05/06/2008

Neal Newsom's grapes are coveted by the top Texas wineries

COURTNEY PERRY/DMN

On 90 acres near Plains, Texas, Neal and Janice Newsom grow cabernet sauvignon, merlot, orange muscat and other varietal grapes for 10 Texas wineries. Learn what life at the vineyard is like.
Wine list: 7 gold-medal wines under $12
More wine and entertaining news

05/11/2008

Spring greens are loaded with nutrition and flavor
Spring greens, usually a combination of mizuna, tatsoi, red oakleaf, sorrel, arugula and frisee, used to show up only at high-end restaurants but recently has become a year-round staple in supermarket produce aisles.

05/09/2008

Mom's Amazing Meatloaf
Growing up, I often boasted that my mom made the best meatloaf. And since Mother's Day is such a nostalgic time, I'm preparing the original recipe in her honor.

05/10/2008

Marinade Moroccan-style chicken while you're at work
When it's grilling season, it's easier to avoid the takeout trap.Spending a few minutes in the morning creating a marinade for a healthy protein such as chicken or fish can ensure that a tasty entree is ready for quick cooking on the grill when the workday's done.

05/08/2008

As food costs soar, restaurants swap ingredients to get by

Struggling with soaring food costs and cash-strapped customers, restaurants across the country are swapping expensive ingredients for cheaper fare and adding new dishes that won't break their bottom line.

05/06/2008

Passionate Icebox Pie perfect for Mother's Day
This Mother's Day, we're giving ourselves the gift of not cooking. We'll start out in a restaurant and then let our families wear the chef hats for the rest of the day. They'll love making today's Passionate Icebox Pie.

Transform Avocado Chicken Salad into wraps for second meal
Prepare Avocado Chicken Salad (see recipe) for your mother on her special day. For dessert, buy the prettiest Mother's Day cake you can find and serve it with Mom's favorite fat-free ice cream .

Stacked crab and avocado with wasabi makes tasty appetizer
Jumbo lump crab can be pricey, especially when it's out of season. However, it makes a delicious appetizer, and since it has such a rich taste, a little goes a long way.

05/01/2008

Stack up layered salads in a drink glass for simple stylish entertaining

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Here's a smart secret for the busy host. These individual stacked salads are made a day ahead of time in rocks glasses, the short, wide glasses used for mixed drinks. We'll show you how it works, and give you a variety of salads to try.

05/02/2008

Pick-your-own fruit season is peaking in Texas for strawberries and more
Pick-your-own season is about to hit its peak in Texas with blackberries, blueberries, peaches and more, ripe and ready. Leading the season are strawberries, rows upon rows of them, at Gnismer Farms in Arlington. In fact, this is probably the final week before the picking there (and elsewhere in Texas) transitions to blackberries and other late-spring produce.
Video: Visit Gnismer strawberry farm

05/06/2008

New tastes: Maxxed Energy Pops

If your morning java just isn't giving you enough jolt, now you can get a boost while channeling your inner child.

05/05/2008

How to grill bone-in chicken breasts

I can grill up a burger, hot dog or even a swordfish steak with the best. But truth be told, perfecting the chicken breast — juicy in the middle, caramelized exterior — is a nerve-racking experience. But it can be done with a little grill sense.

04/30/2008

Wine tasting: Matching wine with rich Southern cheese grits and bacon-wrapped shrimp

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Decadent versions of grits now flank sophisticated entrees at upscale American restaurants. Here are wines for less than $20 that pair well with this rich dish.
Recipe: Baked Cheese Grits
Recipe: Bacon-wrapped shrimp

05/03/2008

Ginger-soy salmon gets high marks for omega-3s
It's always nice to be told to eat more of a delicious, fatty food, as in the case of salmon.

04/30/2008

Organic milk prices headed higher, Dean Foods CEO says
Discussion of the price hike came as Dallas-based Dean Foods announced a drop of more than 50 percent in reported first-quarter profit, due in part to greater interest payments and rising dairy costs.

