FROM the FARM: Velvety chicken pate a taste of luxury

By Philip Potempa philip.potempa@nwi.com 219.852.4327

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

A kebab as happy on the grill as under the broiler

J.M. Hirsch Associated Press

The trouble with spring is that we get eager to grill, but we can't always count on the weather to cooperate.

Science helps craft the perfect mac and cheese

Scott Heimendinger Associated Press

Imagine your favorite cheese: perhaps an aged, sharp cheddar, or maybe a blue Gorgonzola or a gentle Monterey Jack. Wouldn't it be wonderful to use those really good cheeses you love on nachos or as a sauce on macaroni or steamed vegetables?

Pasta carbonara remade as a delicious summer salad

Alison Ladman Associated Press

Pasta carbonara - richly cheesy, creamy and studded with crisped pancetta - is easily one of the most comforting of pasta dishes.

Need easy wine tips for picnics? Experts chime in

Michelle Locke Associated Press

Picking up some fresh wines for summer is in the bag - or shopping cart, actually - as supermarkets get in touch with their inner sommeliers.

The secret to a great burger? Less is more!

Elizabeth Karmel Associated Press

When the weather turns warm, I find myself craving the smell and taste of a great homemade burger off the grill.

Americans eating more smoked seafood products

Clarke Canfield Associated Press

There's no smoke and mirrors about it - Americans are eating a lot more smoked seafood than they used to.

Foodie Finds

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Local herb society crafts varied recipes from wild ingredients

Jane Ammeson Times Correspondent

What to many of us would look like a collection of weeds - after all, I have spent hours pulling chickweed from my gardens before learning that it is edible and tasty - are the foods that once made up the ingredients of ancestors' meals.

Poppy Seed Fruit Salad

By

Poppy Seed Fruit Salad

Chesterton European Market is back and Colman's Mustard prepares for 200th year

The sun arrives just in time for opening day at the Chesterton European Market, Miller Bakery Cafe is humming with a solid Midwestern meat and fish menu and Colman's Mustard keeps calm and carries on at National Restaurant Show in Chicago thi…

Blue Line Coffee Crawl

The Blue Line Coffee Crawl is the first-ever established Chicago specialty coffee crawl with a workshop twist. This is a foodie adventure for the coffee lover.

A Day of Beauty and Brunch

Enjoy a day of food, fun and relaxation for one great price. Indulge in an abundance of pastries, desserts, fresh fruit and more. After breakfast, head over to the beauty department for a pampering session.

Rising son: Every day is Mother's Day in the kitchen for Paula Deen and her boys

By Philip Potempa philip.potempa@nwi.com, (219) 852-4327

There's nothing wrong with brothers being competitive for a mother's attention, as long as the rivalry is in the kitchen.

FROM THE FARM: Gov. Otis Bowen and wife Beth were Hoosier famed names

By Philip Potempa philip.potempa@nwi.com (219) 852-4327

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Cuisine of Jacques Pepin stars at Ivy Tech dinner

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

During a recent dinner at Ivy Tech's East Chicago campus, guests were welcomed into Le Pelican Restaurant.

Easy, beautiful blend of eggs and veggies for Mom

Alison Ladman Associated Press

Mom always said to eat your vegetables, so this Mother's Day serve her breakfast in bed inspired by a walk through the garden.

Demystifying a Mother's Day ham and cheese quiche

J.M. Hirsch Associated Press

Quiche has a reputation as a complicated dish. And I'm not sure why.

Growing crowd of celebrity wines take spotlight

Michelle Locke Associated Press

Fancy having Brangelina, Drew Barrymore and Dan Aykroyd over for dinner? No problem, they'll even bring the wine.

An easy mousse for Mom the kids can help make

Alison Ladman Associated Press

It doesn't matter how skilled - or not - your kids are in the kitchen. This easy, fruity mousse parfait is a great Mother's Day project they can help with.

Foodie Finds

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

New owners re-open an iconic Miller bistro and Bell's takes over taproom in New Buffalo

More signs of season as Miller Bakery opens for dinner and cocktails and Bell's craft brews takeover taproom at Bentwood Tavern beginning next Thursday.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore Magazine.

Around the World in 80 Sips

The 5th annual signature Around the World in 80 Sips tasting is back, complete with more than 80 unlimited 1 oz tastings accompanied by light appetizers.

Columbia Culinary Cup 2013

This festive evening of food and drink, benefitting the Columbia Yacht Club Legacy Foundation, has grown from an intimate gathering of a few chefs to an extravaganza party under the tent.

