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The Polls Are Open for the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:01:01 +0000

The nominations have been tallied and we're excited to reveal the finalists in the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Cooking Equipment! Beginning today, you can vote for your favorite finalists once a day, until the polls close on March 21. We'll announce the winners on March 30.

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Happy National Almond Day!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:21:59 +0000

Did you know it's National Almond Day? To celebrate, I just might have to make Read Full Post

Gifts with Heart for Valentine's Day

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:54:01 +0000

If you haven't yet gotten your sweetie a gift for Valentine's Day, consider a gift for the kitchen. Hearts and romantic shades of pink and red are everywhere, from kitchen tools to appliances to cookware and bakeware. Check out the roundup of Valentine's Day Gifts for Cooks. No time to order online? You'll find something amidst the assortment of pretty and romantic gifts at your local Sur La Table, where a whimsical Parisian theme is in the spotlight.

A Better Way to a Cup of Morning OJ

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Recently I've been reading some scary stuff about orange juice, whether it's that the cartons of not-from-concentrate OJ I buy at the store is flavored with "orange byproduct" chemical additives, or that illegal fungicides have been found in a sampling of Florida orange juice (even more disturbing is that the FDA isn't recalling this juice). So I had already decided to start juicing my own oranges, when a neat little product came across my desk.

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Recipe: Crepes with Salmon, Arugula and Yogurt Sauce

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:04:03 +0000

One effect that National Crepe Day, which was a few days ago, always has on me, is that it makes me realize that crepes are such a fun and delicious dinner option. Sure, they're a little time consuming and messy to make, but my family always enjoys them and they make a weeknight dinner a little more special. I recently created a recipe for Crepes with Salmon, Arugula and Yogurt Sauce that is quite easy to prepare and is incredibly satisfying. The yogurt sauce for this is healthier than the cream sauce that seems traditional to many savory crepe recipes, and it's so refreshing. If you eat a lot of salmon, this is a nice way to break out of a recipe rut.

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Happy National Crepe Day!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:32:25 +0000

I'm a sucker for obscure food holidays, like National Crepe Day, which is today. So in observance, I'm going to make Portobello and Asparagus Crepes with Creamy Parmesan Sauce, followed by Chocolate Crepes with Nutella and Strawberries (shown) for dessert. If you make a lot of crepes, it's worth investing in a good crepe pan - read my review of Swiss Diamond's Crepiere Pan if you're looking for a sturdy, well-made option. Whatever you fill your crepes with, Bon Appetit!

Recipe: Lentil-Barley Stew with Greens

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:00:41 +0000

I just love my Dutch oven, particularly the way I can throw a bunch of random ingredients in there, let it simmer for awhile on the stove, and the result is always something nourishing and delicious. My recipe for Lentil-Barley Stew with Greens was inspired by my latest project - to clear out miscellaneous half-full bags of ingredients in my freezer and pantry. After a kick of making roast chicken, I had way too much chicken stock in my freezer. I also had small bags of barley and lentils in the pantry, and I had the remainder of a bunch of collards that I didn't want to go to waste. Into the Dutch oven they all went, sauteed in a little bacon fat leftover from another recipe I was developing, and sure enough, the resulting stew was substantial and delicious, particularly sprinkled with a little Parmesan cheese. You, too, should feel free to use this stew as a way to clean out some miscellaneous ingredients from your fridge, freezer or pantry; add some frozen vegetables or whatever kind of leafy greens you happen to have on hand, or even add some chopped-up meat or sausage. And then just let the Dutch oven work its magic.

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Review: Progressive International Magnetic Measuring Spoons

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:44:08 +0000

I never thought I'd be so in love with a set of measuring spoons until I discovered Progressive International's Magnetic Measuring Spoons. Indeed, I never really thought of measuring spoons as something to like and dislike. They were what they were, right? But the folks at Progressive (who have other nifty products like a vegetable peeler that's adjustable for using at different angles and a cheese grater that has interchangeable lids with different grating surfaces) have thought of all those minor annoyances that come with measuring spoons, in particular the aggravation of keeping the set together in the drawer, and created a set of spoons that's truly a pleasure to use. Read my review of the Progressive International Magnetic Measuring Spoons and do yourself a favor and buy a set. I guarantee that using them will bring a smile to your face every time.

Shopping for Cheese Graters

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:37:42 +0000

There's no easier way to add flavor and richness to a dish than with a shower of freshly grated cheese. And a cheese grater is essential for this task. If you're on the market for a new cheese grater, learn all about the different designs and features in today's graters with my guide to Shopping for Cheese Graters. And then look forward to sprinkling cheese on everything from chili to pasta to scrambled eggs!

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Recipe: Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwiches

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:38:50 +0000

With some leftover slices of really good bread on hand last weekend, I was inspired to create open-faced breakfast sandwiches for breakfast, a riff on a half-remembered dish I'd ...

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