Articles filed under Pankey, Deborah

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  Get creative with potato salad this summerMay 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  Potato salad is a summertime staple. Whether you're at a backyard barbecue, family picnic or block party, there's bound to be a bowl of potato salad on the table. Even if you don't have time to mix up a batch of homemade potato salad, you can still bring a creative salad to the party by doctoring it up with a few extras.
  

   
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  Learn from my mistakes and have a bountiful gardenMay 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  This time last year I was knee deep in dirt. My husband had constructed a raised garden bed for me (my Mother's Day present) and my sons and I eagerly picked out plants for our vegetable plot. It marked my first attempt at growing something more than a lonely squash vine or a pot of herbs, and I learned a few things along the way.
  

   
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  Quirky cocktail concoctions and lively libationsMay 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Working on the margarita story got me thinking about other fun and funky spirits that have recently crossed my desk so I thought I'd share a few with you. I'll also fill you in on a special dinner and demo in Glen Ellyn and the opportunity to show your veggie pride.
  

   

• New cookbooks for busy familiesApr 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  We’ve all been there. We walk in the door after work or after a day of errands and carpooling with no clue what to put on the table for dinner. (If you haven’t been there, please keep your smugness to yourself and play along.) Sure it would be easy to fall back on baked chicken breast, again. But if you’re like other moms, 83 percent of moms in fact, you want more variety to serve at dinnertime (so says Survey.com). A batch of new cookbooks can help you break mealtime monotony.
  

   

• Get tickets to Chefs’ Fest before they run out Apr 17, 2012 12:00 AM
  Get your tickets to the April 24 Chef's Fest before they're gone, see suburban mom and cookbook author Gigi Verrey demonstrate making quick, healthy meals, and check out plans for Epicurious' two-day Chicago event. Daily Herald Food Editor Deb Pankey tells all about it in her column.
  

   
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  Symposium explores Midwest cuisine and culture Apr 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Ever wonder how the breaded pork chop sandwich got to be such a favorite in the Hoosier state or which Illinois wine might pair best with a Wisconsin cheddar? All those answers and a whole lot more will be answered later this month during Road Food: Exploring the Midwest One Bite at a Time.
  

   

• Make room for whole grains on your plateApr 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  Quinoa, bulgur and farro. Oh my! These whole grains are nothing to be frightened of. Make an effort to try these and other fiberful grains April 4 for National Whole Grain Sampling Day.
  

   
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  Time is right to go nuts for nuts Mar 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  Celebrate Elgin-based Fisher Nuts' 90th anniversary with nutty facts and recipes. Florida strawberry glut means lower prices at the store; Kuhn Rikon has a cute knife that makes quick work of hulling and slicing those cheap berries.
  

   
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  Green thumbs and beer on tap for weekend funMar 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  If you're eager to get your backyard garden started or learn more about local agriculture or want to watch top chefs cook with seasonal vegetables and decorate unique cakes you may need to skip the St. Patrick's Day parade. Between FamilyFarmed.org’s Good Food Festival and the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with the land and that which grows from it.
  

   
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  Going gluten free? Check out upcoming expo in Lombard Feb 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Eating foods free of gluten is a way of life for people who have celiac disease. If you are in that group, or if you know or cook for one of those afflicted people, make plans to attend the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo, April 14-15 in Lombard. Also, IKEA Schaumburg will be celebrating National Meatball Day with a weekend full of free meatballs, kids activities and a meatball recipe contest.
  

   
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  French recipes without fear in ‘Bonne Femme Cookbook' Feb 14, 2012 12:00 AM
  Meet Iowa writer and French cookbook author Wini Moranville in Winnetka as she interprets casual French cooking for today; Naperville pastry chef Megan Garrelts returns home to sign copies of her cookbook; and sip Chilean wines to raise money for Clearbrook.
  

   
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  Siphon brewing coffee Feb 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  I've always been a bit of an anomaly in the journalism world in that I don't drink coffee. I've tried a sip or two over the years, even ordered a mocha-frappa-iced something that a friend swore I would like. I love coffee's robust aroma, but its tongue-gripping bitterness stops me cold. So when I was invited to try the table-side siphon coffee service at All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, my first inclination was thanks, but no thanks.
  

   
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  2012 flavor forecast Feb 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  When it comes to food, people around the world are more alike than different. “If there's one thing the food lovers of the world have in common, it's that we approach eating with greater curiosity than ever before and really celebrate the enjoyment of it," says chef Mark Garcia for McCormick United States
  

   
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  Braised Cod with Gingered Carrot-Coconut SauceFeb 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Braised Cod with Gingered Carrot-Coconut Sauce
  

   
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  Dragon Beef for Chinese New Year feast Jan 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  Don't despair if you didn't celebrate the Chinese New Year Monday. Chinese New Year festivities continue for 15 days, so you have plenty of opportunities still to welcome in the Year of the Dragon with long noodles (for long life), oranges (for prosperity) and fiery foods (for dragon breath).
  

   
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  Glen Ellyn mom helps take stress out of mealtime Jan 18, 2012 12:00 AM
  I'm so less stressed when I actually take time to plan the week's dinners that you'd think I would do it more often. But alas, I do not. Janet Spiech has been there too, but she worked her way through it and now this Glen Ellyn mom wants to help me and countless others get back on the path to seamless supper time with “A Little Book to Ease Meal-Time Madness,” which contains ideas for taking the stress out of family meals.
  

   
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  Expert predicts how you'll eat in 2012 Jan 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  More men and reduced-sugar products at the grocery store predicted as 2012 food trends; chef David Maish offers soup secrets in recipe booklet; Crystal Lake mom teaches kids to love their fruits and vegetbles.
  

   

• Infused butter adds interest to morning meals Dec 21, 2011 12:00 AM
  You’ve baked dozens of cookies already and more kitchen time is in your future as you craft the big holiday feast. Family and friends will be staying for the weekend and as much as you’d like to treat them to a special breakfast you’re not sure you have it in you to whip up a french toast casserole or cheesy quiche. Bagels from the corner bakery and a hot pot of fresh coffee might be all you can muster. With a few new products you can turn that simple spread into a special brunch.
  

   
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  Chef/mom urges restaurants to offer healthier kids meals Dec 14, 2011 12:00 AM
  Sarah Stegner knows there's nothing wrong with her 7-year-old daughter eating a hamburger or slice of cheese pizza every once in a while, but for families with young kids who dine out often, those calorie-laden kid menu favorites can be in the dinner rotation far too often. So Stegner, chef/owner at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook (and its sister Prairie Fire in Chicago), is sounding the call to offer smaller portions and healthier options to children.
  

   
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  Winning cookie could win you dough Dec 6, 2011 12:00 AM
  Decorating Christmas cookies with my sons is one of my favorite holiday traditions made even sweeter when Grandma Sharon, Uncle Pat or friends can join the fun.But between work, school and swim meets it's hare to find time to make the dough. Then I learned about GFS Marketplace's Holiday Cookie Dough. For $9.99 you get a 72-count box of precut sugar cookie trees, stars and ornaments that are ready to bake (eight to 12 minutes at 375 degrees) and decorate (or decorate and bake if that's how you do it at your house).