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You Don’t Know Beans
Growing up, I never would have expected to sing the praises of beans. But, of late, I’ve come to admire the lowly pods of protein and carbohydrates first domesticated in South America 10,000 years ago. Compare them with a hamburger.…
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Jell-O: A Legend in Its Time
There’s Always Room for Jell-O. Well, maybe not anymore. That 1964 advertising slogan, well remembered by those of a certain age, was introduced to help sell Jell-O as a “light dessert” after a heavy meal. And the 1950s and 60s…
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Memories of My Faraway 1970 Thanksgiving, and a Prayer
Long ago and far away (50 years ago and on the other side of the world), my Thanksgiving 1970 was spent in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in an Army mess hall. It had the classic elements: turkey, dressing, potatoes,…
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Talking Turkey About Thanksgiving 2020
O.K. I get it. We can’t have the usual Thanksgiving get-togethers, and it’s the right thing to do. Everyone I know is recalibrating even from where we were two weeks ago. On the other hand, we count our blessings through…
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Stewing About the Cold Weather
This time of year, most of us start thinking about a stew. It’s cold and rainy outside, we can’t go anywhere, and we’re yearning for a simple, satisfying meal. A good stew has that satisfying warmth that fits the bill.…
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Finding Community in a Cookbook
On a visit back to my childhood home a few years ago, I stopped by Headon’s Fine Meats to say hello to Lyle Headon, a grade-school classmate, whose shop in Creston, Illinois is known throughout the region as having the…
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Bounty from Sea to Shining Sea
Are you a pescatarian? That’s a person who adds fish and seafood and sometimes eggs to a vegetarian diet. As for me, my background put me on a trajectory of meat and potatoes. But that’s because the 1950s logistical supply…
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Ham and Dumplings
When visiting my mother for her 97th birthday, she requested that I make her some ham and dumplings. My version uses 2-3 ham hocks, which can be bought in most supermarkets. However, this is a good way to use…
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Farmboys and Indians
One of Mrs. Farmboy’s favorite stories involves my longstanding aversion to Indian food. For years she knew that although I have a decidedly adventurous palate, I had declared that I didn’t like Indian food. She left it at that. Then…
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Fun with Tater Tots
You may not be well-acquainted with Tater Tots, but you’ll find them in any supermarket freezer section. And you’ll probably be seeing more of them in the future. They’re beginning to catch on here in the Northeast, even in finer…
