Damon Lee Fowler

Back when I was still writing a column for the Savannah Morning News, I planned one on hearty winter soups made in a slow cooker and asked friends to share their favorites. Cherie Bailey offered this hearty, warming stew from her friend Amanda Hoven Havelin—who with good taste like this, quickly became a friend of mine.

It has been a winter comfort staple in our house ever since.

Below are two versions, the recipe as it was given to me (for 6 servings), and the way I make it now. The original Read More 

We woke up this morning to one of the prettiest snow coverings we've had since we moved to Virginia. But this season, the beauty is tempered more than usual. While we're cozy in our well-heated home, as always we think of the many who have inadequate shelter—or none at all.

And then there are those images of the wildfire devastation on the other side of the country from us, not to mention continued heartbreak, illness, and just plain disappointment among our family and loved ones here at home.

Right now all those people with short fuses for food "bloggers" who go on and on with convolutions of memory before they get to a an equally convoluted and overwrought recipe are tuning out. Well, if that's you, bless your heart and bye-bye.

But seriously, all that Read More