I have to be honest–I am not a big fan of the food coloring drops. When I’m decorating a cake or cookies, I prefer vibrant, varied colors. I like gel food coloring the best. I use Wilton Gel icing Colors. Here’s what I like:1. many color choices2. don’t thin out icing (particularly good for classic […]

Another piece of advice I am going to offer you, if you ask me about cake decorating, is to buy a few good spatulas. First and foremost, you want to start with a delicious cake, then you want to make sure you have a clean canvas–i.e. a smooth surface. I love, love, love my flat, […]

I have gotten many, many questions about cake decorating. Now, you all know that I am not a pro (like Steph), but I do like to dabble in cake decorating. In any case, I love the questions regarding which products I would recommend. My first question to you is going to be: What will you […]

When I first saw the recipe for Glazed Lemon Cookies in my first issue of Cooks’ Illustrated magazine, I passed it over. I’d had lemon cookies before. They were just sort of eh. And I love lemon and butter and sugar and flour together. It’s a good combo. I lent my issue to my husband’s […]

Do I really need to post a 101 about Mashed Potatoes? Probably not. Doesn’t everyone know how to make mashed potatoes? YES._____________________________________ Here’s my disclaimer– Everyone I know has their preferred method for mashing potatoes. I’m not going to say that one way is necessarily better than another. I can tell you the tips I’ve […]

I love my potato ricer. It falls under the category of “unnecessary kitchen gadgets.” I happen to love unnecessary kitchen gadgets. I don’t own many UKG for space reasons, but one day when I have my dream kitchen…watch out. I may even buy some of those gimmicky kitchen gadgets shown on infomercials. (Magic Bullet anyone?) […]

Ever thrown out an appliance because one of the parts broke or got lost? I just discovered a website called The Gourmet Depot Co. that offers replacement parts for dozens and dozens of brand name appliances from Cuisinart to Hoover, as well as a store to purchase new appliances. I think I might just have […]

{Check out Dorie’s article over at Serious Eats about this very same tart.} When I first opened my copy of Baking: From My Home To Yours, I was immediately drawn to the recipe for The Most Extraordinary Lemon Tart. Put anything lemon in front of me, and I’ll be happy. VERY happy. I had a […]

{Quite possibly the best pat-in-the-pan crust I have ever tasted.} Sweet Tart Dough (Pâte Sablée)From Dorie Greenspan’s Baking: From My Home To Yours Ingredients:1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)1/4 tsp. salt1 stick plus 1 tablespoon (9 tablespoons) very cold (or frozen) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces1 large egg yolkzest of […]