QUEBEC CITY It’s what’s inside the historic wall of Quebec City that makes people want to visit. It’s what’s outside that makes people want to stay. To visit without venturing outside the 17th century fortification is to miss the outdoor concerts, vistas and history of the hilltop Plains of Abraham, the up-and-coming Limoilou neighborhood where […]

To ensure that bulbs planted in the fall will bloom in early spring, timing is important. Plant too soon and the bulbs might rot in rain-saturated ground. Plant too late and they won’t have time to build enough energy for flowering. A soil thermometer is a more accurate tool than a calendar. The best time […]

Sirloin steak tips have deep flavor and a tender texture that calls out for a bright and texturally interesting accompaniment, so we chose our Southwestern-inspired Tangy Corn Relish. To keep the sirloin steak tips juicy despite the heat of the grill, we marinated the steak with a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, and potent […]

As the author of family-oriented cookbooks, I am often asked these two questions: “When is a good time to have your kids start helping in the kitchen?” Answer: Now! And, “Which tasks can kids do at what ages?” Answer: Depends on your kid. Some 7-year-olds are ready to use a sharp knife, while a 12-year-old […]

From the loving way I look at them, you’d think these jars were filled with a fine red wine. But no, they are filled with fine red tomatoes. How satisfied and rich they make me feel. The royal red color broadcasts richness through the sparkling clean glass. But it’s not just for show; I know […]

This fresh, hearty side dish will stand out among its richer, creamier counterparts on the holiday table. We achieved perfectly cooked brown rice by boiling it in abundant water. Sprinkling the rice with bright lemon juice while it was still warm boosted its flavor. To easily turn our brown rice into an appealing side salad, […]

On a Saturday in August, something happened at The Shop on Washington Avenue that had never happened before. The oyster shop ran out of oysters. That’s like a coffee shop running out of coffee. But it wasn’t the employees’ fault, and it wasn’t some kind of strange oyster shortage. Blame it on the food gods […]

Some of the greatest chilies you’ll ever eat hail from New Mexico’s Hatch Valley, which is why — naturally enough — tiny Hatch, New Mexico, is known as “The Chili Capital of the World.” This being the season for Hatch chilies, I thought it might be fun to showcase them at one of your very […]

I began this column more than 16 years ago, when Ford was just a baby and Owen was on the way. I was very young, and, when I read my first columns, also extraordinarily naive. But it was a simple column back then, sprung from my desire to detail life as a Navy wife. And […]

In its century of existence, the Cooperative Extension System has been a valuable resource distributing university-driven, science-based information — mostly about farming and gardening — to the public. But in today’s less agricultural America, the Extension network is adapting, expanding its rural focus into cities and suburbs too. Urban and suburban communities have their own […]