YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions

There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.
Bay of Fundy Salmon.

Welcome Home

When Allie’s Beach Street Cafe closed last spring, all of Manchester wondered what might be next for the space in the heart of downtown. The answer is 35 Beach, a completely reimagined eatery with a new, beautiful interior and a fusion menu.

Alex Pineda and Noe Ortega are The New Landing

The Landing in Marblehead has been a mainstay restaurant for decades, but in recent years a new operations team and two chefs with a big Boston pedigree has taken over. Kris McGinn checked it out.

Mushroom of the Week: Fungal Fruitings

All of our seemingly endless summer rains have produced some interesting fungal fruitings! Typically, we have a mid-summer drought, or worse, and can only collect fall species, but this year, we …

The Pink Moment: Mayflour Bakery Shines in Essex

For the past five years, Kris McGinn has been praying that a bakery would open in Essex. Wth Mayflour Bakery opening, her call is answered.

Mushroom of the Week: Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the Woods is one of the “Top 4” easiest edible mushrooms to identify.   It is right up there with Morels, Puffballs, and the Shaggy Mane. Its bright orange colors can shine …

Mushroom of the Week: The White Button Mushroom

<p>Slate plate with cremini mushrooms on table</p>

The common White Button Mushroom is probably the most famous fungal fruiting body of them all.  It is found in virtually every grocery store in the world.   Eaten raw, or cooked, it is an …

The Caprese Fantastica (above) with burrata stracciatella, organic cherry tomatoes, and grilled Virgilios ciabatta is a popular new menu item, but the Cobb Salad (below) is a loved staple.
SPRING IS THE BUFFER SEASON, when daylight savings time brings an extra hour of sunlight, and the cool air starts to warm.  Summer’s coming, and locals start thinking about outdoor dining around …
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Vidalia’s — Hello Again
Melissa is trying to understand what the space should be.  She is standing in the middle of the sun filled room, toggling between produce, baked goods, artisanal groceries, and the insanely good …
Brick Caps, Hypholoma lateritium, (Photo: Bernard Spragg)
The Joys of Winter Mushrooms
It may be surprising, but one can find a few edible wild mushrooms during wintertime.  The good thing is that hunting them gives you something to do while you’re cross-country skiing or walking in …
<p>Black Trumpet Mushroom</p>
Mushroom Of The Week: Black Trumpet Martinis Anyone?
It is a long-standing tradition in Scandinavia, and more recently in North America, to infuse vodkas, aquavit, and other high-test distillates with local mushrooms, particularly Black Trumpets or …
Main Street in Telluride, CO just before the parade.
Postcards Home: Telluride, Colorado’s Amazing Mushroom Festival
WHAT KIND OF WIERD THING on earth is a Mushroom Festival one might ask?  Well, there are Garlic Festivals, Apple Festivals and Tulip Festivals, so why not one for mushrooms?   Mind you, it is …
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5 simple (but smart) kitchen upgrades to save you time this summer

(BPT) - Summer is here! The warm weather is the perfect excuse to spend time outdoors doing what you enjoy with the people you love. To maximize your time for relaxation and enjoyment, it’s a …
4 ways to incorporate off-whites into your home's design
(BPT) - Interior design styles are always changing. Since the 1990s, interior styles have moved from sleekness to warm tones to clean basics and now, to a natural warmth that introduces a holistic …
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee
Several processes can take most of the caffeine out of coffee. AP Photo/John Minchillo For many people, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the start of a great day. But caffeine can cause …
Signature sandwich from each state
Stacker researched staple sandwiches—the kind that makes residents proud—and highlighted one from each state that everyone should try.
Shake Up Family Meals with a Versatile Superfood: 5 benefits of cooking with ghee
(Family Features) When your family is in search of a delicious way to shake things up in the kitchen, consider new ways to cook favorite dishes like Sweet Potato Bowl with Cilantro, Turmeric Ghee and Lime.
Tasty Recipes to Combat the Hustle and Bustle: Family-friendly meals ready in 30 minutes or less
(Family Features) For a real escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, invite island flavors to dinner with this simple yet satisfying Grilled Hawaiian Chicken and Coconut Rice.
Recipes, tips & food info

Everyday Ways to Nurture Your Skin This Summer: 4 simple habits to support healthy skin

(Family Features) Keeping your skin healthy and glowing begins with protecting it from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and eating and drinking healthy foods and beverages.

Bring Loved Ones Together at Mealtime with Protein-Packed Peanuts

(Family Features) Building meals around recipes like Broccoli and Edamame Salad or Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps, which are packed with plant-based protein, can help your family come together to refuel.

How to savor summer with these deliciously sweet treats

(BPT) - Summer is all about having fun experiences and enjoying special moments with friends and family, so why not sweeten those memories with some extra tasty treats? Indulge in chocolate taste …

Registered Dietitian Shares Her Tips For a Cool Summer

(BPT) - Summer means longer days and warmer nights. It also means time for road tripping, summer gatherings, and fun in the sun. But coming up with different yet fun travel ideas, flavorful yet …

4 Ways to Blend Style and Functionality Through Invisible Kitchens

(BPT) - Recent shifts in interior design trends have made way for a kitchen style that marries elevated elegance with function: the invisible kitchen. Also known as the no-kitchen kitchen, this …
3 winning ways of sweet Northwest cherries
(BPT) - Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits to local markets, and competition can be fierce for a place in a shopper’s cart. When it comes to choosing a nourishing snack, bringing home …
2024's best cities for grilling meat
Lawn Love ranked U.S. cities based on local interest in grilling, access to butchers and the average cost of meat.
Celebrate Salad Season Outside the Bowl
(Family Features) From putting a family meal on the table after activities to hosting a large crowd at your next get-together, a seasonal favorite like Caesar salad can serve as the perfect canvas for creating quick, easy-to-prepare meals like Creamy Truffle Caesar Pork Sandwiches and Chicken Caesar Tacos.
Elevate Pizza Night with Premium Toppings
(Culinary.net) A family debate over what's for dinner often ends with one word: pizza. Next time you land on pizza night, take it to the next level with options like Genoa Salame and Pepperoni Three-Cheese White Pizza. When the weekend rolls around and it's time for a savory snack or in-home entertaining, put premium dry sausage at centerstage with this Tour of Italy Charcuterie Board.
Make A Splash This Summer: Top Tips for the Ultimate Pool Party
(BPT) - Everyone loves a pool party — the warm sun, refreshing water, plus all the fun and games happening in and around the pool that make it the coolest way to spend time with friends and …

Quick, Delicious Breakfasts to Start Your Day with a Bang

(Family Features) If you're looking for a little motivation to take on a busy day or fueling up for an adventurous weekend with the family, there's no better way to start the morning than with a filling breakfast.

Give Your Grilling Game a Flavor Boost: 3 tips to make summer meals deliciously memorable

(Family Features) Make sure your grill game is on fire this summer. The right prepping, seasoning and grilling techniques can help you serve your favorite foods.

Grape Summer Gatherings: Easy recipes to enjoy at warm-weather celebrations

(Family Features) These recipes show the myriad ways grapes can bring out the best in warm-weather fare: a tasty frozen treat, a chic cocktail and a flavorful Southwestern-inspired salad that each add a special touch to any gathering.

More food ideas

(BPT) - Just when you thought you knew all the fruits in the produce section, you're in for a delightful treat. One kiwi variety may have slipped under your radar, but it’s about to become your …
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