Strained and Drained

Tools for getting the most out of your food.

Holiday Central

Recipes, menus, gifts, and entertaining tips for all your celebratory needs.

Hold the Cream of Mushroom Soup

From Bismarck to St. Paul to Madison, new high-end restaurants are embracing such local cuisine as fried walleye and wild-rice porridge. Call it the birth of northwoods chic.

Oysters with Mignonette Granité

Transforming a sharp mignonette sauce into icy shards makes serving oysters simpler.

Spirit of Peace

Aquavit calms the stormy waters swirling between gin and vodka.

Thanksgiving, Southern Style

All the good stuff, plus how to fry a turkey without burning down the house.

Easter Made Easy

Freshen up the holiday menu with planked salmon.

Caesar Salad

The real deal— anchovies and all.

I Like Cheap Mexican Beer

A connoisseur’s confession.

Key to the Liquor Cabinet

How to create the ultimate home bar.

Clay Potatoes and Olive Pit Fuel

Observations from Madrid Fusión 2008.

You Can Get a Bad Meal in Rome

Here’s what we’re looking for: charm, authenticity, local ingredients, moderate prices. And while most Roman restaurants look perfect from the outside, watch out for these telltale signs.

10 Food-Related Charities

Put your money toward gifts that benefit good causes.

Is Fido Invited?

When it’s not OK to bring your dog to a party.

From Scarface to Key Lime Pie

A culinary tour of seedy-but-cool Red Hook, Brooklyn