Gardening is a conversation with the earth. The gardener does something, and the earth responds via the outcome. If you plant a tomato seedling upside down, for example, the earth will happily swallow it, thereby ending the discussion. more

Sparkling wines are made by sealing the beverages before the fermentation process is complete, causing their hallmark effervescent bubbles. Sparkling wines are produced in various regions of the world, but “champagne” is unique to the Champagne region of northeast … more

Need plans for the weekend? Why not check out the Meridian Township Farmers’ Market’s renovated digs? The market is stepping in 2021 on Saturday by opening up its winter season outdoors at its new Marketplace on the Green Venue at 1995 Central Park Drive, Okemos. more

Skipping meat on Fridays is a common sacrifice Christians make during Lent. But meals can still be flavorful when chicken, beef and pork are off the table. Lent makes for an ideal time to embrace delicious vegetarian meals, as well as those that feature seafood. more

Charcuterie boards have become more popular in recent years. People often make entire meals out of the finger foods and snack-like items that are included in these offerings, which may include … more

Tradition reigns supreme during the holiday season. From minced pies in England to kutia in Ukraine to spiced hot chocolate in Peru, many different foods and beverages are savored this time of year around the world. more

Aharon Hebert and Will Green, co-owners of Bangos food truck, are opening up a new restaurant called Babe's Corner. more

In the neighborhood where I grew up, my go-to spot for culinary excellence was Armando’s Pizza. If I was in a hurry, I’d buy a slice and be on my way. But if I had the time, I’d have an eggplant sub. more

The recipe for toum contains only garlic, salt, lemon juice and olive oil. It’s as thick and creamy as mayo and improves everything it touches. But before it’s time for toum, we have to … more

Cocktail parties feature prominently on social schedules each holiday season. Such get-togethers are convenient because the foods and beverages served are designed to be small and portable, which can … more

Homebase, a cloud-based time-tracking app, reported that the amount of hours worked in small businesses dropped 62 percent since March 17. more

The Jewish-American tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas is rooted in pragmatism and loneliness. In the mid-1900s, America’s two largest non-Christian immigrant populations shared the experience of watching the world grind... more

Last week, I read a bizarrely mean-spirited and pointless editorial in the Detroit Free Press, bemoaning the fact that Lansing is the capital of Michigan and generally expressing how terrible our city is. Obviously, I disagree vehemently. more

Miso is best known for miso soup, and I’ve always enjoyed a good bowl. But there is more to this salty, fermented soybean paste than what's in the bowl that precedes your sushi order. Miso is as versatile as mayonnaise and comes in a spectrum of colors, each with different formulations … more

When the weather begins to indicate that winter is, in fact, going to happen again this year, turning to food for edification seems to be the natural choice. I don’t just look to meals for warmth but also color, freshness and variety — basically everything for which we’ll have to wait very patiently to see out of our windows again. And where better to look for this inspiration than the vibrant cuisine of Southeast Asia? more

I am not typically a breakfast person. I eat a hardboiled egg most mornings to better metabolize my supplements and caffeine, and then I tend not to think about food for many hours. Some days, however, I awake with a furious hunger more

Caprese salad is a simple dish. Yet the mere combination of tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese, dusted with salt and slathered in olive oil, accomplishes so much. Dressed in the colors of the Italian flag, Caprese exemplifies the fresh, ingredient-centric ethos of Italian cuisine. Like a margherita pizza without the crust and heat, Caprese is the perfect way to enjoy the downslope of summer. more

Williamston’s Old Nation Brewing Co. offers a relaxed atmosphere, creative sides and plenty of locally crafted beers to choose from. Its masculine design aesthetics — think open-concept with exposed HVAC, a la Lansing Brewing Co. — are balanced out by the genuine friendliness of the staff and little touches of care such as a phone-charging station at the bar. more

Two local joints that have popped up since fall you may have missed are Social Cloth Cafe & Bakery and Sunshine Diner. more

Is the Lansing area becoming a food destination? It’s well on its way. Several local mainstays are attracting statewide visitors with unique culinary creations, from olive burgers and fried … more