"TheHoustonChronicle" news and stories

Calas, Cooks and Chefs - The Houston Chronicle in 60 Seconds

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Oct 22nd 2009 @ 12:00PM

Freshly cooked brats. Photo: Three if by Bike, Flickr.

An ode to fresh sausage, plus recipes to get you started.
Golfer Greg Norman brings his daughter Morgan-Leigh into the world of winemaking.
Digging into dumplings from across the world, with tips for making them at home.
The Creole rice fritter also known as calas gives cooks another way to prep that pantry staple.
Alexandra Guarnaschelli -- judge on "Chopped" and "Iron Chef" -- gets her own Food Network cooking show.

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Sep 17th 2009 @ 12:00PM

"Apple planet." Photo: leoncillo sabino, Flickr.

All about apples -- their appeal, how to pick them and what to use them for.
A chat with Ruth Reichl about her new 1,000-page cookbook "Gourmet Today."
Jeff Corwin talks up his new Food Network show, "Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin."
"The Bear and Fish Family Cookbook" is a mother-daughter effort on family cooking and "modern Asian fusion."
Toast Mexican Independence Day with a tequila-spiked El Grito.
Use of the sweet and sticky pomegranate molasses is on the rise in kitchens.
Campbell's is releasing 100 percent natural soups!
Placing measured mounds of dry ingredients on a piece of waxed paper before adding them to a meal can prevent measuring mishaps.
Recipes: Chicken and Black Garlic Linguine and Almond Date Macaroons and Curried Corn and Crab Cakes.

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Aug 13th 2009 @ 12:00PM

Kid-friendly panda bento box. Photo: luckysundae, Flickr

How to pack nutrition and flavor into kids' school lunches and home meals.
Cookie jars might be cute but they don't keep cookies fresh, so slip a zipper-lock bag inside.
Corn fiends who hate the cob can pick up a "Corn Zipper," which works just like a veggie peeler.
Wine deets: Messina Hoff's 2006 Gewürztraminer is a top 10 BBQ wine, Texan wines get play at the DrinkLocalWine.com event, and wine courses and tastings will be held at the Texas Sommelier Conference.
If you find it hard to figure out how much a sauce has reduced, a clean metal ruler can come in handy.
Max's Wine Dive's best-selling Kobe Beef Burger has been named one of the 50 best burgers in Texas.
Spiffy products: Leigh Oliver's White-Hot Queso, Reese's Dark, Organic Batter Blaster, 100-calorie-portion sandwich crackers, and Tyson's Pork Loin.

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Jul 9th 2009 @ 12:00PM

Guacamole and condiments. Photo: rick, Flickr

Seven recipes to make condiments more memorable.
The wonders of watermelon, from Mark Twain's musings to how to pick your own.
Cooking Tips: When you need to get rid of that fat, collect it in a cleaned cardboard milk or cream container. To promote browning, skewer scallops when grilling.
Blackened poblano peppers will make a unique and tasty pesto.
Product watch: Allen Brothers' prime steak, MolliCoolz Shakers ice cream drink, the practical "Dad's Awesome Grilling Book," Wickles pickles, and Eggland's Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs.
Recipes: Pasta with Peas, Mushrooms, and Tomato-Cream Sauce, Crab Bisque, BBQ Ginger Lamb Satays with Thai Dipping Sauce, Dragon Berry Strawberry Basil Lemonade, Patriotic Twinkie Pie.
A list of Houston's local farmers markets.

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Jun 4th 2009 @ 12:00PM

How do you take your potato salad from tired to inspired? Throw in some corn, cherry tomatoes and basil.
Now that the whole bird is popular again, dark chicken meat recipes are, too.
Which cocktail should you whip up with artisanal vodka? How about a Martinique with Chambord and lime juice?
From ring-shaped vegetable brushes to trio lasagna pans, Chicago's housewares show for funky new gadgets.
What grape is perfect for the rising June temperatures? Wine writer Dale Robertson says Sauvignon Blanc.
The peach crop in Fredericksburg/Hill County was almost decimated in April when a severe freeze destroyed roughly 98 percent of the crop.
"Southern Living Comfort Food: A Delicious Trip Down Memory Lane" is perfect for home cooking and dishing on Southern food memories, while Morton's new cookbook shares tips for a steak fiend.
The 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo crowns a bunch of tasty vino champions from 2008 Vina Robles Suendero to McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel.
Reader recipe of the week: Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
A rundown of Houston-area farmers markets.
Quick tip: Grab a pastry blender to easily mash your avocado.
Foodie product spotlight: Sara Lee's buns, low-cal Truffle Bars, V8's V-Fusion, butter with olive oil, a bottle emulsifier and Miller's limey Chill.