Foodie Panel: Restaurant Reviews

I categorize soft-serve ice cream in my head as a treat, a sweet I can’t make at home that I must deliberately travel into the world to attain. Some folks may own an ice cream machine that creates a version of this cold sweet, but not me. Two weeks ago, I waxed poetic about soft serve, but this time, I’m going the other direction. Hand-dipped ice cream, or hard ice cream, is premade, put into a container, and is then scooped out into a formed ball, if you’re good at it. This is the kind of ice cream I can buy at the grocery store and keep in my freezer. But sometimes, hand-dipped ice cream is worth leaving the house for. ...

Just when I thought I’d run out of new restaurants to try, a friend with good judgment suggested I might want to take a quick road trip over to City Tavern in downtown Perryville for some good old homestyle cooking. I was intrigued by the suggestion, and immediately squeezed the visit onto my Sunday "to do" list, right between church and grocery shopping. ...

Scattered across the country are tiny family-owned restaurants that took up the cast-off shell of the little Dairy Queens that those of us with a few years under our belts remember from childhood. Usually closed for the winter because of the lack of indoor seating, these places fill the niche left behind and serve as a gathering place for those wanting to cool down with some soft serve or those hungry for a quick supper. One of those places is Ice Cream Corner, located at 2302 Main St. in Scott City. ...

Several years ago, my siblings and I threw an anniversary party for our parents. It was kind of a big deal, and we invited family from out of state, as well as friends and co-workers from the area. Since our family is awesome, a good number of them drove the twelve or so hours to get here just to honor my mom and dad. ...

I am 100% the bird chirping, sun shining on a cloudy day kind of morning person, and I fully embrace it. Anyone who has a problem with my morning cheer can take it up with the big guy upstairs — I was born this way, which my mom readily confirms. She had no cranky babies...

Game day is one of my favorite times to entertain. I don't know why foods associated with watching sports on TV are happy-making. But they are. The food is pretty much what I would categorize as bar food -- things you would order with a group of friends with a round of cold beers. Foods that might not (cough) be categorized as health food, but which are meant for sharing, are comforting and delicious, and have a nostalgic vibe. And often involve cheese...

When the Fruitland Area Fire Protection District wanted to go to a 24-hour manned station, I remember getting a letter in the mail informing me that this fire station covered a large area full of about 9,000 people. The very first thought I had about this fact wasn't about fire safety. ...

A good sushi roll has unique and distinct parts that are separated visually and physically. Through the magic of chewing, all of these separate flavors, colors, and textures come together in a human mouth to create something spectacular. Very much like a simple sushi roll, Rock N' Roll Sushi (3069 William Street in Cape Girardeau) has two components to its name: Rock N' Roll and sushi. ...

They say when you're happy you enjoy the music, but when you're sad you understand the lyrics. I first heard Sinead O'Conner's haunting rendition of "Nothing Compares 2U" in the 90's. Her voice, full of depth and emotion, powerfully conveyed what many people of my generation will recall as their first season of love and heartbreak...

Coming back from a hectic vacation and facing a column deadline that I absolutely could have planned for and yet put off for another time, I found myself fixated on a simple food subject that's been the topic of conversation around me lately: McDonald's has revamped its burger recipe. ...

Though it is common knowledge throughout Asia, many American cooks may not know that the key to perfect fried rice is using previously cooked and chilled rice. Freshly cooked rice can result in a soggy, gluey dish, but chilling it changes its starches, yielding light, separate grains...

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Those words by author and poet Maya Angelou sum up my impromptu visit to El Kolibri Coffee shop on the first springlike Saturday of the year...

We will start by acknowledging that deep-fried chicken wings are very, very good. And when I am out and about in a bar-ish setting, it's difficult to pass them up. But deep frying chicken wings -- or really anything -- at home? Very rare in my kitchen. It's messy, it calls for lots of oil, and then you have to make a whole lot to justify the amount of oil you use...

This week, I visited Cora's Taste of Manila in Cape Girardeau. This required a little planning, because Cora's just has a pickup area located at 2502 Tanner Drive, behind Applebee's. This building has been a hotbed of new restaurants and flavors lately, so I'm curious to see what might pop up next. But with Cora's, I had to order online at corastasteofmanila.com and then choose my pickup time. I showed up on a Friday, and my food was hot and ready to go...

