Food

How do you can a beer? We turned to the experts at Lost Forty Brewing to give us the scoop on all things canning as they stocked one of their newest brews, the Look-See Hefeweizen.

Baker, author and magazine editor Brian Hart Hoffman released the third volume of “Bake from Scratch: Artisan Recipes for the Home Baker” on March 15. The book features more than 600 recipes and is currently available for order through online retailers, such as the “Bake from Scratch” website.

The popularity of vegan dishes is on the rise as many people are choosing to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets for personal interests, environmental benefits or to meet dietary needs. The latest Arkansas restaurant to add vegan dish options to its menu is Cache, a fine-dining restaurant located in the River Market in Little Rock.

The popular Main Street Food Truck Festival is back for its eighth year and will feature 60+ food trucks, dozens of craft vendors and a variety of entertainment buskers.

True Arkansas Eatery (TAE) is the newest downtown eatery to open its doors. Located in the Hotel Frederica on Capitol Avenue in downtown Little Rock, chefs Justin Patterson and Cetera Key, formerly of The Southern Gourmasion (which closed earlier this year), are again partnering to lend their talents to Southern cuisine. Menu options include Southern staples like cornbread, fried chicken, meatloaf and fried green tomatoes. The restaurant also offers vegetarian dish options.

If you’re not familiar with CSAs, you should be. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers. When you join as a shareholder, you pay in advance for vegetables, flowers, meat, cheese, etc., so farmers have the necessary capital to begin the season. In exchange, you get fresh, naturally grown produce and other farm staples for the season.

Northwest Arkansas friends, Taco Tuesday is about to get a whole lot better. Local Lime, the sister restaurant to Big Orange (two located in Little Rock and one in Rogers), is opening this summer in the Pinnacle Hills Promenade.

Each year, Stuttgart-based Riceland Foods, Inc. mills and markets more than 35% of the total U.S. rice crop, which is why the town is known as the rice capital of the world. In the U.S., we consume 2,564,866 metric tons of rice each year. That’s almost 57 billion servings.

More restaurants are getting aboard the vegan food train. Michael Qandah is the latest entrant to expand Little Rock’s plant-based cooking scene. He’s the vegan chef – with a stunning Instagram feed – who runs Happy Bear Cooking.

Over the past 33 years, the International Greek Food Festival has become a local institution. Billed as the largest ethnic festival in Arkansas, the tradition of serving food, friends and the community continues from Friday, May 18 at 11 a.m. through Sunday, May 20 at 6 p.m.

When it comes to giving gifts, you always hear it’s the thought that counts. But, we think it’s the taste that counts!

Coffee: a basic life necessity. Wherever you are in Arkansas, there’s sure to be a local joint you’ll love:

When the clock strikes midnight the champagne will flow! Before the bottle popping begins, check out these festive libations around town to celebrate the new year:

Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South Division will move into its new 430,000-square-foot facility in North Little Rock this January. The space is 50 percent larger than its two central Arkansas facilities and features updated technology that sets it apart from competitors, including an automated storage and retrieval system. A demo kitchen with onsite chef and 150-person classroom style conference room will allow direct clientele interaction.

The state’s fastest-growing popcorn store, Pop Pop Shoppe, has opened two new locations in central Arkansas. New storefronts in Conway and West Little Rock are the fourth and fifth storefronts for the brand. Other locations are in midtown Little Rock and its homebase, Texarkana.

Perhaps one of the most cherished Christmas traditions is dinner. If your loved ones are planning a classic Christmas dinner, what is the most Southern dish you could bring to the table? We asked local food expert and blogger Rex Nelson.

Spur-of-the-moment Friendsgiving? Run out of time? The kitchen isn’t your forte? Whatever your situation, make it easy and grab your favorite side dishes and desserts from these local eateries:

Halloween is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with themed drinks? We’ve got the Halloween spirits roundup for you.

If you’ve got a craving for culture, you won’t want to miss the 7th annual Main Street Food Truck Festival. On October 7, craft vendors, entertainers and over 50 food trucks will hit downtown Little Rock. In 2016, over 50,000 people came out to the festival.

Back for its third year, CareLink’s Cupcakes for Goodness Sake event is set for Sept. 30.

The new restaurant, Southern Table, has opened in downtown Little Rock. Margie Raimondo of Raimondo Winery purchased Kent Walker Artisan Cheese with intent to reopen as a new concept with a continued focus on the art of cheese-making. The restaurant remains on Cross Street neighboring Dempsey Bakery.

During the summer months, barbecues are happening all the time. Everyone wants to be outside enjoying the weather with friends and family. Below are some tips I have for making nutritious choices at BBQs without missing out on the fun:

The 2017 Block on Rock 4th Birthday Bash will be hosted by Stone’s Throw Brewing benefiting Preserve Arkansas on July 29. The annual party brings in the best from around Little Rock and will feature local breweries, food trucks and music.

Owners of popular local bars are bringing a new concept to Fayetteville. Located in the Uptown District is Northwest Arkansas’ newest premier beer garden, JBGB. JBGB is not the typical craft brewery or restaurant. Minds behind other local favorites — JJ’s, Pour House and more — have created a large outdoor gaming area that includes shuffleboard, baggo, bocce ball, ping pong, a wading pool and sand volleyball.

The first-ever Little Rock Vegan Fest is coming to Chester Street on June 24.

For the Southern mom: All your classic Southern favorites are on the menu for South on Main’s brunch — cheese grits, cathead biscuits, hot chicken and more. Which will you pick?

Little Rock locals know and love Heights Taco & Tamale Co., one of many popular restaurants from Yellow Rocket Concepts.

Don’t settle for boring salad. You’ve got the roundup of Little Rock’s top salads at your fingertips.

Rebel Kettle Brewing Co. will celebrate its one-year anniversary with the Beer & Loathing in Little Rock festival on Saturday, April 1, starting at 11 a.m. The event will be free of admission and include beer tents, live music and local food trucks. A portion of proceeds raised will go to the American Childhood Cancer Organization of Arkansas.

Biscuit lovers: we’ve got great news. Delta Biscuit Company is coming before the end of 2017. Owner Hayne Begley has been working on the concept and product testing over the past year.