Whenever I see the word “quinoa” (pronounced keen-wa), I think of my younger daughter’s reaction to it when I brought some home the first time. She was curious about a food with a name that began with the letter “q.” She began studying the package. I had done my homework before my purchase, so I
Have you tried quinoa?
Among other good stuff, this edible seed provides protein, vitamin E, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc
Is coffee good for your health?
Prairie Fare: Buttermilk Pancakes
Just call me MacGyver,” my husband said, referencing a mid-1980s and 1990s TV show character. I looked up from my task to see if he was fixing something with a paper clip, chewing gum or his pocketknife, as the secret agent used to do. The TV character often narrowly escaped explosions with his clever solutions
Fruits and veggies deserve more respect
Prairie Fare: Mango Salsa
As I checked our family’s garden the other day, I noted the potential bumper crop of tomatoes coming our way. I recalled a scene from the season we built a raised garden bed. That year, I noticed a few partially eaten tomatoes on the grass outside the raised bed. Eating tomatoes right out of the
Try a new sandwich during ‘National Sandwich Month’
Prairie Fare: Thai Chicken Wraps
As I was eating a “fancy” grilled cheese sandwich the other day at a hotel restaurant, I thought of the grilled cheese sandwiches of my childhood. The hotel sandwich had some kind of cream sauce, about five kinds of cheese and sliced tomatoes inside. I paid way too much for it. Although I usually eat
How can you tame a sweet tooth?
Prairie Fare: New and improved Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars
Mom, why are they called cookies instead of ‘bakies?’” my 17-year-old daughter asked me. She was scooping cookie dough onto a tray for a 4-H food entry in the fair. “You bake cookies. You don’t cook them,” she continued. She likes to test me with unusual questions on a regular basis. I pondered her question
Judging food contests tempts the plate
Prairie Fare: Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake
My job has a few perks, and judging the occasional food contest ranks among them. I have judged potatoes, beef, ham and pies, to name a few. I judged another food contest a couple of weeks ago. All of the food entries were numbered and placed on tables, and our team of three judges studied
Say ‘cheese’ for a food science experience at home
Prairie Fare: Summer Vegetable Frittata
Mom, I want to learn to make cheese,” my 17-year-old daughter said. “Cheese?” I responded, wanting to be sure I heard her correctly. “I love cheese. I think it would be a good 4-H project,” she replied. She certainly knows how to get my attention and mentoring. I hadn’t made cheese since I taught basic
Spillin’ the beans about getting kids to eat vegetables
Prairie Fare: Snappy Green Beans with Basil Dip
If I placed all the green beans I cut as a child from end to end, they’d probably reach from Fargo to Jamestown. Maybe the trail of beans only seems to have covered 100 miles. I became quite efficient at cutting beans after modifying my cutting techniques. I tried several different knives and finally decided
Tips on naturally recycling your kitchen wastes
Prairie Fare: Spinach Artichoke Dip (Slow Cooker)
Julie, Julie, how does your garden grow?” people often ask me when inspired by my maiden name. Yes, that reminds me of the “Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?” nursery rhyme. Fortunately, people leave out the “quite contrary” part. Well, they usually do. This year, my garden has hosted rabbits enjoying buffets
Foods that help you take care of your eyes
Prairie Fare: Asian-Style Cobb Salad and Avocado Egg Cups
Mom, I’ll help you,” my 11-year-old daughter said. I think I detected a smirk on her face. “No, I can do it,” I replied with a bit of determination in my voice. “No, really, I can do it for you,” my daughter persisted. She definitely had a smirk on her face this time. I squinted,
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
