This was a viewer request from a while ago for an easy lentil soup recipe. The key ingredient for my version is the smoked, and amazingly delicious, “ham hock.” For those of you not familiar with this ...

Leaf celery, with its balance of small, tender stalks and leaves, works well here - Matt Austin You can buy ham hocks smoked or unsmoked, and while the former will deliver more depth of flavour, ...

Seven Days is 30, and we need your help to celebrate. With your donation, we’ll stay on track, delivering rigorous reporting on Vermont news and culture. At many small farms and backyard pig pens, ...

The lentil is one of nature's smallest vitamin pills. It contains B group vitamins, thiamin, niacin and B6. It's also supercharged with minerals, potassium, magnesium and zinc. In this recipe the ...

Rinse dried beans and peas twice, discarding any that are discolored or float to surface. Soak dried beans and peas in cold water a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight. NOTE: Soak black beans ...

Bouquet garni: 5 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried, 1 bunch parsley, 1 bay leaf tied with string (for fresh thyme) or cheesecloth (for dried thyme). To cook ham hocks: Put ham hocks in 6- or ...

Why is Christian Science in our name? Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and we’ve always been transparent about that. The church publishes the ...

I'm trying to make things easier on myself this January. After a lovely and decadent holiday, I'm spending time getting back to routine — making lists, laying out a week's worth of work outfits and ...

On the list of cured pork products you should definitely have in your freezer at all times, ham hock is my Number One. Other people might advise that you keep slab bacon, pancetta, or guanciale on ...

Why is Christian Science in our name? Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that. The Church publishes the Monitor ...

Our Wine of the Week, Decoy 2009 Napa Valley Merlot ($25), is, year in and year out, one of California's best examples of this French varietal. Many California merlots, especially those over about $16 ...