FOOD: THE LOCAL SCENE
This week's stories

Branching out beyond pizza at Toarmina’s

Toarmina’s Pizza’s Bone-In Wings and Bacon & Cheese Tots are just a couple of examples of the restaurant’s delicious and affordable non-pizza offerings.
The Toarmina’s Pizza location on East Michigan Avenue is beloved by the City Pulse staff. When we need a fast lunch, the restaurant’s premade slices of pizza are just a two-minute walk away, and when we have occasional staff meals together, we typically order a few pies that are quickly devoured.

The winter wonders of pomegranate

Sun Dried Tomato and Pomegranate Salad, courtesy of food writer Robyn Eckhardt’s cookbook, “Istanbul & Beyond: Exploring the Diverse Cuisines of Turkey.”
As holiday talk builds to a festive pitch and the cold darkness moves to embrace you, don’t sleep on pomegranate season. It’s ready to sneak back into your life.

Pie time for a wintry treat

Chocolate and pumpkin pie make a special combination. And since I love pumpkin pie but am weary of making pie crust, messing around with Oreo-crusted pumpkin pie is one of my favorite Thanksgiving …

BAD’s new grapes taste great

  A gluten-free gal on the hunt for a “girl dinner” can’t do much better than Mason’s BAD Brewing Co. The brewpub is just a leisurely 20-minute drive down Cedar …
She Ate / He Ate

Jolly Pumpkin elevates traditional dishes to new heights

With seven locations throughout the state, Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery has come to be celebrated for its artisanal, granite-baked pizzas, but it also offers equally enticing appetizers, salads, bowls, sandwiches and desserts.
With seven locations throughout the state, Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery has come to be celebrated for its artisanal, granite-baked pizzas, but it also offers equally enticing appetizers, salads, bowls, sandwiches and desserts.

She ate/He ate: Ellison Brewery and Event Space earns rave reviews

The She Ate/He Ate critics agree — Ellison Brewery’s Nashville Hot Yardbird sandwich is a smash hit, as are its other offerings, including pizzas, wings and breakfast sandwiches.
Ellison Brewery and Event Space 1314 S. Washington Ave., Lansing 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday ellisonbrewing.com

Drinks and bar food with a view

The rooftop Graduate Rock Bar in East Lansing has unparalleled views of MSU’s campus and the sprawling Lansing area.
Graduate Rock Bar 133 Evergreen Ave., East Lansing 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-midnight Friday Noon-midnight Saturday Noon-11 p.m. …
More food

Heffron Farms has the meats

In addition to the fresh and frozen turkeys that are available for Thanksgiving, Heffron Farms also delivers beef, pork, chicken, duck and lamb, with more options available by request.

  Heffron Farms is just under 50 miles away from Lansing, but its new meat delivery service is set on closing that distance. On Tuesday (Nov. 21), the farm made its weekly pilgrimage …

Thanksgiving magma

This bright and bold sauce is fit for your Thanksgiving table.

A year has come and gone since I happened upon a flame-orange paste created from roasted squash and red peppers. I call it magma because it’s red and earthy, but I could also call it autumn mayonnaise because it improves everything it touches.

Sindhu’s vindaloo is out of this world

Basmati rice and garlic naan are the perfect accompaniments to tone down the spice level of Sindhu’s chicken vindaloo.

Since I first tried it my freshman year of college, Indian food has become one of my go-to takeout cuisines. I order it when I’m famished since the portions are typically huge, and it has never …

Chocolate beet bar bliss

Moist, rich, creamy and full of chocolate flavor, no one will guess these delicious bars are composed primarily of root vegetables.

If nobody told you this dessert was composed primarily of root vegetables, you’d simply think it was a magnificent fudge bar — moist like a rainforest, rich like a truffle and creamy like …

Sophisticated simplicity

Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, meaty, chewy — Bangos’ Maple Boy sandwich hits every flavor note except for spicy, which can be remedied with a side order of Nasty AF potatoes.

Former food truck Bangos’ long-awaited conversion to a brick-and-mortar space has come at last, and Lansing-area foodies — myself included — are rejoicing.

No-frills French onion soup

Although the cooking time is brief, French onion soup takes time to prepare. It’s perfect for a cold winter day, when the process can heat the entire house.

I made it surprisingly far through life without thinking deeply about onions. It took an acid trip in college, during which I watched my friend Wayne fry an onion that had been cut in half. We stood …

Not all peanut butters are created equal

With so many options available on grocery store shelves, it’s important to know exactly what sets different varieties of peanut butter apart so you can make the most informed decision.

Modern grocery stores put their predecessors to shame with the number of items available for purchase. Gone are the days when grocery stores featured roughly 12 aisles and stocked shelves primarily …

Sweet and spooky apple jack-o’-lanterns

The five biggest shopping days of the year for candy are all in October, thanks to Halloween, which sells more candy than any other holiday.

The caviar of turnips

Salty, meaty, earthy and sweet, it’s almost impossible to eat this hakurei turnip dish with your eyes open.

