Track-It Food & Wine

Q. I've been reading about ginger tea being good for arthritis and inflammation. I have never used fresh ginger. Do I peel it or use the peel as well? Read more

"The Flavors of Asia"

By Mai Pham

DK Publishing, $35

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What it is: Seven Asian countries -- China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- star in this large, handsome cookbook assembled by California restaurateur Mai Pham on behalf of the Culinary Institute of America. Read more

Pity the poor avocado. It's often misunderstood.

It's not the typical fruit that you eat fresh out of hand. Once an avocado is ripe, it goes bad quickly. Read more

Dear SOS: I had the most wonderful corn bread at the Hotel Condon in Condon, Ore. Is it possible to get the recipe? Read more

You already roast a fine, juicy chicken, whip up creamy scrambled eggs and know how to braise succulent short ribs till they fall off the bone. Read more

You may know it as Grandma's tipple, but in its native Spain, sherry is the drink of cigar-smoking macho men. In fact, in standing-room-only tapas bars, it is the food wine of choice in all its seven styles, from the driest, briny fino to the... Read more

Yumminess is one way to describe it. In fact, yummy sounds like umami when you hear it. Yummy. Umami (ooh-MA-mee). The Japanese term umami means deliciousness. It's been called the fifth taste sensation after sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Read more

It was an e-mail that just screamed to be spiked. It came from an African country; it mentioned something about a "lottery;" it hinted that there was a wonderful, enriching opportunity to be had. Read more

As the old gasoline ad urged, put a little tiger in your tank -- and your dinner plans -- this Valentine's Day. Read more

The juxtaposition of the Chinese or lunar new year with Valentine's Day offers interesting culinary possibilities for home cooks and those heading out to dinner on what is one of the most popular restaurant nights of the year. Read more