I've been doing a lot of cooking this week, and it's been really nice. When my marriage ended a year ago, I was suddenly thrown back into cooking by myself again, and at first I was lost at sea. I had forgotten everything I'd known -- the touch and the feel of cooking -- that I'd had ten years earlier when I was single. More

In my recent pantry reorganization, I found a bag of wheat berries I'd been meaning to use. A simple salad with some winter citrus and salty feta seemed like a good idea, and it all turned out very tasty. Light yet satisfying, this makes a perfect lunch or dinner side salad this time of year. More

While many folks lament the produce available this time of year, I find the cooking opportunities to be rich and inspiring. Thankfully, I love winter greens, so while the more delicate lettuces, vibrant peppers, squashes and tomatoes are gone until warmer months, winter greens provide endless opportunities for healthy, delicious cold-weather meals. More

We've finally composted or given away the last of the Christmas cookies and frozen any remaining leftovers. I'm sure you can relate to the fact that the past few weeks have brought about many heavy meals and more sweets than we usually eat. To lighten up, I've dusted off the juicer and am vowing to make salads for lunch for the next few weeks. We have our go-to salad of farmers' market lettuces, goat cheese, and a lemony vinaigrette. But it's nice to mix things up for the New Year, and move beyond our tried-and true favorites. More

The basic ingredients for this cheerful salad are easy to find, but lend themselves to an upgrade. Perfect citrus fruit is plentiful and affordable during winter, so mix in some of the more exotic specimens you've been tempted to try. More

Creamed spinach is a classic, decadent side dish, but it also makes a fine nest for baked eggs. Despite its name, cream weighs down the spinach, so half-and-half or whole milk is a better choice. On the other hand, skim milk is puny, meager, and inadequate. Starting with fresh spinach requires an extra prep step, but the flavor and texture are so superior to frozen spinach that it's worth it. (You can make the creamed spinach the night before!) More

Q: I'm looking to cook Christmas dinner for my parents for the first time this year. They're very traditional in what they like to eat and my mother is also gluten-free. Can you recommend some traditional but interesting gluten-free recipes for sides and appetizers? More

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Ah, love that song. It's always there to remind me that it's chestnut season, in case I've forgotten. While I love just eating them plain as soon as they come out of the oven, I'm intrigued by the idea of chestnut butter. More

There are the meals you'll plan this holiday season, meals you shop for and anticipate coming out of the oven. And then there are the rest of the meals, the everyday dinners that can be a struggle to keep interesting. A quick solution: a simple, flavor-filled sauce. More

Here is a bread that is as much a pleasure to look at as it is to eat. Check out that braiding! And the way it practically glows on the table! Slice yourself a piece and cherish the pillow-soft interior, simultaneously rich and slightly sweet. Challah is a bread that should be in everyone's repertoire. For celebrating everything from Hanukkah to Sunday supper, challah is the just the bread for the job. More