Ideas & Tips — Ideas & Tips

May is National Moving Month, with the Department of Transportation predicting that more than 35 million Americans will relocate this year. That means you probably know someone who is changing residences in the next month, whether a friend, family member, coworker or significant other. Once they complete their big move, why not help them celebrate with some thoughtful housewarming gifts? Here are five beautiful home gifts available for $10 or less: Egg server with spoon: Cheer up your morning with this stylish stainless steel egg server! A raised egg cup comfortably holds a large AA egg standing up-right. A built-in plate...

Whether you decide to go with the more traditional stainless steel cookware or more unusual stainless steel items such as cups or candleholders, stainless steel housewares add refinement and modern sheen to a home without sacrificing practicality. Supply your house with stainless steel to take advantage of these benefits: Durability: Stainless steel has a longer lifespan than most other materials and is highly resistant to damage such as scratches and dents. It also maintains the same appearance over time, never becoming discolored or (obviously) stained.  Easy cleaning: Stainless steel owes much of its popularity in the kitchen to the fact that it can be cleaned...

Your kitchen may be hiding some unwelcome guests. A recent study from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found potentially dangerous germs on a number of everyday cooking items, putting you at risk of serious illness.  In the study, researchers examined dozens of samples taken from 20 Americans kitchens. They discovered that refrigerators often harbor some particularly nasty microscopic activity. Chilled meat and vegetable drawers were found to contain E. coli, salmonella, listeria, mold and yeast, and refrigerator water dispensers had some of the highest germ counts of all.  Rubber spatulas and food storage containers with rubber seals were other big...

The mortar and pestle is a versatile and useful kitchen implement, but few of us actually grew up using one, so it can be a bit difficult to get into the swing of using it for cooking. Here are a few tips to help you take proper advantage of your mortar and pestle: It's not just for dry spices. Garlic, basil and other "wet" spices can also be ground into pastes or muddled in the mortar and pestle, making it a great tool for creating rubs and seasonings for meat dishes. Use it to make pesto. According to numerous cooks, the difference...

Spice grinders make for great kitchen accessories, especially if you love food, because they allow you to buy fresh, organic spices whole and grind them at your own pace. Also, whole spices retain more of their flavor than the traditional bottled spices offered at grocery stores. To further enhance that experience of taste, toast spices whole first which helps release a stronger explosion of scent and flavor when you begin the grinding or seasoning process.   Another plus to having whole spices is that the extra flavor comes through a limited amount of work as it's rare when too much...