Summer is a time for sangria sipped on the patio, enjoying the fruity refreshment with a friend while the smell of barbecue wafts from a distance. It's the perfect way to spend a lazy, hot August afternoon. Traditional Spanish sangria is made by mixing red wine, chopped fruit ...more
If you think that "pawpaw" is just an affectionate name for your grandfather or a cute way of talking about your cat's feet, you're missing out on one of the most interesting fruits out there. The pawpaw is that rare tropical fruit that is actually indigenous to the United St ...more
Few summertime drinks are as sweet, tart, and refreshing as lemonade. It can cool off even the hottest day and help you relax poolside, on the beach, or just sitting around the house. Don't Miss: Add a Burst of Flavor to Your Drinks with Fruity Ice Cubes Although basic lemo ...more
If you've been to a farmer's market during tomato season, chances are you know that heirloom tomatoes are pricier (and funnier-looking) than their hybrid counterparts. Heirloom tomatoes, bursting at the seams.. These eccentric tomatoes have become a sought-after alternative to ...more
Your grater and microplane may look like single-purpose tools, but they're actually one of the most diverse appliances in your kitchen. Sure, everyone knows to use a grater on cheese and a microplane on citrus zest, but why stop there? Here are 10 things you may not have thoug ...more
When a headache strikes, I reach for the nearest painkiller. Forget closing my eyes, laying down, or even applying an ice pack—I seek the quickest and most immediate relief possible, and normally that comes in the form of pills. However, fast relief can be found from another, ...more
Maybe you've had a long day... or maybe you just want to treat yo' self. So you head to your local watering hole for some tasty, tasty liquor. Your current fave on the cocktail list is a drink of something strong with bitters; you don't know what bitters are, but damn if that ...more
Vegetables are perhaps the most important part of our diets, but often times they're an absolute pain to prepare. Cleaning every fleck of dirt off of dozens of leafy greens takes ages, and eliminating the more fibrous parts of certain veggies can be extremely tedious. But whe ...more
While making your own cup of tea may seem as simple as adding a tea bag to a mug of boiling water, the best flavor for every tea type requires a specific temperature point for the hot water and a specific time frame for steeping the tea before removing it. Herbal teas and fru ...more
Finger limes are one of those foods that bring out the little kid in even the most staid grown-up. I dare you not to squeal when you cut one open, squeeze, and see all that bubbly goodness emerge. Video: . First discovered in the wilds of Australia, finger limes (aka Citrus au ...more
Eggs are incredibly important to cooks, and not just because they're tasty and a complete protein (many erratic genius/artist types make a point of eating an egg or two for breakfast). Yes, they are great when perfectly poached, scrambled, hard-boiled, and even scram-boiled, b ...more
Koji is a culture made up of a certain fungus (mold) called Aspergillus oryzae, which has been used to ferment rice and soybeans in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean kitchens for centuries. Koji can actually have other involved fungi, but Aspergillus oryzae is the most common, and ...more
Ah, the sensation of that first bite of sorbet in the heat of summertime: icy, refreshing, decadent in flavor and texture. We love sorbet almost as much as we love ice cream, and making it at home is actually pretty simple. Most recipes call for just water, sugar, and a base f ...more
Any other person can make plain pancakes... but only the most awesome of cooks can make stuffed pancakes. Luckily, this isn't a tough technique—in fact, it's so easy that you'll find yourself getting bored of the run-of-the-mill pancakes and dreaming of all the things you can ...more
Oatmeal isn't the most glamorous breakfast, but it's definitely one of the best. It's healthy, filling, delicious, and easy to personalize. And, if you have instant packets, oatmeal is also a very quick and easy breakfast. Like so many foods, instant oatmeal is healthier and ...more
The decadent, chewy, fresh-from-the-oven brownie is a classic American dessert. US History Scene states that the first brownies ever made were a result of socialite Bertha Potter Palmer's request of her chef at Chicago's Palmer House Hotel in 1893 "to create a dessert that cou ...more
In the world of breakfast, a great trench of injustice divides French toast and pancakes. Just look at the average brunch menu. While pancakes are treated to a wealth of variety (chocolate chip, silver dollar, blueberry, banana, and even some with pop culture references), Fren ...more
It's an unspoken rule that diseases are not things that you want to purposely consume. So if anyone ever offers to cook you something made out of a disease, just kindly say no... unless it's huitlacoche. Huitlacoche (pronounced weet-la-COH-cheh) and sometimes spelled cuitlaco ...more
Everyone has the same five spirits in their bar: vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila, and gin. They're all great, but every so often the mood strikes to try a cocktail with a little something different. We'd like you to meet three spirits from South America that would make a welcome ...more