Cinco de Mayo party menus filled with flavor, fun

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

Mexican cuisine is often a popular choice for party menus. And when it comes to Cinco de Mayo celebrations, everything from authentic Mexican dishes to contemporary Latin-inspired recipes, are fit to star at a home fiesta.

FROM the FARM: Reader buys soap for her squirrels

By Philip Potempa philip.potempa@nwi.com 219.852.4327

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

Kitchen Spotlight: 'Anything Goes' actress sails through cooking craft

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The actress, a native of Kent, England, is currently one of the stars in "Anything Goes," running through May 5 at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Healthy French toast with a hidden chocolate layer

Sara Moulton Associated Press

Time for a confession. As a child, I never once celebrated Mother's Day. My parents thought the holiday was nothing more than a cheesy excuse to sell greeting cards, and who was I to argue?

Big flavor, not effort, in honey-paprika chicken

J.M. Hirsch Associated Press

Sweet and smoky and spicy are three flavors that work wonderfully together, and this recipe for roasted chicken thighs is a fast, easy and delicious way to make that point.

The fresh, mainstream look of vegetarian cooking

Michel Kayal Associated Press

Not so long ago, there was a certain image associated with being vegetarian. It usually involved Birkenstocks, lentil loaf and an agenda.

Foodie Finds

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Miller Beach Marketplace takes a step up

Jane Ammeson Times Correspondent

"In the next five years, I think Gary is going to be the coolest place in the world," Carmella Saraceno tells me as we sit at one of the cafe tables under a brightly colored beach umbrellas suspended from the ceiling of her recently opened Mi…

Taste of Ethiopia

Chicago's first "Taste of Ethiopia" is presented by the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago Auxiliary Board. Bring your friends and sample delicious, authentic Ethiopian cuisine as prepared by Demera, experience a live food demonstrati…

The Perfect One Day Chicago Outing With Food

At Lula Cafe, my daughter Ida K. Ansell ordered one of the few Chicago dishes that cannot be duplicated successfully in New Orleans—tomato slice, goat cheese, slivers of red onion and smoked salmon on top of a large, probabaly house-made bage…

The fresh, mainstream look of vegetarian cooking

MICHELE KAYAL Associated Press

Not so long ago, there was a certain image associated with being vegetarian. It usually involved Birkenstocks, lentil loaf and an agenda.

Apna Ghar's 5th Annual Taste for Life

Guests have the opportunity to sample food from top restaurants in the Chicago area. In addition to the exquisite cuisine from local chefs, guests can enjoy fine wine, live music, and a live auction filled with great prizes. The event support…

'Cake Boss' star Buddy Valastro unveils fun products for home baking

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The aroma of sweet pastries and cakes filtered through a corner of Chicago's McCormick Place during last month's International Home and Housewares Show.

FROM the FARM: Raccoon up to mischief in farm chicken coop

By Philip Potempa philip.potempa@nwi.com 219.852.4327

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

'Burger Land' show host dishes on best US burgers

Alicia Rancilio Associated Press

If you love a good burger, you might think George Motz has the best job ever. He crisscrosses the country as the host of Travel Channel's new series "Burger Land," looking for the best burgers in America.

Mastering creamy pureed potatoes, no fat required

Scott Heimendinger Associated Press

When made just right, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food: smooth, creamy, warm and filling - not to mention a perfect vehicle for gravy.

Whole-wheat pasta redeemed with chard and cheese

Sara Moulton Associated Press

No matter how unimpeachable whole-wheat pasta is in terms of nutritional cred, I've always found it off-putting.

Foodie Finds

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited. Las…

Kitchen Spotlight: Local actor honors grandmother with recipe

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

Vasily Deris grew up with a respect for good food and great hospitality. "My parents have run many restaurants," said Deris, a resident of Homer Glenn, Ill.

Spring Mystery Dinner: A Seasonal First

An important difference in being a volunteer board member server at South Shore Arts annual auction item mystery dinner, as opposed to being a server at anything else, is that Chefs Gary (Bartlett's) and Nicole (Bistro 157) take care that the…

Chicago Artists Coalition Starving Artist Extravaganza in June

Starving Artist pairs celebrated local artists with renowned Chicago chefs who collaborate on edible and aesthetic presentations. The event will take place on Saturday June 29th.

FOTS 2013: Food by Bistro and Chocolates by Kilwin's St. Joe

The 2nd Annual Fashion on the Shore event brings emerging student designers together with the best food in Berrien County at the Heritage Center in St. Joseph, Michigan next Friday night.

Office taste test rates Chicago's best pizza

Eloise Marie Valadez Eloise.Valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365

The aroma of tomato sauce, cheese, and sausage filled the newsroom as hungry journalists prepared to rate favorite pizzas on flavor, texture, crust, and overall excellence.