Archive for the ‘Recipe’ Articles

Thanksgiving dinner recipe countdown: soup and sides

Monday, November 23rd, 2009Jonathan Chong (Western Herald)Editor’s note: Every day until Thanksgiving there will be a new course of recipes conducive to feasting. French Onion Soup Ingredients • 8 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced. • ¼ butter • 1 teaspoon of sugar • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 9 cups of beef stock/chicken stock, • 2 bay leaf • 1 tablespoon teaspoon of dry thyme • Salt and pepper • 8 slices of toasted French bread • 1 [...]

Thanksgiving dinner recipe countdown

Thursday, November 12th, 2009Jonathan Chong (Western Herald)Editor’s note: Every few days until Thanksgiving there will be a new course of recipes conducive to feasting. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Ingredients: • Cooked Shrimp • Bacon Directions: 1. Cut bacon strips in half and wrap around the shrimp. 2. Heat a pan with a little oil and cook shrimp until bacon is slightly crispy. 3. Serve Hot. 4. You may also grill wrapped shrimp on a [...]

The cooking cauldron: Halloween recipes to scare your taste buds

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009Jonathan Chong (Western Herald)Crazy Sticky “Bat” Wings Ingredients: 3 lbs. chicken wings Ingredients for Marinade: 2½ cups ketchup 5 tbs honey 2tbs sugar 2½ tbs brown sugar 1½ tbs vinegar 2tbs dried oregano 2tbs chopped garlic 2tbs chopped onions 3tbs olive oil/vegetable oil salt and pepper to taste black and green food coloring *add 2-4tbs of hot sauce for a little kick Instructions: 1. Combine all ingredients for marinade in a large [...]

A la carte: Finals are for faves

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009ve saved the bes (t for last)I’! After writing about 30 columns over the past two semesters, I’m publishing my favorite recipes in this year-end issue of the Weekend Scene. Smoothies The smoothie tradition in my house began as an after school snack back when we rushed home each day to watch The Magic School Bus. Now as [...]

A la carte: spring brings seafood

Thursday, April 9th, 2009The surprise snowstorm earlier (this week had me dreaming abou)t spring break and warm weather. Nothing tastes better than fresh seafood while in the south, and my family and I had our share while visiting the Florida Keys in March. I had a phenomenal Lobster Ruben at Parrotdise Waterfront Bar and Grille in Little Torch Key that [...]

A la carte: Primo Italian!

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 to cook than It (alian food)Nothing is easier (or cheaper). My friend Matt recently made a pasta dish that outdid regular noodles and sauce. After hearing rave reviews about the dish for weeks, I finally got the chance to taste it myself. The spiciness of the sausage is complimented by the creaminess of the homemade sauce. Because [...]

A La Carte

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 a popular summer brew ( from Bell)Oberon,’s Brewery, will be released on March 30. Bell’s Brewery owner Larry Bell will be tapping and tasting Oberon at Regional Food and Drink in downtown Washington, D.C. For college students in southwest Michigan who can’t make it to the nation’s capital to celebrate with Mr. Bell, head to Bell’s [...]

March Madness Munching

Thursday, March 19th, 2009If we had a Whole Foods Market (in Kalamazoo I would tell you )to drive there immediately to gaze at the natural, grass-fed chicken breast just waiting to be turned into a delectable cheese covered grilled sandwich. Fresh chicken is far superior to the frozen, genetically modified, pre-formed patties found in cafeterias on campus, which come [...]

A La Carte

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 I think of my great-grand (ma Holland)Each year around St. Patrick’s day,, who has been described as a child of immigrants, with a strong Irish temper. Born Margaret MacElroy on Valentine’s Day at the beginning of the 20th century, she loved to crochet but only learned to knit a few years before her death in [...]

Take a break, have a drink

Thursday, February 26th, 2009m on my way to sunny Florida t (o forget about my hectic life )As you read this, I’at Western by relaxing near the ocean. My Grandma, who is playing hostess for the week, has already baked my favorite cookies (molasses) and stocked up on Diet Coke to prepare for my visit. When we’re not reading [...]

A la carte: Romantic dishes for food lovers

Thursday, February 12th, 2009 nothing is more romantic than (enjoying a home cooked meal pr)If you’re a food lover,epared by someone you love. If your cooking skills are still a little sub-par, there are many high-end restaurants in Kalamazoo offering great specials for Valentine’s Day. Food Dance, located at 401 E. Michigan Avenue, has a Valentine’s Day prix fixe [...]

