Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune A big jar of refrigerated, crispy pickled cauliflower and carrots is an irresistible snack. Okay, it’s pale (except for some of the newer, more exotic colors) and depending on how it is cooked, can be rather blah in flavor. But cauliflower can be surprisingly tasty and versatile if you give it a chance. Every New Year’s Day, my family uses cauliflower in our traditional feast of bagna cauda (pronounced like BAHnya CAULDah). We cook minced o

Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune Fruitcakes are best when allowed to age a few weeks. The flavors mellow and blend. There are two camps of people when it comes to fruitcake: one group loves it and the other group hates it. I have not yet figured out which side holds the majority, but like most everything else edible, fruitcake manages to hold its place in the food world. To be fair, I have to admit that I, a fruitcake lover, have tasted some versions that really would have

Ceeseven, Wikimedia Commons Crab meat makes a delicious filling for fried wonton appetizers. For those who would like to ring in the New Year with some nibbles, here are a few tried-and-true recipes that have been kicking around in my family for years. So far, nobody has gotten tired of them, but perhaps they are just too polite to complain. Whatever the case may be, they always manage to disappear. They are not like the chocolates my cousins used to take one bite of, then hi

grongar, Wikimedia Commons Who can resist biting into a freshly-baked cinnamon roll? Most of us love the scent of spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger, as evidenced by the popularity of scented candles, room fresheners such as sprays and potpourri, and the aroma of comfort foods like spice cake, cinnamon rolls and other such things. Does anyone remember the once-popular craft of making pomanders? Those were the fragrant oranges studded with whole cloves all the

Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune Try a platter of fresh corn chile relleno tamales for your holiday meal. A lot of people stick with family traditions for holiday meals, but I am noticing a willingness to explore beyond, and perhaps add something new. You never know when something will be a big hit and become a new tradition. I think I am right about in the middle, as I like to do both. It is also interesting to check out foods and ingredients from various cultures. I admi

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune H.O.P.E. Ministry volunteers gather for a photo and show their enthusiasm during the annual Christmas Outreach Community event in Courthouse Park on Saturday. H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Eat) Ministries fed about 250 men, women and children this weekend for the holidays. Valley West Christian Church helped support the H.O.P.E. Ministries’ outreach initiative. H.O.P.E. Ministries is led by Mother Endora Avila.  In addition to the 250 meals H

For The Madera Tribune Madera County Food Bank volunteers help move boxes of food to a resident during the Thanksgiving distribution. With the holiday season upon us, many people want to help others, either with gifts, monetary donations or service.  Madera County Food Bank Executive Director Ryan McWherter would like his organization to be considered for those donations, as well.  “We definitely need donations during the holiday season,” he said. “It’s a giving time of year,

‘Tis the season for gaining weight. It starts before Thanksgiving and lasts until after the ball drops in New York on New Years Day. There are parties and dinners, and get-togethers with spreads of appetizers and desserts, chocolates, cheeses, breads, chips, wines, and other spirits, cakes, pies, potatoes, egg nog, and much more.  The list goes on, and depending on the culture of the gathering, it could be much more extensive than what I have just described. Many years ago, w