Gourmet Highway: Zelda, Angel From Alabama

By Doc Lawrence - MONTGOMERY, Alabama—Timing is everything. On the eve of the release of the new movie of “The Great Gatsby,” I’m standing in the living room of the home where the author of the classic novel once lived. America remains fascinated by F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, enjoying tales of the “Lost Generation,” glimpses of life through the Woody Allen movie, “Midnight in Paris,” and the new best-selling...

Travel Confidently When You Pack This Book

By Anna Dantoni - This is the month for firming up those summer travel plans with hotel, flight and cruise ship reservations, a draft itinerary, and a list of those famous restaurants you want to try during your adventures. There’s a book that should be tucked into your carry-on luggage. It’s a paperback with a long title, Let’s Eat Out with Celiac/Coeliac & Food Allergies! and its a reference for special diets that will...

GOURMET HIGHWAY: Jazz, Southern Hospitality and Ra...

By Doc Lawrence - AIKEN, South Carolina – Once the home of the Hope Diamond, this lovely city is known for thoroughbred horses and all sorts of stylish equestrian competition. Southern hospitality originated somewhere and after a few days in Aiken, there is a feeling that perhaps this easy-going, elegant city, gave birth to gentle living and good manners. In the late 19th century, Aiken gained fame as a wintering spot for...

A Springtime Dessert From Normandy

By Sharon Pritchard - After the longest winter and the latest snow fall in Normandy for many years, it was nice to see our local market in full swing with some sunshine last week. French markets are renowned for the variety of local produce and our small market in Vire is no exception. Markets are an integral part of life in France and local producers of everything edible, from a live rabbit to home-baked bread, can be found...

Have You Met Henry Bain?

By Marsha Fottler - Once you’ve met Henry Bain, your life in the kitchen will be easier and you’ll have a reliable cooking resource that will bring rave reviews to many of  your meat preparations. Henry Bain is a sauce – a piquant, tangy, brown sauce that can be an ingredient in a complex recipe, or a room-temperature sauce to drizzle over a steak, hamburger, meat loaf, duck  – indeed almost any red meat or dark fowl. Henry...

GOURMET HIGHWAY: Florida’s Spring Baseball Ritual-...

By Doc Lawrence - LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA- The song is etched into the American psyche: “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” Simon and Garfunkel’s classic from the hit movie, “The Graduate,” paid homage to a genuine hero. A career New York Yankee, Joe DiMaggio, called “Joltin’ Joe” by adoring fans, was once married to Marilyn Monroe. The dapper, soft-spoken and movie star handsome....