Young Wines Mirror Spring Magic...

By Doc Lawrence. Then younger than springtime, am I, Gayer than laughter, am I, Angel and lover, heaven and earth, Am I with you! (From “South Pacific.”) “South Pacific” was one of the first movies I recall from childhood. It played at Atlanta’s Fox Theater, an architectural and cultural treasure where over the years I would see Elvis, Johnny Cash, Elton John, the Metropolitan Opera and a special concert by...

Kitchen Herb Garden, Plan Now and Plant Soon...

By Marsha Fottler. March is the month to plan the best, most convenient and most productive kitchen herb garden that any cook could covet. Sound like a springtime fantasy? It’s not only possible but proven if you follow a few easy guidelines. The first day of spring is March 20 so start choosing your candidates for a stellar herb garden now. Strategy 1. Plant herbs in containers (plastic or lightweight composite so...

Food Buzz – Truffle Salt...

By Marsha Fottler. Just when you thought you were all set for gourmet salts, you’re going to want to make room for one more – truffle salt. This addition to your spice rack could become addictive because its so versatile and good tasting. It’s a blend of Italian ground truffles (up to 10%) harvested mostly from the Abruzzi area and sea salt. Truffle & Salt Using truffle salt intensifies the taste profile of...

Masa, A Heavenly Gift to Cooks and Eaters...

by Kelley Lavin. While on a recent trip to my home state of Arizona, I began to ponder the nature of heavenly gifts. Unlike so many travelers before me, I didn’t contemplate the famous red rocks of Sedona or the ethereal fragrance of the desert after a short winter rain. What moved me and brought back taste memories was my first bite of masa, the earthy corn dough found under the corn husk wrapping of a tamale. It...

Don’t Deconstruct My Meal...

by Chef Judi Gallagher & Marsha Fottler. Forgive the rant. You see, I (Judi) am of the chef school where we actually prepare foods. We were taught to match flavor profiles and blend exotic tastes before roasting, searing or grilling at the exact temperature to ensure the ingredients created a near perfect dish. We practiced the five mother sauces until our master-chef instructors deemed it correct and ready to blend...

Passover Food Memories and Recipes For Today’s C...

By Chef Judi Gallagher. I love March because it reminds me of wonderful family Passover meals. My nana would take the train from Yonkers, New York to Connecticut carrying bundles of smoked white fish, herring and the best chocolate macaroons I have ever tasted. My mother’s birthday often fell on one of the eight days of Passover; we celebrated with a giant made-for-Passover sponge cake, created with a dozen eggs, (who...

Blueberries to Bok Choy: An Organic Farmer Reveals...

by Herb Gardener. Research has demonstrated that blueberries boost the immune system and fight free radicals. It took Southwest Florida farmer and organic produce entrepreneur Mitch Blumenthal to discover the fruit also has a salutary effect on dreams. “My passion for organic farming developed first as a landowner who didn’t want to use caustic chemicals on his property,“ Blumenthal says. “When we bought our first...