CHICAGO — As America’s 250th birthday approaches, what could be more fitting than a giardiniera-infused hot dog, fried apple pie or a fireworks-topped mini Bundt cake? There’s no shortage of unusual patriotic-themed menu offerings as fast-food giants gear up to celebrate a special July Fourth in the land of the Big Gulp and the home of the...Read more

This high-protein cucumber salad features cottage cheese as its creamy base, replacing the traditional mayonnaise or sour cream. Crisp cucumber slices are folded into the mix for a light yet satisfying texture packed with protein. This salad makes a perfect cooling side dish for summer meals.

High-Protein Creamy Cucumber Salad

Serves 4

Active...Read more

Southerners have a lovely habit of keeping a sweet treat on the counter at all times. I’ve lived in the South long enough to have adopted this tradition, and it’s not uncommon for me to share a slice of pound cake with friends who stop by. I’ve been inspired...Read more

Summer means grilling season. Burger patties, sausages and more occupy the grill on any given day. After a successful trip to the farmers market, we offer up grill space to the likes of skinny eggplant, bright green okra pods, peppers and more.

Eggplant and okra are naturals for the grill. The dry heat reduces the slippery texture that turns ...Read more

Q: What are liquid aminos and what are they used for?

A: Liquid aminos are a liquid seasoning that people often use instead of soy sauce. They are made from soybeans and water, or from fermented coconut sap in the case of coconut aminos. They have a savory, slightly sweet taste and contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. ...Read more

Recently I served this to guests as a first course, and it was so well received I had to share the recipe.

When it comes to the dough, if you aren’t a pastry person, feel free to use a store-bought fresh pie dough and then roll it out into a 13-inch round. I like to use a removable springform disc or removable tart pan bottom to center the ...Read more

There are so many amazing ways to make egg salad. You can make curried egg salad, a mayonnaise-free egg and avocado salad, or even a homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4241142">Read more

I feel like a wily old fish in a calm part of a stream. McDonald’s is casting its line toward me, and the bait is a hot apple pie.

I haven’t had food from McDonald’s in 40 years. I haven’t had their iced tea — which I would occasionally drink even when I didn’t have their food — in 20 years. That is also the last time I set foot ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- It started with $500 and a comped meal at Hollywood Thai.

That's what the family-run Thai Town restaurant paid an influencer in exchange for a single social media post. When that post didn't immediately materialize, the owners aired their frustrations on Instagram. The internet responded, roiling with online comments that ...Read more

PITTSBURGH -- Summer entertaining comes with some definite perks.

Menus are more relaxed because we’re often cooking simple foods like burgers or chicken on the grill, and with farmers markets in full swing, there are so many seasonal fruits and vegetables available that virtually any recipe is easy to source.

Being in vacation mode also ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to grilling, one day stands above all the others year after year: July 4.

Last year, an estimated 70% of mid- to high-end grill owners cooked their holiday meals on charcoal or gas grills, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. And we’ll probably do it again this coming Independence Day.

...Read more

CHICAGO -- Joe Frillman, owner and executive chef of Daisies in Chicago’s Logan Square, was thrilled when he first learned that the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainability in 2024. He said his first thought was a resounding, slightly surprised, “Wow!”

Not because it was a jaw-dropping shocker — Daisies’ very ...Read more

This blueberry crisp captures a perfect balance between sweet summer blueberries and tart lemon flavors. Topped with a streusel laced with warming spices and baked to perfection, this is the perfect summer dessert paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Frozen blueberries work well too. Because they retain more liquid and are a little less ...Read more

It’s hard to beat a day of hiking in one of our glorious National Parks. Well, unless dessert at sunset includes a warm serving of s’mores bread pudding! Seated at an outdoor patio just outside of Zion National Park, hikers hit the jackpot with this dessert.

S’mores, a quintessential American sweet treat perfect for the Fourth of ...Read more

Q: Is ghee healthier than butter?

A: Ghee is a type of clarified butter that has been used in cooking for centuries. Recently, it has become popular as a possible healthier alternative to butter. While ghee and butter are very similar, ghee does have a few benefits in certain situations.

One advantage of ghee is that it can be heated to higher...Read more

I developed this recipe at that particular time of the year in New England where the weather is warmer, but only just, and it’s raining all the time. This lightly sweet, fruity cocktail is a delightful mix of gin, fresh lemon juice, and blackberry liqueur. Similar to other bright, refreshing cocktails, like the homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4235682">Read more

As a Seriously Simple cook, I develop ways to streamline and reinterpret classic dishes. Sometimes the traditional dishes don’t need much alteration. Case in point, these two classic salads are always welcome on a picnic or barbecue event. Little adjustments like apple in the slaw and celery seed in the potato salad are familiar tiny twists.

...Read more

A sponge cake (also called a foam cake) is a light and tender cake that gets its texture from whipped eggs. Cakes like angel food, genoise, chiffon, and homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4235679">Read more

LOS ANGELES -- It was approaching noon on a recent Saturday and a small crowd was forming outside of Southern Girl Desserts, a now-closed cookie shop at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw shopping plaza.

"Are you here for Daisy's tour?" Each person asked as they approached the group. We introduced ourselves while we waited for host Daisy Miles to ...Read more

PITTSBURGH -- If you love the fiery kick of Buffalo sauce, chances are you’ve reached for it countless times over the years to sauce up wings served at a tailgate, or to add some oomph to one of Pittsburgh’s favorite party appetizers — Buffalo chicken dip.

The classic and irresistible pairing of fat and acid is nothing short of genius; ...Read more