Peggy Grodinsky

Staff Writer

Peggy is the editor of the Food & Dining section and the books page at the Portland Press Herald. Previously, she was executive editor of Cook’s Country, a Boston-based national magazine published by America’s Test Kitchen. She spent several years in Texas as food editor at the Houston Chronicle. Peggy has taught food writing to graduate students at New York University and Harvard Extension School. She worked for seven years at the James Beard Foundation in New York and spent a year as a journalism fellow at the University of Hawaii. Her work has appeared in “Best of Food Writing” in 2017 and in “Cornbread Nation 4: The Best of Southern Food Writing” in 2008.

Food, Restaurant reviews

Dine Out Maine: In Vinalhaven, a restaurant in its 2nd season is still finding its sea legs

by Andrew Ross July 21, 2019July 22, 2019

As The Nightingale transforms from fast-casual to upscale-casual, its wine list impresses and its food shows both promise and problems.

Food, Recipes

Sweet, juicy tomatoes with creamy dressing. Come summer, who could ask for anything more?

by AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN For the Associated Press July 21, 2019July 12, 2019

To keep flavor but reduce the potential for sogginess, salt the tomatoes and reserve some of the water they release.

Food

Puree, liquefy, crush: How to choose and use a blender

by Becky Krystal The Washington Post July 21, 2019July 19, 2019

Buying a blender is like buying a car: You have a lot to choose from, in terms of capabilities and price, so it’s important to consider how, and how often, you intend to use it.

Arts & Entertainment, Books

Inert in her hospital bed, a college student knows somebody is trying to kill her

by Michael Berry July 21, 2019July 19, 2019

But who? And why? And how can she stop them? Despite her peril, the heroine of Michael Koryta’s engrossing thriller ‘If She Wakes’ shows plenty of grit.

Food, Maine Gardener

Stop and smell the roses – and the jasmine and the hyacinth and the bee balm …

by Tom Atwell July 21, 2019July 12, 2019

Gardeners often plant chiefly with their eyes, but incorporating their noses can make gardens even nicer.

Food, Recipes, Vegan Kitchen

Maine vegans talk shop: How to buy and cook vegan ‘meats’

by Avery Yale Kamila July 21, 2019July 18, 2019

Two brands command the greatest popularity here.

Food, Recipes

Hot summer months practically scream for a cold pasta salad with light, bright pesto

by AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN For the Associated Press July 21, 2019July 12, 2019

But using pesto with cold pasta presents a few challenges.

Outdoors, Sports

Birding: What’s in a name? A lot, it turns out

by Herb Wilson July 21, 2019July 20, 2019

Some thought-provoking ideas emerge when birders put together the annual supplement to the American Ornithologists Society’s Check-list of North American Birds.