Mostly Cloudy ~ 62°F   River stage: 33.19 Rising Friday, November 20, 2009

Food Home fires more likely on Thanksgiving Day (11/18/09) CHICAGO -- With ovens baking and skillets sizzling, Thanksgiving can be a hazardous day in the kitchen. So much so that the National Fire Protection Association says Americans are twice as likely to have a home fire on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year because of the cooking... Recipes fit for one of Missouri's first ladies (11/18/09) The "Missouri 1821-1971 Sesquicentennial Cookbook, Updated and Republished for a New Generation of Missourians" by former Missouri first lady Betty Cooper Hearnes is now available and hot off the presses. This hardback book contains historical information about the writer's life growing up in Charleston, Mo., her family with her husband and their children and living in and restoring the governor's mansion in Jefferson City, Mo. ... Gearing up for Christmas goodies (11/11/09) I am really getting in the Christmas spirit and starting to pull things out at my house to get ready. I just purchased a new cookbook for the holiday. The "All-American Christmas Cookbook, Family Favorites from Every State" is a nice hardback book with a favorite Christmas recipe from every state. ... Southern goodness: Family recipes from the country (11/04/09) I was recently loaned a cookbook to read and learn about "White Trash Cooking." Yes, the name says it all, and just about anything you can imagine made it into "White Trash Cooking." A friend loaned me the book but was a little shy about giving it to me in public and did not want her name to appear in the newspaper. ... Recipe Swap: Neighbors and friends trade favorite recipes (10/28/09) Recipe collectors and area cooks have been busy sending in recipes this week to be included in this column. It is so nice to get mail and see what other cooks are making. This week we have several readers who have shared favorites and these will give you something new to try. Enjoy and remember to send in your favorite recipes... A Harte Appetite: Caramel apples with bourbon make for a grown-up confection (10/28/09) Do you have some gold jewelry that needs polishing? Try using beer. Is your hair frizzy and in need of conditioning? Try using olive oil. Have some plants that need fertilizing? Try using coffee grounds. These are just a few examples of the proven alternative uses of some common food items... Recipe Swap: New recipes for a new arrival in the family (10/21/09) Our extended family welcomes a new baby: Marlie Grace Morgan. Marlie is a perfect 6-pound 12-ounce girl who has a full head of hair and long thin feet. She is beautiful, and we are so thankful she is a part of our family. This makes my brother a grandpa for the second time, and he is so proud. ... Recipe Swap: Highlighting recipes submitted by readers (10/14/09) Every week we make an appeal for readers to send in recipes and share those with other readers of this column. It is fun to see what people send in and some of the things people like to cook. Over the years we have gotten some good recipes, and some unique ones as well. But all are interesting to read, and you can always learn something from reading recipes... Recipe Swap: Cajun cooking in Southeast Missouri kitchens (10/07/09) Rob Weeks of Cape Girardeau shares recipes today for some of his favorite menu items from restaurants in New Orleans. All of these recipes contain ingredients that are either on hand at home or are easily found in area grocery stores. These recipes are also a great way to use end-of-the-season produce like eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers and onions. ... Mushroom head (09/30/09) "Is there anything more provocative and mysterious than a mushroom?" Amy Farges asks in her "Mushroom Lover's Cookbook." Not if you're Mark Jones. Jones, a self-described science geek and the son of Edith and Martin Jones of Cape Girardeau, first became fascinated with fungi when he took a mycology class in college. Now cultivating mushrooms and helping others appreciate them has become his life's work... Shake up your sandwich routine with these recipes (09/30/09) Joan Weeks of Cape Girardeau sent me several new ideas for sandwiches. She and her son, Rob, dine together frequently, and they are usually looking for new recipes. When making a sandwich, they would seldom turn to ordinary ham and cheese, turkey or peanut butter and jelly. Take a look at some of their favorites. Rob has also sent me an envelope full of recipes that will be shared with you next week; I'm sure you won't want to miss that... Recipe Swap: Recipes for a historic palate (09/23/09) Charlotte Young Slinkard visited me at the Senior Center this week and brought me a gift. You guessed it: a new cookbook. "Savor the Spirit" is a hardbound cookbook put out by the National Society of the Daughters of the War of 1812, of which Charlotte has been the national president since 2006. The book is literally a history book with recipes...

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