Ideas & Tips

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...

Many people think that if they don't have an entire extra room, then they can't have a home office. However, even the tiniest spaces — like an extra closet or pantry — can be turned into stylish work places. Here are some tips to get you started: Add light: It's crucial that an office space have proper lighting, so if you are converting a closet then be sure to hire an electrician to add wiring. A combination of overhead and lamp light creates ideal conditions for working.  Include desk accessories: Elegant accessories in stainless steel can elevate your desk style....

Craft beer is all the rage these days, so why not try your hand and whip up some homemade brew? Here are some tips for beginners: Cleanliness is key: According to popular recipe and cooking website Serious Eats, the best brewers agree that proper sanitation is the first step toward making amazing beer. That's because bacteria can prevent your yeast from growing and fermenting the liquid.  Fresh is best: The American Homebrewers Association says that, much like cooking, brewing can't be done well without high-quality ingredients. Find and use the freshest and best malt extract you can and you'll make the best...

The latke is a beautifully simple food. The traditional Hanukkah dish, these fried potato pancakes are delicious on their own or dipped in applesauce and sour cream, and make a great addition to the table at this time of year regardless of religious background. However, since there are eight opportunities to fry up latkes during the holiday, some foodies might get bored with making the same plain potato pancakes every night. Here are eight alternative latke recipes that, while they might shock some traditionalists, will add some variety to your celebrations: Cheesy potato latkes: Have you ever melted cheese over french fries?...

When you come back home after a long winter day, nothing feels quite like heating up a nice big bowl of soup, slurping it down and letting it warm you from the inside. If your soup repertoire needs a refreshment, check out these ideas for hearty, filling winter soups: Loaded potato soup: Following the inspiration of the baked potato, only creamier and better to fill a bowl with. Start out with an easy base of creamy potato soup, then add toppings like cheese, sour cream, green onions, bacon bits and hot sauce to really get the most out of this dense,...