Ratatouille Want to be a French chef? You can d’ouille’ it!

In an online article, author Ossiana Tepfenhart explains that there are lots of foods we now consider “fancy” that were once “poor man’s food.” Dishes that fit the bill include lobster, oysters and even caviar.  Another dish that she could have included? Ratatouille.  The summer stew, native to Nice, France, was once considered a humble …

Tasty collards will ‘leaf’ you wanting more

While I have always thought of collard greens as something eaten mainly by southerners, an article from the website “What’s Cooking America” notes that even the ancient Greeks and Romans enjoyed the leafy greens. For the U.S., the tradition of cooking collard greens with pork—often using a ham hock to simmer in the broth—came from …

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans Yummy Puerto Rican food will help you have a ‘rice’ day

Often, I launch this column by telling you a story that ties into whatever the week’s recipe is going to be. This week, however, I wanted to talk ingredients, because if you’re like me, this recipe is going to be a bit of a scavenger hunt through your local grocery store.  My sister-in-law makes amazing …