I have to admit, I don't keep food-safe rulers in my kitchen. One Christmas while making diamond-shaped shortbread cookies to give as gifts, I turned to my cooling rack. I flipped it upside down (so the feet were up and not pressing into the dough) a

We’ve all eaten or used sprinkles and colored sugars for baked goods, and they’re usually made with artificial dyes. If you’re sensitive to those dyes, or just want to go more natural with your baking, check out The Watkins Co. They’ve started making

The chef’s knife is used primarily for chopping. Using the very tip of the knife, you can dice things like shallots. Use the wide flat part of the blade as a hammer. With a sharp rap of your hand, garlic and ginger are easily crushed. The curve

The brownie dough is soft and benefits from chilling between steps. If you notice the dough getting too soft, just pop it back in the fridge to chill again. Makes 36 cookies Total time: 45 minutes + chilling & baking 11/4 cups all-purpose flour1/2

VERMOUTH was once used for medicinal purposes, to aid in digestion, then became popular as an aperitif in the 1800s. It fell out of fashion in the mid- to late 20th century, but has now made a comeback. But what is vermouth? Vermouth is an aromatized

Use cookie scoops to compact dough into uniform sizes to help reduce spread and ensure even cooking. Baking requires precision. Haphazardly throwing ingredients together results in doughs that are difficult to work with, and the taste and texture o

SOUPS MAY SEEM OUT OF REACH for weeknight dining, but that’s simply not the case here — these amazing soup classics prove it. Italian flavors reign in the satisfying, yet surprisingly light-tasting, Italian Wedding Soup. With white wine, rich broth,

SWEET POTATOES AND YAMS Let’s get something straight right up front: A sweet potato and a yam are not the same vegetable. They’re not even related. In fact, yams are primarily grown in West Africa and Asia, and you’re not likely to find them here in

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR — time to eat, drink, and be merry. And this spread gives you every reason to celebrate. Try a hearty sammie bursting with so much flavor you’ll really have a hard time eating just one. The combo of roast beef, gooey provolone,

Makes 2 calzones + 1/2 cup dip Total time: 35 minutes 2 tsp. olive oil2 cups thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes1/2 cup chopped onion1/3 cup thinly sliced fennel bulb11/2 tsp. chopped rosemary1/2 tsp. chopped garlic Salt and black pepper to taste 6 o

WITH ALL THE GOOD-FOR-YOU nutrients, it’s hard not to fall in love with sweet potatoes. This issue we’re bringing the spotlight to these spectacular spuds to inspire you to try something new with these beta carotene-rich beauties. First up, Sweet Pot

THESE RECIPES ARE TIMELESS, the kind that Nan just knew how to make having learned them from her mama. There were no tests for doneness; more likely something cooked until it looked and tasted right. And though we give doneness cues for these recipes

Make sure to have your ingredients prepped before diving into assembly. It doesn’t take long for the crescent rolls to get warm and sticky. Makes 8 servings Total time: 30 minutes 1 pkg. crescent roll dough (8 oz.), unrolled and separated into tri

ONE Heat brine spices and herbs to a boil. Cover and remove from heat. Let cool. TWO Add ice to the mixture and stir until melted. THREE Juice the citrus halves into the brine. FOUR Add the juiced rinds to the pot for additional flavor.

What is wormwood? Is it safe to consume? Tyrone Buddy, Manhattan, NY Wormwood is a bitter aromatic herb that’s used in flavoring (and coloring) baked goods and some liqueurs and spirits, such as absinthe and vermouth. And actually, vermouth derive

Pumpkins come from the same family of gourds that include cucumbers and melons. They run the gamut in terms of shape, color, and size. Aside from the ubiquitous orange, grayish-green and white pumpkins are also available. Some can fit in the palm of

Before you even begin thinking about your holiday menu, assess your tools. Read up on what to look for in a good roasting pan and chef’s knife, pages 56–59, and for thermometers, pages 54–55.  o Brine the turkey o Prep make-ahead appetizers o Grab an

We’re all about make-ahead options. And this casserole benefits from being made the night before — allowing the bread to soak up more custard. Makes 12 servings Total time: 20 minutes + baking 1 pkg. breakfast sausage patties (12 oz.) 1 loaf cinna

BÛCHE DE NOËL is a traditional Christmas cake that’s shaped like a log and makes an impressive centerpiece for your holiday table. It may look intimidating to make, but it's really not and we'll walk you through it all step-by-step on page 79. The ca

The holiday season causes enough stress and anxiety that gifting shouldn’t be one of them. And, gift-giving need not be expensive or time-consuming — there are plenty of other things that fill that description. Here are three easy ideas — using mater

It’s hard to believe that another year is wrapping up, and we think you all would agree that 2020 has been one for the record books. We think it’s safe to say we all may have eaten our feelings at some point during this roller coaster of a year. And

Step aside, turkey — this holiday season we’re giving you two irresistible beef dishes. First, a fillet of beef topped with pâté and mushrooms that’s wrapped in pastry. The BEEF WELLINGTON is a rich and impressive dish begging to be served for a spec

The science of instant-read thermometers is settled for now. They’re all fast, unremarkably accurate within ± 2 degrees, magnetic, and fit neatly in your hand. Design nuances and value-added functions distinguish these 5-star-rated thermometers from