$6 Snack: Apple hand pie with rosemary caramel from O Pie O in Cincinnati, Ohio

by Caitlin Saniga

Each hand pie comes individually boxed, like a delicious little present.

Meatless Monday: Creamy mushroom and wild rice soup

by Caitlin Saniga

I would have made a great Minnesotan. Mushroom and wild rice soup, a Minnesota classic, is one of my favorite comfort foods.

Tingling pineapple-ginger soda with cayenne

by Caitlin Saniga

Waylaid with a nasty sore throat and stuffy sinuses? This drink is dynamite. Pineapple is the only known source of bromelain, an enzyme used to treat inflammation, especially of the nose and sinuses. Pineapple core is especially rich in the protein, so be sure to include chunks from this section in your mixture. The spiciness of the ginger and cayenne is the perfect scratch for an itchy throat. And the lemon is the perfect zing for awakening and soothing sinuses. Drink a glass of the pineapple mixture straight, or add club soda for a less potent sipper.

Meatless Monday: Squash and beetroot tart with goat cheese

by Sarah Steimer

This tart came to me on a wintry, snowy day when something cozy was the only thing that would do. There are quite a few steps to this tart, but I had everything I needed in the house! It’s the perfect thing to share with company or reheat a day or two later.

Squash, date and lemon compote

by Sarah Steimer

I made this full recipe, cooled it, transferred it to a large jar… and had some of the best breakfasts all week. I’ve added this compote to oatmeal (pictured) and to yogurt. I bet it would be amazing on toast with a little ricotta, or even as a topper for a nice, baked white fish. Why not go there? This could be sweet or savory.

$6 Snack: Mock turtle soup from Ron’s Roost in Cincinnati, Ohio

by Caitlin Saniga

To be honest, I don’t know if I’d willingly order mock turtle soup ever again. The version at Ron’s Roost was extremely acidic from lemon juice and/or vinegar and had some new-to-me texture combinations like hard-boiled egg and ground beef. A one-time experience is good enough for me. That said, members of Joel’s family who are from Cincinnati LOVE mock turtle soup from Ron’s Roost, and they seemed to really enjoying a hot cup of the soup on the day that we visited.

How cool is this rooster-mobile parked outside of the restaurant?

I visited: Ron’s Roost, a Cincinnati restaurant known for its fried chicken (Note the rooster-mobile parked outside of the restaurant) and German-influenced local favorites (hot bacon slaw, sauerbraten, and mock turtle soup).

I tried: A cup of the mock turtle soup, a Cincinnati favorite that has roots in English and German cooking. It’s an imitation of the more expensive green turtle soup and incorporates beef (sometimes calf brains and organs) to mimic the texture of turtle meat.

Why it stood out: There are quite a variety of recipes for mock turtle soup. Joel’s grandma told me about a version that incorporate ground gingersnap cookies as a warm, spicy, thickening agent. A recipe I read in Joel’s aunt’s cookbook included some usual soup suspects: celery, carrot, onion, tomatoes, bay leaf; but it also listed a slew of surprising ingredients: whole cloves, browned flour, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and loads of lemon and vinegar. I can’t be sure of all ingredients used in the soup at Ron’s Roost, but it definitely had a slap of acidity with deep, warm flavors from clove and bay leaf. This was a combination of flavors and textures I have never experienced.

It cost: $3

Find out more:
Ron’s Roost
3853 Race Road
Cincinnati, OH 45211
513-574-0222
ronsroost.net

$6 Snack is a recurring feature that reviews an area eatery’s snack — for $6 or less. Look at a map of the places we’ve tried. Help our map grow by submitting your own review! Find out how.

Lemon, ginger and cayenne wellness shot

by Sarah Steimer

I completely swear by this shot. I’ve jotted the recipe down for any number of people the moment they tell me they aren’t feeling well (and I take it myself at this point, too. Cooties alert). Take this at the first sign of sickness, or if you’re around a lot of office/gym/commute snot. Lemon helps boost immunity and detox, while the ginger reduces flu- and cold-related aches and helps your digestive system. The kick of cayenne can help with fevers and nausea.

Meatless Monday: Cilantro edamame hummus

by Caitlin Saniga

A version of edamame hummus was served at Joel’s company’s holiday party. It was really great with sweet potato and beet chips and thinly sliced baguette toasts, but I really like dipping fresh veggies in my version.

Spaghetti squash and avocado salad with chicken

by Sarah Steimer

I love a new recipe for spaghetti squash. I’d hate to relegate this awesome winter squash to just getting a bottle of marinara sauce dumped on it. Instead, this guy got a mean, green upgrade.

Pomegranate orange peel tea with gingered honey

by Caitlin Saniga

The timing of this month’s guide couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve been battling a cold since Christmas Day, and although the worst of it is over, I can tell you for a fact that this tea soothes an uneasy stomach and encourages stuffy nasal cavities to loosen up. Ginger and honey are classic remedies for upset stomach and sore throats, respectively, and the benefits of orange and pomegranate peels were new news to me. Both are high in vitamin C and calcium. Orange peel tea has been used to treat heartburn and indigestion, and pomegranate peel tea has been used to soothe sore throats. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing your fruit for this tea: Organic is absolutely best, as peels touched by chemicals tend to absorb those chemicals.