Family meal time. What images do those words conjure up? A relaxed gathering among friends and family, or a fierce battle versus small opponents from start to finish? If it’s the latter, read on. (If not, indulge me and read on anyway.) Remember mealtimes when you were a kid? If your childhood was anything like…
New Recipes
Cinnamon Twists
I can’t recall exactly the first time that I had my mother-in-law’s cinnamon twists, but it was probably the first time I visited her home. Over the last decade, cinnamon twists have been there for every trip I’ve taken to central Illinois – summers, falls, springs and winters. Like home itself, cinnamon twists have no…
Venetian Cookies: On Baking and Breaking with Tradition
A few winters ago, in a moment of whimsy, I changed the color of my family’s rainbow cookies. Instead of the traditional red, white, and green layers found in Italian bakery cases everywhere, I made two batches: one layered red-white-red and one green-white-green. The colors really popped that year, owing to my mother-in-law’s excellent suggestion…
Try this Allergy-Friendly Taco Salad
Gluten-free, corn-free Taco Salad Our family has been through one heck of a year! I was diagnosed with chronic illness last summer, and I’ve had a quick progression, with my husband taking up all of my slack at times. Mom’s style of cooking and Dad’s style of cooking vary greatly, but when I’m exhausted or…