Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Some weeks ideas for this column come easy. Others, not so much. Sometimes they just come together. Other times, I sit in front of my computer, deadline on the horizon, and have no idea what I'm going to share. This week was different from either scenario. There is too much to choose from. With the big game on Sunday and Valentine's Day on Monday, I had a dilemma: Which one to choose as the focus for this column? Tasty tailgating snacks? Or a romantic holiday dinner to fix for your sweetheart?...
I don't remember the first time I had Mexican food. I don't remember the first time I ate in an "authentic" Italian restaurant. I do remember the first time I had Chinese. Growing up in a small town in western Nebraska in the 60s and 70s, what I knew about Chinese food was the kind that you bought in a can at the grocery store. I was not impressed. But when I was a senior at UNL, I was taking a night class at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and, once a week, three friends and I would drive u...
If I had been locked in a cave over the past few days with only Words With Friends on my phone to keep me occupied, I still would have known it was the New Year's holiday weekend. Even without my calendar app, Facebook or the Internet (except for the WWF connection), I would have known it was Jan. 1, 2022. How? Because all of a sudden every other ad that popped up between games was for NutriSystem or Weight Watchers. Marie Osmond and Oprah were working overtime. Because with the New Year comes...
There is a reason dips are a favorite when it comes to party food. More than one reason, actually. And with New Year's gatherings and bowl games on the calendar, this is the time to add a couple of new ideas to your recipe box. Dips are easy to prepare in advance, leaving the host free to spend time with guests. In fact, most dips (except for ones served hot), benefit from a day in the refrigerator, which gives the flavors time to develop. This is especially true if your dips involve any...
Can you believe it's Christmas? In some ways, 2020 has seemed like a very long year. In other ways, it seems to have flown by! If you are in need of some last-minute treats either for gifts or for guests, nut brittles and barks are always popular holiday treats. Here are some fun recipes to add to your collection and most are easy enough the kids can help.\This is a nuttier version of a basic brittle recipe. The results are impressive ... and the job goes fast using the microwave. Macadamia...
Last year I wrote a Christmas cookie article featuring some of my favorite holiday cookies I've made over the years. If you tried any of the recipes I hope you enjoyed them. This year I'm sharing recipes I found while going through my mom's recipe box. Some are clipped from newspapers or magazines. Others came from the coupon supplements found in the Sunday paper. A couple are on the packaging from the original product. What they do have in common is they all include chocolate in one form or...
I don't know about you, but I missed holiday parties last year. And even though it's still smart to be careful, getting together with family and friends is something we all treasure. Holiday appetizers have always been one of my favorite things to prepare. I love looking through cookbooks and recipe files, looking for just the perfect tasty tidbit to take to a party. But before we get to the menu, let's first set the scene. Decide on a theme or an anchor activity - gingerbread decorating,...
When my writing career started more than 30 years ago, I spent months establishing a freelance career. After long days of teaching and coaching, I stayed up late at night, crafting query letters and sending them via snail mail, hoping to get a bite from local publications ... or a big break with a national news outlet. It seems amazing, considering it was in the dark ages - er, I mean pre-internet times. It was hard work, but I was determined to form partnerships with trusted publications and...
It's no secret I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie. Especially pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. I know for some folks confessing I don't like pumpkin pie is practically criminal, but it is what it is. It's not that I hate pumpkin pie, it's just not my first choice. If I have one piece a year (hold the whipped cream, please), I'm good. When it comes to holiday desserts, there are other choices for me. And I don't dislike pumpkin in general (but don't get me started on pumpkin spice!). Several...
Turkey basics If this is your first time preparing a turkey, here are a few pointers to keep in mind. These safety tips and recommendations come from the United States Department of Agriculture. Before you start cooking: Thaw the turkey, if frozen. If you haven't yet taken it out of the freezer, do it soon. Thaw it in its original package on a tray. Allow almost 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 12- to 16-pound turkey will take 3 to 4 days to thaw in the refrigerator. If you forget to tha...
One of my family's favorite "comfort food" recipes most likely won't be in any of your cookbooks. For what it's worth, it isn't in any of mine either. It's a dish affectionately called "soupy taters," and my grandmother was making it more than an hundred years ago on her farm along the Niobrara River near Sparks, east of Valentine. It's pretty simple: Bacon or stew beef (I've made it with both), potatoes (duh), green beans, chopped onion, beef broth and salt and pepper. That's pretty much it. I...
If you're planning a Halloween party - whether for kids or adults - don't forget about beverages when choosing your menu. While it's easy to stock with fridge with orange Kool-Aid for the kids or something a little stronger for adults, why not create the perfect "spooky" drink for your guests? For devilish drinks, try these recipes from McCormick: Ghost Busted Cocktail: Black food color turns marshmallows into eyes while vanilla extract accents a simple syrup, cream and vodka cocktail. Rim the...
Pairing pears - Pears are good in salads, where they partner well with greens, especially the bitter ones, and be sure toss in a few nuts and goat cheese for creaminess. Try slices of pear with leaves of prosciutto for an appetizer, and pair them with blue-vein cheeses and nuts on a cheese platter. Surprise guests with sautéed pears as a garnish for grilled or fatty meats such as pork and duck. - Seasonal dessert menus welcome pears, too. Poach them in red wine, then serve with their reduced...
