Features: Food

Wine is in bloom on Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Why does California get all the attention when winemaking has been part of Pennsylvania's heritage for more than three centuries? The roots of winemaking were planted in the Keystone State by none other than William Penn. The eight wineries on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail score state, national and international awards. And they'll all be showing off their wines once again this weekend during Wine in Bloom, which celebrates the buds breaking on the vines.

Upcoming Lehigh Valley Wine Trail events

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

WINE ON THE MOUNTAIN

Mariams Restaurant adds to Valley's culinary diversity

By Susan Gottshall, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Mariams Restaurant in Allentown expands the Lehigh Valley's culinary diversity. The ethnic eatery, which opened in February, serves up exotic-sounding Ethiopian fare such as "doro wot" (chicken stew) that might just be described as African comfort food.

Side Dish: Breakfast with cocktails at Old Bethlehem Road Hotel

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Old Bethlehem Road Hotel near Lake Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown, is dishing up Sunday morning breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon. Chef-owner Pascale Bazelais will help you start the day with an assortment of cocktails, from classics like Bloody Mary and Screwdriver to festive libations such as a Pink Salty Dog and a Good Morning Kiss, made with sparkling wine, blueberry schnapps and a touch of blueberry juice. "We're a bar. Not serving drinks would be a disconnect!" says Bazelais, a New York transplant who has owned the hotel since 2009.

Recipe Exchange: Molasses coconut eggs, tropical coffee cake, more

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:04:12 GMT

LOOKING FOR

Parkland grad to sing with Penn State group on 'Today'

By Kathy Lauer-Williams , Of The Morning Call — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:18:07 GMT

A Parkland High School graduate will perform with a Penn State a cappella singing group Wednesday morning on NBC's "Today."

Top Lehigh Valley food events include world of bees, canning classes, winery tour

By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:59:00 GMT

1 Youngsters can learn about the sweet world of bees 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saturday's Back to Your Roots program at Burnside Plantation,1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem. See worker, drone and queen bees close up and learn more at live presentations by members of the Monroe County Beekeepers Association at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Presentations conclude with a bee-autiful craft for kids and a reading of the Bumble Bee story for toddlers. Meanwhile, Historic Bethlehem Foodways members will prepare George Washington's favorite breakfast cakes and honey in the plantation's summer kitchen. Cost is $7 per adult; children are free. 610-691-6055 or historicbethlehem.org

Get your sugar fix at Allentown and Emmaus cupcake trucks

By Kathy Lauer-Williams , Of The Morning Call — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:51:00 GMT

Get your sugar fix in Allentown and Emmaus from bakers on the go

There's no doubt cupcakes are all the rage.

What should I do with blooms on my rhubarb plant?

By Sue Kittek, Special to The Morning Call — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:19:00 GMT

Q: This is the second year for my rhubarb plant and it has several blooms (looks like a cauliflower) with the stalks. Is this normal or is it a fungus?

Side Dish: Where to dine on Mother's Day

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:45:15 GMT

Mom loved the handcrafted gifts you gave her when you were a kid. For Mother's Day on Sunday, you can still make something she'll appreciate — restaurant reservations. Just don't delay in calling: The National Restaurant Association (the other NRA) reports this is the single most popular holiday to dine out. Here are a few tasty choices:

Restaurant review: High tea at Java Good Day Cafe for a special occasion

By Susan Gottshall, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

With spring well underway and Mother's Day upon us, high tea at Java Good Day Cafe is a good way to celebrate mom or a fine specimen of a day.

Top food events on making chocolate for Mother's Day, Rodale Institute spring open house

By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:02:53 GMT

ONE SWEET MOTHER'S DAY

Recipe Exchange: Molasses coconut eggs, potato pancakes, bogatchals

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:02:42 GMT

LOOKING FOR

Mother's Day recipes from readers: chocolate cake, creamed potatoes, cabbage strudel

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:02:32 GMT

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH WHIPPED CREAM ICING

Lehigh Valley readers share delicious helpings of Mother's Day memories

By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:02:00 GMT

Readers share recipes for beloved dishes made by mothers and grandmothers

Mothers. Grandmothers. Superwomen whose memories will forever feed our hearts and souls. These women showed their love for us with smiles and hugs, to say nothing of making family meals and special treats we loved.

New Buy Fresh Buy Local program gets produce to city residents

By Scott Kraus , Of The Morning Call — Sun, 05 May 2013 00:03:00 GMT

New initiative brings produce to neighborhoods where fresh fruits and veggies are hard to find

Buying healthy snacks isn't easy when you don't have a car and the corner store offers lots of chips and cookies but little in the way of fresh fruit.

Culinary Experience offers eat-in dining, takeout meals

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:10:46 GMT

For the past few months, an "Open" sign flashing in the window of the former Louie's at 12th and Chew streets in Allentown offered no clue about what business was open. The mystery was solved last week when a "Culinary Experience Catering" sign appeared in the parking lot.

Lehigh Valley food events include farmers markets and strawberry festival

By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:59:13 GMT

1 A delicious sign of good eating: local farmers markets opening for the spring/summer season. Here are the first few to sprout:

Recipe Exchange: Coconut molasses Easter egg

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:58:15 GMT

LOOKING FOR

Kentucky Derby recipes: mint juleps, barbecue shrimp over grits

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:57:29 GMT

KENTUCKY DERBY MINT JULEP

Valley culinary students chosen to help prepare foods for Kentucky Derby

By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:57:00 GMT

Lehigh Valley culinary students will race to feed hungry Kentucky Derby fans at Churchill Downs

Five culinary students from the Lehigh Valley area have won the chance to compete in a horse race of their own during Derby Week at Churchill Downs.

Hungry Girl to sign new cookbook at Wegmans

By Diane W. Stoneback — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:53:50 GMT

Peeps at 60: bigger than ever!

By Kathy Lauer-Williams , Of The Morning Call — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:59:00 GMT

The Bethlehem-made candy has become a pop-culture sensation and is setting sales records

After 60 years, Peeps are about ready to take flight.

Side Dish: Wine, beer tasting at Vintage Restaurant in Easton

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:13:00 GMT

WINE AND BEER TASTING AT VINTAGE

Restaurant review: Sammi's Pizzeria & Family Restaurant in Wescosville

By Susan Gottshall, Special to The Morning Call — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:13:00 GMT

Sammi's Pizzeria & Family Restaurant is a 21st-century unsung hero of keeping-the-family-fed. In the suburbs, it meets all the needs of frantic family life: tasty takeout, delivery, and — for those rare nights when there's time to spare — you can even eat in the restaurant's dining room.