Sunflower to open organic grocery in Plano
Undeterred by a growing list of grocery competitors in the Dallas area, Sunflower Farmers Market, a Colorado-based organic and natural supermarket chain, said it's opening a Plano store later this year.

Foraging: Biscotti flavor that stands up to your espresso
We're finicky about store-bought biscotti – too often, they disappoint with blandness. But Dunkluv Biscotti, a small company in Grapevine, makes some wonderful versions of the twice-baked cookies.

Salmon shortage raises prices
Bad news for salmon lovers: The price of this popular, healthful fish is up for the foreseeable future. "The bottom line is there's definitely a shortage of fish all the way around," says Ricardo Martinez, salmon buyer and general manager for Ocean Beauty Seafood's Dallas operation. That drives prices higher, although he won't predict by how much.

Lunch on the range, with Texas authors Paula Disbrowe and Robb Walsh
You never know what'll happen when two naturalized Texans bring their talents for witty food writing to a luncheon crowd.

Guacamole for Cinco de Mayo

04/29/2008

Cut the calories in Bruschetta Chicken but keep the flavor
Bruschetta Chicken is fast, easy to fix and great to serve company. But it could be more nutritious.

Eat for Life: Banana bread recipe gets flaxseeds' omega-3s on the table

04/22/2008

A new spin on book clubs: Cooking together

BEN FREDMAN/DMN

Each month, this group of foodies gathers to cook a meal inspired by the book they just read. Here's how they throw the party.
Recipes for Strawberry Salad, Asparagus Quiche and more
Tips for your own bookclub party

04/16/2008

Find winning wines from DMN wine competition

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

In the largest commercial wine competition outside California, judges tasted 3,500 wines from around the world.
Database of winners
Budget wines: 7 gold-medal winners under $12
Game: Can you judge a wine by its label?

04/23/2008

Sam's Club limits rice purchases
Sam's Club, the membership warehouse division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is limiting how much rice customers can buy because of what it calls "recent supply and demand trends."

04/22/2008

Fire up the grill to give better flavor to veggies
We all know that grilling is a great way to cook a steak, burgers, chicken or ribs. But if you're not grilling your vegetables, you're missing out on one of the tastiest trends in cooking. Here's a veggie grilling guide.

04/23/2008

Low-carbon food rolled out for conscientious consumers
Not every student in line at the University of Redlands cafeteria was ready for self-sacrifice to save the planet. "No hamburger patties?" asked an incredulous football player at the Southern California school, repeating the words of the grill cook. He glowered at the posted sign: "Cows or cars? Worldwide, livestock emits 18 % of greenhouse gases, more than the transportation sector! Today we're offering great-tasting vegetarian choices."

04/21/2008

Modified versions of salad dressings add flavor without excess fat
Dressings are the draw for many restaurant salads, but the sweet and tangy mixtures can toss lots of extra calories and fat grams into bowls.

Weeknight Paella goes together like a stir-fry
Like a stir-fry, which is made in a wok, paella typically is made in a special wide, flat, two-handled pan. But, unlike a stir-fry, paella is not a quick dish. Weeknight Paella uses quick-cooking brown rice to speed things up.

04/16/2008

Crisp snacks from leftover tortillas or pita
Sometimes, you buy a package of fresh corn tortillas or pita bread and have a handful left over. Here's what you can do with them:

04/15/2008

Pillsbury Bake-Off winner: A million-dollar cookie

Pillsbury

Carolyn Gurtz, of Gaithersburg, Md., took home $1 million for her peanut butter cookies at the Pillsbury Bake-Off in Dallas.
Video: Winner's reaction
Recipes: Classic Bake-off recipes and more

04/16/2008

7 gold-medal winning wines for $12 or less
No disrespect intended to $100 wines, but the real finds in a wine competition are budget wines worthy of gold medals. These wines are meant to be poured today, and so are delicious right now.

Arcodoro & Pomodoro chef Francesco Farris hosts legendary dinners at home

WILLIAM DESHAZER/Staff Photographer

Chef Francesco Farris preps Japanese pork chops for his backyard party at his Dallas home.

