Barbara Richardson McClellan

1 week ago | news-journal.com | Barbara Richardson McClellan

All right — the time has come. We need to talk cooking (haven’t we been doing this for a while?)Spring brings so many opportunities for entertaining, all of which involve planning, preparation, shopping, cooking, decorating and serving. Think of everything that this week brings — primarily Easter for many groups. If you are the “plan far ahead in every aspect” kind, you are the smart ones.

2 weeks ago | news-journal.com | Barbara Richardson McClellan

A bargain? A bargain, you say? Let’s look at several options for spending our food dollars wisely. First, I realize we are talking about different situations, age groups, family sizes and a vast difference in economic needs when discussing food dollars. I am not sure of the demographics of you readers, whom I consider friends, but I sort of think that many of you are not in the early stages of building your families. Those are/were the days when three meals a day were required to keep all nourished.

3 weeks ago | news-journal.com | Barbara Richardson McClellan

It’s your fault! I was finally reconciled to the fact that I really need to put an end to this foolishness called “From My Kitchen." After all, I have pounded this column out longer than most of you have been alive — since Feb. 11, 1970. Fifteen different presidents have served in my lifetime (some have had two terms, and one, Franklin D. Roosevelt, four terms), but for the most part, one term each. I had to find my ruler with all the presidents listed up to George W. Bush.

1 month ago | news-journal.com | Barbara Richardson McClellan

So you think spring is here? Check the calendar — yes, the date is correct. Check the gorgeous spring trees, bushes, flowers, bursting forth — more than ever. Now, here’s the true proof: Is your vehicle, though it could have been any color in the rainbow, totally covered in yellow pine pollen? There’s the proof!Spring in East Texas is here! I hope you have visited your local pharmacy for the necessary supplies of antihistamine, tissues, nose spray and various other medications.

1 month ago | news-journal.com | Barbara Richardson McClellan

Editor's note: This column was originally published in April 2020. As I pondered this week’s column, I had a terrific idea. I rolled it around in my mind all week and the more I thought about it, the better it got until the brutal truth slammed me right in the face. The column was going to be sharing recipes with you that could be made with things the ordinary kitchen has on hand all the time. Then I thought about our fridge versus the immaculate, neatly arranged fridges and pantries of friends.