Ideas & Tips

When the weather warms up, it's time to ditch those hot soups and heavy casseroles and whip up a delicious and light summer salad! Here are some components of an exceptional salad: Color: Making sure your salad has lots of color will make it nutritionally diverse and attractive! Food and recipe site Serious Eats recommends avocado and mango for pops of color. You can also add red, orange or yellow bell peppers, carrots, radishes or any other favorite veggies!  Crunch: Some crunch will add extra dimension and interest, keeping your salad from being bland and boring! Many fresh fruits and vegetables,...

Nothing is lovelier or more durable than stainless steel. Food-safe, aesthetically pleasing and strong, there are many reasons for its enduring popularity in the finest homes. Have you ever wondered how best to care for your stainless steel? You can use a variety of different solutions:  Baking soda: Combine a little baking soda with warm water and you can quickly and inexpensively clean any and all of your stainless steel products. Be sure to use a non-scratching cloth! Dishwasher: Unlike some plastic materials, stainless steel that  has been through a dishwasher is still safe to use because it doesn't contain potentially harmful chemicals...

One of the fastest ways to freshen up your decor is to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside, whether with a potted plant or a vase of fresh flowers. Here are our top tips for welcoming nature into your home:  Bring in potted plants: Potted plants don't have to stay outside on the patio. Real Simple magazine advises choosing a pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom to avoid over-saturating the plant's roots with water. Buy potting soil from your favorite plant nursery, and remember that succulents and cacti require a unique soil blend. Be sure...

Whether you love to cook Asian cuisine or prefer to order take-out, elevate your favorite Chinese, Japanese or Thai meal to the next level with elegant Eastern-inspired table settings. Here are some tips for party-ready Asian dining:  Asian color palette: HGTV recommends using a focused color palette to reinforce your chosen theme. Red and gold shades evoke a vibrant, celebratory mood, while muted blues and greens can elicit a more serene aesthetic.  Centerpieces: For a simple and inexpensive centerpiece, artfully group stones together in the middle of your table. Alternatively, take Better Homes & Garden's advice and create a minimal...

How do you throw a pizza party for grown-ups? Make it gourmet! Fun and unique, this is one dinner soiree that your guests will be talking about for weeks. Here are our ingredients for making you the host with the most:  Antipasto: Lifestyle magazine Southern Living recommends starting your meal with a prettily prepared antipasto platter. Your cured meats, bruschetta, veggies and gourmet cheese will look particularly distinguished arranged on a brushed stainless steel serving plates.  Cheese: Be sure to buy mozzarella — the classic pizza cheese. Asiago, Parmesan and/or Romano are also delicious. Ricotta, goat, blue, Brie and Manchego cheese work...