Starting solids can be one of the most stressful times as a new parent. It sounds easy enough: I mean, just mash up some bananas and spoon it in their mouth, right? Sure. . . once you get the hang of it. The first step is determining whe…
I can't say precisely how many boiled eggs I've accidentally smushed, cratered, or generally man-handled when trying to remove the peel, but it's definitely in the dozens—maybe hundreds. I bet you know the feeling. Some days it comes off…
Unless you've been living under a rock (AKA you have a lot more self-discipline when it comes to social media than I do), you've probably heard about the miraculous properties of coconut oil. From the kitchen to the makeup bag, and even …
I may not speak for everyone, but my own critical thinking capacity pretty much evaporates when I walk into the grocery store. I'm usually hungry and in a rush—and never mind if I've got children in tow. Then, as soon as I walk in, the s…
For coffee lovers—and, really, for almost everyone—dropping $5 on a speciality coffee or tea drink is a not-so-unusual occurrence. Maybe even an everyday occurrence. But if you're like me and these little indulgences start to put a strai…
Most of us have experienced that post-steakhouse glow that comes from eating a perfectly cooked, perfectly juicy, perfectly pink-all-the-way-through steak. But no matter how hard I’ve tried to replicate this restaurant-style steak at hom…
Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Cones are the ultimate summer treat—and not just because they're tasty. These are easy to make—or even to have the kids make—ahead of time or, if you're having a party, set out all the ingredients and turn this…
The silky, creamy texture of a poached egg on buttery toast is a breakfast lover's dream. If you are one of the many people—including me—who loves the sound of poached eggs but are intimidated by the process, I've got a trick from the ul…
No matter what I've read or been told, there is a part of me that wonders, “Do I really have to wash a few lettuce leaves for my sandwich?” or “Can my kids actually get sick if I give them that non-organic lettuce straight from the packa…
There are few disappointments in life like returning to a gallon of ice cream for a late-night, kid-free splurge and discovering that what was once blissfully smooth and creamy is now spiked with ice crystals, far less flavorful, and als…
I have no intention of stealing thunder from all the fabulous dads who deserve acknowledgment this Father's Day, but to say that this Maple Glazed Bacon is just for them is a lie. (I request it every Mother's Day too!) This recipe—which …
We may be entering the peak of local fresh fruit season all across the country, but there's one imported fruit that I cannot stop buying, by order of my children: mangos. They are obsessed and, well, truth be told, so am I. In fact, righ…
I have to confess, I've been man-handling salmon for most of my life. It's such a tender, elegant fish, yet too often mine ended up leathery, dry, or just completely fused to the frying pan and oozing white stuff (the worst!). Instead of…
Let's be honest: How many of us love ice cream cake as much now as we did when we were kids? Raises hand. As nostalgic as I get eating a store-bought ice cream cake, every time I partake I can't help but think that a homemade ice cream c…
Fire up the 'cue, it’s National Burger Day—though we hardly need a holiday to celebrate burgers. Whether for a weekend cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, burgers are a favorite meal, especially through summer, so we might as well learn…
Frosting. The swooping, sweet, fluffy, creamy topping is one of life’s most simple pleasures, and nearly impossible to resist. While I, and probably many of you, grew up on store-bought frosting, it pales in comparison to the real thing.…
In my new cookbook, Make It Easy , I share 8 things that I think every cook should know how to make well—and you might be surprised by the list. It isn't full of culinary school principles, but rather foods that family cooks tend to make…
Warmer weather has arrived and we're officially in iced coffee mode! But here's the thing: The very best iced coffee drinks are made from cold brew, which is less acidic and much more flavorful than a hot cup of coffee cooled down with i…
It's picnic season! With the weather most of us have been having, it's the perfect excuse to pack up lunch or dinner to eat al fresco in the park or by the beach. When done right, packing a picnic is easy business -- but it's not just a …
The headline for this article is the kind that you see all the time at the beginning of the year, when everyone's thinking resolutions and turning new leaves. I get it. Who doesn't want to lighten up after a month (or two) of holiday eat…
Perfect roast chicken is one of those dishes that every cook longs to master. Achieving that sought-after crisp, golden skin and perfectly tender meat is seemingly simple, but learning how to roast chicken is something that takes a littl…
Have you ever heard of compound butter? It might sound fancy and maybe even complicated, but I promise that it's neither. (If it was, I certainly wouldn't be making it!) Compound butter, which is basically flavored butter, is not only si…
Shauna James Ahern, author of the popular Gluten-Free Girl website, four cookbooks and a subscription recipe service , spent most of her life physically suffering, and not knowing why. When she was finally diagnosed with celiac disease i…
Every St. Patrick's Day, I make a big feast to celebrate the big day in honor of my husband's Irish family—but, truth be told, I'd make one even if I didn't' have Irish relatives. You know why? Corned beef and cabbage. It's just too grea…