An electuary is an old-fashioned preparation in which finely ground herbs or spices are blended with honey, creating a concentrated mixture that can be taken by the spoonful or stirred into a warm drink. This golden version combines honey with ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and clove for a fragrant, warming blend that is especially...Read More

Once everyday kitchen staples, traditional animal fats are finding their way back into the skillet. Open an old cookbook and you’ll find an ingredient that has largely disappeared from modern recipes: rendered fat. Pie crust might call for lard. Potatoes were roasted in beef dripping. Chicken fat flavored everything from onions to dumplings. Bacon grease...Read More

The best method depends on what you want to make. Sweet potatoes are beginning to arrive in earnest, just in time for fall cooking. Their naturally sweet, earthy flavor makes them a seasonal favorite, whether they are simply roasted with butter and salt, tucked alongside a main course, or turned into pies, breads, casseroles, and...Read More

Before you toss those apple peels and cores into the compost bin, consider giving them one more job. Fall baking and preserving can generate an astonishing amount of fruit scraps. Apple pies, crisps, applesauce, pear desserts, preserves, and poached fruit all leave behind perfectly useful peels and cores — exactly what you need for a...Read More

Discover practical ways to turn coffee grounds, eggshells, food scraps, rinse water, and even a thrift-store colander into useful resources for a healthier, more sustainable garden.Read More

Every family seems to have a secret when it comes to apple pie. Some swear by a splash of bourbon. Others insist on a pinch of cardamom or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Every baker has a favorite apple, a preferred spice blend, or a treasured crust recipe passed down through generations. But one...Read More

There’s nothing quite like a basket of sun-ripened berries in the summertime. Whether it’s sweet strawberries, fragrant raspberries, juicy blackberries, or plump blueberries, fresh berries are one of the greatest pleasures of the season. They’re delicious tucked into pancakes, scattered over yogurt, baked into pies, or simply enjoyed by the handful. Unfortunately, berries are also...Read More

If you’ve ever baked bread, you’ve probably reached a point in the recipe that says something like: “Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.” Or perhaps: “Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size.” For impatient bakers, this can feel like the longest part of the process. Isn’t the dough just…sitting...Read More

There’s a moment of anticipation every cheesecake baker knows. The timer goes off. The kitchen smells wonderful. You carefully open the oven door, expecting to see a perfectly smooth, creamy cheesecake. Instead, there’s a crack stretching across the top. If that has ever happened to you, you’re in good company. Even experienced bakers occasionally pull...Read More

Fresh herbs are one of the simplest ways to transform everyday cooking. A handful of chopped parsley brightens roasted vegetables, basil turns tomatoes into summer on a plate, and cilantro adds freshness to everything from tacos to salads. Unfortunately, herbs are also one of the most frequently wasted ingredients in the kitchen. The secret is...Read More