Jackson Free Press

Food Fight: Desserts of Vicksburg

Before the 19th century and the mechanization of the sugar industry, desserts were consumed mainly by privileged aristocrats or as a rare holiday treat. Thank goodness for technology, or I …

Being Flaky: Pie Crusts 101

If you are an inexperienced baker and the thought of tackling a homemade pie crust from scratch causes your throat to tighten and your palms to sweat, it's easy to …

Pumpkin Party

I eat pumpkin seeds year-round, but it's never as gratifying as roasting the seeds out of your own jack-o'-lantern. Most ready-to-eat varieties are more salt than seed, and while it's …

Christmas Dinner: Let the Pros Do It

Looking for some help with your holiday meal? Consider letting a local restaurant, food distributor or grocery store help out.

Making Fair Food at Home

You might go for the extra-long corn dog, or choose an old favorite and navigate a Penn's chicken-on-a-stick. My favorite part of that stick of food is the fried pickles, …

Strange Beauty of Fennel

I spent years casting sly glances at fennel in the produce section before I ever brought it home with me.I was fascinated by the strange beauty of its feathery chartreuse …

Lost in Translation

If Spanish is not your first language, you may find it intimidating to stand in line at your local taqueria or taco truck and order off the menu. Here are …

The Global Table: Multicultural Manners

Every culture has social norms that steer behavioral expectations, and are often guided by religious beliefs and deeply ingrained values. Not surprisingly, they usually make appearances at the table, where …

Tamale King

Willie Harmon, 65, founder and patriarch of the Hot Tamale Heaven family, is at first skeptical about talking over the phone. But once he realizes we are talking tamales, he …

Going to Saigon Restaurant

A crazy fun video by Bobby Anderson. Hat-tip Anna Kline and David McCarty.

Canoodling by the Icebox

The Bradford pear trees have finally announced the arrival of spring. For my husband, Mason, and me, this means it's time to open up the windows, forgo the soups and …

The New Locals

David Blumenthal and Derek Emerson are surprisingly relaxed for two guys who just opened Madison's most popular new restaurant.

A Good Deed

It is easy to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that we forget about those less fortunate. This year, before beginning your own …

Lazy Dinner

Lazy Magnolia has been quenching the thirst of beer lovers all over the South since September 2003. As the state's only brewery, Lazy Magnolia's "Lazy Folks" have done an excellent …

Ethnic Food Finds

In the urban jungle of the Jackson metro area, we are fortunate to have a bounty of eateries at our disposal. Amidst the pack are the restaurants celebrating the cultural …

Nathan Glenn is on Fire

Nathan Glenn, chef extraordinaire and the executive chef at The Auditorium in Fondren, has recently whipped up a new cooking show idea, "Nathan Glenn Cooks!

Waiting for the Shoe to Drop

As a seafood lover, I'm concerned about what impact the oil spill in the Gulf will have on one of the true glories of Southern cuisine, the fish, shrimp and …

Get It Fresh

Nothing beats farm- or garden-fresh produce for flavor and nutrition. Lucky for Jacksonians, the area has a number of venues where local growers sell in-season and organic produce and, in …

Festive Nights

A mouth-watering drink recipe is the perfect excuse for a night in. With hot chocolate or spice tea to tempt your palate and keep you warm, it's easy to forgo …

Cold Soup on a Hot Day

Cold gazpacho just might get us through this hot summer. It quenches that seasonal thirst for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions blended and marinated in vinegar and olive oil. …