Braised oxtail, jerk chicken and curried goat are just some of the Caribbean American food specialties now offered at BB's Hot Spot on Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield. 

Tired of cooking for one and eating leftovers for days? Try this simple tomato soup made by roasting vegetables before blending them into a puree. 

Before November 2020, I had never cooked with buckwheat groats. 

In the vast and varied world of brownie recipes, there are the minimalist versions: pure expressions without nuts, chips or icing nigh. Then, there are the maximalist takes, stuffed to their fudgy edges with all manner of sugary excess.

It all began with Duncan Pollock's college-age sons asking him for recipes to supplement dull college cafeteria food and their forays into restaurants and fast-food joints.

Today, those recipes and tips make up his website chowguys.net — a place for "guys just starting out."

I'm doing my best as a New Englander right now not to complain about the snow. Instead, I'm choosing to wear my Muck boots and L.L.Bean pom-pom hat with pride, while shoveling away my cabin fever. 

In so many ways, food defines cultures and brings people together. A well-prepared meal can transport me to its country of origin in much the same way music and art can. However, the elemental effects of food can literally be felt in the gut.