Have poached eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner

The beauty of poached eggs is their versatility. Depending on what you pair them with, they can be breakfast, lunch or even dinner.

New Year's goodies: Columbus cook shares one of her go-to recipes for sweet bites

Barbara Patterson never met a cookbook she didn't like. Her Columbus home has a big bookcase dedicated to them. "And she knows when we've messed with them," her daughter, Carol Boone, smiled. "When she goes to yard sales, she goes straight for the cookbooks -- the older the better.

Of droughts and foie gras angst -- the year in food

Most Americans never will sip the watermelon margarita at Guy Fieri's behemoth Times Square restaurant, nor savor the chicken Alfredo at the Olive Garden in Grand Forks, N.D. Yet both eateries somehow shot to the top of the nation's culinary zeitgeist in 2012, for this was the year of the viral restaurant review, when the rants and raves of seasoned pros and naive octogenarians alike got superstar treatment on the world wide smorgasbord.

Christmas morning: Special starts for a special day

An indelible memory I carry from childhood is of Christmas morning breakfasts. In our home, there was no charging from the bedrooms to see what Santa brought, no race between siblings to be the first to the tree. Oh no, if there was one thing we were good at, it was stretching out the Christmas experience.

A classic stuffing combination - sausage and pecan

When it comes to stuffing, it's hard to get a more classic flavor combination than sausage and pecans. The result is a salty, nutty, sweet, crunchy and tender combination of flavors and textures.

A sweet and tangy meatball fit for a holiday party

Sometimes failure can end up tasting pretty good. It certainly was the case with these meatballs.

Tamale time: Caledonia's Fork N Road starts tamale tradition

Tamales or tamaladas are as much a part of Christmas traditions in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries as bacalao (salted cod), pizole (hominy soup) and a nice roasted pavo (turkey). And why wouldn't they be especially popular during Christmas as tamales are one of the only foods that come already gift wrapped.

Home sweet home: Young home 'designers' get the job done with candy canes and gumdrops

There was plenty of construction going on in Starkville Sunday afternoon, but there was nary a nail gun or sawhorse in sight. Instead, this project required gumdrops, candy canes and chocolate kisses. And, oh yes, imagination.

Gifts of good cheer: Christmas giving, from your kitchen to theirs

As the days inch closer to Christmas each December, my husband and I know we're going to hear a knock on the door one evening. It will be a neighboring family, from down the road. They'll bring us gifts of Christmas carols and a delicious assortment of homemade goodies from their kitchen.

Five tasty ways to enjoy those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers

The big day is tomorrow. In many homes, the dining table's extra leaves are being inserted and more chairs rounded up from outlying rooms. Silverware is being cleaned, serving dishes lined up, and Thanksgiving meals are in the making. This holiday, more than any other, celebrates food as a focal point that draws us together. Yep, tomorrow the eating will be good.

Holiday Shopping Guide 2013

Best of the Triangle 2013

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