That versatile kernel

From tales of Squanto teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn that first winter of their New World to the spoon breads of the South and Midwestern plains, corn has been the most integral part of North (and South) Americas gastronomy.
• This staple has few peers

• Dixie Spoonbread
• Polenta Pudding With Warm Caramel Sauce
• Pupusa de Queso (Cheese-filled Pupusas) | Step-by-step photos

Feeding Frenzy

Jeanne Besser blogs about the daily challenge of balancing work, family and tonight's dinner.

Today's topic: What’s in your freezer?
• Recent topics

Meridith Ford Goldman

Hot Plate
• Cheese monger: Helping customers is 'very intimate' 
  
  

John Kessler

Musings about food and more
• New blog: Food & More

Fit to Eat

On eating healthy
• Get out of rut: Try new fruits and vegetables 
  
  

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Food vacations

Plan your next vacation around a food or wine theme, with ideas for visiting Fun Food Factories, American Ice Cream Parlors or a Barbecue Paradise.

• On ajc.com/travel: Book your trip

Atlanta farmers markets

• Find a farmers market or produce stand near you to get farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in season.
• IN SEASON 

Atlanta calendar

• Food events
• Markets and sales
• Local festivals

Tools for cooks

• Emergency substitutions
• Food definitions
• Names: Would you call your kid Vidalia? Browse our list of unusual, food-themed child names in Georgia
• Latest food safety news from AJC.com

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Cook up some help for Atlanta's nonprofits.

Evening Edge specials

• Best recipes of the year:
  Our picks | Your favorites
• Tomato aspic: A new look at this Southern gelatin classic | Old Southern Tea Room Tomato Aspic Salad and more recipes and the stories behind them | Tomato Aspic photo gallery
• Taqueria del Sol: Mexican cooking with a Southern flavor
• The Art of the Biscuit, Making easy biscuits from scratch, by Scott Peacock of Watershed
• Frank talk: Why we love hot dogs | Pigs in a Kimono and more recipes
• Class assignment: Dinner party: UGA students offer tips for making it easy
• More Evening Edge specials

What's new

• Grilling safety: Follow these tips to reduce cancer risks 
• Grilling basics: The keys to a great cook-out | Evening Edge 
• Atlanta Summer Guide: Picnic ideas for you and your honey or a crowd 
• Wine: Gil Kulers' wine pick 
  
  
• A Southern winner in battle of brews 
  
  
• Southern Recipe Restoration Project: 'Game to try any and all cake recipes' 
  
  
• Newest recipes

Dinner Dare

We challenged Atlanta celebrity chefs to make family-friendly dinners in 30 minutes or less, and this month, it's the owners of Repast making a romantic meal:

• Ao nori crusted tuna
• Crab cakes
• Warm spinach sesame salad
• Previous Dinner Dares: Kevin Rathbun of Rathbun's | Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene | Virginia Willis | Anne Quatrano of Bacchanalia | About Dinner Dare

Saving Dough

Tips and resources for stretching your food dollar as grocery prices soar
• Cooking: Low-cost recipes
• Your money: Saving on travel, gas, events and more
• Coupon Mom: Stephanie Nelson's 10 tip penny-pinching tips
• We asked, and you answered: Best money-saving tips from readers and budget recipes, including the kid-tested Taco Mountain
• More Saving Dough stories

Photo galleries

• More Evening Edge photo galleries