Food and Beverage
Dish Up a Fall Seafood Delight: 5 ways to prepare fresh lobster at home
Maine Lobster, in its peak season this fall, offers versatile cooking methods like grilling, steaming, and air-frying, ideal for family meals. Latinx chef Marisel Salazar shares lobster recipes inspired by American Latino cuisines.
(Family Features) If you’re seeking a new way to bring your family together at mealtimes during a busy fall, look no further than sweet, succulent Maine Lobster. As a versatile solution at the center of delicious dinners, satisfying snacks and beyond, it’s a perfect way to serve up new fall favorites.
The fall harvest brings peak season for Maine Lobster, offering bountiful opportunities to enjoy its sweetness in an abundance of recipes like these dishes from Marisel Salazar, an accomplished Latinx food writer with a unique global perspective. Her debut cookbook, “Latin-ish,” celebrates more than 100 modern recipes influenced by American Latino cuisines.
Lobster is easier to cook than some may believe, making it accessible for cooks of all backgrounds and experience levels. Salazar and the experts at the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative recommend these five methods:
- Grilled: Lobster soaks up the charred flavors from the grill, delivering a smoky flavor that complements the sweet, succulent meat.
- Air-Fried: Results in a crisp exterior and tender, juicy meat, enhancing lobster’s natural flavors.
- Boiled: A quick, easy, popular method perfect for entertaining, boiling brings out the rich, sweet flavor in these recipes for Puerto Nuevo-Style Lobster and Lobster Ceviche.
- Steamed: Preserves lobster’s natural taste and tenderness as a gentle cooking method, making it harder to overcook.
- Baked: Allows for flavorful additions like garlic butter or a breadcrumb topping. Creates a delicious, savory crust for a gourmet twist.
With its first documented catch dating back to the 1600s, the Maine Lobster fishery is one of the oldest continually operated industries in North America. The fishery employs more than 5,000 independent lobstermen, harvests 90 million pounds of lobster and, in 2023, landed 80% of the lobster caught nationwide. Find more ways to enjoy fresh lobster this fall at LobsterFromMaine.com.
Puerto Nuevo-Style Lobster
Recipe courtesy of Marisel Salazar, on behalf of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
- Seafood seasoning, to taste
- 1 bottle Mexican beer
- 2 Maine Lobsters (about 3 pounds)
- black pepper, to taste
- 2/3 cup lard, vegetable shortening or olive oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups red rice
- 1 cup refried black or pinto beans
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 1 cup salsa verde
- 6 lemon wedges
- Bring large pot of water to boil. Season with seafood seasoning, to taste, and a few splashes of Mexican beer. Boil lobsters 3 minutes.
- Remove and split lobsters in half down middle. Thoroughly rinse shell and lobster meat, discarding green intestines and black vein running down center of tail.
- Lightly season lobster halves with seafood seasoning and black pepper, to taste.
- In deep-frying pan, heat lard. Fry each lobster half 5 minutes on each side. Set aside to drain on paper towel-lined plate.
- To serve, scoop lobster meat onto tortilla with rice, beans, pico de gallo, salsa verde and squeeze of lemon.
Lobster Ceviche
Recipe courtesy of Marisel Salazar, on behalf of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
- 1 Maine Lobster (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 small red or white onion, minced or sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- flaky sea salt, to taste
- saltines, tortilla chips or plantain chips, for serving
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. In large bowl, prepare ice bath with 2 quarts water and lots of ice.
- If using whole lobster, split lobster in half and use dish towel to twist off claws and tail. Discard body.
- Boil tail and claws 1 1/2 minutes. Remove tail from water and place in ice bath. Allow claws to boil 1 1/2 minutes longer. Remove and place in ice bath.
- On chopping board, shell lobster tail and claws. Discard shells. Roughly chop into pieces.
- In medium bowl, toss lobster and lime juice. Refrigerate 1 hour.
- When ready to serve, add onion, cilantro and jalapeno to bowl with lobster; toss to combine. Arrange on plate or in serving glass. Drizzle with oil and top with flaky sea salt, to taste. Serve with saltines, tortilla chips or plantain chips.
SOURCE:
Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
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recipes
Easy, Elegant Charcuterie Boards for Effortless Holiday Hosting
Create stunning charcuterie boards with sommelier-approved wine pairings for stress-free holiday hosting. Get 3 easy recipes featuring prosciutto, genoa salame, and capocollo with perfect cheese and wine matches.
Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Easy, Elegant Charcuterie Boards for Effortless Holiday Hosting
(Family Features) When holiday occasions call for you to don your hosting cap, skip complicated appetizers and hors d’oeuvres to instead serve sustainable charcuterie with sommelier-approved wine pairings. After all, simplicity can still equal premium flavor with the right meats, cheeses and libations. It doesn’t take a hosting expert or pairing professional to create a spread that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Charcuterie boards made with just a few ingredients can start the festivities on a high note by wowing loved ones with your pairing prowess. Amaze your guests (and even yourself) by starting with heritage breed pork in small-batch artisanal production from Niman Ranch, whose independent family farmers and ranchers raise all animals with no antibiotics or added hormones ever. Their commitment to humane practices and sustainability leads to the exceptional flavor and tenderness your crowd craves and can taste in every bite. Match the selection of meats – like prosciutto, genoa salame or capocollo in these recipes – with complementary cheeses and accents such as crostini, olives or even thyme-infused honey for an extra special touch. Finally, find the perfect bottle of wine for each board to round out a palate-pleasing spread that suits each guest’s preferred pairing profile. With flavor, sustainability and a personal touch, charcuterie can bring holiday occasions to life for you and your loved ones. Visit NimanRanch.com to find more seasonal inspiration and charcuterie solutions.
Prosciutto, Sottocenere and Aligote
- Niman Ranch Prosciutto
- Firm cheese, such as Sottocenere
- Toasted crostini
- Aligote wine
Genoa Salame, Vintage Grand Ewe and Syrah
- Niman Ranch Genoa Salame
- Aged, firm sheep’s cheese, such as Vintage Grand Ewe
- Olives
- Syrah wine
Capocollo, Aged Cheddar, Thyme Honey and Txakoli
- Niman Ranch Capocollo
- Aged sharp cheddar cheese
- Thyme-infused honey
- Txakoli wine
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Community
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project surpasses $8M in donations since 2013, including a record $1.5M raised in 2025 for agriculture’s future.
Young wheat plant field on golden sunset landscape background. Green grain crop in agriculture farm. Rye harvest cereal backdrop
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Culver’s has always worn its Midwest roots proudly—right down to the farm-fresh ingredients behind its ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard. This week, the restaurant brand shared a milestone that reinforces that connection in a big way: Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project has officially surpassed $8 million in total donations since launching in 2013. Even more impressive, 2025 marked a record year, with more than $1.5 million raised to support the future of agriculture through education, advocacy, and community-based partnerships.A 12-year commitment to the people behind the food
When Culver’s started the Thank You Farmers Project, the mission was simple: support farmers and strengthen agricultural education so the next generation can continue feeding communities for decades to come. Twelve years later, that mission has grown into a nationwide effort powered by local restaurants, community partners, and everyday guests. As Alison Demmer, Culver’s senior public relations manager, put it: behind every meal served is a network of hardworking farmers. The Thank You Farmers Project is Culver’s way of turning gratitude into action—by investing in the people and programs that keep agriculture strong.How guests and communities helped raise $1.5 million in 2025
The Thank You Farmers Project is fueled by participation—donations at the register, local fundraising, and limited-time initiatives that make it easy for guests to contribute while enjoying the Culver’s experience. Here are some of the standout efforts from 2025:- Green and Gold: Culver’s donated $1 for each rental and digital purchase of the movie Green and Gold, totaling $100,000 donated to three agricultural organizations.
- To Farmers with Love Contest: Guests nominated farmers and ranchers for recognition, with five winnersreceiving a $500 cash prize, a VIP Tim McGraw concert experience at the Field of Dreams, plus Culver’s gift cards and swag.
- Scoops of Thanks Day (11th annual): Guests donated more than $170,000, receiving a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard in exchange for a $1 donation supporting local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations.
- Concretes for a Cause: Culver’s raised more than $570,000 by donating $1 from each Concrete Mixer soldsystemwide over a five-day period—supporting local hunger relief initiatives.
- Culver’s FFA Ambassadors: Guests nominated standout FFA members to represent Culver’s as ambassadors. Ten ambassadors earned up to $2,500 for their local chapters to fund learning experiences through agriculture advocacy events in partnership with Culver’s.
Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project has officially passed $8 million in total donations since the program began in 2013.
Why this milestone matters beyond the number
An $8 million milestone is worth celebrating—but the bigger story is what it represents: a long-term investment in agricultural education and sustainability, backed by a brand with more than 1,000 family-owned and operated restaurants across 26 states. Programs like this help ensure:- Students have access to hands-on agricultural learning opportunities
- Local FFA chapters and education organizations can expand their impact
- Communities stay connected to the real people behind the food supply
- Future farmers and ranchers feel seen, supported, and valued
How to get involved
Culver’s is encouraging guests and community members to learn more, donate, or participate in upcoming initiatives tied to the Thank You Farmers Project. To explore the program and find ways to support it, visit: https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-projectFAQ: Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project
Q1: What is Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project? A: It’s Culver’s long-running initiative (launched in 2013) that raises funds to support agricultural education and the future of farming.
Q2: How much has Culver’s donated through the Thank You Farmers Project? A: Culver’s reports the program has surpassed $8 million in total donations since it began.
Q3: How much was raised in 2025? A: Culver’s says more than $1.5 million was raised in 2025, a record year for the program.
