Food news

Magical muffins

The blueberry muffin is a rich, indigo-spotted symbol of summer. The Northwest's blueberry and huckleberry seasons provide many glories – the blueberry pancake, the huckleberry milkshake – yet nothing quite surpasses the blueberry muffin and its interchangeable cousin, the huckleberry muffin. It may be the finest use to which a blueberry or huckleberry can be put, with the exception of popped in the mouth straight off the bush.

Ancient art of pickling

Looking for fame, strength and beauty? Try pickles.The practice of pickling foods is ancient. Archeologists say there is evidence that the Mesopotamians pickled in 2400 B.C., according to research from the New York Food Museum.

A chance to get your fill of pie

It's the perfect season for pie.The only problem is deciding what to put inside. Will it be those juicy, perfectly ripe peaches that are arriving at local markets or sweet, tart huckleberries?

Books for Cooks

"Slurp" by Nina Dreyer Hensley, Jim Hensley and Paul Lowe (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.99, 176 pages)

Culinary Calendar

Perfect Lemonade Cooking Demo - Learn to make the perfect lemonade. Please RSVP. Wednesday. 1 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. Free. (509) 328-3335.

Turn to 'Slurp' when planning your next bash

When's the party?"Slurp" will have you making excuses to have one. In fact, page 3 supplies 10 good reasons for a cocktail party in case you're short of ideas of your own.

Season right for huckleberry jam

I recently looked up a Dorothy Dean recipe for a reader that might come in handy for others this time of year.

Lunchables Wrapz get OK from children, and adults

Oscar Mayer may be on to something with the new Lunchables Wrapz.For the first time, the little ready-made lunches scored almost as well with our adult tasters as the kids at our annual back-to-school tasting panel. Each year, we invite our tasting panel volunteers to bring a young guest to the meeting.

Farmers' markets

Washington

Airway Heights Farmers' Market – Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 13100 Fourth Ave., near Curves. (509) 979-1051.

Grass-roots gardening

Sweeter side of canning

Lentil Festival Cook-Off down to final six

Culinary Calendar

Classic clambake involves steaming over seaweed

Third in series: Canning vegetables

Bay Oriental Market shifts slightly farther east

Fresh & Local

Fresh & Local: Raid the garden to make tasty dishes

Feast with the Farmers Tuesday at Kootenai market

Farmers' markets

Culinary calendar

Response lukewarm to Pillsbury Cinnamon Twists

Savoring Seattle

The fruits of summer's labor

Fresh Abundance opens new store on Division

Chardonnays a summer must

Books for Cooks

Grilled mahi mahi tasty in tacos

Farmers' markets

Authors offer huckleberry favorites

Culinary Calendar

Yes, we can

Double-duty gourmets

Farmers' Market: Priceless

Fresh and Local

Petit Chat shares muffin recipe

'Fat Ladies' DVD being released next week

Farmers' markets

Culinary calendar

Grilling flavor with no flame

Broccoli Morsels delicious hot or cold