Church social means fun and fellowship ... and soup, lots of soup

There was plenty of m'm, m'm good to go around Friday evening when Shaeffer's Chapel United Methodist Church in western Lowndes County held its annual soup supper. Tables laden with crockpots of aromatic soups, plates of crisp cornbreads, salads, French bread, sandwiches and luscious desserts drew the church family and guests in from the cold for a night of warm fellowship and great food.

Taste, texture and nutrition in tiny packages add crunchy kick to recipes

Have you ever felt like just going nuts? (Not the zany kind of nuts, but the culinary kind.) With all the delicious walnuts, almonds, pecans, peanuts and what not out there, it's no wonder. Each variety has its own distinct flavor, texture and aroma that can enhance dishes from entrées to desserts. Many qualify as healthy snacks on their own. Even the Mayo Clinic website tells us most types of nuts are miniature packages of nutrition.

Guacamole: Fresh takes on a Super Bowl classic

Looking for a few simple ways to freshen up the go-to dish of the Super Bowl? We cobbled together a mighty tasty basic guacamole, then came up with four ways to turn basic into unbelievably good.

Cheese lovers unite, celebrate national 'holiday' with cheesy recipes

I know. Believe me, I get the irony of featuring cheesy recipes the week after 300-calorie dishes filled our food pages, but Sunday is National Cheese Lovers Day -- and man does not live by calorie-counting alone.

300 calorie meals can boost that new year's resolution

So, how are we doing? Nine days into 2013, and it's safe to say a notable percentage of Americans who resolved to drop a few pounds are slip-sliding away. If you made that resolution, no doubt your commitment is built of sterner stuff. If you're counting calories in a quest to a healthier weight, perhaps a few suggestions for meals that are 300-calories-or-less will shore up your arsenal.

Goals to eat better, lose weight should be reasonable and realistic

As 2013 begins, many will make resolutions to eat better and lose weight. Mississippi University for Women assistant professor of nutrition Amanda Dahl, RD, LD, offers some tips for weight loss the healthy way. Dahl advises that those steps should include small, reasonable changes with realistic measurable weigh loss goals.

A light, steamed fish dish with big, bold flavors

The first time I had to test a recipe for steamed fish was back in the '80s, when I was working in the test kitchen at Gourmet magazine. And truthfully, the very idea seemed preposterous.

Have poached eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner

The beauty of poached eggs is their versatility. Depending on what you pair them with, they can be breakfast, lunch or even dinner.

New Year's goodies: Columbus cook shares one of her go-to recipes for sweet bites

Barbara Patterson never met a cookbook she didn't like. Her Columbus home has a big bookcase dedicated to them. "And she knows when we've messed with them," her daughter, Carol Boone, smiled. "When she goes to yard sales, she goes straight for the cookbooks -- the older the better.

Of droughts and foie gras angst -- the year in food

Most Americans never will sip the watermelon margarita at Guy Fieri's behemoth Times Square restaurant, nor savor the chicken Alfredo at the Olive Garden in Grand Forks, N.D. Yet both eateries somehow shot to the top of the nation's culinary zeitgeist in 2012, for this was the year of the viral restaurant review, when the rants and raves of seasoned pros and naive octogenarians alike got superstar treatment on the world wide smorgasbord.

Christmas morning: Special starts for a special day

An indelible memory I carry from childhood is of Christmas morning breakfasts. In our home, there was no charging from the bedrooms to see what Santa brought, no race between siblings to be the first to the tree. Oh no, if there was one thing we were good at, it was stretching out the Christmas experience.

Best of the Triangle 2012

Home & Garden
Guide 2013

Dining Guide 2013