Most recipes for black walnut cookies are the icebox variety. (For a recipe, click here.) After the dough has been mixed, it is formed into logs and refrigerated. After several hours (or longer), the dough is sliced into discs and…

Local peaches are just coming into season. I can eat an almost unlimited number out of hand. With the rest, I like to bake and make jam. Here’s a new idea, from the Culinary Institute of America: a peach smoothie.

PEACH…

S'mores Bars. Photo by Steve Adams

I just received an advance copy of Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year (Gibbs Smith, $19.99, 158 pages), and despite the heat wave, it makes me want to turn on the oven and…

Eddie got booted on this week's show; Melissa's still in the running.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to compete on “The Next Food Network Star,” take note: Even as the current seasoning is airing, producers are gearing up…

Last week, we provided a recipe for peanut cake, a long-time specialty of Belleville bakeries. In response, two readers have identified bakeries that still make and sell the treats (one in Belleville and one in Des Peres), and local food…

Chocolate Donuts (2008 runner-up) in gluten-free contest

Are you a creative cook? If so, you might be able to cash in with some of these competitions:

Athens’ Make it Fabulous With Fillo (Phyllo) Contest: Just so there’s no confusion about the key…

Spicy Citrus Caesar Salad

This is an all-weather recipe. It cooks inside, so rain is not a problem, and the hot sauce will brighten even the dreariest day. And if the day is hot and sunny? This cool yet hearty salad…

Plank-grilled chicken thighs

Plank-cooked fish has been all the rage for several years. Here’s an interesting switch, from “Weber’s Way to Grill” by Jamie Purviance.

Weber also has posted a video of the process. To see it, click HERE.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Way to…

Sparkling Fresh Berry & Walnut Jelly

If you’re looking for a light, lovely  and luscious berry dessert, think about making jelly.

Not the kind you slather on your toast in the morning. This is simple yet sophisticated a fruit-studded gelatin.  You can…

Chicken Sliders

Christine Warta of Belleville is one of 20 semi-finalists vying for the last 10 spots at next year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off. Her recipe for Banh Mi Sliders is in a head-to-head competition with Sesame-Chicken Pot Stickers from Donna Wilkinson of Lakeside, Calif.

Votes…