ArcaMax

Is there anything more soul-lifting than staring down a big pile of spring leaf lettuce, and imaging all the different things you can do with it?

After a long, brisk winter of settling for root vegetables and heartier leafy greens like cabbage and kale, I don't think so.

I'm not knocking cold-weather veggies here, because without them, ...Read more

I was the new guy at the job, the lowest reporter on the totem pole.

I’m not going to name the newspaper where this happened (but it was the Richmond News Leader). All I will say is that at least they had a desk for me, and a phone, and even a chair. I guess I should have been grateful.

What they did not have was a computer. So that meant I ...Read more

Picadillo is a popular Latin dish made with ground meat, onions, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, capers, and raisins. The success of this dish lies in the blending of sweet and savory flavors.

I have captured the essence of its taste and texture in this 15-minute, no-fuss dinner using ground chicken as the main ingredient for a lighter result...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. -- This story began as a simple conversation on a podcast: the “Let’s Eat, Orlando with Amy Drew and Biggie” podcast (available on virtually any podcast platform and viewable on YouTube, as info), when the errant mention of a chicken tender chain devolved into disbelief from my pod partner, Deli Fresh Threads’ Anthony “...Read more

It’s no secret that butter makes everything taste better.

Adding unrivaled flavor, depth and structure to a range of dishes, butter is wonderfully versatile as both a sauce itself and the foundation for one. Butter emulsifies soups and stews while adding a boost of umami. It is a bread basket essential and the best spread for toast, bagels, ...Read more

Fresh ideas for dinner can spring from so many places: the pages of a new cookbook or food magazine, a funny TikTok or instructional video on Instagram or (among my favorite sources for inspiration) websites like Food 52, Serious Eats or Smitten Kitchen.

It also can depend on what you happen to stumble upon while grocery shopping.

This week's ...Read more

Years ago, Robyn Munsch would wander hungrily around the grocery store and leave with calorie-dense foods like a frozen pizza, cookies and frosting. That was before she started taking Wegovy and lost 85 pounds.

“I no longer buy chips, sweets or other junk foods,” the Rochester, Minnesota, woman said. “I just don’t crave it. It’s life-...Read more

Many recipes for spiral ham produce meat that’s parched and leathery on the exterior with a glaze that flavors only the outermost edge. For moist meat throughout, we placed our ham in an oven bag, which traps juices and creates a moist environment that cooks it in less time than the dry air of the oven would, and reheated it in a 250-degree ...Read more

A simple marinade of lime juice, zest and spices like cumin and chili powder creates quick flavor in this juicy cilantro-lime chicken. Slice the chicken and enjoy over salad greens, in a taco or with rice.

One-Pan Cilantro-Lime Chicken

Serves 4

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon lime zest

1 ...Read more

Sugar cravings are a challenge for many, especially in a world where sugary snacks and beverages are everywhere. While indulging in a sweet treat now and then can be part of a healthy lifestyle, frequent cravings can lead to overconsumption, increasing the risk of weight gain, Type 2 diabetes, and other health issues. Fortunately, there are ...Read more

Cod is a tender, mild fish that can handle big flavors. This Provençale style dish includes a rich tomatoey sauce infused with white wine, fresh thyme, salty olives and red pepper flakes. Leeks add a tame inviting onion flavor.

My husband claimed that this was now one of his favorite dishes for a quick dinner. That made me very happy since it ...Read more

The family cook always seeks methods to keep chicken boredom at bay. Sure, fried chicken more than satisfies, but it’s meant to be a treat — not the stuff of weeknight meals. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts offer the lean protein we seek; keeping it interesting proves a significant challenge.

Dry rubs and wet marinades add flavor with ...Read more

If there’s something that marks a distinction between the gastronomy of Northern Mexico from the rest of the country, it’s the region’s pride in flour tortillas. Traditional flour tortillas from Mexico are a mix of four simple ingredients: all-purpose flour, water, fat, and salt. The homemade process is very similar to ...Read more