"Does bottled barbecue sauce even taste that bad?" a friend of mine asked. Well, truthfully, no. But it also doesn't taste that good, especially if you've had truly great barbecue or even your crazy uncle's homemade sauce at a holiday cookout. Just like pasta sauce and salsa, ...more
There are a lot of people out there who don't like vegetables, but I would contend that that's because they haven't eaten any really good vegetables. I thought I hated tomatoes (okay, technically a fruit, but used mostly as a vegetable) until I ate some fresh from a garden. On ...more
Ever since the much-lauded effects of the Mediterranean diet became widely known, people have been buying olive oil by the gallon. A diet that prevents heart disease, is based on fresh, seasonal foods, and includes a tasty as hell fat like olive oil? Duh—that's a no-brainer. ...more
Last week, I showed you why your refrigerator is one of the best tools in the kitchen when it comes to saving money and preserving food at its tastiest. But did you know your freezer is another underutilized ally in the cooking game? Chances are, you've been using your freeze ...more
No, not Charlton Heston. The only pudding he ever made was steak and kidney. I'm talking about Heston Blumenthal, world famous chef and pudding lover, and the man behind the "Heston"— a plum pudding with an orange hidden within, brought to you by Waitrose (see video below). V ...more
Watch to learn how to say the names of some types of beverages in French. une boisson au citron - lemon drink une boisson aux fruits - fruit punch une boisson aux oranges - orange drink une boisson gazeuse - carbonated drink une boisson gazeuse aux oranges sans sucre - sugarf ...more
Want a fruit smoothie? While we can't recommend asparagus or cheddar-flavored drinks, we encourage you to experiment, using this road map to the ultimate healthy blended beverage. Remember to be creative -- mix a variety of fruity flavors. You will need the following ingredie ...more
Not many people can drink vodka straight, and that's were fruit infusions come in, and one of the best infusions for vodka is the raspberry. Raspberries create a great-flavored vodka, which can be used for a variety of mixed drinks. This vodka infusion has the fresh juiciness ...more
Holiday dinners can be the same every year, but many are starting to switch it up, making new traditions and getting a new dining experience for everyone at the table. It’s not unusual to see sweet potatoes on an Easter dinner menu or lamb at Thanksgiving dinner. Some people ...more
A banana cheesecake is ripe for summer, with a pefectly portioned dash of sweet fruit and rich, creamy cheesecake. Make this tasty variation on your run of the mill cheesecakes by watching this cake making video by Honeysuckcle Bakery. Bananas are healthy sources of potassium ...more
A perfect blend of the flavors of Northern Italy! For this recipe, you will need: 2 pounds pork loin roast, 2 cups peeled and pitted stone fruits (cherries, plums, necatarines and peaches), 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, 2 tablespoons wild flower honey, 2 teaspoons hot Dijon mu ...more
Just because the weather is gloomy outside and Frosty has taken his place outside on your front lawn for a few weeks doesn't mean you can get a taste of the tropics. In fact, citrus fruits come into season during the winter months. Harness their tangy flavor by baking these c ...more
There's nothing better to cool those hot summer days that a deliciously fruit Italian ice. Italian ice is one of the best desserts to beat the heat, right alongside frozen yogurt and ice cream! And you probably didn't realize how easy Italian ice is to make at home. Robin Benz ...more
We can promise you that your party guests will do a double take when they see these cupcakes shaped like delicious deli sandwiches. We almost couldn't believe our eyes when we first saw them ourselves; these cupcakes are decorated down to the very last sesame seed to resemble ...more
Cooks and pastry chefs like to use a lot of jargon in the naming of their cooking ingredients and finished foodstuffs to make their work sound fancier. Tuna tartare, for example, is really nothing more than finely choppsed tuna flavored with seasonings and sauces. And in the ...more
In order to get your "five a day," or five a day of fruits and vegetables, you should incorporate these foods into everything you make to eat. So for instance, adding a cup of spinach into your turkey and swiss sandwich is one serving of vegetables that you won't even notice, ...more
Eating healthy does not mean crunching on cardboard 24/7, even if that's what your kids think. While it's always easy to reach for a neat package of Cheetos and toss that into your kid's lunchbox for school, doing so means you're giving them a hefy serving of artificial colori ...more
Nutritionists recommend the "five a day" rule when it comes to eating right; specifically, getting five servings a day of fruits and vegetables. And while we'd never complain about crunching down on more succulent fruits like mangos and bananas, less palatable foods like celer ...more
Recipes with U.S.A. grown peanuts can add great flavor and keep you energized, like dazzling chocolate peanut butter dip. The National Peanut Board shows you this great dip recipe that will help get you energized with great tasting ways to fuel your day, using peanuts! These a ...more
When entertaining, it's great to have fun, colorful ideas to make drinks feel special. By adding a simple slice of fruit or vegetable to a glass of water can impress your friends and make you feel like you're at the spa. It is very important to drink water, and flavoring it wi ...more
