SlimBeans consists of ground Arabica coffee blended with citrus aurantium (extract from a citrus tree which is purported to increase metabolism), chromium (which encourages the proper functioning of insulin) and guarana seed extract (a stimulant believed to suppress appetite). The combination, Loughran said, facilitates weight loss by increasing metabolism and decreasing appetite.

This week, chef Mitzi Stinson shows how to put a spin on the classic pizza.

I was about ready to fall for a George Foreman grill, but the array of models (15), styles and lack of functionality confused me. Then I chanced upon Cuisinart’s new Griddler. For almost the same price, it leaves the Foreman in the grease.

Sara Lee Fresh Ideas Sweet Honey Mustard Sandwich Dressing
Box of 8 packets, $1.99

Should you sauté with butter or oil?

Blanching is briefly plunging food into boiling water, then transferring to ice water to stop the cooking process. Blanching tomatoes or peaches makes them easier to peel. Blanching vegetables keeps them brightly colored and crispy.

This week's recipes from columnist Chris Dryden.

     Area children jumped for joy in the inflatable during the Holy Family Fall Festival Sunday, Aug. 24. The annual event included children and adult games and lots food. The Kolby’s crew once again did the cooking. Adults enjoyed playing Bingo and dancing to the music of Buck Hollow. Several baked and other food items were available for purchase. Several of the children's games and activities were provided by the New Horizons-Chamber.

Simply Cookin' Chef Mitzi Stinson shows you how to make Beef and Potato Stroganoff, a perfect dish for any evening dinner. Ingredients and directions inside.

    Seed Savers Exchange of Decorah is hosting a free Tomato Tasting and Seed Saving Workshop Saturday, Aug. 30.
    The Tomato Tasting will run from 1-5 p.m., offering visitors the opportunity to sample a wide variety of tomatoes and learn the basics of seed preservation. Tomato seed saving workshops are scheduled for 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center. 
    More than 30 varieties of tomatoes of all colors and sizes will be available, including white, red, pink, purple, yellow, green and striped tomatoes.  Seed Savers also will be providing refreshments.

Japanese for deep-frying breaded foods such as tempura in a steel pan resembling a wok.

Over the past few years, Dogfish Head owner Sam Calagione and his brewers have been working in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania’s molecular archaeology department on finding – and recreating – recipes for beers of from bygone eras. The latest offering, available in September, is Theobroma, which translates to “food of the gods,” in Greek. Far removed from Greece, however, the beer is a recreation of a central American recipe for the earliest chocolate drink in existence, consumed by the Aztecs.

One of the smallest entries won the biggest prize in the Calling All Chocolates culinary contest last week at the Illinois State Fair. Rachael McMullin Eden’s Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles, a petite confection with a burst of raspberry flavor, took first place in the contest sponsored by The State Journal-Register.

Talk about a vegetable with a split personality. That would be green beans, a veggie that is as much uptown as it is down home.

After a visit to the region in 2000, I aimed to infuse Tuscan flavor into my residential lot in Alliance, Ohio. No, I did not surround my yard with a hand-stacked stone wall or rip up my lawn to plant an olive grove. But I did cut in more flowerbeds, expand my veggie and herb garden, and planted several dwarf fruit trees, including a wildly successful plum tree.