ArcaMax

There’s a good chance that you or someone you know has trashed perfectly good food over confusion about date labels. Now, the U.S. government is looking for a fix.

A group of four federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, announced last week that it is requesting information from the food industry on labeling practices ...Read more

Like many other farm families, my family rents out some of our land to help pay the bills. Usually, when this happens, we can rest assured about two things: first, that someone will rent from us; and second, they will pay more year after year.

Farmland rents have risen steadily over the years, increasing 3.2% per acre over the last year alone.�...Read more

Braising lamb shanks turns this richly flavored but tough cut of meat meltingly tender. However, the high fat content of lamb all too often leads to a greasy sauce. We avoid this pitfall by trimming the shanks well and then browning them before adding liquid to get a head start on rendering their fat. We also de-fat the braising liquid after the...Read more

Master the perfectly seared sirloin steak with this easy method, while playing with fresh herbs to enhance the flavor. The key to success: letting the meat come to room temperature before adding it to the pan to ensure it cooks evenly. Rosemary and garlic give it an irresistible herby finish. For the best results, let the steak rest before ...Read more

Barley, as a staple, is anything but basic.

The folklore

Native to Ethiopia and Southeast Asia, barley has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. Since ancient times, it has been used for food — both human and animal — as well as tea, alcoholic beverages, medicine, and even as a standard of measurement. These days, we...Read more

Save yourself some time and energy, and try serving easy appetizers this holiday season. Here are my ideas, along with a perennial favorite recipe of baked Brie.

For a cocktail party, I sometimes make a few rounds of baked Brie using different glazes and place them around the house. Make sure to serve the Brie hot from the oven, when the cheese...Read more

A standing rib roast, also known as prime rib, makes a spectacular holiday dinner. Cooked perfectly, the presentation certainly impresses. This fantastic cut of beef is tender, flavorful and relatively easy to carve. Holiday fare, for sure.

A whole beef rib roast has seven ribs, weighs 16 to 20 pounds and easily serves 15 hearty eaters. Some ...Read more

If I had to rank my favorite parts of being an adult, hosting friends for dinner is at the very top. Relaxing around the table with full plates and a glass of wine is one of my greatest joys. I’ve been brainstorming ideas for fast-yet-fancy foods that won’t tie me up in the kitchen, but will impress my guests. And these three-...Read more

There are those who only swear by chocolate desserts, but a bright citrus dessert wins out in my book any day. I love classic lemon bars, with their buttery homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3514469">Read more

When I was little, I attended a Catholic grade school. I learned about St. Nicholas Day from the nuns. I brought my new-found knowledge home to my mom and she went right along with it.

I was really into gifts (still am), so when the nuns told me you were supposed to put your shoes by the front door and gifts would appear the next morning, I was...Read more

The holidays loom large. Parties, gift-shopping, school programs, recitals, family gatherings — there’s really no time to cook.

But there is! Here are three quick and easy recipes you can hustle to the table in 30 minutes or less. Relax, take a deep breath and know that dinner is served.

Crispy–Garlicky Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese

Serves 4...Read more

Move over, peppermint mocha — Dunkin’ is shaking up the holiday season with a spin on its winter classic.

The coffee giant’s latest release, Spiked Peppermint Mocha Iced Latte, combines the cozy comfort of its signature holiday flavor with a 6% alcohol by volume kick that’s sure to put some extra jingle in your bells.

The boozy ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Fifty years ago my great-grandfather Carlo Portolan hauled down from the roof of his Lincoln Heights home a glass jug full of fragrant black booze, warm from 40 days in the sun.

He decanted it into smaller bottles, affixed to each a masking tape label inscribed with the year — 1974 — and passed them around to friends and ...Read more

Like many people, I’m looking to add more plants to my diet. In the warmer months, my garden takes care of that. But this time of year, I start looking for easy alternatives without sacrificing flavor.

This frozen meal (just warm in the microwave) is unbelievably full of flavor and packed with vegetables. It’s made with sweet potatoes, ...Read more

Weeknight meals are often a test of planning and simplicity.

Most of us want a dish that can be whipped up in a flash, using ingredients already on hand or ones you remembered to pick up on a weekend grocery store run because you planned a week in advance.

Smoked sausage — easy to find in most grocery stores in a variety of flavors — is a ...Read more