Jello shots are the perfect combination of dessert and alcohol. They're super tasty and usually beloved by everyone, but they're especially great teasers for those who are alcohol virgins and prefer to be ushered in to the world of Jack Daniels slowly. That's because Jell-o sh ...more
Bartender Chris Bokelberg teaches bartending lessons in Bottoms Up. Chris and Natalie show how to infuse vodka with other flavors in this three part series on vodka infusion. Vodka can be infused with fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices or candy. In this series Chris infuses v ...more
If you're a fan of Tennessee Williams, you'll be an instant fan of this cocktail. It's called the Serafina Delle Rose, which is the main character from Williams' famous play "The Rose Tattoo". This cocktail is a light, romantic drink with a complex contrast of pomegranate frui ...more
Ice cream doesn't have to stop at vanilla. There's a whole world of ice cream flavors out there, but one you wouldn't expect to try out is basil ice cream, but not just plain basil, basil with ice cream. Lynne Viera, ice cream enthusiast, creates a dessert inspired by the Stra ...more
Treat your guests to some wand-erful Witch's brew this Halloween. They'll be screaming for more! Follow along in this cooking how-to video to learn how to make Witch's Brew punch decorated with creepy spider ice cubes. INGREDIENTS FOR WITCH'S BREW: 3 cups cranberry juice 1 cu ...more
A little fruit-flavored gelatin can go a long way in the prank department, especially on April Fool's Day. So, if you've got a friend or loved one who's addicted to their smartphone, make them squirm with this jiggly jello prank. The jello prank consists of encasing your targ ...more
I am writing this quick post in response to the recent earthquakes and tsunamis that are affecting Japan. As soon as the news broke, and we began to hear of tsunami warning for our area, I immediately realized how under prepared I was for a natural disaster. The thing that dro ...more
Vinaigrette dressing can definitely make or break a salad, and this version definitely is in the "make" category. Passion fruit, key lime juice, honey, olive oil… how could you go wrong? Watch and learn this recipe for passion fruit and lime vinaigrette. Kevin Carey from Verr ...more
See how to bake without butter, sugar, eggs, dairy milk and more. If you think it’s impossible to bake without butter without losing flavor and texture, then keep on reading. Even if you already substitute butter in your cakes and cookies, there may be some things in this art ...more
Does your child always come home with a full lunch box? Most likely they don't like what you've been packing. Give your children’s brown bag lunch a healthy punch – one they won’t trade away! You Will Need: • Your child's opinion • Flexibility • Flavored milk • Dips • De ...more
This all-occasion recipe for fruit punch is a real crowd pleaser. Learn how to make alcoholic fruit punch with this recipe video. You Will Need * 5 qt fruit juice of your choice * Serving bowl * 2 c sugar * Ice * Ladle * Club soda * Rum, vodka, or fruit-flavored schnapps * Fr ...more
Water's certainly good for you to drink, but you can get tired of nothing but water very quickly. Here are a few good, healthy ideas for flavorful drinks during your pregnancy. A few good ideas are fruit juice, milk, vegetable juices or even lightly flavored waters.
Learn how to make vinaigrette. Vinaigrette is a mixture of acid, usually vinegar, sometime citrus juice, and oil. It's generally flavored with herbs, spices and other ingredients like mustard or fruit juice. To make vinaigrette, you'll need vinegar, olive oil, whisk, salt, pep ...more
Chicken is such a great ingredient because it is so versatile. This cooking how-to video shows you how to make apricot chicken for dinner. You'll love the way the flavors of the chicken and apricot fruit complement each other so well. Serve with lots of veggies. Ingredients f ...more
Garnishes not only add flavor to your beverages, but they also serve as attractive decorations that liven up cocktail hour.
Luci Lock shows you how to prepare a quick, simple and healthy alternative to bottled fruit flavored water.
Watch as Gary goes through this wonderful Monstant the Can Blau Montsant 2004. A 90 point wine from Robert Parker the Monstant is loaded with cherry fruit flavors, but lets see what Gary Vaynerchuk thinks.
Hi OLers read the following article to gain some great insight into the mischevious advertising ways of food labels. Thanks to the New York Times for this great article below. Happy Eating6 Meaningless Claims on Food LabelsAlthough food labels are supposed to tell us exactly w ...more
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: if the United States can put a monkey in space, it can certainly come up with a way for me to eat 5-10lbs of chocolate per day without gaining any weight! Sadly, however, no one seems to be tackling the calorie-less food problem, s ...more
Jackfruit, also known as katal in Hindi, is an interesting tree species of the mulberry family that produces fruit (also called jackfruit) that is a vegetable before it ripens and becomes a fruit once it ripens. Weird, we know. Either way, jackfruit is a delicious treat that ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to prepare a pomegranate for eating. These are very messy fruits, so make sure you place it on a surface that has a plate underneath it. Take a sharp knife and cut down the center of the pomegranate until you reach the bottom. Now, quarter the ha ...more