cooking how-to

How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave

Thumbnail image for How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave

It's no secret that the so-called "secret ingredient" in many of my favorite recipes is toasted nuts. While my preferred method of toasting them is via the oven, there are times when I just need a small handful, say for a tasty salad at lunch -- like this Wendy's knock-off apple pecan chicken salad. When [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →

How To Make Homemade Whipped Cream

Thumbnail image for How To Make Homemade Whipped Cream

I kind of cringe when I think about how many tubs of store bought "whipped cream" I ate growing up... Sure it tastes relatively good -- but have you ever looked at the ingredients in it? Not much going on in the way of good stuff. In fact, light cream checks in at number six [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →

How To Make Sourdough Starter

Thumbnail image for How To Make Sourdough Starter

One of my 2011 resolutions is to start making more of our family's grocery staples from scratch -- granola, yogurt, pancake mix, etc... and of course bread. I have an awesome Zojirushi breadmaker, but I'm guilty of not using it nearly enough. That's all about to change, and I'm starting with sourdough bread. Since sourdough [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →

How To Make French Press Coffee

Thumbnail image for How To Make French Press Coffee

I. love. coffee... the darker and bolder the better -- and with a little cream and sugar, please and thank you. Most days I'm perfectly happy to make it a cup at a time using either my Keurig or my Tassimo. Yes, I have both, plus a Cuisinart drip brewer. Do you think maybe I [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →

How To Make Pizzelles + Recipe

Thumbnail image for How To Make Pizzelles + Recipe

My husband has been begging me to make pizzelles for weeks, telling me all about how his grandmother made them every year for Christmas. How an Italian cookie became a Polish family tradition is beyond me... So I scoured the Internet for a pizzelle recipe and using several different sites created one that sounded like [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →

How to Toast Nuts in the Oven {And Why}

Thumbnail image for How to Toast Nuts in the Oven {And Why}

I've got a little secret to share with you today. Well, it's not really a secret, but it's a super easy way to take any recipe that calls for nuts to the next level... Are you ready?!?! Toast. your. nuts. Yes, it really is that simple. Every Christmas I get rave reviews on my chocolate [...]

by Tara
See what’s cookin’ →