The Prairie Press

Paris native Donna Coonce — nearly retired from a career as a professor at Eastern Illinois University — is now Farmer Donna at Five Feline Farm. Along with her partner, Julia Miller, the two women operate a modern homestead near Westfield, raising heirloom crops, produce, honeybees, fruit and a variety of other foodstuffs.

Paris Downtown Farmers Market opens at 8 a.m. today and I couldn’t be more excited. I realize it’s not been the best weather for gardens so far with all the rain and cold. But my friend and … more

Nancy Zeman nzeman@prairiepress.net | 6/4/19

Curt Stanfield poses with his piece, “An Endless Moment,” which won Best of Show at the Painting the Prairie exhibition now at the Link Art Gallery.

Painting the Prairie show

The Link Art Gallery, formerly the Bicentennial Art Center, is holding its first annual Painting the Prairie exhibition in place of the Paint Illinois show of the previous 25 years. Director … more

BY BRADEN CHITTICK bradenandrewc@gmail.com | 5/29/19

Foil packets can be cooked by many methods. Here the most natural way of cooking is shown by just placing the foil packet in an open fire.

Foil makes cooking easy

Springtime is here and that means camping season has arrived as well. Many families long for weekends spent in nature and roughing it for a few days with a pack of basic supplies and a blanket … more

BY DANNY BRISENO dnl.briseno@gmail.com | 5/13/19

A beautifully cooked rib-eye on the grill with grilled asparagus will have everyone asking about the date of the next cookout.

Grilling: America’s pastime

Thinking back to childhood and straight into adulthood the coming of warm weather meant one thing – the return of the cookout. Grilling is an American tradition as families and friends all … more

BY DANNY BRISENO dnl.briseno@gmail.com | 4/16/19

To some this overgrown area, located in northern Illinois, may not be enticing but to sharp-eyed mushroom hunters it is a dream come true.

Finding morel ground

With spring finally here, hunters everywhere will soon be out in their favorite spots searching for the ever-elusive morel mushroom. People all over will be light stepping throughout the countryside … more

BY DANNY BRISENO dnl.briseno@gmail.com | 4/3/19

One of the traditional kickoffs to Savannah St. Patrick’s week activities is the greening of the fountain in Forsyth Park. Members of the Irish society and their families gather for the celebration to dump the green dye in the fountain, one of the symbols of Savannah.

Savannah goes green

I don’t think it’s any secret that I love Savannah, Ga. Even when it’s 100 degrees with 99 percent humidity or when the yellow pollen covers everything, I love the Hostess City. As you read … more

BY NANCY ZEMAN rpweib1@gmail.com | 3/18/19

Originating in Muscatine, Iowa, the Maid Rite sandwich is a popular local favorite, also known as a loose meat sandwich.

Eats off the beaten path

This past Christmas I gave my mother-in-law, June, the John Steinbeck book, “Travels with Charley.” June is a resident of Pleasant Meadows in Chrisman and enjoys it when I visit and read a … more

BY RUTH PATCHETT rpweib1@gmail.com | 3/12/19

Some of the foods Abraham Lincoln probably ate include, clockwise from top right, French almond cake, gingerbread men, cornbread, biscuits and chicken.

Food for Lincoln’s birthday

Abraham Lincoln is such an iconic figure in American history it is easy to forget he was human and like all humans needed to eat. During the nearly 154 years since Lincoln’s assassination, … more

BY GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 2/11/19

There are plenty of great dips served with a variety of vegetables, chips or crackers that provide noshes to everyone watching the Super Bowl game Sunday. Many of the dips can be prepared ahead of time — even those that require baking — allowing the hosts to enjoy their guests as well as the game.

Touchdown party dips

Sunday is the Super Bowl and while I sincerely doubt there are many local New England Patriots or Los Angeles Rams fans, still many Americans will get together with friends and families to watch some … more

BY NANCY ZEMAN nzeman@prairiepress.net | 2/4/19

Is there anything more inviting than blueberry pancakes for breakfast? Monday is National Blueberry Pancake Day. Blueberries add a freshness to pancakes and nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese and copper. At breakfast, add a few blueberries to your pancake, flapjack or hotcake batter. Adding blueberries to the pancake batter when mixing up the ingredients may result in a bluish hue. To avoid this, add them right after dropping dollops of batter to the hot griddle.

Time for blueberry pancakes

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net Here is something everyone can support. Monday is National Blueberry Pancake Day. It is unknown who was originally behind this idea or how Jan. 28 came … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 1/28/19

Mary Liz Wright, right, serves a sample of apple salad she made during a demonstration of new kitchen gadgets Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Paris Public Library.

Foodies have new tools

Kitchen technology innovation was the focus of a “What’s New In The Kitchen” program Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Paris Public Library. Led by University of Illinois extension nutrition and … more

By SUZANNE WILLIAMS swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 1/14/19

Soul Food Supper for New Year with Black-eyed Peas and Ham Hock fo encourage Prosperous Year.

New Year’s comfort food

According to tradition, New Year’s Day supper will bring you fortune in the year to come. At the Roberts home on Elm Street in Paris, New Year’s Day dinner was probably the most unpopular of … more

12/31/18

Holiday Open House

12/12/18

Cookie Science 101

Nothing signals the start to the winter holiday season quite like a platter full of freshly baked cookies, from sugar-dusted crescents to chocolate-dipped macaroons and sprinkle-topped wafers. … more

12/4/18

Pferrenusse, a German spice cookie, comes fresh from Ruth Patchett’s oven. Patchett volunteered to bake traditional German Christmas cookies for refreshments following a Dec. 5 concert by German organist Albrecht von Gaudecker on the pipe organ at Grace Lutheran Church.

Adventures in German baking

Thank you Albrecht von Gaudecker for inspiring me to make German Christmas cookies this year. Von Gaudecker, a world-renowned organist, is performing 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, at Grace Lutheran Church … more

By Ruth Patchett | 11/26/18

Thanksgiving customs and spreads can vary wildly from region to region, but celebrants are always guaranteed a feast for the eyes, mouth and spirit.

Dishing on traditions

Thursday is Thanksgiving. It never ceases to amaze me of the traditions associated with the holiday — and how different they are in other areas of our country. I think it must be a Midwestern … more

By NANCY ZEMAN | 11/20/18

Honey can be used in a variety of ways from easing coughs to shower gel and — of course — for cooking. Whether it’s baking, marinating or making a salad dressing, honey is a natural source of sweetness manufactured in a natural way — by bees. (Special to The Prairie Press)

Using your honeybee haul

It’s Honeybee Festival weekend and why wouldn’t we be talking about cooking with honey? According to the National Honey Board, the story of honey is older than history itself. An … more

BY Nancy Zeman | 10/3/18