“Scrooge was dead.” That’s how Donald C. Hepner started off a production of A Christmas Carol one night. And that one moment perfectly captures than man we all knew as “Hep.” You were never certain whether you were in on the joke or part of it. A standup comedian, gifted actor, personal friend  and mentor to many on the local theater and comedy scene, Hepner died of a massive heart attack Sunday night in his Moline residence. He was 79. He was an original dude, a great writer (his book “Reggie! Ringling’s First Black Clown” is FANTASTIC), and a fine performer... Read More

The weather has now shifted and a lot of people are talking about how stoked they are for Libra season but not me! I am stoked because it’s officially SOUP SEASON! Savannah and I ventured over to Doug and Sara Kutzli’s for a wonderful evening of food, friendship and this special episode of Cooking Thyme! WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1 tsp of butter 1 onion sliced 2 cloves garlic – minced 6 cups – or 2 pounds – butternut squash 1 cup pumpkin puree 3 cups vegetable broth 1 cup apple juice 1 tbsp honey ½ tsp curry powder ¼ tsp cinnamon ½ cup heavy whipping cream 2 tbsp Vegetable... Read More

Still not interested in going out to eat? I totally get it! This dish will make you feel like you hit your favorite Thai place without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home!   WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1 pound of chicken tenderloins 1 handful of cilantro Some banging yellow curry rub (We found ours at a Farmer’s Market in Williams Bay but you could most certainly make your own!) 1 can coconut cream 1 yellow onion olive oil rice salt and pepper to taste *Important to note: You really have to shoot from the hip with some of these quantities. You do you! WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Chop onions... Read More

Get classy in less than 30 minutes. And make yourself look like a waaaaaaaay better cook than you actually are. Show your love that you’ve got the juice! Eh? Eh? Eh? WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1 bag of three cheese tortellini 1 pound of ground turkey Handful of kale Handful of cut carrots 5 cups chicken stock 2 cups vegetable juice 1 can of crushed tomatoes 1 can of pinto beans 1 can of corn 2 tsp red pepper flakes 2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic salt Salt and pepper to taste WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Cook the ground turkey with 1 tsp of red preppier flakes, 1 tsp of Italian... Read More

Sometimes the Godfather himself does you a favor… WHAT YOU WILL NEED 1 pound ground beef 2 cans of tomato sauce 1 can of corn 2 tomatoes – cut anyway you would prefer 1 red pepper – cut anyway you would prefer 1 box rigatoni 2 tsp of Italian seasoning 2 tsp red pepper flakes 2 tsp oregano 2 tsp thyme 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 cup fresh parmesan Salt and pepper to taste THE BEEF Mix into 1 tsp of all the seasonings above as the beef cooks. Once the beef is slightly overdone, add the cut veggies into and let simmer. THE NOODLES Cook those babies but not too much! THE GOULASH MIX Mix... Read More

It’s way too hot for this I suppose but for me, hard times call for comfort and soup is tmy go-to comfort food! It helps with anxiety and because we are living through one of the wildest times EVER, it is much needed. I will happily eat a hot soup in 90 degree weather if it means my nerves will calm down! Grab a can of Canada Dry, enjoy the soup and don’t forget that Black Lives Matter. Oh, and PLEASE VOTE! WHAT YOU WILL NEED 4 chicken tenderloins\ 2 cans of Old El Paso enchilada sauce 1 can of black beans 1 can Rotel – mild 1 can of 3 bean in chili sauce 1 cup of heavy whipping cream 2... Read More

It’s the good stuff. WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 5 cups chicken stock 2 cups vegetable juice 3 peppers 2 carrots 1 tomato 1⁄4 bag of fresh green beans A sensible amount of kale 1⁄2 bag of meatballs 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1⁄2 tsp oregano, thyme, parsley, basil and onion powder 1⁄2 box of Ditalini noodles Salt and pepper to taste WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Preheat oven to 425 (for meatballs – cooked in a small pan) Cook noodles according to taste Combine all ingredients into a separate soup pot and bring to a boil and then let it reat Combine all ingredients as things... Read More

Ma! The meatloaf! WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1 1/2 lbs ground sirloin (or ground beef) 1/2 a large onion or full small onion 2 cups oatmeal 2 eggs 2/3 cup of ketchup (most of it in mixture, some on top) Salt/pepper and RED PEPPER FLAKES to taste   WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Preheat oven to 400’F Chop onion Combine all ingredients in a bowl Use hands to mash/mix it up Put mixture into a loaf pan Top with a layer of ketchup Cook 40-45 minutes Ready to dig in! Add whatever sides you like best! I highly recommend watching Wedding Crashers while you eat this delicious meatloaf! Until next time…  Read More

Named after the one and only Jim Varney, this soup is so TASTY and like Jim’s character Ernest, the perfect model of comfort… you know what I mean, Vern? Here’s with you will need: 1 pound of chicken tenderloins 3 peppers ½ bag of frozen corn Some kale 2 fresh carrots 6 cups of chicken broth 2 cups vegetable juice 1 tomato 2 tbsp olive oil 1tsp onion powder 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp basil 1 tsp garlic salt 2 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp thyme A liberal amount of salt and pepper to taste   Here’s what you will need to do: Cut your veggies and put them in the pan! Mix in the chicken broth... Read More

This chicken and veggies dish tastes great and isn’t bad for you! That’s a combo that’s hard to find! It can have a little kick or no kick depending upon how much you amp up the spice! Here’s with you will need: 1 pound of chicken tenderloins 1 lemon 2⁄3 cup canola oil 1⁄2 cup of chicken broth 1⁄4 bag of green beans 1 sweet potatoe 1 red pepper 1 container of cherry tomatoes 1tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic salt 2 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp thyme 4 tsp lemon pepper A liberal amount of salt and pepper to taste Here’s what you will need to do: Preheat the overs to 425 Cut potatoe... Read More