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That’s why we’ve always had an appreciation for the bento box, a Japanese take on single-portion food containers. They can be used for a picnic, hiking trips, takeout, and of course, as a lunchbox. While you can opt for your food to be stored in one large compartment, many bento boxes are divided into smaller compartments. This is because “they usually contain a variety of goodies in one box,” explains Junya Watanabe, chef-partner of Matsuoka, a Japanese restaurant in San Diego....

Of course, having exposed blades means mandolines are inherently a little dangerous to have around. While many have handguards, more than a few of those are somewhat ineffective. One way to keep safe in the kitchen is to simply fold a clean kitchen towel and use that to protect your fingers while you glide the food along the slicer. To figure out which blades produce even slices and the handguards that are actually hazardous, Lindsey Danis tested our picks in her kitchen and updated this list....

When shopping for a pastry wheel, think about what you’ll be using it for and whether you need a fluted edge, a straight edge, or both. For instance, are you simply looking have a handy tool to neatly cut your dough to fit into your pan? Or are you also looking to level up your pies with a lattice top, or make your own ravioli? Also important: Look for something that’s comfortable to hold and easy to clean....

Peelers come in several different designs, and what works best for you often comes down to personal preference and what feels right in your hand. “As a former caterer who’s tried a variety of peelers over the years, I always reach for my classic straight edge peeler,” says Julie Blanner, creative editor and director of a lifestyle and cooking blog. “I appreciate the control I can get with a traditional peeler....

Tuna Noodle Casserole is a classic American dish. Egg noodles are combined with canned tuna in a creamy sauce and then baked. Peas are a classic addition and sometimes you see corn mixed in as well. Cheddar cheese has become a popular addition to this classic dish to add more flavor. Tuna Casserole dates back to the 1950s when casseroles were a popular dinner item. Originally, this casserole dish was made with non-perishable pantry ingredients as a cheap, wholesome dinner that doesn’t require a trip to the store....

The cookware’s signature narrow base allows you to stir-fry with very little oil due to its traditionally thin construction, whether that’s carbon steel or stainless steel. Its unique design also means the wok is hotter at the bottom than it is on the sides, which means different heat zones so that all components of your dish—and a wok can hold a lot—can be cooked evenly. And lest you think the wok is a specialized piece of cookware, stir-fry isn’t the only thing it can do....

Do You Cook Tortellini Like Pasta? Like pasta, you need to boil tortellini in hot water to cook it. This cold tortellini salad recipe calls for premade tortellini that you can find in the supermarket. Follow the directions on the package to determine the cooking time. Typically, you don’t have to cook it as long as you would pasta. Make sure to follow the directions carefully — if you don’t cook your tortellini enough your salad will be dry....

I always have a can of Cannellini Beans in my pantry. It really amazes me how many uses I find for it – in salads, as a quick mash (check out my Garlic White Bean Mash In A Flash), soups and dips. It’s filling, nutritious, and can be eaten practically straight out of the can with just a squeeze of lemon and olive oil. Using it as a bruschetta topping is fantastic....

Ready in about 45 minutes and a breeze to make, this is one of my favorite post-Thanksgiving meals! A warm and comforting chili is one of my favorite ways to enjoy turkey meat on the days after Thanksgiving. During the year, I simply use chicken instead of turkey. While there are many delicious ways to use up leftover turkey, a big bowl of chili is especially appropriate for the season....

Is ground turkey good for you? That is a loaded question without a firm answer. Ground turkey comes in several different fat ratios, just like ground beef. Choosing a leaner turkey can have less saturated fats and cholesterol than ground beef. You will have to compare nutrition labels at your grocery store to be able to get an accurate comparison of the ground turkey you are buying versus the ground beef....

Dainty food this ain’t – this is proper comfort food, dialled up to 11! Twice Baked Potatoes Twice Baked Potatoes are so named because of how they’re made. Whole potatoes are firstly baked until the flesh is soft. It’s then scooped out, leaving the potato skin shells. Meanwhile we mash the flesh with a jacket potato’s best friends – bacon, cheese, butter and cream – to create the ultimate mashed potato filling!...

These golden yellow (and sometimes purple) versions of green beans are harvested young, and are sweet and tender. Here is a simple way to prepare them, with the subtle flavor of a mint infusion. How To Store and Prep Wax Beans Store wax beans, unwashed, in your refrigerator’s crisper for 3 to 5 days. When you’re ready to use the beans, rinse them under cool running water, and trim the stem ends....

Canola oil, also known as rapeseed oil, is one of the most recognized and easy to find. It’s an all-purpose cooking oil made from the seeds of the rape plant that’s well-suited for baking, sautéing, frying, and deep-frying. The vegetable oil is featured in everything from tender muffins and cakes to crispy onion rings and quick stir-frys. However, there is a lot of confusion that surrounds this particular cooking oil....

Tomato Passata is an ingredient that I’m quite fond of, one I use regularly in tomato-based sauces. Though increasing in popularly, it’s not as well known as crushed tomato and tomato paste. So I thought it would be helpful to do a little 101 on Tomato Passata – what it is, how to use it, why I love it so much! What is Tomato Passata? Tomato Passata is just plain tomato that’s been pureed and passed through a sieve to strain out any chunks so it’s perfectly smooth....

What Is the Difference Between Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Tenders? Not all breaded and fried chicken pieces are the same: classic chicken tenders should be made from the chicken breast’s tender (more on that below), while nuggets are primarily made from the ground and processed chicken meat including breast and thigh meat that is then formed into nuggets, dinos, and even rings. Chicken Tenders: Actually a Special Cut of Chicken! For most eaters there is little difference between tenders and fingers; after all, they both have a crispy breading with a long finger-like shape and are made from chicken....

I’ve always been a fan of wild rice, and yes, I know it’s not actually a rice, nor, for the most part, is it wild. It’s an edible grass, and most of what we eat is farmed from the Upper Midwest to California, although real wild rice can be had if you look. Wild rice is nuttier, firmer and murkier-tasting than white or brown rice—perfect for game, especially turkey. And what better way to serve wild rice with turkey than as a dressing?...

Ready in about 30 minutes, they make the perfect side dish, but they are also substantial enough to serve as your main course. I always loved fried foods. One of my biggest concerns, when I cleaned up my diet, was that I would no longer be able to enjoy them. But as time goes by, I’m discovering that there are plenty of tasty recipes for fried foods that are low carb, keto, and gluten-free....

Welcome to Day 16 of the inaugural Holiday Salad Marathon, where I’m sharing 30 salads in a row through to Christmas Eve. Something different to the usual sugar-loaded baking countdowns!! Today, we’re cauliflowering: Roasted Cauliflower Salad I first shared this Cauliflower Salad way back when I started this website in 2014. It’s a recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi, from his wildly popular cookbook Jerusalem which I recently admitted I was embarrassed to rate as my #1 cookbook because it’s soooooo obvious....

Looking for more? Check out this roundup of more Amazing Keto Recipes. Eating ground beef on the keto diet Ground beef is a versatile protein that’s perfect for the low-carb diet. I’ll admit, I could eat some version of ground beef for just about every meal. But there’s no reason for ground beef to be boring! You can create some of the most delicious meals with this tasty (and cheap) meat....

All these recipes are on the table in 15 minutes, made from scratch. The great thing is that there are so many common ingredients, once you get a few Asian pantry essentials, all of which you can get from supermarkets, you’ll have the base for all of these recipes. Note: The assumption I’ve made by classifying these all as “15 minute meals” are that: a) All your ingredients are on the counter, washed and ready to cut/prepare....