CHICAGO — CosMc’s, a new futuristic concept from McDonald’s, secretively opened its first location near Chicago Thursday. The fast-food chain originally announced that the beverage-focused shop would open in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Friday.

Some locals, though, noticed small lawn signs posted on-site stating that it was open to the public �...Read more

You don't have to be fan of "Game of Thrones" to know winter is coming.

The first snowflakes of the season swirled outside my window this afternoon, a sure sign fall's temperate weather will soon be in our rearview mirror.

A cozy sweater and heated car seats help to ward off the chill. But now is also the time to warm up both the body and soul...Read more

Pancakes are the superstar of the breakfast table — at least my breakfast table. A little sweet, a little eggy, a little salty and a touch buttery, they combine all the flavors people love in the morning (well, it's missing bacon, but you can serve that on the side). And, with this week's recipe, Butter-Toasted Oat Pancakes, you can also add ...Read more

Veal slices cut from the leg, slowly cooked in wine and herbs form the basis for this rich and tasty dish from Milan. The secret to this dish is a garnish of fresh parsley, grated lemon peel, and garlic called gremolada. It’s added at the end and gives the dish a light, fresh taste.

It only takes a few minutes to prepare the ingredients and ...Read more

The name of this week’s Best Bite nearly says it all.

First Dean’s, a well-known and respected name in quality dips. Second “dairy,” yes it’s made of milk, sort of like a ranch dip. Next, “Sports Bar,” yep, tastes just like you are at one (and I mean that in a good way). And “Deep Fried Pickle Flavored,” if you’ve ever had ...Read more

Some of the best and most comforting dishes take a long time to cook. With time more precious than ever during the holiday season, meals can add an extra level of pressure. But smart hosts know that a make-ahead plan, with a slow-cooker assist, can be the key to a memorable, relaxing meal.

Slow cookers don't get the respect they deserve. You ...Read more

Recently, I wrote about the worst food I ever had (pizzaburgers in the Cincinnati Public Schools) and asked people on social media for their worst foods ever.

Now, as night follows day, it is time to pay tribute to the best things we have ever eaten.

Once again, narrowing the choice down to a single spectacular dish or food was not easy. As I ...Read more

The holidays have long been a corporate event. Malls filled with eager gift shoppers browsing department stores such as Macy’s Inc. for perfumes or sweaters and Best Buy Co Inc. for new laptops or smartphones. Porches brimming with stacks of online orders from Amazon.com Inc. or Walmart Inc. stamped with their logos.

But increasingly, ...Read more

When top Japanese chefs and restaurateurs expand to the US, they have invariably headed to New York. Just look at the jammed counters at Yoshino, Odo and Sushi Nakazawa.

However, when first-time restaurateurs Samuel and Jose Tcherassi approached Hidefumi Namba, the revered shokunin, or craftsman, behind Tokyo’s eight-seat, referral-only Sushi...Read more

These cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Makes 15 bars

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

For the filling:

2 cups cranberries

Zest and juice of 1/2 orange

6...Read more

Q: How is apple cider vinegar made and is it healthy?

A: Vinegar can be made from a variety of fermentable carbohydrates, including grapes, berries, rice and, yes, apples. While it is fermenting, yeast turns food sugars into alcohol, and if acetic acid bacteria (acetobacter) are present, then the alcohol is converted to acetic acid, the main ...Read more

My life gets so busy as the holidays approach that I make this buttermilk-enriched coffee cake weeks ahead of Christmas or New Year’s brunch. And I have made this sweet treat so many times that I can guarantee it will be a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

This moist cake has a thick, rich layer of crispy chocolate and pecan crumb ...Read more

Our coastal travels this year had us enjoying tons of seafood — especially bivalves. Clams in Portugal, oysters in Maine, mussels in southern France, and scallops everywhere they were on the menu. In Paris and Santiago de Compostela, Spain, they serve them on the shell with a simple vinaigrette and herby garnish as a starter.

Memories of ...Read more

These nostalgic slice-and-bake snow globe cookies immediately bring back joyful holiday memories. My family didn’t do a lot of home baking when I was growing up, so grabbing a tube of the iconic sugar cookie dough from the grocery store was always considered a treat — I honestly still have a sweet spot for them.

Being the overachieving home...Read more

When it comes to Jewish foods, an everything bagel with a shmear of cream cheese is unquestionably my holy grail — it’s bready, creamy, and full of allium flavor.

The only downside to everything bagels with cream cheese? While they make perfect breakfast, brunch, and even lunch fare, they’re just not socially acceptable as a dinner food (...Read more

Chicken breasts are notoriously tricky to cook. Because they're lean, they tend to dry out quickly and their thickness varies significantly from end to end. Often, by the time the wide side has cooked through, the tapered end becomes stringy and tough.

There are a couple of tricks to employ to keep the meat tender, moist and juicy. The first, ...Read more

“Adult Happy Meals” will return to McDonald’s soon, this time with a nostalgic ‘80s toy.

The new Kerwin Frost Box is the fast-food chain’s latest spin on the childhood classic set to arrive at U.S. restaurants starting Dec. 11, McDonald’s announced in a Nov. 29 news release.

Teaming up with DJ and entertainer Kerwin Frost, the ...Read more

Most would agree one of the best parts of being on vacation is getting to try unfamiliar foods and cuisines and realizing, with the right recipes, you can re-create those tastes at home.

While my husband and I weren't too crazy about the skewered sardines and fried cuttlefish found in seafood restaurants and in the beach bars on a recent trip ...Read more

I love a good holiday gathering: the long conversations, the pretty drinks, the finger foods. But after the party is over, I'm usually hungry and ready to eat. When I'm too tired and too cold to wait for takeout and the restaurants are all booked up, I turn to my favorite holiday hacks. This year, it's packaged gnocchi. Ready in minutes without ...Read more