Author Archives: Julie Hallinan
Keen on Quinoa
Quinoa: How many people can pronounce it (KEEN-wah) or spell it, let alone cook it? Don’t be put off by the funny spelling. Quinoa (a grain-like crop that comes from a flowering plant and is extremely high in protein and … Continue reading
Simple Lentils
I remember the first time I ate lentils. It is no secret that my tastes were quite simple until my young adulthood, which is why the lentils stand out in my mind. They were new. They were different. I wasn’t … Continue reading
Reunited: A Love Affair with the Farmers’ Market
Spring means one important thing to people who love cooking with fresh ingredients: the imminent opening of the farmers’ market (at least in sun-starved places like Chicago, where I live–typically opening for the season in late May). Why do I … Continue reading
Caught in the Act: Cheating with a Slow Cooker
My crock pot began as a joke, but has turned out to be anything but. Over Thanksgiving seven years ago, my husband suggested we get a crock pot. I have no idea where this came from since this is the … Continue reading
The Midday Gourmet
When we talk about meal planning, we’re usually talking about dinner. So what about lunch? Left unplanned. Left to the last minute. This phenomenon is what I call the lunch dilemma. More often than not, I come home from the … Continue reading
Lean and Green
Many of us include healthy eating and/or weight loss among our New Year’s resolutions. My husband and I have also turned over a new leaf and have adopted the “lean and green” dinner model. A couple of years ago my … Continue reading
A Moment for Muffins and Tea
On the rare morning that I find myself home (preferably alone while the kids are at school) with a little peace and quiet, I find nothing more relaxing than slowly sipping a cup of hot tea. My guilty pleasure is … Continue reading
From the Editor
Swine Dining
Cooking from the Carpool Lane