Grill experts offer new books on the age-old method of cooking outdoors

You'd think there would be nothing new under the sun since the time man first set his dinner to flame, but every year hence there seems to be yet another method of fueling and firing and a host of new tools to assist you in grilling everything from the appetizer to dessert.

Home-cooked tomatoes sweet as home-grown

If you're like me, you're counting the days until the first red, ripe tomato appears in the garden or at the farmer's market.

Mustard makes picnic fave 'old-fashioned'

With Memorial Day this weekend and Father's Day and the Fourth of July waiting in the wings, we thought it might be a good idea to conduct a potato salad tasting.

Veg out with meatless hash, stir-fry

My mother's culinary strategy was before her time. The now-trendy concept of meatless Monday was common at my house when I was a child, as was meatless Tuesday, meatless Wednesday and even meatless Thursday.

Hamlin Corner sports bar adds Royal Oak location

Hamlin Corner joins the Royal Oak nightlife scene with a grand opening this weekend. Located at 386 N. Main just north of 11 Mile, the bar is a member of the Hamlin Pub family, which has locations throughout Oakland and Macomb counties.

Coffee and cake a winning team

We've created a lighter but still moist and rich Bundt cake, added a ribbon of hazelnut-coffee streusel inside and a drizzle of coffee glaze on top.

Good stuff: Watermelon pops, dip chller and wine app

Make watermelon push pops, try a new chilled dip and check out the WiNEPAD app at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

No-churn coffee ice cream a scream

We decided to make our own ice cream. Without an ice-cream maker. And it worked. Mix. Freeze. Eat.

Asparagus, part of the lily family, is rich in nutrients

There are about 300 varieties of asparagus, 20 of which are edible. It's part of the lily family.

Microwave is safe, but use it carefully

While health experts stand behind the safety of microwaves, it's important to draw the line between myth and fact when it comes to health and safety concerns.

Truffles and tea seed oil bring flavor and health

Looks are definitely deceiving when it comes to truffles. Misshapen and lumpy, these earthy orbs are among the most prized delicacies in the culinary world.

Gas station Mexican restaurant opens as standalone Las Cazuelas Grill

When a little Mexican lunch counter in a gas station becomes something of a dining destination, it says something very good about the talents of the proprietors.

Day-boat scallops add tasty twist to caprese salad

Whenever I spy the word 'caprese,' whether on a menu or in a cookbook, I snap to attention. 'Caprese,' which means 'in the style of Capri,' is best known for caprese salad and includes three of my favorites – basil, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

Sweetened whiskey is all the rage, but the standards are fun to cook with, too

Whiskey is a beloved spirit that dates back hundreds of years, and it has a diverse personality. It can take the edge off a hard day, or liven up a marinade or ...

Easy dinner pasta allows heart to stay in the garden

Now that the weather has finally turned lovely, the last place I want to be is indoors. Would I rather be planting iris or peeling potatoes? This pasta dish is ...

Good Stuff: Glacier Glass, happy hour at Rattlesnake Club, Samuel Adams in a can

New glassware comes from recycled wine bottles, Rattlesnake Club offers deals for its 25th anniversary, Samuel Adams Boston Lager gets the new "Sam Can."

Spacious, upbeat Eddie Merlot’s brings the beef and much more

Once you get past the name that would probably better serve a racehorse than an upscale restaurant, Eddie Merlot's has a lot going for it.

Vegan fruit crumble is allergy-friendly, too

Fruit crumble is usually pretty straightforward: combine flour, sugar and butter, and you've got a perfect streusel topping, right? But what happens when you ...

Muffins easy to vary with store-bought mix

Store-bought baking mix is a handy starting point for a batch of homemade muffins. Bake up a classic blueberry or raid your kitchen cabinets for a deliciously ...

5 smart supermarket shopping tips

With so many choices and temptations, shopping at the supermarket can make your head spin. Toby Amidor on foodnetwork.com gives give you the inside scoop so ...

Friends and Red Wings fans gather at Signature Grill, the gateway to Joe Louis Arena

At the Signature Grill, Stefanie Delvecchio is known as Computer Girl, because she brings her widescreen laptop downstairs with her and sets it up on the bar.

Food calendar

Take a barbecue class, learn about the Barefoot Contessa, make blue asiago cheese, visit an old fashioned soda fountain and more.

Show Mom you care with an eggstra special dish for Mother's Day

Spring brings new ingredients to the table bursting with flavor and bright colors, including a roulade that can be filled with almost anything the cook can ...

Flavored vinegar makes rhubarb blush

You don’t need a mountain of sugar to appreciate rhubarb. Other flavors such as orange, grapefruit and ginger flatter rhubarb, as does the aforementioned ...

Batali’s sons debut cookbook of Michigan summer recipes

Benno, Leo and my wife, Susi, conceived of, planned and photographed the “Batali Brothers Cookbook” as my 50th birthday present. The outcome is a compilation ...

A colorful salad with Sicilian inspiration

I’ve riffed on the combination of blood oranges, mint and red onion, and added my own spin. The results? Shockingly good in color and in flavor!

Easy treats to make for Mom on Mother’s Day

We’ve put together simple ideas for sweet somethings for Mom that run the gamut from chocolate delights to fruity concoctions. Make a couple of treats and ...

Good stuff: Stamp Out Hunger, Fruttare in the U.S., Spanish wine

Participate in the letter carriers' food drive this weekend, try a frozen fruit bar's U.S. debut and taste the Spanish white wine Albarino.