Last time we met, I was at Fuel Bar + Taco in Jackson, sleuthing out what anonymous locals like to eat while trying to delve a little deeper than the dish. After indulging in the Fuel hot dog, my new friend sent me to ... Sedona Bistro located at 1812 Carondalet St. in Cape Girardeau to experience her favorite dish -- the Reuben...

I have an apple obsession. It is my favorite fruit, but I'm not sure why. Apples are not a rare food, exotic or hard to find. So my attention soon turned to discovering the best apple, an apple that can be enjoyed raw, filled with sugar, juicy, crunchy and with a wonderful flavor. ...

Despite how commonly recipes call for marinating meat, it's rarely worth it. Marinades do a poor job of flavoring meat because the molecules of any flavorings, except for salt, are too big to penetrate the surface. Besides, you're then left cooking wet meat, which inhibits flavorful browning...

Last week I stopped into Fuel Bar + Taco, located at 634 W. Main St. in Jackson, for a quick lunch, and a bright idea popped into my head. Tag team wrestling. I haven't followed wrestling since childhood, but I recall I was a huge fan of the excitement. ...

The year just gone by had more than its share of tragedy and sadness, much of it promising to continue into the year just started. And yet, despite the afflictions of 2023, in many ways it was not unlike other years. People got married. Children were born. Seniors graduated from school. Movies were produced. Music was performed. Art was crafted. Books were written. And recipes were created...

Working at the senior center certainly does have its advantages. One is the sharing of classic, family favorite recipes. During the holiday season we are blessed with friends who share their baked and homemade treats with the staff and volunteers. After the plate of goodies arrives, I usually ask the person for the recipe. Knowing that, some of them come equipped and ready to share their cherished recipes...

I do a little bit of online sleuthing before writing any article, nosing around for new places to try or places that are creating buzz. This time, I was poking around in the Southeast Missourian's "What's for Dinner" spread, looking at a list of this area's favorite places to go to avoid cooking at home. ...

I wish I had a good punchline to go along with the headline, but this is simply the true story of how my recent visit to Mario and Angela's Italian Eatery in Jackson unfolded. If you're local, you've probably been nostalgically awaiting the return of Mario's pizza. If you're new to the area, hold on to your hat because you are in for one heck of a treat...

At 115 N. Jackson St. in Perryville, Missouri, pretty much right across the street from Mary Jane's Burgers & Brew, is a white, clean, pert little building with a "CANDY" sign sticking off of the side. This is Hadley's Candy Shoppe, and I knew that it was a serious candy store because of the extra "pe" on the end of Shoppe. These folks aren't messing around with their candy...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Gifts of twinkling lights, sweet treats and cheerful music burst from every nook and cranny as expectations for the holiday season steadily rise. A couple weeks ago, I began Saturday with a clear agenda. By 9 a.m., I was quickly checking boxes off of my "to-do" list. The air was fresh and crisp, the sun glorious and beckoning. God was clearly smiling down on me, and no one could have convinced me otherwise...

In the old-fashioned "fondas" scattered around Mexico, diners usually find only a handful of tables and simple, comforting dishes. A three-course lunch at many of these unpretentious mom-and-pop eateries can cost as little as a few dollars. One of those courses might well be sopa de fideos, a much-loved soup of thin noodles lightly browned in oil, then simmered in a puree of chicken broth with roasted tomato, onion, garlic and jalapeño. ...

Recently, Marble Hill Cakes moved to 4215 State Highway 72 in Jackson, and so there was really no excuse not to visit anymore. Be aware, the door is a little hidden. Just follow the bakery signs around to the back of the dark gray building and look for the neon sign in the window...

I watch a YouTube channel fairly regularly called Early American. It features a young lady named Justine, who lives in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and in a very zen and peaceway way, cooks recipes from the late 1700s and early 1800s. She does this while in her period-appropriate log cabin and dressed in her pioneer woman clothes. ...

In the world of pizza, there is a code. Individuals who investigate that code are members of an elite squad known as the SPU, Special Pizza Unit. This is one of their stories. It started on a crisp fall day. I sat in front of my computer contemplating a visit to Encore Pizzeria + Kitchen, which is inconspicuously tucked into a corner of the City Centre building at 2502 Tanner Drive in Cape Girardeau...

