more about: cooking

A Quick Way to Clean a Greasy Pan

If you’re like me, you hate to leave dirty dishes overnight. (That doesn’t mean I always get them done before bed, but I try to.) When it comes to greasy pans, sometimes an overnight soak seems like the only option, but there is a quicker way to get them clean. Try this method: 1. Fill the pan halfway with water, […]

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Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows for Valentine’s Day

How cute are these homemade, marbleized peppermint marshmallows from Say Yes to Hoboken? I’m quite intimidated by the idea of making homemade marshmallows, but this recipe is actually akin to our Fake It, Don’t Make It recipes from years past. To make these marshmallows, simply combine store bought whipped topping (like Cool Whip) with water and peppermint extract. Then add […]

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Delicious English Muffin Recipe Ideas from HuffPost Taste

English muffins were a staple in our household growing up. I remember my mother, and even grandmother, eating an English muffin (with a little butter) most mornings.  I was actually never a huge fan as a kid. I always preferred something a little more substantial like pancakes, waffles, or Cheerios. Maybe it’s a sign that I am growing up because I’ve noticed […]

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How to Clean Leeks

Leeks are one of my favorite ingredients to add to winter soups and risottos. I love that they have an onion-y taste, but are just different enough to change a dish. The only problem is that they can be a pain to wash. Here are the steps to follow for clean, grit-free leeks: 1. Cut off the dark green leaves […]

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How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake

It’s February 1st! Let the Valentine’s Day madness begin. I’m not big into celebrating Valentine’s Day, but I do enjoy cake, so I loved this idea for a heart-shaped cake that you can make by using a round cake pan and a square cake pan—no extra heart-shaped supplies required. There are several tutorials around, but I liked this one from […]

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How to Keep Waffles Warm (and Not Soggy) from The Fauxmartha

Okay, first things first, how delicious do those whole wheat waffles look? The photo is from Erin of Naturally Ella, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last week at the Altitude Design Summit. When you’re planning your brunch for this weekend, use this tip from The Fauxmartha on how to keep waffles warm—this would also work for pancakes, if […]

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Keep Your Kids’ Lunches Cool

Tonight as you’re packing lunches (either your own or your kids’) Take one extra step, and make sure that those lunches stay cold tomorrow, even if there’s no fridge to store them in. Use this idea from Homemade Mamas to create your own ice packs. Simply wet a new sponge and seal it in a zippered plastic bag. Then stick […]

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One Kitchen Item You Should Always Hand Wash

  The dishwasher will certainly save time and energy (if you’re lucky enough to have one!), but that convenience can come at a price for your good knives. A dishwasher’s high-pressure water jets can cause knife blades to knock against other utensils in the silverware basket, dulling and damaging them more quickly. Additionally, the heat of the drying cycle can […]

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A New Use for an Empty Salt Container

I don’t know about you but it takes me forever to go through a standard container of iodized salt. But maybe that’s just me. I do however love this idea from Thrifty Fun about what you can do with the top of the salt container once you’ve used every last crystal. Simply cut off the top of the salt container and trace […]

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Make Homemade Chicken Soup in 5 Minutes

You may not have a cold or the flu (you lucky, lucky reader), but surely, someone you know does. So why not whip up a batch of homemade chicken soup this weekend, and share it with friends and family who really need it? Our slow-cooker recipe for Chicken and Pasta Soup requires exactly five minutes of hands-on time. Yes, it has […]

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