What’s the cost of convenience?

(Deb Lindsey / For The Washington Post)

  • What’s the cost of convenience?

    What’s the cost of convenience?

    We compare as one cook takes three paths to the plate: from scratch, pre-cut or the kit and caboodle.

    http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/04/Food/Images/prep041383593714.jpg 296 197
  • It’s Tuffy versus ‘the Jack’

    It’s Tuffy versus ‘the Jack’

    Smoke Signals: At a prestigious barbecue contest, Richmond team stays cool under pressure.

    http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/08/Food/Images/The Jack 2013_0061383942541.jpg 296 196
  • The common ground on GMOs

    The common ground on GMOs

    Unearthed: 3 areas where supporters and opponents agree might prove key to moving dialogue forward.

    http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/12/Food/Images/Merlin_5945908-1241.jpg 296 197

Recipes

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VIENNA, VA, JANUARY 9, 2013: Winter salad of shaved cucumber, radish and endive with lemon vinaigrette. Dishware courtesy of Crate & Barrel. (Photo by ASTRID RIECKEN For The Washington Post)

Free Range on Food is a forum for discussion of all things culinary. Join us every Wednesday at noon.

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Make ahead recipes for Thanksgiving

Make ahead recipes for Thanksgiving

Casseroles, side dishes, stocks and desserts can all be in advance to mean less time cooking on Thanksgiving. Here are our best recipes to help you get a head start.

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Top Turkey recipes for Thanksgiving

Top Turkey recipes for Thanksgiving

We share our best recipes for roasting, smoking, glazing and brining turkey.

Where to buy fresh, local Thanksgiving turkeys

Where to buy fresh, local Thanksgiving turkeys

Don’t wait to place your order for the best selection of size and breed.

Review

Forlano’s brings solid cooking to The Plains

Forlano’s brings solid cooking to The Plains

Chef offers flavorful dishes without pretense in a 30-seat setting

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Pumpkin recipes for fall

Pumpkin recipes for fall

Soups, pies and more dishes from the Recipe Finder.

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Sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving

Sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving

Sweet or savory, this nutrient rich root vegetable is a must for the Thanksgiving dinner table. Take a look at some of our best, most varied recipes to try this year.

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Pie recipes for a sweet holiday dessert

Pie recipes for a sweet holiday dessert

Our favorite apple, pumpkin and pecan pie recipes from the Recipe Finder.

Chat Leftovers: Chill, Mac

Chat Leftovers: Chill, Mac

Homemade macaroni and cheese is a thrifty alternative to store-bought. But how to freeze it correctly?

Cook smarter. You’ll be happier in the kitchen.

Cook smarter. You’ll be happier in the kitchen.

Essay: Get your head in the game, be organized, look for shortcuts.

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Kohlrabi, any way you look at it

Kohlrabi, any way you look at it

The Weeknight Vegetarian cooks it into a soup with potato, topped with a garnish of Asian pear.

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The taste of apples, distilled

The taste of apples, distilled

Fall means apple brandy, and the most popular brand is distilled in Virginia.

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The Mother Vine beckons in N.C.

The Mother Vine beckons in N.C.

An Outer Banks family takes care of what may be the oldest cultivated grapevine in the nation.

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Wines to expand your horizons

This week’s recommendations include a startlingly inexpensive red from Spain.

Food events: Make pie, cocktails and more

Food events: Make pie, cocktails and more

Tiffany MacIsaac of Buzz Bakery helps you master your pastry skills before the holiday season.

Shopping Cart: Upgrade your pantry

Shopping Cart: Upgrade your pantry

José Andrés Foods and Tribes-A-Dozen egg bread mixes provide convenient options for entertaining.

Editor's Choice

Tom Sietsema’s 40 favorites

The Washington Post restaurant critic reviews the dining rooms you should know.

Washington Post cooking class list, 2013-2014

There are more than 180 cooking classes in the Washington area to tempt you into the kitchen.

The whole scoop on ice cream

This might be the help you’ve been waiting for: base recipes, current standards for various frozen desserts and tips for serving and storing.

A Washington Post cookbook, at last

Out in stores and online, it features recipes that span more than 50 years of Food section coverage.

The big chill: A freezer guide

Use this guide to learn the best ways to take your food from freezer to table.

Farmers market listings

The Washington Post Food section’s 2013 listing and map of farmers markets in the area.

Nourish recipes

Search more than 100 healthful entrees, all clocking in at less than 500 calories, from Stephanie Witt Sedgwick.

Tom Sietsema

Rialto, a bridge to Italy in Georgetown

WASHINGTON,DC-NOVEMBER,08: Stinco D'agnello alla Florentina at 'Rialto' restaurante in Washington, DC on November 08, 2013.  (Photo by Juana Arias for the Washington Post)

The new spot offers sleek design and hearty, satisfying food.

Fourth RedRocks has a wow factor

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: 
Puttanesca Pizza at the newest Red Rocks restaurant, 1348 H St., NE, Washington, DC, October 16, 2013.  
(Evy Mages/For The Washington Post)

The largest of the mini-chain’s four restaurants serves a good pie and well-executed meaty dishes.

The chork rules at Newton’s Noodles

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: FUZU, an original dish prepared by Chef Dennis Friedman, at Newtons Noodles, 1129 20th St. NE, Washington, DC, 2013. The food is packaged in a Chinese carryout carton with a chork attached. A chork is a combination fork and chopstick. (Evy Mages/For The Washington Post)

Chef Dennis Friedman opens the newest Asian assembly-line kitchen in downtown D.C.

Mix Bar and Grille is pocket-friendly in Potomac

POTOMAC, MD - OCTOBER 10:  Tom Sietsema's First Bite restaurant preview on Mix Bar and Grille.   Chinese Braised Beef Short Rib with yukon gold potato puree and grilled spring onion is a specialty for $21.00  (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eddie Benaim replaces Bezu fare with more modestly priced crowd-pleasers.

At Rose’s Luxury, already a necessity

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 9, 2013: Aaron Silverman is the chef and owner of Rose's Luxury a new restaurant on 8th Street in Southeast which offers spicy pork and lychees and brisket for two main course. (Photo by Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post)

Its top chef’s philosophy: “I’m in the good times business.” That sounds about right.