Being exposed to different cultures is one of my favorite things to experience. And no surprise to anybody, one of my favorite ways to learn about a culture is through the cuisine. Now we all have the opportunity to experience a unique part of Japanese culture through a new restaurant in Cape Girardeau -- Yuzu Izakaya...

Our lives are marked by days, weeks, months and years. Sometimes we look back to December and other times we wake up when September ends. There are days designated to observe or celebrate certain events, while others are reminders to spread "awareness" of things some are trying their hardest to forget...

Store-bought dough brings homemade pizza into the realm of easy weeknight cooking. To simplify prep even further, we took a cue from rectangular focaccia-like Sicilian pizza and Roman pizza al taglio. This recipe from our book "Tuesday Nights Mediterranean," which features weeknight-friendly meals from the region, is for a sheet-pan pizza that doesn't require dividing and shaping the dough and can be baked in a single batch without a pizza stone...

On an absolutely beautiful and crisp fall day, I visited Broadway Bistro and Vintage Trade at 811 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The sunshine was warm, and the breeze was gentle. The leaves were turning into multicolored versions of their formerly green selves and then drifting slowly down, returning to the earth. I was feeling cozy already, and then I walked into Broadway Bistro...

I have a friend who hails from New York. If his social media content is any indication, he is suffering from a serious case of homesickness. All of his friends and followers have recently been deluged by two things: photos of stylish people wearing cozy clothing while enjoying carefree strolls through the bright lights of the big city or serene sidewalk scenes of brownstones and tree-lined streets generously garnished with bright fall foliage...

Souvlaki translates from the Greek as "skewer," but a rotating spit and open fire are not necessary to achieve similarly satisfying results. For this easy weeknight version, from our book "Tuesday Nights Mediterranean," which features weeknight-friendly meals from the region, we forgo the skewers and cook individual pieces of chicken. And instead of firing up the grill, we simply turn on the broiler...

October has arrived, bringing with it some things I love most about football season: opportunities to root for underdogs such as Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes, mixed with the occasional sweet sideline love story, like the flourishing romance between pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chief's tight end Travis Kelce. Before I delve too far into talk about who is huddling and who is cuddling, on to the real reason you've read this far — food...

I was humbled by a reader of Ask a Foodie this week, and it sent me down a rabbit hole. At my day job, one of my regular customers, also a friend, had just realized that I wrote in the paper. "Yes, yes, that's me, did you like last week's column, etc., etc.," is usually how this conversation goes, and that is certainly how it started. ...

The "perfect storms" in life serve as great reminders to savor moments when the "stars" seem to effortlessly align in our favor. That's my melodramatic take on how things fell apart then quickly fell back in place for me last week, with the help of Bon Bon's Restaurant and Artisan Bakery...

I went to Benton, Missouri, this time with my sister, Jessica. It was a pleasant drive, mostly because of the company. Jess has a wicked sense of humor, and we always have fun. This time, we were absolutely delighted that the eatery we were visiting, Yvonne's, was on 25 West Twappity St. ...

Dexter, Missouri, is known as “Rib City,” and West Business U.S. Highway 60 is where that name truly comes to life. On that highway, all within less than a mile of each other, exist some of the most popular and well-known barbecue restaurants in Southeast Missouri. And it goes beyond restaurants. Convenience stores, gas stations and small mom-and-pop shops are all advertising their barbecue products.

If you've driven past 1865 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, you may have noticed a bright cheerful business with the phrase "Different is Good" emblazoned in large letters across the length of the building. Just in case you have any doubts about their commitment to welcoming and celebrating everyone, the phrase is repeated on an interior wall for emphasis...

The heat has finally broken (temporariy), giving us a much-needed respite and letting us breathe with comfort. But over on social media, things are heating up with talk of Chick-fil-A's new sandwich, the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken. It's a long name for a sandwich, and it sounds like there's a lot of different things going on, and there absolutely is. Let's discuss...

Maybe it is a side-effect of the extreme heat, but I recently found myself sliding into a cranky Scrooge-like mood as the fall school year quickly approached. No longer having school-aged children or a connection to the university, I was filled with trepidation thinking about the possible inconveniences ahead: bare grocery store shelves, waiting for a table at packed restaurants, limited parking everywhere and tacking an extra 20 to 30 minutes to my daily commute in an effort to avoid delays caused by the influx of traffic.. ...

