Heading for the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, I mention to my Bavarian friend, Friedrich, that I’d love to give this venerable beer hall some significance in my guidebook description. Unconvinced that “significance” is worth seeking at a beer hall, he quotes Freud: “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Stepping through its stubby stone arcade, we…
Ciao Chow: Italians on American Food
When Italians sit down together for dinner, a special joy combusts from their mutual love of good eating: the flavors, the steam, the memories, the dreams … the edible heritage. Food is a favorite topic of conversation. And it seems every Italian has an opinion about American food. During one long Italian meal, my friend…
Rick Steves’ Europe: Ciao Chow: Italians on American Food
When Italians sit down together for dinner, a special joy combusts from their mutual love of good eating: the flavors, the steam, the memories, the dreams … the edible heritage. Food is a favorite topic of conversation. And it seems every Italian has an opinion about American food. During one long Italian meal, my friend…
JeanMarie Brownson: Freshen up Your Menu With This Spring Risotto
Spring, in most of this country, means burgeoning offerings at farmers markets and produce stands. Locally grown fresh peas and asparagus deserve our attention; they are the outstanding versions of the year-round supermarket options. These two vegetables, perhaps more than any others, are never better than when cooked and eaten shortly after harvest. After I’ve…
What Is Vanilla Extract Made Of?
Whether you’re a beginner baker or you can whip up bananas foster with your eyes closed, chances are you’ve used vanilla extract. The ingredient, which is necessary for balancing sweetness in cookies and cakes, can run you more than $20. Its high price point is why many people opt for imitation vanilla extract or vanilla flavoring instead. But what exactly is pure…
This Salad Is Perfect for Lunch or Dinner
Apple-cider vinegar and mustard flavor the dressing while fresh strawberries offer a touch of sweetness in this easy to assemble salad. Creamy herbed goat cheese completes this salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Kale & Strawberry Salad Serves 4 Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 8 cups chopped lacinato kale 5…
These Ultra-Fluffy Pancakes Are a Lemony Twist on a Diner Classic
The Palace Diner first went into service in the town of Biddeford, Maine, in 1927 and has been serving breakfast and lunch ever since. This tiny restaurant (it has just 15 seats!) is an example of a “dining car” diner. Dining cars were small restaurants built to look like train cars. They became hugely popular in the…
Curried Chicken Salad
There are those days where you don’t feel like eating anything too heavy, so having a salad might be your solution. But sometimes you get tired of eating the same salads packed with lettuce or other fresh greens every day. What do you do now? Don’t fret. We have the perfect chicken salad recipe for you that…
Muddy Buddies
What is it about cereal that makes the best desserts? Of course, you have Snap, Crackle and Pop, who work hard to give us Rice Krispies treats, but have you ever heard of muddy buddies? If not, muddy buddies, also known as puppy chow, can be made with Chex cereal and a few other common…
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
There are some chain restaurant menu items that truly stand the test of time. We’re talking about McDonald’s Egg McMuffin, Olive Garden’s breadsticks, Burger King’s Whopper and, of course, Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Some of these seem particularly difficult to pull off at home — we can’t even imagine trying to fry an onion…
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