ArcaMax

I was looking for a quick and comforting meal for this busy time of year, and creamy mac and cheese with store-bought cooked chicken was the perfect answer. Once the elbow macaroni is boiled, the rest of the ingredients come together in minutes.

This dinner can be ready in just 10 minutes. For a festive touch, I added fresh tomato pieces to a ...Read more

In my head, I knew exactly how the office chili potluck would go.

At the end of the meal, an ad hoc committee of my colleagues would approach me and say, "Gosh, Mr. Newman, this is the best chili we have ever had. And although we had not previously been planning to hand out a prize at this admittedly informal gathering, we have decided to award...Read more

It’s that time again.

I’ve been paging through my 2025 tasting notebooks, reviewing how many good and great wines I’ve sipped, as well as the number of boring overpriced duds. This year, my total of reds, whites, rosés and sparklers hit 2,874, from 26 countries. Admittedly, I sampled only a few from Moldova, Bolivia and Peru, but I plan ...Read more

CHICAGO -- With the holiday season coming to a close shortly, a gift guide to cooking treats and meals by some Chicago-based chefs might offer ideas for last-minute gifts.

Here’s a selection of five cookbooks that came out this year that could spark some inspiration in the kitchen.

“The Hoosier Mama Book of Breakfast Bakes: Biscuits, ...Read more

For our extended family holiday gatherings, we’ve dispensed with the big meal and go all in on appetizers.

We’ve found that not only does it take the pressure off the host — everyone brings an appetizer or two — but it gives the day a more laid-back feel for guests, too. No need to rush over for a predetermined mealtime; just come when ...Read more

Technically it’s always whiskey-sipping season in my house. But there is something extra cozy about the December chill that sparks the spirit of giving whiskey, too. The glint of colorful lights on a big ice cube rattling through a tumbler of amber elixir. The toasty vanilla perfume of barrel char, the punchy spice of distilled rye, a whiff of...Read more

With just three ingredients, you can pull together an impressive appetizer perfect for holidays or dinner parties. The tangy cranberries cut through the richness of the cheese to create a balanced bite. This quick appetizer can be easily doubled to feed a crowd.

3-Ingredient Cranberry-Brie Crostini

Serves 12

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total ...Read more

For years, even decades, common wisdom was that if you wanted to eat a heart-healthy diet, you should avoid eating eggs, which are high in cholesterol. Actually, egg whites were given a pass, because the yolks contain all the cholesterol. The rationale was that dietary cholesterol would raise levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially LDL (�...Read more

My mom really wasn’t a great cook, which I sometimes think is why I was so interested in food and cooking. She had four kids and making dinner every night was not a thrill for her, to say the least. But she did have her specialties like barbecued steak and great California salads. And this delicious soup is the taste memory I think about and ...Read more

Great hosts have great tricks. For a crowd, a spiral-sliced ham, served with homemade biscuits and a tart chutney, never fails to impress. For family dinners, chicken roasted with smoked salt and olive oil, bronzed to a golden finish, keeps them coming back for more.

For an intimate holiday dinner, boneless duck breasts, served with a creamy ...Read more