A la carte: Spice up the big game with south of the Border themed snacks

Thursday, January 29th, 2009Instead of having beer and win (gs on Super Bowl Sunday), try serving Mexican dishes for a south of the Border themed party. Make a big batch of tacos, enchiladas or quesadillas to serve along side these great dishes. If margaritas are too fancy for the big game, buy a case of Mexican beer and chill [...]

A la carte: Bundle up and stay warm with these easy comfort foods

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009Winter is knocking o (n our door), but blowing snow and chilling wind doesn’t mean it’s time to turn up the heat. Instead of looking forward to an extra large electric bill, cook a big pot of soup and bake a fresh loaf of bread to warm up on a cold day. If cooking for one or [...]

A La Carte: Celebrate inauguration in style with these all American dishes

Thursday, January 15th, 2009s no better time for an all Am (erican party than the three-da)There’y weekend preceding President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. Most of us will be working or in class during the actual ceremony at noon on Jan. 20, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate before or after the event. These dishes represent states that impacted the outcome [...]

No Meat? No Problem! Try these delicious dishes

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009Instead of vowing to follow a (strict diet or workout plan fo)r my New Years resolution, I’ve decided cut down on eating meat. I will try not to eat red meat, pork or poultry but will still enjoy seafood because I’ve never met a crab cake I didn’t like. My resolution won’t be too difficult to follow [...]

A La Carte: Festive confections for the holidays

Thursday, December 4th, 2008Every family has certain recip (es they cook around the holida)ys and of course mine is no different. We make goodies for my mom’s clients, neighbors, teachers, grandparents and for Christmas parties. None of these recipes are low fat or healthy, but who’s worrying about calories this time of year? I have tasted each of these 10 [...]

A la carte: Pass the pasties

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Scandinavian miners working in (the Upper Peninsula used to pa)ck freshly baked pasties (pronounced pas-tees) into their lunch pales in the morning so they would have a warm meal at noon. Over a century later, pasties are a traditional northern Michigan food that my family loves. Stuffed with meat and vegetables, they are filling yet [...]

Tired of Turkey? Try this.

Thursday, November 13th, 2008These colorful recipes are gre (at during the holiday season w)hen everyone is sick and tired of eating turkey and ham. This fresh take on chicken and vegetables won’t weigh you down like a huge Thanksgiving feast. If there’s someone special you want to impress, be sure to make this dinner. The chicken and asparagus bundles are [...]

Going to college means it’s time to make your own birthday cake

Thursday, November 6th, 2008 and being away at home means (there wasn)My birthday was Nov. 5,’t a special meal waiting for me at dinnertime. Being at college is all about becoming independent, and I guess that includes being able to make your own birthday cake. I’m not one to rely on boxed cake mixes when homemade tastes so much [...]

Dig In

Thursday, October 30th, 2008Heather Holland (Western Herald) Nothing says fall like the presence of jack-o-lanterns, so it’s time to stock up on pumpkin to last until Thanksgiving. You can buy fresh pumpkins and then roast and puree them yourself, but I bought organic canned pumpkin at Sawall Health Foods on Oakland Dr. instead. My favorite pumpkin recipes are for desserts; [...]

The taste of the orchard at home

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008Heather Holland (Western Herald)Autumn is finally here, which means it’s time to visit a local orchard and pick fresh, Michigan grown apples. While you’re there, be sure to buy a gallon of homemade cider and a dozen hot doughnuts. If you can’t make it to a genuine orchard, stop by the Kalamazoo Farmers Market or [...]

Hot Crackers and Chex Mix spice up the night

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008Heather Holland (Western Herald)My friends, roommates and I have begun to gather as a group for game night on Saturday evenings, which basically means my friends and I are too cheap to go out to eat or hit the bar. My roommates and I try to have something to munch on during heated rounds of [...]

Quick pasta dishes that are easy and delicious

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008Heather Holland (Pasta dishes are cheap and eas)y to make and make wonderful leftovers. I’m always looking for something substantial to pack for lunch, and these recipes fit the bill. The lasagna is great reheated, and the tortellini dish can be eaten hot or cold. This recipe makes just two servings, so it’s great for dinner [...]

Two hearty meals to get you through football season

Thursday, September 18th, 2008Heather Holland (Western Herald)Football season is finally upon us, which can only mean one thing: time to tailgate! While you’ve never find me partying in the parking lot at 7 a.m., I know all of you faithful fans need a hearty lunch to help digest all of that, shall we say, fun. This is an [...]

Chocolate and coconut treats make a great care package

Thursday, September 11th, 2008Heather Holland (Western Herald)My little sister is a freshman at Michigan State University, and I think it’s about time she got her first care package in the mail. I asked my Mom if she’s sent anything to East Lansing yet, and the answer was no; She’s much too busy going to Billy Ray Cyrus concerts [...]