How to screw up a French pastry

  I frequent a local cooking studio named Copper Pot. They usually host a pop-up bakery every third Sunday and this month's theme was French pastry. My slightly curvaceous hips and double chin (which I've lovingly named "Bertha") were not amused when I asked for two of everything. Denise Perry, the brains behind the business,...

Restaurant: Vele

The Springfield, IL food scene is swelling, and new arrival Vele (pronounced vay-lay) opened Thursday night with a highly-anticipated entrance. 524 E. Monroe Street houses the coastal Italian restaurant, completely designed for success. While this unsung genre of food is not often heard of in Central Illinois, the prospective excitement surrounds its executive chef, Justin...

Call me Patrick Bateman,

Because guess who got opening night reservations at the most anticipated, new restaurant in Springfield, IL?     Look for the review this week!

A new favorite: Pork Chili Verde

I'm easing myself back into writing with an easy one. One of my best friends introduced me to this recipe from the sous-vide god himself, J. Kenji López-Alt.  Look at this guy. He's won a James Beard award for his column and book and he just screws around in his kitchen making burgers. He's living...

Screw you, Nigella

I'm harboring some jealousy for the British Goddess divine. [It's rhetorical. Please, don't sue me for libel. I'm actually in love with you.]   The rain this week puddled up in our yard and my husband had his fifth knee surgery this week, so we're just as immobilized as the world around us. I also...

Liquid Nostalgia

As discovered at the Aviary, booze and food go together. It accompanies flavors and opens up your palate. It leads to taste discovery and self-discovery, delving into your id and ego with ease. (That's a fancy way to say you cry a lot about your exes when you drink too much whiskey) I have had...

Lo Mein Kampf

I am a 26-year-old female who is at the height of her career, married to a wonderful, handsome dude and I'm not terribly overweight. I'm not happy. I've been working as a Certified Emergency Nurse and Trauma Nurse Specialist for about four years now and have found fulfillment some days. I've felt badass, I've felt...