My old colleague Taylor Dungjen has come up with a side gig that I think is just brilliant.

I worked with Taylor at the Toledo Blade, where I wrote about food and she wrote about crime. Several years ago, she switched careers and became a cop. The change in careers apparently seemed so unusual that NBC Nightly News filmed an entire segment ...Read more

“Americans just do not know how to cook green beans,” said Ann, a Bayfield Farmers Market vendor, as she handed me a sack of deep green, plump beans she picked earlier that morning. “When they’re underdone and too crisp, they just don’t have much taste. Give them a few minutes more time when you boil them. They’re tender but still ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Cortez family piled out of their car and stretched their legs. Finally, after an hour and a half drive from their Long Beach home, they had made it to Little Tokyo — specifically, to One Piece Cafe.

"I was just sitting in the car like, 'I'm going to be at the One Piece Cafe,'" said Cammy Cortez, who was introduced to the ...Read more

Tzatziki cucumber slices offer a refreshing, quick snack with just three ingredients. The crispness of the cucumbers complements the creamy, tangy tzatziki, creating a light and flavorful bite. For the best texture, try using English cucumbers, which have a thin skin that doesn't need peeling, keeping the prep minimal.

Tzatziki Cucumber Slices ...Read more

The mango fruit is the essence of tropical. Shades of red, orange, yellow, and green surround sunny flesh that may be soft and sweet or crisp and tart.

The folklore

Known as the “king of fruits,” this global gem originated in India more than 4,000 years ago and is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines,...Read more

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut on what to serve as a side dish with a simple meat, chicken or fish entree. It’s fun to come up with tasty sides that fit into the Seriously Simple philosophy.

I love sugar snap peas and often add them to other greens like peas or asparagus. Here, I’ve highlighted the sweet crisp sugar snap flavor and texture ...Read more

Friends and neighbors often grace our front stoop with bags of homegrown zucchini. At summer gatherings, a frequently heard complaint concerns the quantity of zucchini a garden produces. I say, deal with the bounty by equipping the cook with repeat-worthy recipes.

First, consider stuffed zucchini: a dish that works with sizes from small to not-...Read more

It’s getting to be that time of year when it’s so hot I can barely stand it, but at least all the produce is gorgeous and refreshing. That’s where my tomato plum salad comes into play. I make this salad multiple times a summer, every summer, but it’s never exactly the same. The mix of homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3801659">Read more

One way I love to beat the summer heat is with cold, refreshing food. And cucumbers are the coolest of the cool. Their refreshing flavor profile is the reason that...Read more

Fast food burgers hit the spot on road trips and when you're pressed for time. But given most sandwich buns are made with wheat, there often aren't a lot of options for those with gluten allergies.

These burger spirals are an acceptable gluten-free solution: They're made with rice paper wrappers.

Usually the thin, transparent rounds made from ...Read more

I cheated last night. So did my wife.

I preach the gospel of making your own food. I testify about the power of creating a meal from scratch, and glory of eating it. It is my cause. It is my purpose.

But last night, I cheated. Like so many others, I did not practice what I preach.

To be honest, and I am all about honesty, I have cheated ...Read more

Potato salad, a signature summer dish, is defined by its maker. My grandmother’s salad was substantially swathed in mayo, while a German aunt crowned hers with crisped bacon and plenty of dill. My neighbor tosses in olives, tomatoes and peppers for a light, bright Italian twist.

It’s one of the easiest dishes to make, but success depends on...Read more

Give juicy shrimp tacos a Cajun flavor spin with spices and a quick sear on a hot grill. An easy avocado mash adds creaminess to cool off the spicy kick.

Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Serves 4

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

1 ripe avocado

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 small clove garlic, grated

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound ...Read more

Q: What is the sustainable diet index?

A: The Sustainable Diet Index (SDI) is used to assess the environmental, health, and social impacts of dietary choices. It helps measure how well a diet aligns with sustainability principles, balancing nutrition with ecological responsibility.

The SDI evaluates diets based on factors such as carbon ...Read more

This new spin on the classic tomato mozzarella salad is inspired from an East Hampton restaurant, where I enjoyed a version of a tomato and watermelon salad. My adaptation includes crisp cucumber, juicy watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, fresh mint and basil as a topping.

Pick the freshest, ripe tomatoes you can find. Sometimes I go for slices ...Read more

Peaches and cardamom, two of my favorite flavors in the world, pair beautifully together. The combo works well in savory dishes such as chutneys and grill glazes, or sweet options, including beverages and baked goods.

Fresh, seasonal peaches are worth the year-long wait. To my mind, the perfumey, creamy quality of a Michigan peach can’t be ...Read more

Once the temperature starts to climb, I have a one-track mind for cooling, crunchy meals. I’m talking easy chopped salads, I’m talking crispy rice bowls<...Read more

I’ve developed a lot of no-bake “delight” recipes over the past few years. It started with strawberry delight, then there was pumpkin delight, homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3793246">Read more