Topic: James Beard Foundation

Top Picks: The family cooking magazine Chop Chop, Dean Jones' new indie album for kids, and more

Singer/songwriter Roger Day performs a concert in the wetlands, 'My Lucky Elephant' follows a young Thai boy and his pachyderm best friend, and more top picks.

Change Agent How mussels could help clean polluted waters

Along the shores of New York Harbor, scientists are investigating whether mussels, a hardy bivalve, might be grown in urban areas as a way of cleaning coastal waters of sewage, fertilizers, and other pollutants.

Stir It Up! Book review, author Q&A, and salt and pepper shrimp

Ann Mah's novel, 'Kitchen Chinese: A Novel About Food, Family and Finding Yourself' celebrates life changes, Chinese culture, and most importantly, regional Chinese dishes. This special blog post contains an interview with the author, and one of her favorite recipes.

Stir It Up! Cookbook review: The Food52 Cookbook, Volume 2

The James Beard Award winning website Food52.com has crowd-sourced another cookbook with its signature charming style.

Decoder Wire Obama N.Y.C. fundraiser: Is NoMad hipper than Sarah Jessica Parker's place?

President Obama is to attend a fundraiser Monday in trendy 'NoMad' district in New York. Quick, where is that? Even New Yorkers aren't sure.

14 great books for foodies, recommended by the James Beard Foundation

Dive into summer with these 14 delectable culinary reads.  

Diggin' It Growing and cooking with lavender and rice

A gardener and a chef give tips on growing and cooking with lavender -- and rice -- including a great recipe.

Stir It Up! Ricotta cheese delight

Ricotta is a substantial filling for other dishes but it can also stand on its own as a low-fat, high protein dessert.

Diggin' It Cauliflower in the garden and the kitchen

From garden to kitchen: A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving cauliflower.

Diggin' It How to grow and serve kumquats

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving kumquats.

Stir It Up! James Beard 2012 nominee: “The Big Stir”

The Monitor's July 11, 2011 "The Big Stir" cover story has been nominated for a prestigious James Beard food writing award.

Diggin' It Daikon radishes in the garden and in the kitchen

How to grow and cook with daikon radishes.
11/28/2011 09:54 am

Diggin' It How to grow and use cilantro

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and using cilantro, including a Mexican-inspired recipe.
10/10/2011 08:15 am

Diggin' It How to grow and prepare cabbage

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing cabbage and cooking it in a mélange of vegetables to enhance its taste.
09/21/2011 08:40 am

Diggin' It Pears in the garden and the kitchen

A gardener and a chef team up to give advice on how to grow and prepare pears.
09/06/2011 11:31 am

Diggin' It How to grow and prepare figs

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving figs.
08/18/2011 08:50 am

Diggin' It Tomatoes in the garden and the kitchen

A gardener and a chef team up to talk about how to grow and prepare tomatoes, including an easy, delicious recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Tomatoes.
08/01/2011 08:30 am

Monitor picks: Southern recipes, local news online, and movie music

A new Southern cookbook, a website that unites local newspapers, and the thrilling soundtrack to J. J. Abrams' 'Super 8', and more recommendations.
08/01/2011 01:00 am

Diggin' It How to grow and prepare blueberries

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and cooking blueberries, including a recipe for a cool and elegant summer dessert.
07/18/2011 10:06 am

America's new culinary renaissance

We're becoming a nation of food fanatics, signing up for cooking classes, turning into gourmets in the kitchen, and making dining in or out the equivalent of a cultural event. Is America the new France?
07/09/2011 01:05 pm

In Pictures America's Food Renaissance

Diggin' It How to grow (and serve) the perfect July 4 cantaloupe salad

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving muskmelons, or cantaloupe, including a recipe that can star in your Fourth of July cookout.
07/01/2011 09:25 am

Diggin' It How to grow and serve sugar snap peas

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving sugar snap peas.
06/06/2011 11:22 am

Diggin' It How to grow and cook with dill

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and cooking with dill. Included is an easy recipe for dill-topped, salmon-stuffed eggs.
04/20/2011 08:45 am

Diggin' It How to grow and prepare carrots

A chef and a gardener team up to give advice on growing and cooking carrots. Included is an easy recipe for roasted carrots with a sweet and tangy dressing.
04/04/2011 08:45 am