Food Bites & Articles
Potato Ricer Earns Spot in Gadget Hall of Fame
This week's edition of the Notebook falls into the "Who Knew" category of kitchen gadgetry. I am constantly learning new tricks of the trade from you all, and a new favorite involves this little gadget: the potato ricer! Something of...
Kids Find Ways to Get in on Kitchen Fun
As some of you may know, my little grandson Connor is an honorary member of the Just A Pinch Kitchen Crew. Like his grandma, he has a passion for cooking... and for eating! He has helped me out in the...
Lemons Brighten Your Spring Menu
Sure, we may still be in the infant days of Spring, but I just can't help jumping feet-first into the spirit of the season! And nothing says warm weather to me more than the lively, crisp taste of lemon. And...
Cracking the Secret to Perfect Eggs
This time of year eggs seem to be everywhere! If I'm not whipping up a batch of scrambled eggs for the morning rush, then I'm coaxing them into the form of the perfect Sunday Brunch quiche. And if your family...
Sweeten Your Day with a Touch of Honey
Aspartame, saccharin, high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, stevia, refined sugar.... What's a sweet, healthy gal to do?! I've got a hankering for a natural sweet-tooth satisfier that doesn't pack on the guilt. Who's with me?Enter: Honey. That's right, that little...
April 24th Blue Ribbon Showcase Promises Winning Combination
Last week I had the pleasure of announcing Jan Mullikin's Cream of Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Soup as the winning entry in our Just A Pinch Savory Soup Spectacular Contest. What you may have missed, however, is that Jan's prize...
Jan Mullikin of Union, KY Wins Just A Pinch Contest with Roasted Red Pepper Soup!
We've boiled, we've simmered, we've done a LOT of tasting... and now the Kitchen Crew and I are proud to announce the winner of the Just A Pinch Savory Soup Spectacular Contest! Drum roll, please....Congratulations to JAN MULLIKIN of Union,...
Taking a New Spice Route
Growing up I learned to waste not, want not. That was simply our way of life. Now as an adult, I challenge myself every day to be careful with pennies and use only the smallest amount of an ingredient necessary...
Kids Make Kitchen a Warmer Place
As many of you know, my daughter-in-law Krissi is my right-hand gal in the Test Kitchen. We enjoy spending hours together whipping up your recipes and discovering new techniques and flavors. So, when my grandson Connor asked if he could...
Squash Your Pasta Cravings!
Sure, I like winter squash - and I've certainly never turned down a plate of spaghetti and meatballs - but never in my wildest cooking dreams did I ever think that a squash could take the place of my beloved...
Chocolate = Love
As we look to celebrate the ones we love this Valentine's Day, let us not forget that old adage that says the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach! That saying takes on a whole new meaning when...
Are You Ready for Some Football…. Food?!
If your house is anything like mine then there is a special energy brewing in the air this time of year. No, not just because we're trying to avoid frostbite, but because it's SUPERBOWL time! Some of us are excited...
Planning Tools of the Kitchen Trade
Planning is not something that comes easily to everyone. Believe me, I speak from experience! As many of you know, though, having children can whip even the most disorganized mama into shape! When my son was young I quickly came...
A Variety of Peppercorns Can Spice Up Your Kitchen
I recently had a good friend ask me about the difference between cooking with black and white pepper. After thinking for a minute, I realized the only thing I could tell him for certain was that I'd always used white...
Keep on the Shiny Side… and Other Kitchen Hints!
Have you checked out the great groups that are popping up in the Town Square? I'm absolutely blown away by the smarts you members have! One fun group called "Kitchen Hints" (started by member Pauline Greenwood) is helping spread the...
Flour Power in 2010!
When I was a kid, we had a small glass canister that sat on the kitchen counter. On it was printed, "FLOUR". We never questioned the type of flour we used... In fact, back then I had no idea there...
Members Reinvent Holiday Leftovers
Who says leftovers have to be boring?! In fact, I'm taking a stand and ringing in my New Year by giving a few Christmas leftovers a tasty makeover. I've been noticing that many of you have been posting inventive ways...
Christmas Bark Sparks Holiday Memories
Mention Christmas Bark to a friend and it's quite likely their faces will turn to question marks. Give a friend a piece of Christmas Bark, on the other hand, and it's likely they'll have a story to share. This simple,...
Family Recipes Add Special Flavor to Dinner Table
The cornerstone of good cooking often goes far beyond the four corners of the recipe page. Time and again I've heard friends declare that family recipes are the only ones they can truly rely on. Not only do they come...
Soup is Thicker Than Water
Wintry weather is made for soup. Each year when that first frost settles around our house, you can bet I’ll be standing at the ready with soup pot in hand!One thing I’ve found – thanks to your great recipes –...