What are Hash Browns?  Are they shredded potatoes?  Sliced and fried?  Plain, or with bacon bits and onions?  Little tiny cubes?  When you serve hash browns, what are they?  When you order them, what do you espect? 

The National Hash Brown Institute is working on a definition, and seeks your input.

Thought the time had come to share some recipes that keep us sane or carbohydratedly placated or happy or revived or bring about memories of old aunts that knew how to cook or grandmothers who didn't but bought great take out... 

So what do you do with those crisp apples, the sweet squashes and corn, rutabagas, cabbage -- all of autumn's bounty?

Today I'm making Red Cabbage since I have everything at the peak of freshness.

1/2 red cabbage

2 Paula Red apples (can add more)

1 large onion

1 tsp celery seeds

1tblsp caraway seeds

1/4 c red wine or apple cider vinegar

(a spoonful of sugar if you must -- I don't use it)

oil (not olive) for sauteing

So we're half way through summer ... and summer means POTATO SALAD!   It's an essential menu item at any decent barbecue or picnic or church supper.

I know there must be some secret ingredients or long held family recipes that need to be shared & experimented with in wondercafe kitchens across the world!

Be generous now, and don't forget to tell us your source if it's from a cookbook or website ... gotta keep those copyright folks happy!

What do you make when the days are really hot and muggy?  I know lots of us lose our appetites and don't feel at all like spending time in the kitchen, but you can't have bbq every day -- or can you?

I love potato and pasta salads, but it heats up the kitchen to cook them on the stove top.  Can you successfully microwave pasta?

I'd like to hear what you make and recipes for easy meals that don't require the stove or oven.

I like to pick up a bbq chicken from the store once in awhile.  Lasts for a few meals.