When I began blogging somewhere around seven years ago, it was purely an expressive outlet about life and the living of it. When the pandemic hit a few years later, I began to understand the …

The Olive has developed quite a following for its “Tapas Tuesdays” events. Each week, Chef Lara Hicks, Queen’s Catering, whips up a batch of small bites, using oils, vinegars, and spices from The Olive’s extensive stock. Get the chef's recipes for Teriyaki Chicken and Crunchy Broccoli Slaw!

Each week, The Olive features different small bites. Recently, Chef Lara was dishing up Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with crunchy broccoli slaw — Try this at home!

Here is an update on the ever-changing restaurant situation in Burke County — what’s new, what’s changing, and what may be headed our way. The Grind For weeks, sustained conversation within …

The Burke County Health Department’s Environmental Health division regularly inspects restaurants, food trucks, food stands, school cafeterias, and other food establishments. The frequency of …

Spring made its debut more than a month ago but for me, it doesn’t feel like spring until I’ve visited a local farmers market, filled my fabric tote bag with fresh veggies, and whipped up a …

The evening was getting late when we decided to make our way to 100 Main Restaurant & Bar in Valdese. Outside 100 Main, three tables were filled with people enjoying the last of their meals. Inside was equally busy...

This month, we’re diving into YOUR questions about wine. I selected four questions that were sent to me to answer this month. I welcome your future questions for future FAQ articles. You can reach …

Chicken Fajitas INGREDIENTS (per serving) 12 oz. chicken, cut in strips 7 oz. assorted vegetables, including zucchini, onion, and bell peppers Oil Tortillas INSTRUCTIONS Cook Chicken: In a large …

David Valdez and his staff are gearing up for a big day. Morganton’s Las Salsas restaurant will have extra wait staff, bartenders, dishwashers and line cooks in place for one of the eatery’s most popular days of the year, Cinco de Mayo…

Coffee has been a huge part of Southern culture for hundreds of years. As a girl, some of my earliest memories involve visits from family and neighbors, which were always accompanied by the aroma of …

The best way to watch a game is in person. I want to sing (poorly) “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. I want to watch the fans compete in silly games between innings. I want to smell hot dogs and peanuts.

INGREDIENTS Pie Crust 12  graham crackers, broken into pieces 3  tablespoons granulated  sugar Pinch   kosher salt ½   cup   (1 stick) unsalted butter Cooking …

INGREDIENTS Crust 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, melted 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting at the end Filling 2 cups granulated sugar ¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ …

The Burke County Health Department’s Environmental Health division regularly inspects restaurants, food trucks, food stands, school cafeterias, and other food establishments. The frequency of …

Goodbye nutmeg and cardamom and hello citrus and berries. During the colder months, I enjoy warming up from the inside out by adding winter's aromatic spices to foods and beverages. But I am ready to …

I’m hopeful that as of writing this column we’ve made the jump into spring. I’m done with cold but love these cool mornings and evenings. I can feel my cravings for richer, warming wines …

Andrea Kirk grew up a good Baptist girl who celebrated Easter Sundays with egg hunts, new church dresses, and a nice ham for family lunch.  Then she married David Kirk, and they raised their …

TRADITIONAL GREEK SALAD INGREDIENTS Romaine lettuce Cherry tomatoes, halved Thinly sliced onion Cucumbers, sliced Feta cheese (get the good kind, Andrea says)  Kalamata olives Papou’s spice …

PAPOU’S SPECIAL SPICE BLEND INGREDIENTS Oregano Salt Restaurant-style pepper Granulated garlic (not powdered garlic) INSTRUCTIONS Combine equal measures of each ingredient in a container. Sprinkle …

DOLMADES - GRAPEVINE LEAVES WITH RICE FILLING INGREDIENTS 1 jar grape leaves, 15 oz. 1 cup rice 1 cup olive oil ⅓ cup lemon juice 5 cups water 3 large onions chopped fine 2 tablespoons tomato paste …

BAKLAVA INGREDIENTS 14 pastry sheets  4 cups of chopped pecans  1 ¼ cups of sugar  1 teaspoon of cinnamon  Grated rind of one orange  1 cup of butter  Syrup: 2 cups …

I drive by Carbon City Grill at least twice every weekday. The restaurant is on my way to and from work. After driving by it nearly 600 times, I decided it was time to check it out.  When I …

CRUSTLESS QUICHE INGREDIENTS 5 large eggs 1 cup cream (halve if subbing milk) ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 3 ½  ounces ham, diced 1 cup shredded cheese (Andrea used Swiss cheese) 1 …

AUNT ANNA’S PASTITSIO INGREDIENTS 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 4 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 pound lean ground beef 1 can of tomatoes or 2 tablespoons tomato paste Salt and pepper to …