Belgian Beer Primer

Decoding the world’s most acclaimed (and confusing) brews.

What Is Charcoal?

A burning question.

Cheesy Chips Mellow Out

This week’s mission: A subtler take on a corn chip favorite, and a terrific “natural” fruit drink.

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.

The Minimalist's Dessert

Cookbook author and confectioner Alice Medrich talks about her love of simple, artisanal sweets.

What's the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder?

Two mysterious white powders.

Make Your Own Sausage

Joining sauerkraut and beer in the great Oktoberfest triumvirate.

Tea Bags for Cocktails?

This week’s mission: frozen Italian meals with a reasonably healthy twist and tea bags for your mixed drink.

Crush Ice Without Burnout

Blenders that do the job.

Sure Shot

A shot of cask-strength whiskey warms you up in cold weather.

The Business of Fun

Marco Pierre White is sometimes a slave, sometimes a devil.

Local Fizz

Go locavore with soda pop.

Looks Count

CHOW’s dos and don’ts of plating.

It's Not Champagne

But it might be better, cheaper, and worth exploring.

Make Your Buzz Last Longer

CHOW tests wine-preservation systems to see if they really help save an opened bottle.