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In many ways, Cambridge provided everything. Our apartment was spacious, set on a tree-lined street, and a short drive away from our families. Friendly neighbors often stopped by, outdoor cats lay on our sunny back porch, and wild turkeys strut on the sidewalk. Yet it took me two years to embrace the new life and community I had sought—led there by the glimmering lights of Diwali. In November 2020, still in the depths of COVID, the Hindustan Times in Delhi wrote of Diwali, “The entire country is bathed in the soft glow of light and warmth emanating from every household, making it a truly wondrous sight to behold....

Of all the cooking skills I’ve learned over the years, this is the one skill that has made the most difference in terms of making cooking enjoyable. I don’t worry about chopping off a fingertip, and rarely do I cry over onions (other things yes, onions no). So what’s the trick? Everyone will tell you that it helps to use a sharp knife. Well, a sharp knife will make cutting anything easier....

No matter how much you grill or the type of grill you use, you should clean the grates before and after each cook, and late spring and early summer is the perfect time for a deep grill clean. Let’s head outdoors, crack a beer, and get to it. Clean the Grates In the hierarchy of grill cleaning needs, the grates rest on top. The grates will never look as clean as the day you bought the grill—they will naturally develop a patina over time....

But why does this even matter? All of the things running around in your mind that you “want” to do equal what I call mental weight. Mental weight is hard to notice because it doesn’t physically show itself like 10 extra pounds gained over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mental weight is mostly silent, but you can feel it if you know what to look for. An example of mental weight Have you ever put off a project for months (or even years) because you thought it was going to be terribly hard and time-consuming, only to realize it wasn’t that bad after you actually started it?...

Sweet potato plants give a lot and require very little. They actually improve the soil, and their lush vines shade out noxious weeds. They’re reliable and produce generous crops, even in poor soil with little rain and high heat. No wonder they became popular everywhere they could grow. The other, and most obvious, reason for the sweet potato’s worldwide fame is that they’re delicious, and versatile. Sure, they’re purportedly full of nutrients and are super good for us, but if none of that were true, they’d still be a favorite....

You can bake one or a dozen straight from frozen or after a quick thaw in the refrigerator overnight! Who doesn’t want warm, fresh-baked cookies within reach at all times? Here’s everything you need to know about how to freeze every kind of cookie, from classic chocolate chip to buttery shortbread and everything in-between. What Types of Cookie Doughs Can I Freeze? The dough for just about every type of cookie can be frozen successfully, with a few exceptions....

Cake Flavor Options: You can use whatever type of cake you’d like for this recipe. Here are some of our favorites for some inspiration: WhiteVanillaStrawberryRed velvetChocolateLemonCoconut If you’re in a pinch for time, you can also use a store-bought cake or cake mix! Filling Options: Your filling layer is just one more place where you can truly make this homemade ice cream cake recipe your own! If you watch the video below, you’ll be able to see that we use yummy safe-to-eat cookie dough....

How to make cauliflower rice at home You can buy bagged, pre-riced (fresh and frozen) cauliflower rice at a lot of grocery stores. That’s fine, but we prefer to make our own from a fresh head of cauliflower. It only takes a few minutes! First, cut off the green outer edges of the cauliflower. Cut the florets into chunks or break them into smaller pieces with your hands (you can include some of the stem)Place the chunks into a food processor (you’ll likely need to do two separate batches)Pulse into a “rice” like consistency (don’t overprocess, it will get mushy)...

Cold brew coffee recipe Did you know you do not need a special skill to make the best cold brew coffee and you do not need a fancy gadget too. Today’s post is hardly a recipe but a guide to making the cold brew that is smooth, light, with little to no acidity, and not bitter. If you are looking for a good kick to start your day, with the right amount of caffeine then cold brew is the way....

Video: How to Make French Crêpes Are Crêpes Really French? The ancient origins of crêpes (which rhymes with “steps”) are found in Brittany on the coast of France, where their popularity spread to make them one of today’s most beloved national dishes. Crêpes can veer sweet or savory with plenty of filling options for either. Forget about intimidating chef skills or fancy equipment. Crêpes require only patience. Once you get the hang of making them, there is no stopping you....

