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Preparation During life’s busiest—and sometimes most stressful—moments, that unexpected phone call or text from a loved one can mean the world. As it turns out, these surprise touchbases actually do make a difference when it comes to our mental health. A new study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology noted that the greater the surprise element of these check-ins, the more appreciated the person will feel—which is a great reason to reach out to that friend or relative you love, but haven’t connected with in years....

Preparation There’s something supremely satisfying about getting those grill marks on meat or fish, and if you’re looking for advice on how to achieve that perfect crosshatch design, then you’ve come to the right place. But first, are grill marks even necessary? Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe, pitmaster at Dr. BBQ in St. Petersburg, Florida, doesn’t think so. “Grill marks have a great look and that’s why they are often preferred, but there’s a school of thought that says they leave much of the surface unbrowned and less flavorful....

Preparation A productive morning looks different for everyone: It could mean squeezing in a workout before 9 a.m., getting the dishwasher loaded before you leave the house, returning all your pending emails over your first cup of coffee, or tackling your toughest long-term analysis project before the team meeting. But the benefit of feeling productive goes beyond simply crossing items off your to-do list—it can set the tone for your entire day....

Fresh eggs are also better for poaching because they have tighter whites so they poach neatly. But how can you tell how fresh your egg is before you even crack it? Here’s a quick tip: Simply put the egg in a glass of water and watch how it floats: Eggs start to degrade in quality the moment they are laid by chickens. This is because egg shells are porous and over time an egg will absorb air....

If you’ve ever been to Mardi Gras, but you’re a little past the “party” stage, why not bring the experience home with a more sophisticated dinner party that celebrates some of New Orleans finest dishes. Last year we were able to visit New Orleans for the first time, and even though it wasn’t during Mardi Gras, there’s always a party in the air. Everywhere you go you’ll find beads and cocktails!...

Preparation Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s third wedding anniversary is just one week away, and someone close to the couple is reflecting on his role in the nuptials and what it felt like to be there on the big day. Daniel Martin, a globally revered makeup artist, created the bride’s look for her walk down the aisle, which included “no-makeup, makeup” and glowing skin. Looking back on the event, there were several moments—aside from his glam responsibilities—that stood out to him....

Made with a custardy filling and a buttery pie crust, it’s always a party-pleaser, often enjoyed on holidays or special occasions. It’s easy to see why buttermilk pie is so popular. This creamy comfort food tastes a bit like creme brulee with its rich, gooey center and crackly sugar top. Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Buttermilk pie may be a classic southern dessert, but it’s actually an English import. Made popular by colonial settlers, the delicious dessert was readily adopted in the southern states, where buttermilk was already a staple ingredient for home cooks....

4⅛ cups bread flour 4½ tsp fast-action yeast 1 tbsp salt 1⁄4 cup honey 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1½ cups warm water For Poaching: water 1 tsp baking soda For Topping: ½ cup brown sugar 1⁄4 cup white sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon Pour the flour into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the salt and yeast on opposite sides, stirring each one in with a finger. Add the honey and ground cinnamon and mix with the paddle attachment on low speed until blended....

Nowadays we lead fast-paced lives. Because of this, many turn to hot, filling, and comforting meals. Among the easiest ‘meals’ to magically come together you will find Hot Pockets. In many American households, Hot Pockets have become synonymous with a delicious snack or even a light meal. They have become staples in the freezer section, with countless 90s kids having fond memories of eating them throughout their childhoods. Coming in a variety of flavors, these handy sandwiches of sorts have no doubt cemented themselves as a classic icon....

