A Passion for Pies

Winter is the time for baking: learning something new, teaching kids some culinary skills, and making the house smell great. If your New Year's resolutions for 2010 include fitness and weight loss, you might be interested in healthier baking recipes. These sites, derived from our Baking Web Guide, can lead you in the right direction.

Warm, earthy and comforting, whiskey has evolved over centuries from its monastic roots to become one of the world’s most varied and consumed spirits.

The craft of artisanal cheesemaking is alive and thriving in the United States, producing a huge variety of top-notch cheeses that rival their European forebears. We'll take you on a tour of artisanal cheeses and show you how to make them and where to buy them.

Make your house a favorite of trick-or-treaters with information about and links to suppliers of the most popular fruit-flavored and chocolate Halloween candies. You’ll also find resources for retro favorites and candy recipes. Put those treats in your bowl and get ready to answer the doorbell.

Keep your meals fresh and your heart healthy by incorporating eggplant into your diet. Eggplant is at peak ripeness right now, so fill your fridge before pumpkins and gourds take over the market stands.

The refreshing flavor and texture of cucumbers will remind you of summer as you transition into fall. Adding the vegetable to your diet can also help rid your body of common toxins. Cucumbers are coming into season in early September, so take advantage and stock up.

Let the flavors of sun-ripened Asian pears linger on your taste buds as you prepare for autumn’s chill. Asian pears are at peak ripeness in early September.

As summer starts to wind down, green beans make for light, healthy dishes with bright colors and crunchy textures. Many people also cure green beans in order to eat them year round.