Winding a long and deeply forested trail from Fruitland to Cape Girardeau is one of my favorite drives, Highway 177. Now I have more than scenery to send me down that road. At 7564 Hwy. 177 in Cape Girardeau lies a string of small, interesting buildings, and the cutest of the bunch is Rosie's Bake Shoppe...

It's that time of year again — back to school! With all the big and little changes on the horizon, it can be easy to jump back into "Go! Go! Go!" mode leaving the relaxation of summer far behind. Before you switch back into full steam ahead gear, I want to take a moment to gently remind you we only have a couple of months left to enjoy the Cape Riverfront Market before the season ends in October. ...

Writing for this column has taken me down roads I probably never would have traveled and that was the case this week as well. Most of the time, I was the only car on numbered county roads and lettered state highways as I drove a winding path to Sedgewickville, Missouri, which, according to the 2020 Census data, has a population of 191 people...

Several weeks ago, May 18 to be exact, I introduced you to the Faught family and mentioned they had something exciting on the horizon. The time finally came, and I was lucky enough to be there when they debuted their newest endeavor, the Eatz. A Taste of the Islands food truck, at the Jackson Food Truck Rally on Wednesday, June 28...

How about those awful grocery prices, am I right? This has been a topic of conversation for some time now, the woes and realities of rising food prices understandably important. Living creatures need food to stay alive, and humans have tied procuring food and income tightly together. Sometimes, a burger from McDonald's is just not in the budget and having someone else prepare food is a luxury that cannot be borne...

Marketing is that wonderful thing where complete strangers subtly try to convince us to buy things or buy into ideas. As a writer, storyteller and student of everything psychology, I appreciate a good marketing strategy. The sheer number of people who admit they watch the Super Bowl each year "just for the commercials" proves I am not alone in this regard...

I do a lot of over-thinking, but I try (and sometimes fail) to put at the uppermost part of my brain the fact that I'm thankful. Life is good, and I am thankful for my family, the things I am able to see and experience, the good in living. Lately, this hasn't been difficult. This has been a swell summer so far...

Fresh, in-season berries always make the best crumble, but we always keep a bag of fruit in the freezer to have the taste of summer any time of year. Both options will taste great with this recipe from our book "Cook What You Have," which draws on pantry staples to assemble easy, weeknight meals. It calls for frozen berries tossed and topped with a spiced crumble with oats and almonds, but an equal quantity of fresh mixed berries will be just as tasty, if not more so...

Grilling food on sticks is one of the most primal and satisfying ways to cook dinner in the summer -- frankly, any time you are willing to cook outside -- and is a particular Fourth of July favorite. We're talking here about kebabs, or as you might find them spelled, kebobs, kabobs or shish kebabs. And depending on where you are in the world, you might be talking about pinchos, sate or yakitori...

I had never eaten at the Honey Baked Ham Company before this visit I'm about to tell you about. Not sure why, because I enjoy a fresh sandwich on soft, chewy bread. Maybe it's because Honey Baked Ham is ever so slightly off the beaten path, in a little line of businesses nestled into the area behind Panera (at 201 S. Mount Auburn Road, Suite G in Cape Girardeau.) It's just not as blatantly visual as the restaurants along the main road, so I'd never thought to go there "off the cuff"...

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Cody Snider, manager and co-owner of the new Fatty Patty Burger Barn restaurant, located in the old Zaxby's building in Cape Girardeau (407 Cape West Crossings). Talk about perfect timing. With Father's Day just around the corner, Fatty Patty's is serving up exactly what any burger-loving dad wants: burgers. ...

In Turkey, Armenia and the Levant, a meat-topped flatbread known as lahmajoun comes topped with spiced ground lamb, tomatoes and bell pepper. With the dough stretched paper-thin, diners typically drizzle the popular dish with lemon juice and roll it up to eat...

I love this part of the country. Most people are kind, good-hearted souls, and thankfully most of them also seem to have an appreciable sense of humor. That can most definitely be said for Smelly Butts BBQ and Other Fine Food. I found the food truck parked at its World Headquarters Sunday around noon. ...

In case you didn't know, May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I know school is out for the summer, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to Google educate myself on the many ways their contributions have help create what we consider to be the very fabric of "America."...

I've been waiting for the perfect moment when the stars and all of the various schedules align to visit Carson's by Chef Adam Glenn at 105 E. Center St. in Sikeston, Missouri, and it finally happened. I visited Carson's Facebook page to set up a reservation. You can also call (573) 475-6457 if you'd like to do it that way. I didn't really have a time preference, so the nice person I was messaging set me up for 5 p.m., right when the restaurant opened...

