Even when you’re on a giant cruise ship, you may feel the need to get away from it all… get away from the crowds, the pools full of children and the busy bar scene. Although there are actually a lot of places on The Ruby Princess to find peace and quiet, The Sanctuary was a special place that I had to check out. The Sanctuary is a lovely, relaxing space adjacent to the spa on The Ruby Princess....
Preparation There’s no getting around it: Small kitchens can be challenging to maneuver in, especially for home cooks who prepare meal after meal with no countertop elbow room. Even the cooking-adverse who do little more than microwave last night’s takeout may feel the countertop squeeze. How can you make the most of this prime real estate in tight confines? “I have found that clients that cook a lot tend to want the most functional countertops,” Liz Tiesi, owner and lead designer of the Brooklyn-based interior design company Threshold Interiors, tells MarthaStewart....
Preparation Even if you exchange multiple texts with Mom per day, there’s something extra sweet about opening the mailbox to find some snail mail—especially if it’s a surprise from a loved one. You don’t have to go all out with an accompanying gift package, either. Though a thoughtful gift is undoubtedly appreciated, a handwritten letter with serious thought behind it can go a long way to make the recipient feel special and appreciated....
Preparation Most of us consider our homes to be a peaceful oasis away from the outside world—that is, until the outside world gets a little too noisy. Loud neighbors, for example, are a common nuisance, especially if you live in an apartment complex or suburban neighborhood with side-by-side properties. Regardless of the type of noise (music, late-night gathering hullabaloo, early-morning exercise sounds), it’s important to get it under control for peace of mind....
1 lb all-purpose, bread flour 1 tsp salt 1½ tbsp dry yeast 1 tsp sugar 1 cup warm milk 2 oz butter, melted Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and leave in a warm place. Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm milk. Let froth, then mix in the butter. Stir all the liquid into the warm flour and beat well until smooth and elastic. Cover and proof in a warm place for 50 minutes or until doubled in bulk....
Preparation Cats are beautiful animals that constantly amaze us: Their hunting instincts remain intact even when they live indoors and their pouncing, running, and acrobatic sense of balance are exciting to watch. And when looking into a cat’s eyes, it’s a sight to behold. But look closely and you may wonder, why do they have vertical pupils? According to experts, the shape of their pupils serves an evolutionary purpose for our feline companions....
So forget heavy pasta and high-carb potatoes and go for a portion of light and fluffy rice with your next steak dinner! Rice gives you a lot of variety, and it’s incredibly budget-friendly too. Keep it simple with salt and butter, or cook it in herbs and spices for something with a bit more pizzaz. Either way, rice can take on bigger and bolder flavors than most grains and sides....
While not as popular in the U.S. or the U.K. as some other Asian cuisines – Chinese, Japanese, or Indian, for example – Armenian food, and Armenian desserts, in particular, are delicious. These desserts are traditionally sweeter and look and taste more like something you’d find in American bakeries than Chinese or Japanese desserts do. The recipes often include fruits, nuts, and spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves, and many of the most popular desserts have influences from Russian or Turkish cuisine....
Dads often give so much and take very little. So why not spoil him a little bit this Father’s Day? In my house, the way to Dad’s heart is food. It’s almost as if “food” should be the sixth love language. I’ve compiled this list of 15 appetizer recipes that I think any Dad will devour. Whether you’re throwing a bbq or hosting a dinner party, this list has the perfect starters....
If you aren’t familiar with it, Campari is a fruity, herb-flavored Italian bitters liqueur, usually consumed before eating a meal (an aperitif). Cocktails made with Campari may or may not be strong and may or may not have a slightly bitter alcohol tang, depending on the other ingredients. They’re primarily – though not always – red, pink, or orange because Campari itself is a bright, vibrant red. However, other ingredients can alter the color somewhat....
Plus, they’re crazy high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Red lentils are already split, so they’re the easiest of the bunch to cook. And their mild taste means they can be added to almost any recipe, including pancakes, meatballs, and salads! Of course, you’ll most often see them in vibrant soups and curries. But I’ve got a few fun red lentil recipes here that might surprise you. Let’s get to it....
They’re colorful, boozy, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Just don’t forget to fill Santa’s glass too! Plain (good) vodka basically has no taste, which means you get plenty of boozy goodness without overpowering the other ingredients in your drinks. But vodka comes in many fantastic flavors, too. So from salted caramel and whipped cream to spiced apple and citrus, it’s a pretty impressive and versatile cocktail ingredient. Of course, these are vodka Christmas cocktails, so expect lots of fun festive flavors and plenty of holiday pizazz!...
However, if you landed here by accident, a definition might be in order. Cakelets are cakes, only smaller! They have all the beauty, sweetness, and flavor of full-size cakes, but they come in miniature sizes, perfect for individual consumption. You might be thinking to yourself, “Those are just cupcakes!” but they aren’t. These are 100% cakes. They have the same consistency as cakes and taste the same. Some of them even look the same as cakes, but smaller....
The earth has an abundance of fruits for us to discover. Let’s be open to the many things life has to offer! That said, it’s time to widen your fruit vocabulary with this collection of fruits that start with L. This round-up will broaden your knowledge and excite your taste buds. Who knows, you might even find a new favorite fruit on this list! From limequat and loquat to lucuma and laranja, here are 20 fruits that start with L....
Seafood lovers know just how much of a delicacy lobster is. Its soft and tender meat is mild, sweet, and simply mouthwatering. But it can be pretty pricey. So, if you’re not willing to pick up that eye-watering bill in a restaurant, you might not get to enjoy it as much. That definitely doesn’t mean you should miss out! You can cook up restaurant-quality lobster dishes at home without the costly bill....
In case you’re not familiar with pancetta, it’s an Italian cured meat that uses black pepper and other spices during the curing process. It’s just like bacon, but with a much more intense flavor. The taste is so bold, you won’t need to add too much of it to flavor a dish! Honestly speaking, any dish with pancetta in it is sensational. That’s what made this next collection so difficult to narrow down....
So go ahead and indulge. You deserve it! As much as I love rich and dreamy chocolate chip cookies, sometimes I want something a little lighter. That’s when I turn to these incredible low-calorie cookies. And here’s the kicker: some of these healthy cookie recipes are under 100 calories each! It sounds impossible, but it’s true. So why not make them for yourself and see what all the fuss is about?...
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a year-round pasta fanatic. Yet, with the weather warming up, it’s time to add a little summer flavor into the mix. Now, before you run away, hear me out. The juicy tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and rich cheeses are still in the mix. The only difference is that these summer pasta recipes focus on different ingredients and are much lighter. Here are my top go-to dishes that are both incredibly delicious and equally impressive....
Preparation If you sometimes secretly wish your Fluffy were more like Fido in the teachability to do fun things or you’d simply like her to obey the household rules (such as no jumping on the counter), you’ll be glad to know that you can teach an old (or young) cat new tricks and behavior modifications. Ahead, we asked Allene Tartaglia, executive director of the Cat Fanciers’ Association, for her tips to make it easier for both of you....
It’s golden crisp on the outside, and insanely fluffy and moist on the inside. And the corn flavor is simply outstanding. With its unique flavor and texture, one bite is enough to give you comfort and joy. Whether you enjoy it on its own, topped with honey, or paired with chili, you really can’t go wrong. Cornbread tastes amazing any way you eat it. The best part is that it’s such a breeze to make....