Q4: What are Scoops of Thanks Day and Concretes for a Cause? A: They’re guest-participation fundraisers where Culver’s ties donations to popular menu items—custard scoops and Concrete Mixers—to support agriculture and community initiatives.
Q5: Where can I learn more or donate? A: Visit Culver’s official page: https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project
About Culver’s
For more than 40 years, Culver’s has served cooked-to-order meals made with farm-fresh ingredients and delivered with a signature commitment to friendly service. The brand’s menu is best known for the ButterBurger (made with fresh, never-frozen beef) and Fresh Frozen Custard, including its popular Flavor of the Day program. With more than 1,000 restaurants in 26 states, Culver’s continues to grow while staying rooted in small-town Midwestern values—and the Thank You Farmers Project is one of the clearest examples of that commitment in action.High Demand Marks “Veggies for Veterans” Event Amid SNAP DelaysLink: https://stmdailynews.com/high-demand-marks-veggies-for-veterans-event-amid-snap-delays/
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Food
Chef Swap at the Beach Christmas Special Hits Cooking Channel Dec. 20 — and You Can Taste It in Myrtle Beach
Chef Swap at the Beach returns with a Christmas Special on Dec. 20 on Cooking Channel. Plus, Myrtle Beach’s new Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass lets visitors dine at featured restaurants across the Grand Strand.
A “Chef Swap at The Beach” Christmas Special will air December 20 on the Cooking Channel. The cast includes L-R: Jamie Daskalis, Jason Trinh, Johanna Wilson Jones, Mason Zeglen, Dylan Foster, Jess Sagun, Gabriel Hernandez. The holiday-themed episode was filmed at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach. In addition, the new Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass dining trail allows fans to engage with the featured restaurants and chefs when in Myrtle Beach. Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
Chef Swap at the Beach Christmas Special Hits Cooking Channel Dec. 20 — and You Can Taste It in Myrtle Beach
If you’ve ever watched a cooking competition and thought, I need to eat that, Myrtle Beach is making it easy to turn screen-time cravings into real-life reservations. On Dec. 20, the Cooking Channel will air a festive new episode of “Chef Swap at The Beach” — a Christmas Special that brings back familiar chefs from past seasons for a holiday-themed cooking competition. And for anyone planning a trip (or looking for a reason to), the show’s newest extension makes the experience even more tangible: the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass, a free digital dining trail that connects fans directly to the restaurants featured across the series.A holiday episode built on community (and a little friendly pressure)
The Christmas Special follows the established “Chef Swap” format: chefs step outside their own kitchens and comfort zones, then race to create themed dishes under tight time constraints. The twist is the season. Filmed at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, the special leans into holiday energy with seasonal elements and a charitable component — while still spotlighting what the series does best: collaboration, creativity, and the relationships that make the Myrtle Beach food scene feel like a community. As Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach, put it, the series has become “a meaningful way to showcase the talent of the Myrtle Beach area’s culinary community to a national audience,” reflecting “the relationships and sense of community that exist across the Grand Strand.”Why the International Culinary Institute matters
The setting isn’t just a backdrop. The International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach plays a real role in the region’s dining identity — serving as a training ground for aspiring chefs and hospitality pros, and helping feed the local restaurant ecosystem with new talent. In other words: Myrtle Beach’s culinary growth isn’t accidental. It’s being built, taught, and refined — and this special gives viewers a look at that foundation.The Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass: from TV episode to dining itinerary
Here’s the part that makes this more than a one-night watch. Restaurants featured throughout multiple seasons of “Chef Swap at The Beach” are now included in the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass, a self-guided dining trail that visitors can use while exploring the Grand Strand. When you sign up for the free digital pass, you unlock a mobile “passport” to participating restaurants, including:- Special offers
- Insights into the show’s signature dishes
- A curated way to experience restaurants from every season, year-round
Myrtle Beach: more than 60 miles of oceanfront
Yes, Myrtle Beach has 60 miles of beautiful oceanfront — but the story Visit Myrtle Beach is telling here is bigger than sand and surf. Known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is made up of 14 unique communities along South Carolina’s northeast coast. Visitors come for the classic vacation staples — entertainment, family attractions, shopping, and world-class golf — but increasingly, they’re also coming hungry. Fresh coastal Carolina cuisine isn’t a side note anymore. It’s part of the main event.Mark your calendar (and maybe your restaurant list)
If you’re looking for a holiday watch that’s equal parts competition and community, set a reminder for Dec. 20 on the Cooking Channel. And if you want to take it one step further, the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass gives you a ready-made reason to plan a winter escape — one plate at a time. Learn more about Myrtle Beach tourism: visitmyrtlebeach.com Explore the Chef’s Table Pass: ChefSwap.com- Visit Myrtle Beach (Official Tourism Site)
- Chef Swap (Chef’s Table Pass + participating restaurants)
- Cooking Channel (Show info and TV listings)
- Cooking Channel TV Schedule (Find airtimes)
- Cooking Channel Shows (Browse series and episodes)
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