We are still a month away from the official first day of summer, but the heat is already on, and it is only getting hotter! Everyone seems to be celebrating beginnings and endings of one type or another. Last week my social media pages were full of photos commemorating college graduations and Mother's Day. The trend will likely continue for the next couple of weeks with a burst of photos honoring high school grads, followed by photos of Father's Day festivities...

Right behind Applebee's in Cape Girardeau is a lovely little shopping hub called City Centre. When you walk in the main door, the building resembles a small, sweet cobbled street, with storefronts to either side leading into individual businesses. On the opposite end of the "street" from the door is Ikhatta, an Indian fusion restaurant run by A La Carte Catering. ...

Just last weekend, Muddy River Marathon drew participants to Cape Girardeau from as far away as Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina and Georgia. The evening before runners gathered at the starting line, I arrived at Century Casino for packet pickup. ...

Acting on a tip from a friend, I found a place that was surprisingly well developed with an excellent business model, lovely website and an emphasis on service. Pulse Fitness and Nutrition has three locations, in Jackson, Dexter and Cape Girardeau, but the one I visited was at 318 E. Main St. in Jackson. The process for getting an excellent supper from Pulse started with an online order, but don't tune me out yet! There are other ways to try the food — you'll see...

The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and berry season has officially arrived, which means seasonal salads are showing up on menus everywhere. I spent the week exploring what Southeast Missouri has to offer and, so far, the options are deliciously distinct. Here are a few of my current recommendations:...

My goodness, have we been having some beautiful days. Spring flowers are blooming, grass is that lovely shade of eager green that heralds spring, and trees are just beginning to unfurl leaves to the sun. And the redbuds, my favorite, are on display, revealing pinks and magentas to whoever takes the time to look...

On Thursday, Feb. 22, I began a spiritual journey. I'll spare you the boring details. Well, I'll spare you some of the boring details. One element of my plan involved a commitment to fasting for a period of time. Writing a food column while fasting seemed like quite the endeavor, but I reminded myself I've overcome worse. ...

It's road trip weather! There's a nifty place in Farmington, Missouri, called The Factory, which is a huge brick building that used to be a shirt factory. Someone had the bright idea to put what is essentially a mall inside of the big old empty factory, and it was dark and a little dingy, but it was unusual, and it worked for me. I entered on the ground floor, walked down a few concrete steps, and was staring at what looked like concrete streets going in three different directions...

NEW YORK -- "My name's Joyce," drawls a neighbor to Edward Scissorhands, "and I noticed that you have not tasted any of the ambrosia salad that I made especially for you." Johnny Depp's character in the 1990 cult film opens wide to receive a giant spoonful of the fluffy pink-tinged fruit confection...

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy some new, fresh salad recipes. To help with that, I went looking for some recipes to try as the weather turns warmer and the days are longer. Before long we will be able to enjoy more garden fresh fruits and vegetables, but how blessed we are that we have these readily available to us almost year round...

It's been four years since TJ's Burgers, Wings and Pizza has been featured in this column. In that time, TJ's has not only become a staple in Fruitland, but it has closed, moved and then reopened. I thought it was high time I checked it out at the new location and answered that all-important question: TJ's is back, but is it better than ever?...

A couple of weeks ago a little "birdie" clued me in and inspired me to take a quick trip south on the interstate to visit the Kelso Corner Grill, located at 151 S. Messmer St. in Kelso, Missouri. For those who have been around a while, the restaurant is located in the building that formerly housed the beloved "Ray's of Kelso" restaurant. ...

In Spain's rugged Asturias region, winter winds coming off the Atlantic demand rib-sticking meals that make the most of preserved foods. That often means fabada asturiana, a homey mix of cured meats, dried beans and alliums slowly simmered with various cuts of smoked pork. ...

Late-ish on a Thursday night, I recently had a good meal in a restaurant that is absolutely like no other in our area. After a twisty and dark drive down State Highway C through the metropolis of Pocahontas, I turned right onto County Road 532. After an even more twisty-turny drive, I saw a long horizontal pole on the left side of the road, and a small "OPEN" sign was attached to it. ...

