Category: Winter

Avian Photographer Snaps Stunning Shots of 2 Female Cardinals Having Midair Duel That Lasted a ‘Split Second’

Stumbling on bird photography quite haphazardly after suffering a debilitating injury, Wisconsinite Andy Raupp was afforded a chance to immortalize an avian spectacle—recently capturing on camera a pair of female cardinals in a midair duel. One snowy day last January, Raupp, 28, was all set up in silent mode for wildlife shooting, in his photo blind in…


Protect Feral Cats From Winter Hazards

Q: Our neighborhood is inundated with feral cats. I don’t feed them because I don’t want to increase their population, but I do feel sorry for them during the cold winter weather. What can I do to help them? A: You can protect feral cats from injury and poisoning, provide shelters to help them stay…


Have Fun With This Winter Fruit Compote

Some recipes claim to be seriously simple, but require more work than you had intended to do. Here is the ultimate seriously simple recipe that will get you through these cold winter months. Since this recipe requires only three ingredients and simply baking the fruit mixture, you can whip this up whenever you have the…


Roasted Winter Vegetables With Creamy Vinaigrette

This is a sensational, flavorful, and hands-off way to cook all kinds of vegetables. Play with what’s in season; just make sure to chop or dice everything to the same size so that they cook evenly. I salt them lightly in the beginning, as roasting vegetables naturally brings out their flavor, and I find that…


Winter Vegetable Soup

A bit of chopping, simmering, and stirring is all it takes to make a healthy soup that makes me feel like the healthiest person around. Winter vegetables, a flavorful, no-waste broth enhanced with the discards, and hearty white beans make this easy dish. Chop the vegetables as evenly as possible for even cooking and a…


In Season: How to Cook With Parsnips

Parsnips may be the paler, lesser-known cousin of the carrot, but they really deserve their day in the limelight. This humble root vegetable, related to both the carrot and parsley, is mild and sweet with a bit of the tang and bite that you would associate with parsley. Simply treat them as you would potatoes…


Roasted Parsnip and Potato Soup

Think of this as a classic leek and potato soup—only so much better. Parsnips add a deep, sweet roasted flavor, pairing beautifully with the creamy potatoes and caramelized leeks. I love this soup when it’s smooth and velvety, garnished with—my new obsession—roasted tomato-flavored pearls, but I’ve also served it chunky and rustic with croutons for…


2 Winter Systems Blast the US With Heavy Snow, Gusty Winds

CHICAGO—Two major winter storms will dump heavy snow and blow fierce winds in the Midwest, New England and Southwestern United States on Tuesday and into the next couple of days, wreaking havoc on road travel while improving ski conditions in parts of Colorado. One system was expected to bring more than a foot of snow…


Brussels Sprouts Add Crisp Texture to Chicken Tacos

To add a variety of textures to these chicken tacos, poach the chicken to keep it super tender and moist while broiling the Brussels for a crisp mix-in. The creamy sauce rounds out the combo. Chicken Tacos With Brussels Sprouts Active Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Serves 4 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken…


Warm Up With Melty, Cheesy Stuffed Pasta

If food is a metaphor for a blanket, then cover up with this. Melty, cheesy stuffed pasta shells, smothered in a bright tomato sauce—and, of course, more cheese—are exactly what we need right now. This is a dish that will please everyone, no matter their age, and warm you up when the weather is miserable…