I love blue cheese, but occasionally find that it can overpower a dish with its pungent flavor. But after appreciating its modest contribution to last week's buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese, I was ready to give it a starring role. One of my favorite versions of macaroni and cheese in San Francisco is made by Solstice, a restaurant and bar in my neighborhood. One taste of the creamy, steamy, Read more

From classic stovetop shells to leek-and-cheddar penne, I've never met a mac and cheese I don't like. But the recipe I'd been craving most of all was one that, up until recently, only lived in my imagination: buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese. My fantasy finally became reality one weekend when I put together all the elements I'd dreamed about. Al dente elbows of pasta, coated in creamy, sharp Read more

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Tex-Mex is one of my favorite cuisines of all time, my top dish pick being chili con queso with Ro-Tel. Naturally, when I came across a Tex-Mex mac and cheese with green chilies, I knew I had to make it. The recipe comes from Robert Del Grande, one of the Lone Star State's best-known chefs and restaurateurs, and the roasted poblanos give the melted Read more

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind — what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which Read more

Eating healthy isn't always cheap, but it's a must if you want to improve your overall health. If you choose to buy organic or exotic options like dried blueberries — $13 for a small bag! — snacks can quickly eat up your food budget. Find out how to nosh on healthy nibbles and still have money left in your wallet. Cheese sticks: Instead of buying individually wrapped cheese sticks, save Read more

A protein- and fiber-packed breakfast jump-starts your metabolism, providing energy to last the day. But some choices for your morning meal can be loaded with added sugar, causing you to crash. Skip the sweetened cereals and sugary baked goods and opt for these deliciously filling breakfast ideas, all containing under 20 grams of sugar and many naturally sweetened. Nonfat vanilla Chobani Read more

While shopping for yogurt the other day, I saw a woman stocking up on regular yogurt. I couldn't help but casually ask, "Have you ever tried Greek yogurt?" I know it contains so much more protein than the cups she was choosing, and it got me thinking about other foods that may seem alike, but nutritionally, they can be incredibly different. Here are a few seemingly similar foods that have Read more

Last weekend was the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival. Since we couldn't make it, we asked cheese expert Laura Werlin to give us a behind-the-scenes look! Here she discusses her seminars and provides some pointers on how to pair wine with her specialty, grilled cheese. When you think of Pebble Beach, you probably think of golf. But not me. All I can think of is that it’s the home of the Read more