Starting Aug. 26, Starbucks has returned to its menus the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte. The drinks — made with real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, according to the company — provide a sign that autumn has unofficially arrived.

More than two decades ago, Starbucks launched the PSL, kicking off a worldwide seasonal craze and quickly becoming ...Read more

CHICAGO — Following a flurry of Chicago-flavored collaborations, a new twist on Garrett Popcorn combines the crunchy kernels with pizza in a partnership with Home Run Inn Pizza.

Garrett’s “Chicago Pizza” popcorn uses its signature butterfly and mushroom kernel, tossed in Home Run Inn’s “Everything But the Pizza” seasoning, with ...Read more

This simple chocolate zucchini bread recipe is rich and chocolaty with pools of molten chocolate chips on top. The subtle sweetness makes it perfect for breakfast or a snack served with vanilla Greek-style yogurt and raspberries.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Serves 12

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

2 large eggs

1/2 cup...Read more

How do you eat your vegetables? Raw? Cooked? Both? No matter what your answer, odds are good that you’ve heard that it’s “healthier” to eat your veggies raw. Maybe you’re even sold on the idea. But is it the truth?

It is true that cooking vegetables can reduce levels of some nutrients — but it also enhances levels of other nutrients...Read more

All-in-one bowl entrees are a boon for the busy cook. I had lots of fun making this recipe with crowd-pleasing results.

This Mediterranean farro wheat grain is a happy surprise added to the traditional corn and black bean Mexican ingredients. Farro now can be found at Trader Joe’s and other markets, partially cooked so it only takes 10 ...Read more

Tomatoes and basil forever. Especially vine-ripened, locally grown heirloom tomatoes and homegrown basil. Paired in a salad, layered on crusty bread, scrambled with eggs, or just eaten out of hand over the sink, I never have enough.

Just when I thought I’d tried every possible combination, my uncle’s husband, a French chef, whips up a ...Read more

If you’re in a dinner slump, I have a solution that is 100% guaranteed to excite your taste buds. The secret to turning bland chicken breast and boring baked fish into something that you actually look forward to eating is adding a sauce. Restaurants add flavor-...Read more

As we inch into a new school year, and look forward to fall colors and football, it's not a bad idea to squeeze in a few last meals cooked on the grill and served al fresco.

The nights are finally cooling, if only slightly, and in my backyard at least, fireflies are still calling out to each other at twilight with their fleeting, magical ...Read more

If you like eating and cooking foods from across the globe, you'll probably agree that sometimes the one ingredient that makes a certain dish sing is one you can't easily pronounce if you don't speak that country's language.

For me, that includes anything that gets a savory heat with 'nduja (pronounced en-DOO-ya), a soft and spicy sausage made ...Read more

Every once in a while, I just need a burger. Nothing complicated, just a plump meat patty with a thick char that gives in to be tender and juicy.

Debate all you want about the type of the bun, whether to top with cheese and what condiments to use. But experts agree there are some non-negotiable rules:

Choose good meat from a trusted source. ...Read more

With apologies to John Milton, a hamburger is often the final infirmity of a noble restaurant.

When times get tough, even the best chefs will succumb to the popular appeal and simple economics of a ground beef patty slid between well-buttered buns. Cheap chopped meat can conceal a lot of shortcomings and do wonders for the bottom line.

...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Charlie Burrows is obsessed with finding “the next corn dog,” a runaway food hit that becomes an essential stop on any Minnesota State Fairgoer’s list of must-eats.

He’s come pretty close. The popularity of the Tot Dog a few years ago — a Tater Tot-wrapped hot dog on a stick — took him by surprise, and had his LuLu�...Read more

This chipotle grilled chicken with pineapple and avocado strikes the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Enzymes in the fresh pineapple help tenderize the chicken breasts in only 15 minutes. Be sure to take them out of the marinade after the 15 minutes is up to prevent the meat from breaking down. To save time, you can use pre-cut pineapple.

...Read more

Q: Do sweetened foods and drinks affect my metabolism?

A: Sweeteners (even sugar-free options) can have an impact on your metabolic health. Sugar-sweetened products like sodas, desserts, and many processed foods are high in calories and can lead to weight gain when consumed in excess. Over time, high sugar intake is linked to increased risks of...Read more

Cold soups hit the spot when the weather is agonizingly hot and humid. It’s been a tough summer this year, but cooling soups that require no cooking are the perfect solution.

Chilled melon soups are an Asian contribution to California cuisine. Most Asian melon soups are warm and savory, but this one is chilled and subtly sweet, and it comes ...Read more

Bins of gorgeous assorted peppers and fresh chiles overflow at farmers markets in August. We enjoy as many as we can, cut up into salads and as a late-afternoon snack. No matter, the fridge still holds an abundance from our enthusiastic purchases.

Roasting those peppers saves them from getting tossed. I roast small hot chile peppers and then ...Read more

Chayote — which also goes by vegetable pear, mirliton, and Buddha’s palm, among other names — is a type of squash that’s native to Mexico. In the Philippines, it’s typically cooked in sautéed and stewed dishes, as well as ...Read more

Warm summer weather means breaking out the grill and doing as much cooking outside as possible to enjoy the season. Plus, cleanup after cooking is so much easier! My family leans heavily into homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3817430">Read more

CHICAGO -- At the recent soft launch opening of Shibam Coffee in suburban Glendale Heights, customers swarmed in, lined the red-roped entrance area and stared in wonder at the lavishly decorated interior, with marble floors and Arabic calligraphy on the walls. A few patrons started snapping photos even before getting to the main door. A teenager...Read more