If you were hoping to read about my encounter with a massive beast of a burger, hang tight because all the details are coming soon to a newspaper near you. This week is all about a Lenten season tradition: The church "basement" fish fry. Now, before any of you get in a tizzy and accuse me of shoving religion down your throat, ask yourself a couple of questions: 1. ...

In Filipino homes, the smell that wakes up many families is not coffee brewing or bacon frying, but slices of garlic sizzling in oil. It's for a fried rice known as sinangag, a way to use up the previous day's rice by packing it chock-full of crisp, toasted garlic. Sliced garlic is deeply browned in oil to create golden garlic chips that are mixed into the rice along with a flavorful oil that infuses the entire dish...

Pizza has often been on my mind lately. It has become a kind of treat food for me, a forbidden delicacy that I can only gift myself once in a great while. I know, I know, I can put a metric ton of emotional importance on food, but I've accepted that. ...

Building a good grain-based veggie burger is a challenge, not only for flavor, but also because they tend to fall apart. So instead we tried a seed -- quinoa, to be specific -- and were delighted with the results. The texture and size make it better-suited than rice or other "grains" for forming into patties, and pan-frying gives them a crisp crust that contrasts with the tender interior...

"Revival: an instance of returning to life or consciousness; restoration of vigour or vitality." Like many people, I choose a word to focus on and inspire me throughout the year. For me, it is a part of my spiritual practice and growth. Some people memorize complete Bible verses, I choose one word, have it printed on a bracelet, and wear it as a daily reminder. ...

I was surprised to realize that I have been writing for this feature since October 2018. It truly hasn't felt like this long, and I have enjoyed 99.7% of the places I visited (yes, that's very scientific and accurate, like everything I do.) But this time, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at how the landscape of food has changed in the area, and perhaps spare a moment for those we have lost and still yearn for...

Around 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. on any given day in Sweden, you might see people take a break. Wherever they are, in homes, workplaces and cafés, whether alone or with others, they stop what they’re doing to relax for 15 to 20 minutes over a cup of black coffee and a cookie, cinnamon bun or seasonal dessert...

This week I explored the taste of India at one of my favorite local restaurants: The Spanish Street Farmacy. I stopped by and spoke to the brains behind the "virtual" operation, Frank Green. Green explained he became interested in the Gongora (Hibiscus sabdariffa) plant while breaking bread with friends from India. ...

Citrus fruits are a staple in my house 365 days a year, but I appreciate these fruits the most during the colder months. Other fruits are in scarcer supply in the winter, which is the peak season for citrus. Plus, when most of our cooking tends to include heavier foods with deeper flavors, that's when I think citrus has the chance to shine best. A wonderful foil to richer ingredients...

There are some foods that I never want to cook at home because of the bother: pork rinds, a real steamed Christmas pudding, anything fried, especially chicken. Juicy, crispy, delicious fried chicken definitely tops that list. So the last couple of weeks, I started asking people where they like to get their fried chicken. Much to my (probably naive) surprise, many people told me Food Giant...

Whether a born-and- raised local, a regular, or someone just passing through Cape Girardeau, most people recognize The Library as a hub of the downtown nightlife. The Library, located at 10 S. Spanish St., offers a variety of entertainment options including happy hour, live music, karaoke, dancing, special events, televised sports, darts, patio games in their outdoor "Playground" area and a menu comprised of bar food favorites, salads, as well as heartier fare...

Don't be afraid to take chances, grasp for that brass ring, step outside of your comfort zone and experience the "other". For the fortunate among us, a mentor may present themselves and help us to take those first shaky steps into the unfamiliar and exciting unknown. If this happens, take their help joyfully and let the adventure begin...

In case you haven't noticed, baby, it's cold outside. Winter is a great excuse to stay cozy indoors. Being averse to temperatures below 60 degrees, I don't need to be told twice. Unfortunately, a book at Barnes & Noble was calling my name, and I figured if I was going outside, I would make the trip worth my while...

Foodies inherently have a deep and abiding interest in all things food. I enjoy seeing how food springs from various cultures, how it impacts traditions and holidays and how food even makes its way into art. Art created with food, such as pudding finger paintings when we were in kindergarten, haven't particularly interested me, but movies where food is the leading character, well those, those are intriguing...

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the most-purchased cut of poultry in the U.S., but it's easy to overcook and generally bland. Thankfully, the solution to both problems happens to be both simple and fast -- a boldly flavored stir-fry. For this recipe from our book "Cook What You Have," which draws on pantry staples to assemble easy, weeknight meals, we rely on hoisin. ...

