I mean… who can resist the sweet and salty combination of chocolate and peanut butter? Not me! They’re a staple at nearly every holiday get-together. But don’t let that keep you from enjoying these classic cookies all year long. Plus, these soft, peanut-buttery delights are super easy to make! Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Peanut Butter Blossoms Wondering why we use three different sugars for this recipe? It makes the BEST cookies!...
The two dips I served at the BBQ are my two favorite dips from the book. This one is my SoCal (Southern California) 7-Layer Mexican Dip. It’s not your typical Mexican layer dip- there are some secret layers in there (like fresh corn) that make it a little bit unique and delicious. This was devoured by our guests, so I guess they liked it too! My other favorite dip in the book: Caramelized Onion Dip....
Preparation Have you ever wondered how to turn your dreams of owning your own business into a reality? We can help. Each week, as part of our Self Made series, we showcase female entrepreneurs—as well as their quality, handmade goods—and share their best advice related to starting, maintaining, and growing your own business. Sharita M. Humphrey, CFEI, CFSWC, the owner of her eponymous financial business, has had a knack for numbers ever since she was a girl; she actually started helping her mother write out the family’s monthly expenses when she was eight....
Preparation A Le Creuset product launch is always a sight to see. The brand, known for its durable stoneware, welcomes new pieces that can fulfill a wide-range of cooking needs and more. Now, the brand has launched three new products that’ll make your everyday life a little easier and more colorful. The Le Creuset Fish Baker ($125, lecreuset.com) can fit up to a two-pound whole fish, and the stylish embossed design makes it an oven-to-table winner....
Preparation Repainting most of the rooms in your home as a new year refresh isn’t especially practical: replacing furniture, choosing new fabrics, and turning those spaces into work sites requires a generous investment of time and money. But updating the paint in your bathroom—a smaller room—lets you start and end your day on an invigoratingly new note. Primary and guest bathrooms also offer endless opportunities for personalization, as you incorporate riskier colors....
Preparation When it comes to helping the mother of the bride or groom select a dress for the big day, your top priority should be ensuring that these very important ladies feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful as they walk down the aisle. But most moms say they don’t feel right wearing a gown that highlights their best assets out of fear of stealing the spotlight from the bride—and we’re here to put an end to that line of thinking....
After all, childhood experiences of being forced to eat a horrible-tasting dish their mom made could be traumatizing. But here’s the thing: Brussels sprouts are not as bad as you’ve believed them to be. People have gotten so used to the idea that they taste bitter and stink up the house. As such, they don’t want to give them another chance. But in fact, when cooked properly, these little green balls are actually quite delightful!...
Preparation If you want to start a garden, but you don’t have time to tend to one, turn to a system that’s been growing in popularity for its eco-friendly and low maintenance reputation: gravel gardens. It’s a form of xeric gardening—planting with water conservation in mind—that uses small pebbles in place of soil amendments and mulch. While it may seem like you need a green thumb to be able to grow plant matter in rocks, even beginners can start a gravel garden....
Whether you’re having a BLT for lunch, dinner, or even as an on-the-go breakfast or brunch, this meal is sure to satisfy. But no sandwich is complete without a little something on the side! Transform your BLT sandwich into an unforgettable meal with these 12 savory side dishes. From macaroni salad to crispy potato chips, these sides are sure to delight. 1. Fruit Bowl A bowl of fresh fruit is an excellent way to add some healthy sweetness to your meal....
Pasta lovers know the difference between ziti and penne. Although the distinction isn’t huge, chefs know exactly when to use penne or ziti in a specific recipe or dish. If you can’t figure out which is which, don’t worry, these kinds of pasta look pretty similar. Only foodies and chefs will know which is perfect for certain dishes, as pasta affects the texture of the meal. Ziti vs Penne: The Differences Distinction and Geometry Before we proceed to the distinction, let’s first discover what makes penne and ziti confusing for most people....
