Vine-ripened tomatoes are making their much-anticipated appearance at local farmers markets, ushering in what many consider the best summer food.

If you’re like me, you can eat tomatoes all day, every day, and never get tired of them. Delicious out of hand, the juicy culinary fruit that cooks treat as a vegetable adds flavor to everything ...Read more

Summertime means fresh berries are in abundance, and blackberries are at the top of that list. This hearty berry is juicy and full of flavor, which makes it the perfect star of the show for a simple homemade dessert. This blackberry crumble ...Read more

I was the rare child who absolutely loved broccoli. I simply couldn’t get enough of it when I was a kid (a habit that has followed me into adulthood). So complete was my love of broccoli that my parents determined that the best way for me to eat a complete ...Read more

As wellness trends increasingly emphasize “natural” living, a controversial practice known as drinking “raw water” has gained attention. Proponents describe raw water as untreated, unfiltered water collected directly from natural sources such as springs, streams or wells. Advocates claim it is more “alive,” mineral-rich, and free ...Read more

Evening concerts in the park just might be summer’s best offering. Pure summer relaxation: Sit on a blanket with chilled wine and some nibbles, and take all the heat out of the day.

Truth be told, we often just set out sliced cheese and crackers with the wine. When there’s a little prep time, I’ll make an interesting dip for cut-up ...Read more

It’s hot out there. I’m either cooking in the cool of the morning or not at all. That’s why I love these Seriously Simple toasts so much.

It seems as though different countries call simple toasted bread slices different names like crostini, bruschetta or tartines. I like to think of these crispy toasted bread slices as a blank canvas for ...Read more

My daughter loves sweet breakfasts, so we often rotate through stovetop oatmeal, blueberry scones, and homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4262837">Read more

PITTSBURGH -- As locally grown produce fills farmers markets, there’s never been a better time to embrace seasonal eating.

One favorite summer option, thanks to its neutral flavor and a spongy texture that turns creamy when cooked, is eggplant. Technically a fruit, the dark purple globes and more slender Japanese variety can be fried, baked ...Read more

File this under No Surprise: According to a relatively recent poll, Americans’ favorite cheese is cheddar.

Swiss cheese comes in at No. 10. File that under I’m Totally Shocked.

If you had asked me — and I can’t imagine why you would — I would have guessed that Swiss cheese would be No. 2. Maybe even No. 1. But the once-mighty Swiss ...Read more

When I’m asked about ways to make a nutritional impact without implementing “life-altering” changes, my mind immediately drifts to the benefits of dietary fiber.

Many are probably familiar with fiber — you’ve likely been told by a healthcare professional to add more fiber to your diet because of its plentiful health benefits. Did you ...Read more

By this point in the summer, I’m dreaming of cooler days and refreshing meals. Fresh limeade, doused with chilled sparkling water, gives me energy to concoct a casual meal with friends.

For inspiration, look to countries known for steamy days and refreshing, cool-down-the-day offerings. In Mexico’s Yucatan, for example, chilled ceviche and ...Read more

Is it weird to say that I love tartar sauce? Because it’s true. I am 100% that person who will judge a seafood restaurant by its tartar sauce. One star if it tastes like I’m eating a spoonful of mayo, and five stars if it’s bright, tangy, and crunchy. This tartar sauce recipe is five stars. It tastes way better than any other version I’...Read more

Flank steaks need to be tenderized by pounding, slow cooking, or marinating. Here, red wine, orange juice, and Middle Eastern spices make a tasty marinade. The addition of sumac and zaatar add a zesty citrus burst of flavor. If you have Aleppo pepper, use it here for its biting sweet yet tangy flavor notes. I like to add the sliced onion so it ...Read more

Nothing screams summertime magic the way making s’mores does. For me, gooey s’mores evoke memories of camping and beach bonfires, where we’d stick ...Read more

If classic coleslaw took a tropical vacation, it would look and taste like this pineapple slaw. Here, sweet, juicy pineapple is folded into crisp cabbage and tossed with a creamy and tangy dressing that perfectly balances richness and acidity. It’s the kind ...Read more

One of the oldest cultivated crops in history, beans have been a home cook's best friend for a very long time. Both inexpensive and pantry stable, they can be made into any number of dishes, whether you’re looking to eschew meat for more planet-friendly, plant-based proteins or just want to put a nutritious and inexpensive dish on the table.

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This summer, chances are you might be gifted some fresh veggies if one of your neighbors has a super green thumb or just can’t say no at the farmers market.

Among the most passed-along produce is zucchini since the fruit (which is treated as a vegetable in the kitchen) is easy to grow. Provided with sun and enough water, a single plant can ...Read more

CHICAGO -- July may be National Hot Dog Month, but in Chicago, hot dogs are a staple year-round.

While Chicagoans may argue over the Cubs and the White Sox, debate deep-dish versus tavern-style pizza and defend their favorite neighborhood hole-in-the-wall as the city’s best, one thing unites them all: They never put ketchup on a Chicago dog. ...Read more

The threat of financial penalties has states scrambling to clean up their food stamp programs. For this, the White House deserves applause.

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act features a number of worthwhile reforms, including a provision that imposes penalties on states that tolerate fraud in U.S. Department of Agriculture’...Read more

Upcoming funding shifts in the federal food stamp program are poised to cost states billions of dollars, heightening fears that more Americans will lose access to the nation’s largest food assistance program.

Last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act made major changes to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, including new ...Read more