It’s the RecipeTin Eats Ultimate Holiday Baked Ham Guide! Use with your favourite glaze – classic Brown Sugar Ham Glaze or my extra special Maple Ham Glaze. INTRODUCTION: Glazed Ham is easier than you think! If you’re a first timer or not confident working with large holiday centrepieces like ham, don’t worry! A Glazed Ham is an easy, low risk, forgiving recipe. It’s far easier and less “risky” than other traditional holiday mains like Roast Turkey or Prime Rib because:...

I kind of get the whole ‘au jus’ thing - a little trickle of meaty, flavourful sauce on your slices of meat, whilst leaving the potatoes and vegetables bare, so they look vibrant and colourful. But I don’t want a little drizzle of au jus. I want gravy. And loads of it! I want it all over my roast beef, roast potatoes and veggies. I want an extra puddle of it on my plate for dipping purposes, and I want my yorkshire pudding filled with it, so you get the excitement of cutting your yorkshire pudding open like a gravy river whooshing from a crispy golden dam....

Yet the flavor of a well-made link surpasses the sum of its parts, and a truly great sausage is fit to be served as a main course at a fancy dinner. Elements of Good Sausage Good sausage is all about balance. Balance of salt and savory, balance of meat and fat, balance of spices and herbs within the whole. Knowing a proper ratio of salt to meat (and fat) is essential, but once you understand it you can adjust to your own perception of saltiness, which varies wildly among people....

But what if you’re miles away from a Thai restaurant and just want to recreate the experience at home? Well, that’s what I set out to do. I spent some time talking with Chef Peter, who came to the United States from Bangkok via California and now runs the kitchen at 1001 Thai in Easton, PA, my favorite local Thai place. The recipe below is how he makes pad Thai....

Are you a ‘I’ll just have a spoonful’ apple sauce eater? or a ‘gimme the bowl, I’ll eat it by itself’ apple sauce eater? Please tell me it’s the second option. We love apple sauce at home. I wouldn’t dare make roast pork without it. I admit to testing 3 or 4 spoonfuls whilst the rest of the dinner is cooking, and I basically have to serve it in a soup bowl....

Prime rib is one of those meals that will never go out of style. We typically reserve this dish for a holiday or some other special occasion, but not going to lie, we could eat it every single day. It’s not even about the nostalgia in it, we just simply don’t think there is anything better than a tender, juicy prime rib. The first is the grade of the beef, which can be either prime, choice, or select....

Despite the apparent simplicity of the cooking method, there are always ways to improve the end result. Ever have charred vegetables with a raw inside? Or a mushy vegetable? Wondering what the best temperature to roast vegetables is? Are you looking to upgrade your flavors to something more interesting? This guide will cover all the above questions and more! Why Is Roasting a Suitable Method for Cooking Vegetables? Let’s start with some basics....

Stocking A Pantry It can be overwhelming to stock a pantry. There seems to be an endless smorgasbord of options, especially when it comes to herbs and spices. Fundamental cooking techniques can cover a wide array of cuisines, but the ingredients you use can be vastly different. I recommend stocking your pantry based on the kinds of cuisines you are interested in cooking. The Basic Pantry Staples Salt – Table salt is the most commonly used salt in recipes....

Several years ago my mother taught me this super easy trick, which really works, and keeps fresh herbs fresh and useable for up to a couple of weeks. The trick involves the clever use of a plastic bag. Now, I don’t know why this works. It just does. Fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, and other fresh herbs can last up to 2 weeks or longer when stored this way.

It all happened in October 2010. It’s been four years, and it is a privilege to share the story with you. I had a difficult pregnancy with my son, Dexter. When we decided to try and get pregnant again we thought it couldn’t possibly be any worse. I found out I was pregnant before I could even get a positive pregnancy test. The “morning sickness” had hit almost immediately and I couldn’t keep anything down....