with love. So this year, rather than waste money on a mediocre steak at an inflated price, why not stay in with your beloved and serve something special? The food that immediately comes to mind when we think of […]
10
Feb
Feb
I come from a long line of huggers, and I wear my “Free Hugs” T-shirt with pride. There’s really nothing quite like giving or receiving a hug, especially when it involves someone you adore completely. With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, and with your loved ones expecting even more gestures of affection, there’s […]
04
Feb
Feb
Ask Chef Phyllis: I was lucky enough to be in Paris around Valentine’s Day. I stopped by a patisserie that featured many kinds of truffles. I tried a few of them, but my absolute favorite was a dark chocolate truffle with lime and honey. They were expensive but absolutely worth the price. Can truffles be […]
28
Jan
Jan
Pad thai is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. Perfectly balanced between salty, sour, sweet, and spicy, this classic Thai staple has many variations, but all will likely contain a few key ingredients: noodles, egg, and peanuts. This dish is traditionally made with wide, flat rice noodles, and if not made properly it can […]
27
Jan
Jan
Sure, it’s a few weeks past the New Year, and you’ve already made your resolutions—done and started. Way to go! Now that you’re in the groove of making those personal ambitions a reality, why not shift your focus in a way you may not have considered in the past. Could a few simple resolutions for […]
21
Jan
Jan
Ask Chef Phyllis: I love New Orleans, but I’ve only gone to Mardi Gras once. I like Creole food too. Most of the restaurants have a specialty, so it’s hard to decide what to order. My husband and I tried the Muffaletta sandwich at one place as well as the gumbo from the famous Cochon […]
20
Jan
Jan
Since we’re smack dab in the middle of the cold weather season, I have no doubt that your weekly menu items are much the same as mine—soups, stews, and pot roasts. Warm, comforting foods always seem to fit the bill when the temp gets low. But as much soup as we go through this time […]
14
Jan
Jan
Here we are, mid-January. The hubbub of the holidays has faded to a blur in our memories, and we’re winding down for the last stretch of winter. It’s around this time of year when I find myself getting antsy for brighter, fresher food on my plate. Maybe it’s because the produce aisle is so woefully […]
13
Jan
Jan
I adore my cast iron skillets. I have the utmost respect for any device that makes the perfect fried egg and doubles as a weapon in a pinch. I’m a pacifist by nature, so it’s not like I keep one at the side of the bed or anything—but, ya’ know, if push came to shove. […]
07
Jan
Jan
Ask Chef Phyllis: After purchasing a half side of beef last summer, I have very little of the better cuts like steak, filet mignon, and roast left by the end of the year. I saw your recipe for French Beef Stew on Facebook (I’m Jena’s friend) and decided to try it. The beef cubes were […]
06
Jan
Jan
Have you ever built something up in your mind as being more of a hassle than it’s worth? Too much equipment. Too many weird ingredients. Too time consuming. Too whatever. Well, that’s how I felt about making my own kombucha—it was too much everything. It seemed easier to just grab a few bottles on sale […]
30
Dec
Dec
Now that all the names on your gift list have been crossed off for the year, it’s time to make your next list: all the fabulous things you want more (and less) of in the New Year. While I tend to make this list on my birthday instead, New Year’s Day is another time I […]
24
Dec
Dec
Ask Chef Phyllis: We stayed at the Pierre Hotel in New York City and ate the best gingerbread pancakes at their Café Pierre. Actually, they were the best pancakes we’ve ever had—hands down. I only get to travel to New York maybe once every year or two, so I’d like to have this recipe. Is […]
23
Dec
Dec
You’ve made your list, checked it way more times than twice, and crossed each person off as his or her gift was purchased. Now, here it is, two days before Christmas morning and you’re done. You’re done! You’re high-fiving yourself left and right, but wait… You just got an invite to a small gathering from […]
19
Dec
Dec
Ask Chef Phyllis: Everything I read or see these days is about brining—from the Thanksgiving turkey to pork and lamb for the grill. Well, I brined ½-inch thick pork chops before grilling them, and they were not only dry but pickled. I wanted juicy and flavorful. They were a lot of prep as well. After […]
17
Dec
Dec
The humble pork shank doesn’t get much recognition compared to its low, slow, braise-worthy cousins, such as the shoulder. That’s too bad. Shanks not only take up less room and time in the kitchen, but they also contain lots of rich cartilage that add dimension and silkiness, as well as plenty of nutrients, to the […]
16
Dec
Dec
We all know the holidays can be a stressful time of year. We celebrate, stay up later than normal, and eat more food than our bodies are used to. The weather can also play a huge factor in our travels, and it isn’t always smooth sailing to get where we need to be. It would […]
10
Dec
Dec
Ask Chef Phyllis: Every year just before Christmas Eve, I begin to think of my grandmother’s cheese fondue. I thought it was very special, and the memory brings joy to my heart. I’ve tried to duplicate it several times, but I wasn’t successful. It was an expensive experiment. Since then, I’ve purchased the supermarket Swiss fondue box […]