Word to the wise: If Francesco Farris asks you to dinner at his 1940s Bluffview bungalow, say yes, cancel everything and get there as fast as you can. When it comes to entertaining, Mr. Farris, executive chef at Arcodoro & Pomodoro in Dallas, does not cut corners.

Love pinot noir? Visit Healdsburg, Calif.

Russian River Valley Winegrowers

Pinot noir vines stretch across MacMurray Ranch, southwest of Healdsburg, Calif.

It takes chilly conditions to produce red-hot pinot noir, and the cool, foggy Russian River Valley in northwest Sonoma County is the place where many of California's most exciting pinots are made. Americans can't get enough pinot noir, so the best course is to go to the source – with a home base in Healdsburg – to taste and to buy pinots.

7 local experts offer their tips on enjoying wine
Seven local experts dish on everything from their favorite sparklers to what to order with seabass and steak.

3 must-visit Santa Fe restaurants, from authors who know
Award-winning cookbook writers Bill Jamison and Cheryl Alters Jamison ate their way around the world. But the eats aren't bad on their home turf. Here's news about their latest book and three of their favorite Santa Fe restaurants.

04/18/2008

What beer geeks know
Beer is back. The new beer subculture is fueled by a wave of artisanal beers the likes of which you'd never see in a television ad. Beer connoisseurs – some might call them beer geeks – have a sophisticated appreciation for fine beer that would astound Joe Six-Pack. Like wine geeks, they're particular about what they drink. You won't find them hosting a keg party.

04/15/2008

Passover inspires a creative approach to tradition
For cooks who usually rely on processed or prepared foods, preparing Passover meals may be difficult. Here's help for new cooks, and inspiration for those looking for fresh ideas.

04/14/2008

Pillsbury contestants cooking their way to $1 million prize at Dallas hotel

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Check out the scene at Monday's 5-hour Pillsbury Bake-Off held at the Fairmont Hotel Dallas. On Tuesday, one of the 100 contestants will win a $1 million prize.
Video: Watch the set-up
Recipes: Get recipes from Texas finalists and more

Area cooks set for Pillsbury Bake-off in Dallas

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Raul De Alva attaches handles to refrigerators that will be used in the Bake-off

100 contestants will light up the ovens at the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-off Monday in the Regency Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel Dallas. The winner will cart away $1 million, and nervousness is as omnipresent as sugar and eggs.
Video: Watch the set-up
Recipes: Get classic recipes and those from Texas finalists

2 ways to enjoy fresh green peas
Try Minted Peas with Feta Cheese and Green Peas with Scallions to add a new veggie to your diet.

04/12/2008

FDA: 23 people in 14 states sickened by tainted cereals
At least 23 people in 14 states have been sickened by the same strain of salmonella found in two breakfast cereals recalled by Malt-O-Meal, the federal Food and Drug Administration said Saturday. Texas was not one of the states listed.

03/25/2008

Snappy wines to serve with saucy red snapper

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Red Snapper Veracruzana's complex sauce makes pairing a wine with the dish tricky.

This month, spring fever left the wine panel dreaming of the Mexican coast – not for a beach trip, but for red snapper prepared Veracruz style and served with a glass of wine. Our wine experts found the perfect wines under $25 to fit this fantasy, plus a recipe for the snapper.
Recipe: Red Snapper Veracruzana

03/10/2008

7 ways to build a better sandwich

DMN

Perhaps you've eaten too many ho-hum sandwiches – so many that you consider sandwiches a cop-out. If so, it's time to rebuild your sandwich repertoire. Here are seven great ideas for lunch or dinner.

