Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage pie is a savory pie made of meat with a mashed potato crust. According to Wikipedia: The term cottage pie is known to have been in use in 1791,when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor (cf. "cottage" meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers). ..The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until 1877.

I am often the grateful beneficiary of the culinary experiments of my colleague Ramona Moore. She's an enthusiastic home cook who loves to work with new and familiar ingredients to create recipes that she generously shares with the rest of us.

Sumac is a spice from a bush by the same name. The “berries” are usually sold dried and ground in Middle Eastern markets, and the powder made from them is used to give a lemony, astringent flavor to foods, including the baked chicken and bread dish called Mussakhan.

You'll find food journalist and restaurant critic, Mike Sutter, at fine dining establishments and dives, savoring menu items from each with equal appreciation and criticism. While some people in Mike's position might be reluctant to name favorite dishes, when asked, he was candid about what delights his palate.

When I asked charcuteir, Lawrence Kocurek, of Kocurek Family Charcuterie in Austin, Texas, if he'd share a recipe for the Field & Feast website, he gladly provided me with his Duck Liver Terrine with Porcini.

Jason Mraz whisks pop and rock together with many other musical ingredients, including folk, jazz, country, reggae, and hip-hop.

The standard American approach to cooking is to come up with dinner plans and then shop for the ingredients. Buying local takes more creativity. You need to look at what's available at the market and then plan your menu accordingly.

Austin, Texas food broker, Dana McCoy, doesn't just walk the talk--she eats it. As the proprietor of Yum Runnerz, this energetic belly dancing personal trainer and mom-to-be not only assists local food crafters by obtaining wider distribution for their products, she also uses those products in her own culinary creations.

Chef John Besh operates seven restaurants, six of them in Louisiana, and one called Lüke’s in San Antonio, where you will find this sandwich on the menu.

Author Dinah Bucholz developed the recipes for The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. And while J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, never mentioned the Weasleys are Irish, Bucholz made an executive decision and claimed them for Ireland. And then created a stew fit for that rambunctious clan.