Preparation If you live in an area where droughts are common, or if you’re looking to reduce your landscape’s watering needs, consider turning to xeriscaping. In its simplest form, this garden system is focused on water conservation and requires little to no supplemental irrigation. Adopting this system also means less work for you: The style of gardening typically includes plants that are drought tolerant and can withstand infrequent maintenance. Xeriscaped landscapes depend on what the natural climate provides in order for flora to thrive—meaning they need no additional water beyond rainfall once established....
Gooey, creamy, or crumbly, there are so many ways to savor Monterey jack cheese. Not to mention its ability to melt into the most mouth-watering cheese pull. These 30 recipes are a cheese lover’s dream come true. From pastas to sandwiches, there are plenty of cheese-packed meals to take your taste buds on a joyride. So, grab that block from your cheese drawer. It’s time to get stuck into these Monterey jack cheese recipes....
There are so many ways you can use maple syrup, and it doesn’t only have to be in sweet treats. In fact, this compilation has several savory entrees you’ll definitely want to try! You’ll also find a few beverages on this list. In the mood for iced coffee? Or how about a warming hot toddy? This round-up has them both and so much more! There’s everything from pancakes and French toast to baked brie and cornbread, to a variety of beverages....
Preparation Something about majolica evokes a feeling of the outdoors—of frogs, leafy greens, and mushrooms. It’s a curious feeling, one that seems to have been as prevalent in 15th century Spain where the predecessors of this tin-glazed earthenware originated (and where, of course, it isn’t especially damp), as it became in England—birthplace of the modern umbrella and cabinets full of boggish, Victorian majolica pieces. In more recent years, collectors have caught quite a case of the bug, too....
Preparation A streamlined closet filled with the correct hangers for each garment will help you keep this small space organized, but with so many different types of hangers on the market, knowing which type you need can be tricky. To help understand the differences between each type of hanger, we talked to organizing expert Naeemah Ford Goldson. Despite this product category’s variety, sturdier iterations typically come in two materials: wood and velvet....
If you are looking for something to make for dear ‘ol Dad this weekend, this is it. Dad likes pancakes, right? He’d be crazy not to love these pancakes. They are fluffy, they have a delicious, cinnamony flavor, and there are bananas added in for good measure… because adding bananas to pancakes is the best idea ever in the entire history of ideas. Well… I guess not exactly that extreme, but let’s just say that pancakes with bananas baked into them is a darn good idea....
It’s midnight. You’re in bed. Your eyes are shut. But… your mind is awake, dreaming about chocolate cookies. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t ignore that yearning. So you finally get up and walk to the kitchen. You check the counter, the pantry, and the fridge. Alas, no cookies. You go back to bed, heartbroken, unable to scratch that itch. I know how awful it feels, and I’m here to help....
Preparation You probably already know that there are several conversations you should have with your parents before you start planning your wedding. You will want to sit down with both sides of your family to talk about things like big-day timing and financial contributions, but you shouldn’t forget to discuss a few other key elements, too. We asked four wedding professionals to lay out the conversation topics that you should absolutely cover with both your parents and your in-laws—together, if possible—before you get too far into the wedding planning process....
1 lb lasagna sheets, preferably the “assemble and bake” variety 7 oz goat cheese ⅓ cup black olives, pitted, sliced 1 tbsp dried thyme 2 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano 2 tbsp garlic, minced 4 cups marinara sauce 2 zucchinis, (roughly 14 ounce total), medium, sliced ¼-inch thick ½ lb squash, thinly sliced ½ lb bell peppers, of your choice ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated or powdered salt and ground black pepper, to taste...
Sadly, Dunkin has phased out this delightful drink. But, worry not, because I have discovered how to make it at home, and it’s incredibly easy! How to Make Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta To make your very own Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta, all you need is cold coffee, milk, vanilla syrup, hazelnut syrup, whipped cream, and ice. That’s it! You can make this creamy sensation in the comfort of your home....