10/16/2007

Eating green: Buy food produced close to Dallas

MELANIE BURFORD/DMN

Shopping at Sprouts Farmers Market

Food is shipped an average of 1,500 miles before reaching supermarket shelves. There's a lot involved in deciding what foods make the biggest impact on the environment, but there are several simple ways to make earth-friendly choices.
Shopping guide: Local food sources in the Dallas area

02/05/2008

Dallas chefs share treasured caldo de pollo recipes

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Homemade chicken soup is one of those soul-filling dishes that reach across generations and transcend ethnicities. The rich, golden broth soothes and satisfies like nothing else. In its Mexican incarnation, homestyle chicken soup is called caldo de pollo.
Recipes: Get caldo de pollo and caldo de res recipes from Los Lupes and Monica's Aca y Alla.

02/11/2008

20 easy recipes from spinach souffle

Manicotti Florentine

Spinach soufflé: a beloved side dish and base. With the addition of a few ingredients, spinach soufflé can become Spinach Pinwheels in Puff Pastry or the filling for a Chicken Taco Florentine. It can top pizza or stuff pasta. The recipes all start with that familiar red box, right there at eye level, in the grocer's freezer (on the way to the ice cream).

02/01/2008

Easy brownies to fill your cravings

LUI KIT WONG/Tacoma News Tribune

If you think you can't bake, brownies are for you. Take a few pantry ingredients, a couple of bowls, a whisk, a spatula, a pan and an oven set to 325 F. Within an hour, you're staring at delicious baked chocolate.
Video: Cream cheese frosting techniques transforms a brownie recipe.

01/25/2008

Make the ideal Tortilla Casserole

KYE R. LEE/DMN

Tortilla casseroles are as old as old tortillas: Mexican cooks devised them as a way to use up stale tortillas. But more than a vehicle for leftovers, the dish has evolved into a classic, migrating from humble homes to gourmet kitchens.
More Tex-Mex recipes

01/08/2008

You can do it: Master the souffle

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

If you acquire the skill to make a soufflé, you'll have everyone at the table convinced that you are one heck of a great cook.
Recipes | Step by step photos
Rise No.1 soufflé bistro plans to put French dish on the Dallas map
Video: Watch French Room's chef bake one

01/03/2008

Got ricotta? Then you have a simple dessert
If you've got a container of whole-milk ricotta cheese on hand, you're well on your way to a simple dessert.

10/02/2007

Easy recipes chefs cook for themselves

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Dinner tonight: One of our featured chefs makes quesadillas -- you can too!

Even chefs need to cut themselves a break once in a while. We asked John Coleman, chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas; Brian Olenjack, of Olenjack's Grille and David Uygur of Lola the Restaurant, to share what they make on their day off. Here are their recipes and strategies for cooking.

09/26/2007

Our experts pair red wines with prime rib-eye steaks

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

With prize-worthy cattle visiting the State Fair of Texas this month, the wine panel's thoughts turned to beef – not your everyday cut and grade, but prime rib-eye, the king of steaks. Here's how to select the best steak, and the best bottle of wine to go with it for less than $25.
Video: How to make the best steak you can -- at home

09/20/2007

Puff the magic pastry makes entertaining easier

JUAN GARCIA

Cinnamon-Walnut Twists

Frozen puff pastry and a simple filling makes easy appetizers, entrees and desserts. Here's a host of recieps to try it in.

05/09/2007

Cook's Illustrated offers the book on the best roast chicken
Now, time-starved cooks can take their places in the gourmet kitchen with the experts' blessings. The editors of Cook's Illustrated have reached across the divide between the practicing foodie and the aspiring foodie with The Best Make-Ahead Recipe.

05/01/2007

Texas authors Paula Disbrowe and Robb Walsh put their own spins on country cooking

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Two authors. Two students of the Western way of life. Two visions of what might be called "cow cuisine." Check out their thoughts, plus their best recipes.

04/25/2007

Cider-braised Pork with Onions and Apples

04/18/2007

Rising-star chefs share recipes
Each year, the Rising Stars Chefs' Contest puts (mostly) young chefs from around town to the test. First, they have to pass a written test, and those who do create recipes to pair with wines chosen for the contest.

06/21/2006

Tips on growing herbs outdoors
“Herbs absolutely do not like wet feet,” says Linda McKay, a master gardener who teaches cooking at the Dallas Central Market.