Jelly doughnuts, also known as sufganiyot, have become a classic Hanukkah treat, one of a number of foods fried in oil that are popular on the holiday ( latkes, or potato pancakes, are another). They're doughnuts without a central hole, fried and stuffed with jelly or jam. In Israel, jelly doughnuts for Hanukkah are especially popular, and are sometimes filled with chocolate or halvah too. They also can be prepared in savory versions, stuffed with meat or vegetables...

Each year, I try to share an entire column of cookie recipes with you as a kickoff to Christmas cookie baking season. Many of these cookies freeze well, so you can get a jump on all that needs to be done in the weeks ahead. Tomorrow marks the 24th year of this recipe column (I think), and what a fun way to kick off another year than with lots of cookies!...

It has been brought to my attention that an entire generation of young adults exist who either don't know Oprah Winfrey or do not fully grasp what she has accomplished in her career. This was brought to my attention via a tweet or a meme, which almost seems disrespectful...

The holidays are fast approaching, and with Thanksgiving's imminent return, I am already starting to feel the crunch. Cookies to make and freeze, family members to organize into a gathering where all can be present, presents to buy ... on and on and on, and most of the time, I kind of like the bustle. It makes my heart warm and fills the cold days with something to do. But sometimes, I need a breather, and I found the perfect place for that...

Happy Thanksgiving! It is crunch time to start your cooking for Thanksgiving. Your turkey is thawed and ready to go, make-ahead dishes are being prepared and refrigerated to bake later, and the table is set just ready for company. Such a busy time to prepare for such a special day. A day set aside for us to reflect and be thankful for all we are blessed with...

Three and a half years ago, in April of 2019, I accepted an invitation to brunch at Rusted Route Farms. Approximately three and a half weeks ago I happily accepted a second invitation to experience the Rusted Route Farms brunch extended by marketing manager Samantha Prost...

We can take for granted a person or an item that we interact with daily, but if you change the backdrop, suddenly they become new again. On vacation, you may notice the way the tropical sunset hits your loved one's face and remember how beautiful you find them. Or maybe when you are hiking and you find a lovely scenic spot to eat and pull out your favorite sandwich, and it tastes better because of all of the fresh air and the view. The backdrop matters...

I relish stories involving serendipitous moments, especially when the story is mine. I wasn't supposed to be downtown that Saturday morning. I should have been at the gym hours earlier. Instead, it was 9 a.m., and I was still trying to coax myself out of bed. Unfortunately, my usual self-talk tactics were not working, and I was on the brink of sabotaging my progress by officially declaring it a "me" day and scrapping my workout...

When I was a kid in Michigan, one of my favorite things to do after the first frost was pick apples from my great-uncle's farm (that was tradition up there, folks said it made the apples sweeter). It was an old apple orchard full of huge, gnarly trees, and it had been let go for some time. ...

Do you crave Mexican food? Are you a sucker for a quick, open and airy street food experience? Do you like the adventure of tracking down food trucks? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, you should plan on making the Mexico On Wheels food truck your next stop...

This Spooky Season, I got an invitation from a friend to go see the doubleheader of new Halloween movies at Marcus Cape West Cinema. The third and final installment is coming out soon, and she thought it would be fun to have a refresher so we wouldn't miss any of the third movie's references. ...

I was on a mission a couple of weeks ago. It all started when, after months of preparation and training, I faced an unexpected obstacle. I had no control over the situation and wasn't sure getting back on track was possible. I prayed while holding tightly to doubt and fear. Then, I got an idea. If I was going to achieve my goal, I needed to get my mind right. I needed unshakeable focus and discipline. I needed to become like the ninjas of lore...

Apple pie! Pumpkin spice! Buttered rum! This is how we embrace autumn at our home bar. Despite the drop in temperatures, cocktails flavored for fall don't need to taste deep, brooding or heavy. There are plenty of ways to harness the ingredients we associate with the season to craft cocktails that remain light and bright, yet also richly satisfying...

It was that quiet time between storms, that magical couple of hours between lunch and supper when most restaurant workers can catch their breath and people like me can eat without braving a crowd. Speck Pizza + Street Food at 430 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, having just opened for business on Sept. 1, still had a decent crowd but it was by no means full. Perfect...