During Germany’s infamous Turnip Winter of 1916 to 1917, World War I had left villagers so desperate for food that they would break into cattle barns and steal the turnips meant for cows. For similar historical reasons in countless places, turnips have a reputation for being a famine food.

Ditch store-bought ketchup for good

This time of year, when tomatoes are overflowing, try making a batch of homemade ketchup, which you’ll likely find is a step above any store-bought varieties.

It’s easy to take ketchup for granted. But once our all-American burger and fries arrive, if we don’t have ketchup, we have a problem.

The perfect sick-day takeout

You don’t need to wait until you’ve fallen ill to enjoy Korea House’s spicy, brothy yukgaejang, complete with a number of banchan, or small side dishes.

Despite the enduring summerlike weather, co-workers at both of my jobs have been calling in sick like any other turn of the season, and this week, I was finally taken out myself. It’s strange …

Not-so-secret salmorejo

When the average Spaniard wants to whip up a quick cold soup at home — or have a chilled bowl at the local bar — it’s likely to be salmorejo, a simple dish composed of tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and bread crumbs.

My first kitchen job involved making six gallons of gazpacho every Sunday. This was back when earning your chops meant something, and making that whole batch with just a knife and peeler — no …

FOOD: FEATURES FROM ELSEWHERE

Tips to keep your cat happy and healthy this holiday season and beyond

(BPT) - In the company of loved ones, the holidays transform into a meaningful celebration marked by decadent foods, delightful presents and joyous gatherings. As a pet parent, you want to share in …

Ready for holiday baking? How to choose the right bakeware

(BPT) - If you love holiday baking, but one look at your tired old pans does not inspire you to make holiday magic in your kitchen, you may be ready to upgrade to better-quality bakeware. You may …

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

(Culinary.net) Don't throw out your seeds after this year's pumpkin carving. This healthy snack is easy to make at home and a fun project to get the kids involved.

Lacey Chabert's Top Tips for Easy Holiday Hosting
(BPT) - The holidays are a festive time of year full of friends, family and fun. Hosting events in your home is a great way to bring loved ones together, but it also can be overwhelming. Fortunately, …
For New Year’s resolution success, don’t write off the end of this year
(BPT) - Three-quarters of Americans are planning to enjoy the end of the year and not worry about their diet — up from just half last year, according to a new survey. Results of a recently …
From farm to festivity: How to create holiday magic with fresh fruits and veggies
(BPT) - Many holiday celebrations center around food and good company. A meal can bring people, whether acquaintances, friends, or family, together to celebrate the season.To make your holiday …
Planning holiday get-togethers? Tips for easy and crowd-pleasing appetizers
(BPT) - Do you love entertaining friends and family with plates of delicious food around the holidays, but feel pressed for time and ideas when it comes to making tasty appetizers? You’re in …
Dynamic charm: Explore the 7 unique neighborhoods of Costa Mesa
(BPT) - Planning a trip to Southern California? You could visit well-known cities like Los Angeles and San Diego … or stay in a city where you'll have many cultural excursions at your …
Four Tips to Bring Some Festive Spirit to Your Home This Holiday Season
(BPT) - Whether it's spending hours decorating the house, checking off your shopping list, or even planning your holiday vacation back home, the holidays can be one of the busiest times of the year. …
6 tips for hosting a successful college football tailgate this winter
(BPT) - With the final weeks of the college football season here, are you ready to cheer on your favorite team as we head into the winter? Make this football season finale the best one yet by hosting …
Technology Meets Taste: New Home Coffee Machines Enhance the Specialty Beverage Experience
(BPT) - Coffee lovers can experience the pleasures of barista-crafted coffee at home as new technologies in coffee machines cater to increasingly sophisticated tastes. The Swiss brand JURA leads the …
4 Easy Ways to Shop on Small Business Saturday
(BPT) - It's that time of year again, where people rush out of their homes to find gifts for family and friends. Those gifts are important, but your choice of where you buy those gifts holds power …
Hosting Advice for a Perfect Holiday Ham
(Family Features) For a classic, delicious ham perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions, try this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham.

Serve Plant-Based Sweets This Holiday Season

(Family Features) Make this year's festivities truly memorable by adding a touch of sweetness to holiday celebrations with this delightful combination of fluffy cupcakes, creamy frosting and a heavenly caramel drizzle.

Make 'Eggstra' Special Holiday Memories: Turn to eggs to take festivities to new heights this season

Make 'Eggstra' Special Holiday Memories: Turn to eggs to take festivities to new heights this season
(Family Features) Whether it's served as an appetizer or light dessert, this savory-with-a-touch-of-sweet Popovers with Cranberry Butter recipe can become part of your family's most cherished traditions.

Simple swaps to elevate the kitchen for holiday hosting

(BPT) - As the heart of the home, the kitchen comes even more alive during the holiday season. From baking favorite treats and preparing beloved family dishes to hosting special events of all sizes, …

5 Surprising Ways to Use Eggnog and Spice up this Holiday Season

(BPT) - Eggnog is a beloved tradition for many, but did you know there’s so much more you can do than pour it into a glass? You can easily brighten your holiday season by incorporating this …

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