When I eat spicy food, I want it to be an experience — a little forehead sweat, bright flavor, and satisfaction. I’m not after pain for pain’s sake; the heat has to be backed by deliciousness. On a recent Carnival cruise through the Western Caribbean, my husband and I kept returning to the Blue Iguana … Read more

Frozen burger patties are convenient, but many store-bought options use lower-quality meat or include additives. A better solution is to use ground beef from a trusted butcher or grind your own, then make and freeze your own patties. You’ll get tastier burgers and can stock up when meat is on sale. I appreciate the convenience … Read more

Into every life a little snack must fall. In my house, snacks disappear fast — I admit I’m a snack fiend. Not just chips and pretzels (though I love those), but what I call “Legit Snacks”: appetizer-style bites that are gone before the main dish even gets a look. Give me anything with cheese, pasta, … Read more

Visit our Bread Recipes page for more wonderful homemade bread recipes! I have a little indulgence I allow myself whenever I go on a proper grocery run. By that I mean the kind of trip where my husband stays home with the boys so I don’t have to field requests for everything from Japanese rice … Read more

I love pretty clothes, fragrant candles, and a good makeup routine. Staying a girly-girl in a house full of men and boys is a challenge I happily accept. I’m selective about what I put on my skin — it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it must be gentle. After I stopped using shampoo a … Read more

Maple Chai Apple Pie became my son’s birthday pie two years in a row — a rare repeat request that speaks to how special this pie is. He first asked for an apple pie sweetened with maple and spiced with chai flavors, and I added a personal touch: a generous drizzle of heavy cream tossed … Read more

Roasted Ginger Sesame Green Beans may not be the prettiest side dish on the table, but they more than make up for it with bold flavor and effortless preparation. Crisp-tender, blistered, and warmly seasoned with ginger, garlic, and sesame, these beans are both surprisingly simple to make and impossible to stop eating. Beyond their addictive … Read more

When my 16-year-old tries a new recipe and asks, “Is this hard to make?” I know I’ve struck gold. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I made these Ham and Egg Muffin Cups. They combine everything you want in a savory breakfast—Italian bread, ham, eggs, peppers, onions and a few spices—into a portable, … Read more

KEY-RrrrrrrrrrrrUNCH! Crispy snacks have a special place in my heart: the crackle, the crumbs, the satisfying bite. Within the world of crunch, salty snacks wear the crown. Pretzels? I will decimate a bag. Potato chips? Beware. Tortilla chips? They tremble when I walk into the room. Dips are fair game too, but it’s the crunchy … Read more

Piña Colada Tembleque, or pineapple coconut pudding, is a bright, tropical twist on the classic Puerto Rican dessert. Traditional tembleque is a chilled, dairy-free coconut milk pudding often finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon. For National Piña Colada Day I added pineapple juice and a splash of pineapple vodka (optional) to bring authentic piña colada … Read more