Posts

Preparation For years, I have been an avid fan of restoration and renovation. Whether it is a house in need of minor alterations and redecoration, or an entire farm needing an overhaul, I find these projects fascinating and rewarding. In the past few months, I undertook one in the Maple House, a two-story, 1970s ranch-like home on the northernmost part of my property. After creating a cookbook library there with California Closets a couple of years ago, I decided to tackle the large kitchen and adjoining hall, which I use for shoots....

Learn how to make tender, melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Sirloin Steak using only 3 ingredients in less than 40 minutes! With one bite of my juicy and delicious marinated steak, you’ll be tempted to fire up the grill all summer long. Best Grilled Sirloin Steak Recipe There’s nothing quite like a juicy, sizzling steak being cooked on a hot grill during the summer. The sound, smell, taste, and everything in between are the best!...

Preparation Chef Emily Meggett has lived, loved, and fed folks on Edisto Island, South Carolina, for most of her 89 years. Her new book, Gullah Geechee Home Cooking ($35.49, bookstore.org), pays tribute to her ancestors, who settled the land where they were once enslaved and created a new cuisine of fresh, deeply flavorful dishes, including the beloved staple red rice. “I cook from my heart, my brain, my hands,” says Emily Meggett, who recorded her recipes not just to share a lifetime of knowledge, but to pass on the traditions of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of African men and women forced to work on plantations on the Sea Islands, 100 or so barrier isles off the southeastern coast of the U....

Have you ever thought about making graham crackers from scratch? At my house, graham crackers are a staple, something we buy from the grocery store and eat as snacks. Sometimes we crunch on them plain, sometimes we slather them with peanut butter, and sometimes we sandwich them around chocolate and a toasted marshmallow to make s’mores. I never really thought much about making them myself, but it turns out to be a pretty easy and fun project!...

Preparation Wedding jewelry is a lot like your relationship: If you want it to be as sparkly and magical as it was in the beginning, you’ll need to put in a little work. Make sure your engagement ring and wedding band look great for long haul with regular cleanings and maintenance, both at home and with the help of the pros. “Engagement and wedding rings are everyday jewelry, and everyday jewelry can really take a beating,” says Katie Zimmerman, chief merchant officer at Blue Nile....

Preparation If you enjoy relaxing in your backyard, binoculars in hand and watching for birds, you may have already seen many of the most common species in the United States including robins, goldfinches, and cardinals. But others, such as bluebirds, may need an incentive to drop in. Bluebirds like to nest in tree cavities, but unfortunately, there are few available. Another favorite nesting spot—fence posts made of wood—have been replaced with posts made of treated wood, plastic, or metal....

Preparation Designing a studio apartment is never easy. Along with limited storage and an open layout, you have to arrange and decorate the space in a way that won’t make it feel more cramped than it already is. “There are so many obstacles that one runs into when designing a studio apartment,” says Danielle Fennoy of Revamp Interior Design. “These spaces can get so cluttered so fast, so decorative items should really be well curated....

Whether you prefer the microwave, the stovetop, the oven, or the air fryer, I have everything you need to know to reheat lasagna in the best ways possible. If you love lasagna just as much as I do, you probably also have a big tray of it in the fridge, readily available anytime a craving strikes. It’s also a great lunch or dinner alternative for when you’re just too lazy to cook!...

There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh salmon, but unless you live near the ocean, chances are your fish has been frozen. While thawing fish properly may seem like a daunting task, it’s actually quite simple. Just follow this simple guide on how to thaw salmon and you’ll be ready to cook up a delicious meal in no time. How to Thaw Salmon in the Refrigerator If you have plenty of time, then thawing salmon in your refrigerator is the safest option....

Remember the 7-layer Mexican dip? Well, this is the salad version. Layers of lettuce, chicken, tortilla chips, black beans, green onions, guacamole, salsa, bell pepper and cheese fill up a large glass bowl. It’s all super pretty served in a glass bowl- like it’s on display for your guests, and everyone gets a sneak peek at what’s in the salad. I recommend serving this salad with my homemade Buttermilk Salad Dressing....

Preparation Spring means the arrival of fresh flowers, warmer temperatures—and apparently, a brand new, uber-refreshing color from French cookware brand Le Creuset. Cool Mint is an icy mint-blue that mimics the waters of a tropical paradise while offering a hint of nostalgia with its vibrant retro feel. Since 1925, Le Creuset has been beloved among home cooks and professional chefs alike for not only their range of stunning hues, but durability and performance, too....

Because of the shape and exposure to heat, it can be easy to over bake this kind of cake. But this recipe uses both sour cream and buttermilk for an ultra-moist crumb. Unlike most cakes that are filled and enrobed with sweet frosting, the cake can really shine with a bundt cake. Still, the vanilla glaze is literally the icing on the cake for this flavorful and classic southern favorite....

So don’t pay a fortune for bland frozen mini quiche…make them at home! Mini Quiche Mini Quiche are literally the perfect finger food: small enough to eat with one hand (while the other is clutching a wine glass like it’s your life line); no need for toothpicks, mini napkins; mess free food – no risk of sauce dribbling down your new white silk top; can be made 2 to 3 days ahead, kept in the fridge or frozen then reheated;...

December’s holiday party was rather large with twenty of us. Since 20 is tough to seat for dinner, the hosts went with a more casual theme- a couple different kinds of fondue and lots of other appetizers. My task: to bring sixty Pancetta- Wrapped Mushrooms. I was delighted to find that this was a simple appetizer to prepare for this busy time of year. I was thrilled to find that this recipe called for fresh sage as I have loads of it growing like weeds in my courtyard....

The ingredients being red cabbage and ginger; the ginger provides freshness and spice to the red cabbage. The resulting red cabbage juice is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet with a beverage that is pure, nutritious, and delicious. Drink as a shot for immediate health benefits or incorporate into recipes such as dressings, soups, or stews. Learn how to make this purple red cabbage juice recipe by following these steps:...

Preparation Today marks the day for an out-of-this-world event: According to CBS News, an asteroid, officially named 7482 (1994 PC1), is passing by Earth in extremely close proximity. The object is large in size, too, as it measures at one kilometer (3,280 feet) in height, which is nearly 564 feet taller than the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa located in Dubai. And per research by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the asteroid is set to come within 1,231,184 miles, which will be the nearest an asteroid has been to Earth since January 17, 1933, since one was predicted to be within 700,000 miles of our planet....

Preparation You spend quite a lot of time with your significant other, but how much of that time is actually spent doing things together? In our busy lives it can be hard to make room for quality time, which can be as something as simple as sharing a meal or as extravagant as a week-long vacation. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing as long as the time you’re spending in each other’s company is really focused on being together....

Preparation We love the laid-back environment of a picnic: What could be better than sitting on a soft, grassy patch with friends and some glasses of rosé. But before you can get to that point, you need to pack up all of your picnic essentials. And, as it turns out, there’s a distinct art to packing a picnic basket, which will help ensure that what needs to be cold stays cold and delicate foods don’t get squashed....

Preparation You have basked in the afterglow of your engagement for a month or two—and now, it’s finally time to begin looking for your wedding dress. Whether you’ve made just one appointment or five, there are a few items that you shouldn’t forget to bring to your first few appointments. Read on to discover exactly what to take with you—and what to leave behind—as you begin your search for The Dress....

You can devour them on their own as a savory snack, or pair them up with a thick soup or a delectable main entrée. If you’re wondering what to eat with soft, buttery cornbread, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you top your cornbread with honey or dip it in a bowl of chili, we’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, here are 17 foods that will transform your cornbread feast into an unforgettable meal....