The frozen banana chills the shake and creates a thickened texture while the yogurt and almond milk provide additional health benefits. Flavored with cinnamon and banana this shake is the perfect way to boost gains. Enjoy this nutrient-dense drink. Learn how to make a Quest Protein shake by following these steps: Related Video

Preparation When it comes to creating the perfect cake or cupcake, the frosting really is the finishing touch. And if you want to create subtle yet striking frosting colors, you’re in luck: All you need to re-create the bold hues above is gel food coloring—try AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste ($2.25 each for 0.75 oz., americolorcorp.com)—and our assistant food editor Riley Wofford’s secret (until now) formulas. Just whisk the number of drops outlined below into two cups of Swiss Meringue Buttercream....

Make the easy 30 minute red curry recipe using my trick to pimp up store bought curry paste. Or go all out and make a Thai Red Curry Paste from scratch! Complete your Thai banquet with Thai Satay Skewers or Thai Fish Cakes to start. Thai Red Curry recipe We’d all love to be able to have a Thai Red Curry any night of the week made with homemade red curry paste....

Preparation Coastal grandmother style is easy, breezy, and blue-and-white everything—think Diane Keaton’s character Erica Barry in the 2003 film Something’s Gotta Give. Catapulted into mainstream fame by TikTok user Lex Nicoleta, the phrase “coastal grandmother” involves being chic without trying: It’s straw hats, chambray button downs, and freshly picked flowers from the garden, all chased down with a good book and perhaps a glass of Pinot Grigio. Now, that’s a wedding theme we can get behind....

Preparation Early retirement sounds great: We make plans to enjoy the rest of our lives without having to work—unless we want to do so—and to spend time with family and friends, explore new hobbies, and maybe even travel the world. An early retirement also sounds like a sign of true financial security, which many of us would appreciate. “Retirement timing is often different for everyone as it should be based on your personal goals and unique financial situation....

If you’re unfamiliar, triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur from France. Meaning “triple dry,” it’s derived from the dried peels of both sweet and bitter oranges. It can be enjoyed on its own but is also an excellent mixer. In fact, it’s present in most of the classic cocktails we all know and love. This orange potion has been adding a hint of citrus to cocktails since 1875. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into these timeless tipples, from the margarita to the mimosa to my poison of choice, red wine sangria....

Dessert soups aren’t as popular in the United States as in other parts of the world. Here in the States, we like our desserts to be big, elaborate, and super sweet. It doesn’t hurt if they also look like works of art. A simple, sweet soup isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After checking out the dessert soup recipes on this list, you might want to have them all the time....

They’re bright, tasty, and sure to please a crowd. Crostini are Italian appetizers, similar to bruschetta. Featuring mini pieces of grilled or toasted bread, the toppings range from sweet to savory and everything in between. Ideal for parties, crostini are crazy-easy to make – especially if you buy ready-made, crunchy bread bites! But no matter what you go for on the bottom, you’ll need a bunch of fun crostini topping recipes, right?...

That said, here’s 30 of the most popular to get you started. Jelly beans are chewy bean-shaped candies with a sugar coating and gel filling. And while plenty of brands make something similar, Jelly Belly reigns supreme. They have the perfect ratio of coating to filling (the cheaper brands usually have a much thicker outer shell), and they also have the most exciting flavors. From the ever-popular cherry and sweet strawberry daiquiri to the more unique chili mango and sizzling cinnamon, these Jelly Belly flavors are sure to please kids and adults alike....

One of the best places to find Indian cuisine has always been the streets. Each vendor has a specialty totally worth trying. Even if you can’t make a trip to India anywhere in the near future, you can still make these tasty recipes at home. Everyone can experience the deliciousness that is Indian Street Food. Here are 33 favorites! 1. Aloo Tikki When I think of street food, the first thing that comes to mind is fried....

Here’s the thing about Asian families (I’m betting we aren’t the only Asian family with this attitude!). When it comes to faux Asian food (modern / contemporary / fusion Asian), we are snobs. We love it when it’s done right. But there’s a line – and if it’s on the wrong side of that line, we turn our noses up at it. So when I announced that I was going to make a “faux Asian beef soba” meal for a family dinner, the response was……well, underwhelming....