Few dishes inspire as much affection—or as many opinions—as mashed potatoes. Some people love them light and fluffy, with plenty of butter and just enough warm milk. Others prefer a rich, silky purée made with cream. And then there are those who wouldn’t dream of making mashed potatoes without a generous spoonful of sour cream...Read More

From golden roasted potatoes to flaky pie crusts and traditional Christmas puddings, the cooking fats our grandparents knew so well are finding their way back into modern kitchens. There was a time when a good cook kept more than butter and cooking oil in the kitchen. A jar of bacon drippings might sit in the...Read More

Kitchen Wisdom for holiday baking—and that anxious moment when it’s time to turn out the cake. Nothing takes the pleasure out of a baking afternoon quite like turning over a Bundt pan and discovering that the cake has decided to stay put. I’ve greased and floured. I’ve greased and sugared. I’ve brushed on homemade baker’s...Read More

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

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