Someone in a food group on Facebook recently asked fellow members what was the strangest thing in their freezers. My answer: 40 pounds of hamburger. Yep, I have four 10-pound tubes of ground beef in my freezer, just waiting for a time when I have a couple of days to thaw it and cook it. I do this a couple of times a year, usually 20 pounds at a time, purchased when it’s on sale. Since time has been in short supply around this household for a few months, that 20 pounds turned into 40 when it w...
As summer draws to a close (where did it go?), so does the peak season for stone fruit. Stone fruits are a classification of fruits also know as drupes: They have a thin skin and a "stone" in the center, which contains the seed. They're in season starting in early spring and continue though early fall. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and cherries are all in vogue and ready for plucking and eating. Named for their pits that are hard as stone, the fruits have a fleshy, edible outer layer...
Not only will it be nice to see actual fans in Memorial Stadium this fall and not cardboard cutouts, it will be nice to see parking lots full of fans devouring their favorite foods before the game. Tailgate parties are back! And while fun is at the forefront, food safety can't be forgotten. So before we get to the food, let's cover the basics. The key to keeping your food safe during a tailgate is a good game plan. Do you have enough coolers and all the tools you need to cook? In addition to a...
Anyone who has grown zucchini in Nebraska knows that a little planting goes a long way. Zucchini jokes abound and there is even a National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day (more about that later), but zucchini is really a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Let's start with some tips and tricks from Cami Wells, an Extension Educator in Hall County. "Whether purchasing or picking zucchini," Wells says "choose firm, slender zucchini with a bright green...
I don't know about you, but every year when back-to-school time rolls around, I look back and wonder just what happened to summer. It seems like Memorial Day was last week and the Fourth of July was yesterday, but yet here it is: The first day of school is looming right around the corner. And with school starting soon, it's time to think about what all those hungry kids are going to eat when they get home from school. "Healthy snacks can help children get the nutrients they need after a long day...
It's not hard to see why food on a stick is so popular at fairs around the country, including county fairs that are in full swing in the area and our very own Nebraska State Fair which opens later this month in Grand Island. The portability factor makes these foods easy to hang onto and easy to eat while strolling the fairgrounds in search of the best exhibit or midway ride. But the shear variety of foods that can be put on a stick boggles the mind. Who would have thought you could put a...
Taste of Home; www.tasteofhome.com Cinnamon Chocolate Sundaes: Kids will enjoy this tempting ice cream topping because it hardens on the ice cream as it stands. Store-bought sauces just can't compare to this homemade concoction. Cinnamon Chocolate Sundaes Any way you top it: Ice cream the ultimate summer treat Is there anyone you know who doesn't like ice cream? Sure we all that one person who says their favorite flavor is vanilla (seriously?), but is there really someone out there who doesn't l...
Salute the kernel This is a perfect time to enjoy delicious Nebraska-grown sweet corn. It’s not only tasty, but nutritious. Did you know that corn is a great source of fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin A? Not only that, an ear of corn only contains about 80 calories. What is the best way to cook sweet corn? It can be grilled, roasted, cooked in boiling water on the stovetop or even microwaved. When eating just buttered corn-on-the-cob, I remove the husks, wrap the ear in waxed paper and m...
It's BLT season and I couldn't be happier By Terri Hahn Friday, June 18, was marked on my calendar for weeks. I was literally counting down the days. The anticipation grew. So what important event was happening on the day? Not a birthday. Not an anniversary. Not the day I would inherit a lot of money. It was the day my favorite area produce stand opened for the summer. And that means it's BLT season. Because we all know that tomatoes are the most important ingredient in BLTs. Bacon, lettuce, may...
Who doesn’t like a sandwich? That perfect, easy to eat, quick meal on the go. Just slap some meat, a slice of cheese or two, a bit of lettuce and tomato, and your condiment of choice between a couple of slices of bread and you’re done. But what can be done to spice it up a bit? I mean bread is great and all that, but there must be a some easy way to jazz up your sandwich. Have you had a wrap lately? These sandwiches are popular when eating out but you can make your own “wrap” sandwich at home...
TERRI HAHN Something I've never been able to figure out: On Mother's Day, moms get breakfast in bed. On Father's Day, dads are expected to head to the grill to cook for themselves. Not sure why. Maybe while dads can help the kids make scrambled eggs and French toast, moms aren't as eager to let their kids play with fire. But maybe there is a way for mom and kids to make dad a meal - complete with the grill - but in a safer matter. Pizza. Yep, pizza. Grilling infuses pizza with a wonderful smoky...
As much as I love fresh fruit, salads and sandwiches, I can't eat them for every meal when the weather is warm. Sometimes I want something cooked, but I really don't want to take much time to make it. And who wants to heat up the kitchen any more than you have to? Sheet pan meals may be the answer. "Sheet pan meals are a godsend when you're busy, or don't particularly love to cook," says food writer Gretchen McKay. "For starters, they're super easy to pull together. They also cook quickly, are...
