Authentic ethnic food rarely, if ever, comes in nice packages. To get the real stuff requires air travel or venturing into restaurants where the menus are indecipherable, the tables wobble and foot traffic has scarred the floors. The food may be authentic, but - and here you imagine Anthony Bourdain noshing on some animal's nasty bits during a jaunt through Asia - it's risky. ...more

August 21, 2008

We are childless parents of six furry babies, feline and canine alike. But little things like retirement and becoming elderly invalids concern us. Who will take care of us when we can no longer feed ourselves? More importantly, who will cook for us so that we are not relegated to a life of Armour heat-and-eat processed frozen dinners? ...more

August 20, 2008

Monday was the first day of school for thousands of children all over Pasco County. It was a day to reunite with chums, size up the teachers and enjoy some of those unique cafeteria flavors you just can't get at home. ...more

August 20, 2008

"The Wine Trials," by Robin Goldstein with Alexis Herschkowitsch (Fearless Critic Media, $14.95) ...more

August 20, 2008

The ebony-blue, bursty blackberry fruit was just too pretty to pass up at the market the other day, so I picked up two pints: one for breakfast (plain yogurt with a generous drizzle of honey and then topped with the berries) and the other pint to experiment with. I was thinking: Sauce. Brandy. Salmon. ...more

August 20, 2008

Any novice, looking to surprise that special someone with a homemade birthday cake, can pull it off. ...more

August 5, 2008

This bowl of large shrimp sings with sweet crab, peppery watercress, a zing of fresh red onion and a backbeat of basil and mint. The dressing plays along with a simple harmony of lemon juice and olive oil. The divas amp the chili peppers for a slow burn and a little hot fun. ...more

July 30, 2008

NORTHDALE Michele Northrup's idea for her gourmet organic-sauce business sprouted in the garden at Learning Gate Community School. ...more

July 23, 2008

a mere 200 days from today. ...more

July 16, 2008

Who doesn't love a picnic? A well-packed basket of goodies to share on a blanket under a big, blue sky is the definition of ease. Add the love of your life and some chilled bubbly, and the divas would be hard-pressed to improve upon that perfection. ...more

July 16, 2008