Kitchen Tools, Cooking Tips, and How-Tos

9 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Wooden Spoons

Frozen basil leaves (basilius) formed into cubes with fresh basil on a table with some in a plastic sandwich bag.

6 Ways to Preserve Fresh Basil

Whether you freeze it, infuse it, dry it, or turn it into delicious pesto, there are many great ways to preserve fresh basil so you can enjoy it all winter long. Here are six of my favorite methods.

A close-up view of an open jar of dandelion jelly with a dandelion flower and jelly spread on toast in the background.

How to Make Dandelion Jelly

Delicious dandelion jelly one of the first flower jellies you can make in the spring. It brings all the sweetness of the season, is super easy to make, and is the perfect topper for a variety of baked goods and breakfasts.

Pine nuts in a white bowl with a wooden spoon on top of a wooden cutting board.

6 Less Expensive Substitutes for Pine Nuts in Pesto

Homemade pesto is delicious and easy to make, but if you’ve made it recently, you’ve likely noticed that pine nuts are pretty pricey. Here are six less expensive substitutes for pine nuts in pesto.

A cup of plain Greek yogurt in a ceramic ramekin.

How to Make Greek Yogurt Taste Better

Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is great source of protein and B12, but the flavor can take some getting used to. Here are a few ways to make your Greek yogurt taste better.

Using a vegetable peeler to peel asparagus stalks.

Why You Should Be Peeling Your Asparagus

Tradition calls for snapping asparagus to remove the woody ends, but peeling your asparagus leaves more of the stalk in-tact and gives you the perfect, tender texture, all the way through.

Sautéed green cabbage seasoned with salt and pepper in a cast iron pan.

8 Tasty Ways to Cook Cabbage

While many of us may have less-than-fond memories of cabbage from childhood, cabbage can be so much better than that! Here are eight ways to cook cabbage and level up your game.

How to Make Tofu Taste Great

Tofu is fairly bland on its own, but that’s what makes it so versatile. If you’re not following a recipe, here’s a few ways to dress up tofu and make it taste great.

Homemade vinaigrette dressing in a jar with a whisk.

Use this Technique to Make the Perfect Vinaigrette

You can properly emulsify your vinaigrette mixture by just using the right tools and the right technique.

Man holding kale leaves over a bowl on a kitchen counter.

5 Best Substitutes for Kale

Kale has received a lot of love over the last few years, but not everyone’s a fan. Luckily, you can easily substitute other leafy ingredients for kale in a range of recipes, for a more palatable flavor and texture, and similar health benefits.

Bananas nut overnight oats with in snap lid glass jar on white marble.

The Best Type of Oats for Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are easy, but you can still end up with a less-than-desirable dish if you don’t follow a few basic rules: like using the right type of oats. While you can buy a range of oats at the grocery store, there’s only one type that will give you a great texture without turning to mush.

A fully stocked (but somewhat messy) refrigerator.

4 Food Safety Rules You Need to Follow Around the Holidays

Avoiding a foodborne illness — at least when it comes to your own kitchen, cooking, and food prep — is easy enough if you follow a few rules. These four food safety rules are easy but often overlooked.

Creamy potato soup garnished with parsley

The Best Types of Potatoes for Soups and Stews

Depending on the type of soup or stew you’re making, as well as your desired texture, certain potatoes will be better than others.

Pan-roasted brussels sprouts in a cast iron skillet.

How to Make Brussels Sprouts Less Bitter

For many, Brussels sprouts are becoming standard fare (especially around the holidays), as home cooks move beyond the sad, boiled brussels sprouts you may have grown up with, to more palatable recipes. But what if you’ve tried some of these much-improved Brussels sprouts recipes and still just find the veggie too bitter for your taste? We share four easy ways to make Brussels sprouts less bitter.

The Most Underrated Kitchen Gadget You Need to Buy

A potato ricer doesn’t just make the fluffiest potatoes; you can use it for other tasks as well. It is an extremely underrated kitchen tool that you should be using on a regular basis, and not just for potatoes. Learn four unexpected ways to utilize your potato ricer.

A turkey carcass on a platter on a table.

How to Make Turkey Stock from the Carcass

The second best thing about Thanksgiving is making turkey stock from the carcass. So before you start cleaning up and toss the turkey carcass in the trash, consider making turkey stock from it. The process is incredibly easy (just what you need after a full day or longer spent in the kitchen) and it results in a delicious, healthful, homemade broth that you can use in recipes all winter long.

Woman preparing tasty mashed potatoes on wooden background.

Why Your Mashed Potatoes Turn Gummy (and How to Avoid It)

Mashed potatoes are one of the highlights of every holiday meal, but while mashed potatoes are relatively simple (potatoes, cream, butter, salt, pepper and you’re done), there are still ways they can go wrong, quickly and easily, and turn into gummy mashed potatoes.

A skillet with diced celery, carrots, and onions. Celery stalks and carrots are in the background.

The Name Chefs Use for this Classic Veggie Trio

You’ve probably been making this trio of vegetables your entire life (or, at least as long as you’ve been cooking). It forms the base of many a soup and stew and adds flavor, depth, and texture to many favorite Western dishes. It’s a simple blend of diced celery, onions, and carrots.

Sweet Potato Casserole topped with Pecans.

5 Ways to Lighten Up Your Sweet Potato Casserole

Let’s be honest, sweet potato casserole is more of a dessert than a side. With our tips to lighten up your sweet potato casserole, you can eat it all season long without sacrificing flavor.

Sweet Potato Gratin in a casserole dish.

5 Things to Do with Leftover Sweet Potatoes

If you have extra sweet potatoes on your hands and don’t want more plain-Jane boring leftovers, try repurposing your leftovers with these exciting dishes.

How to Make Lentils Taste Better

Lentils are one of those foods that, when served straight up, boiled in water, and drained, are just plain boring and bland. Here are six delicious ways to make lentils taste better.

Root mash. Root vegetables mashed in a bowl. Garnished with oil and herbs.

What Rutabaga Tastes Like and Why You Should Add It to Your Mashed Potatoes

Rutabaga is a mystery food for many people. You’ve probably seen it at the farmers market and at restaurants. We’ll help you discover a new root vegetable you’re going to become obsessed with!

Frozen, pureed butternut squash in a zip-top freezer bag.

How to Freeze Butternut Squash

Savor the nutty flavor of butternut squash all year round with these easy freezing methods. Lock in the nutrients and taste of this fall favorite, ready to enhance your winter meals. Enjoy cubed or pureed, offering versatility in your favorite fall and winter recipes.

A whole pizza in a pizza pan topped with sliced tomatoes.

How to Give Homemade Pizza a Healthy Upgrade

Pizza is everyone’s favorite Friday night eat. However, don’t think that just because you’re indulging, that means you have to throw out your health and nutrition goals for the week. While you might see pizza as a cheesy, carb-laden treat that’s best enjoyed only on rare occasions, there are many ways you can have your pizza and eat it, too.

The Best Types of Pumpkins for Eating & Cooking

There’s so much more to pumpkins than that boring puree in a can. Discover varieties like Sugar, Cinderella, Kabocha, Fairytale, Jarrahdale, and Styrian, each offering unique flavors and textures.

Healthy homemade oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries for breakfast.

How to Make Oatmeal Taste Good Without Sugar

Indulge in a bowl of oatmeal that’s both delicious and sugar-free. Enhance the flavor with low-sugar fruits, natural sweeteners, or protein powders. Mix in nuts or explore savory options for a hearty, satisfying meal. Your tasty, healthful breakfast awaits!