Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
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...
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,...
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...
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...
It's 55 degrees this September morning and I'm greeting the day with a cup of hot cocoa. I'm a cocoa fan rather than a cup of hot coffee. Despite the cool temperature I have my kitchen window open as I peer outside at the flower garden. Crickets can be heard singing a serenade which I hope is their goodby song. Of course their song also means goodbye to the bright, warm summer days. The plants are transitioning into fall as some of them have lost their growing vigor. Yet others seem to blend in...
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...
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...
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...
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...
It took me a long time to decide I liked asparagus. Of course, it wasn't as common in the grocery stores when I was growing up in western Nebraska as it is now, but it did grow wild along the North Platte River. I kind of remember Mom and Dad going out to gather some, but honestly, I don't remember what Mom did with it. Now I can't wait for asparagus season. I bought my first bunch just a couple of weeks ago. It's become a staple on my Easter dinner menu. But how much do you know about...
Allen Ginsberg wrote, “Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It’s that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that’s what the poet does.” Poetry gives universal meaning to a singular effect, offers visual storytelling, complete with twists and turns. It is uniquely personal and open to the reader’s interpretation. I think that’s why I liked putting together poetry programs with my speech students. Finding the perfect blend of rh...
March 17 is just a week away so it's time to get ready for St. Patrick's Day. But first a bit of history (thanks history.com): St. Patrick's Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a...
TERRI HAHN When I was a kid, the only squash I knew about was acorn. That little green thing that showed up every fall and mom baked with butter and brown sugar. It was pretty good and I still bake it that way from time to time. But over the years, I’ve discovered the wide world of squash from summer squash with its thin, edible skin (think zucchini) to winter squash like the aforementioned acorn and its siblings including butternut, buttercup and spaghetti. Winter squash are some of the most v...
National Hispanic Heritage Month, with roots going back to 1968, is a period, from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. The term Hispanic or Latino refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or those of other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. While those contributions and influences can be found in many segments of society, none are...
I love salads. My weekly grocery list always includes "salad mix, lettuce, fruits and veggies." It's a permanent line on the note app I have on my phone where I keep a running list. It doesn't matter if it's June or January. There is something about main-dish salads in the summer that make them the perfect choice for a easy week-night meal. But what makes the main-dish salad different than your standard side salad? One word: Protein. A main-dish salad is the perfect place for sliced pieces of...
My mom made the best potato salad ever. Now I know there are many of you reading this who are thinking, "Nope, I/my mom/grandma/Aunt Jane/whomever make the best salad. No question." And that's OK. But I'm still putting my mom's out there for contention. When I was growing up in western Nebraska, my community was home to a nine-hole sand-greens golf course that hosted a state tournament every year. Every year my mom was asked to make the potato salad the host committee served to the contestants...
The Holt County supervisors approved hiring a human resource firm when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill on April 16. With all seven supervisors in attendance at the meeting, the leaders voted 5-2 to contract with Zelle Human Resources of Lincoln to provide consulting services for an initial six-month term, after holding a phone conference with Zelle representative Chad Thies. Supervisors Bob Snyder and Don Butterfield voted nay. According to Thies, the firm would update the county’s employee handbook, making sure it is relevant and mak...
As the clock nears midnight on New Year's Eve, many pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly, offering a toast to new beginnings. What makes the popular French luxury a must-have when the clock ticks midnight? The sparkling wine's roots feature an embodiment of religion and royalty. In the fifth century, wine from the Champagne region in France was used during the baptism of King Clovis. While the wine used more than likely wasn't of the sparkling variety, it resembled a chardonnay or pinot noir....
The Summerland Advocate Messenger will host Blush Boutique and The Blend, Wednesday, Oct. 16, for ladies' night. The event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Office, 522 Main Street, in Clearwater. Blush Boutique will bring their new arrivals to transition into fall. The Blend will offer shakes, smoothies and frappes, along with pre-packaged shakes to make at home....
The Summerland Advocate Messenger will host Blush Boutique and The Blend, Wednesday, Oct. 16, for ladies' night. The event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Office, 522 Main Street, in Clearwater. Blush Boutique will bring their new arrivals to transition into fall. The Blend will offer shakes, smoothies and frappes, along with pre-packaged shakes to make at home. Refreshments will be provided...
