Pucker up
Rhubarb lovers celebrate spring with a tart treat
By SHARON THOMPSON Knight Ridder Newspapers
Rhubarb makes a beautiful statement in the garden. With its pink-purple stalks, rhubarb is one of spring’s first crops.

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD
Service is super for supper
By ROBIN LaBRUNERIE
People ask me to include in my column recipes for quick family meals. It is something I should be able to provide because I produce such meals almost daily. My husband thinks the speed with which I can put a balanced, pleasing meal on the table is in a league with Carl Edwards’ driving. 

FOOD SLEUTH
Teach kids how to cook, but think of safety first
By MELINDA HEMMELGARN
School’s out, so why not get cooking? Summer vacation offers the perfect opportunity to turn your kitchen into a learning laboratory. Cooking provides an outlet for creative expression; and, if you can prepare something really well, you can make a great impression.

HOMEMADE IN MINUTES
Nothing tops fresh strawberry jam
By JULIA HELVEY
Nothing tastes better than vine-ripened strawberries. Though we need rain, strawberry growers are hoping for dry days so the crop does not spoil in the field. We are accustomed to seeing fresh strawberries in our markets year round, but the very best berries are those that are grown right in Missouri. They often are smaller, but the flavor cannot be better. I want a berry that is red throughout, not just on the outside.

COOKIN' WITH HOSS
What’s old is new again
By TRISH AND JIM KOETTING
Oh, how far we’ve come in just a couple of generations. From train travel to worldwide jet transportation, from adding machines to lap-top PC’s and from chicken being a special meal to becoming the most economical protein source at the megamarket.

KITCHEN NOTES

WOLFGANG'S KITCHEN
Here are the secrets (shhhh) of delicious, beautiful shrimp
By WOLFGANG PUCK
"Why do shrimp in restaurants always taste more delicious and look more beautiful than when I cook them at home?" You wouldn’t believe how often people ask me that question.

Summer treats sizzle
Knight Ridder Newspapers
If your summertime travels take you to Spain or Mexico, you might have the delight of buying churros - sweet strips of fried dough - hot and fresh from a street vendor. Sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, they’re worth every calorie.

Thinking beyond beer with brats
By BILL DALEY Chicago Tribune
Brats and beer seem to be God’s own pairing, especially to those living north of the Illinois border, but wine with brats can be just as enjoyable if you come at it with an open mind - and a healthy sense of humor.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Risotto With Smoked Trout, Lemon and Basil

Edamame goes mainstream
By JILL WENDHOLT SILVA Knight Ridder Newspapers
Got edamame?

Quick and healthy one-dish fish stew
By The Associated Press
Fish and shellfish stew with new red potatoes is a savory meal in one dish that will satisfy the diners around your table without delivering an overload of calories and fat. The stew gets depth of flavor from its fresh ingredients and a subtle balance of seasonings.