There is so much fun to be had during many aspects of cooking and entertaining! Learn about different types of cooking and baking skills, entertainment tricks, and tips on how to maintain a garden, big or small!
Food
How to make Chicken Broth
(In 10 simple steps) Even though broth and stock can be used interchangeably in recipes, they are different from each other. Stock is made by simmering bones for a period of time. While broth is made using meat and bones, simmering away. There is nothing quite like having freshly made broth around the home. Cooking…
How to Scramble Eggs
Learn how to make this popular simple dish! Eggs are inexpensive and a great source of protein. They can be turned into many creative dishes. One of the most popular way to cook eggs is to scramble them. Scrambled eggs are beloved by people young and old. They can help settle upset tummies and be…
How to Make Pizza Dough
I love having pizza dough around the house. It is wonderful for making pizzas of course, but the dough is so versatile I use it to make all kinds of items like garlic knots, bagels, and pita bread! Learn three simple ways of making pizza dough at home! With a Bread Machine Place the ingredients…
How to Make Fresh Pasta (without a machine)
Before pasta was made by pasta machines or mass manufactured it was luxury food created by hand. Nothing really beats the flavor of fresh pasta. I love purchasing fresh pasta from farmers markets, and I revel when there is fresh pasta at my local grocery store. Most people are hesitant to purchase their own pasta…
How to make Pita Bread
Pita Bread is a wonderful food and it is super easy to make. Learn three simple ways of making pita bread dough at home! When you are finished you will have pita bread for pita pocket sandwiches, as a side dish for Mediterranean food, or to have as a snack with hummus and veggies! By…
What to Eat to Beat the Heat
Don’t sweat it! When the weather is hot you want to eat something cool! Check out these suggestions for what to eat to beat the heat! Ice Cream This creamy treat has been a favorite for kids and adults alike! Just scoop it into a cone or a cup and enjoy! There are so many…
How to make Cuban Sandwich Rolls
Cuban sandwich rolls are wonderful! Their texture is somewhat crusty like a French baguette, but still soft and flavorful like an Italian rustic loaf. Cuban rolls are perfect for making cubanos, but you can make any kind of savory sandwich you like. By Hand Combine yeast, water, salt, lard, and sugar into a large bowl…
Best Homemade Food Gifts to Give during the Holidays
The best gifts come from the heart! Homemade food gifts are very thoughtful and can be inexpensive if done properly. People will love how much thought and time you spend on making their presents this holiday. Cookies Cookies are a classic gift to give during the holidays. They do not take very long to bake…
Easy Royal Icing
Bring your cookie and cake decorating to a whole new level with this beautiful and shiny icing! Perfect for sugar cookies! The shiny Royal Icing will make your homemade cookies look professional! Royal icing is a type of icing that is typically made from confectioner sugar, flavorings, and sometimes egg whites or meringue powder. It…
What to Eat for Vietnamese Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)
In Vietnamese culture, Tet or Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) is the most important holiday. Families and friends get together to honor their ancestors. Sumptuous dishes are prepared and left on the worship altar. The altar has photos of ancestors and is adorned with candles, flowers, and incense. People pray to the spirits to…
What to Eat for Vietnamese Tet Doan Ngo (Mid-Year Festival)
Tet Doan Ngo takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year. It is the second most significant festival in Vietnam (the first being the Lunar New Year Festival). Tet means festival, Doan means start, and Ngo refers to the horse which is the seventh animal in the Vietnamese zodiac. The…
What to Make for a Barbecue
Warm weather and barbecue parties go hand in hand. Nothing beats the taste of grilled meat and vegetables. Barbecuing and grilling have been great American pastimes for decades. When the weather is sunny and warm it is time to break out the grill and have some fun! Check out my fun list of foods to…
What to Eat for Vietnamese Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Moon Festival)
In Vietnam, Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Moon Festival) is one of the biggest holidays. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month. Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is also known as “Children’s Festival”. Though there is a similar festival in China at the same time of year, the origin of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn…
Entertainment
How to Host a Brunch
Whether you are throwing a brunch for two people or twenty people it is always good to be prepared. Brunch is a meal that is served from anywhere between 11 am – 3 pm. The term is a mixture of “breakfast” and “lunch”. The origins of how it began are up for debate, but it…
How to Make a Romantic Breakfast for Two
My husband and I love having special breakfasts on the weekends when we can. We use it as a time to be a little more indulgent with our recipes than our weekday breakfasts and to share how our week went with each other. Breakfast can be a very romantic meal if you want it to…
Gardening
How to Regenerate Scallions
Scallions, also known as green onions, are used in many types of cooking. They are garnishes for soups or rice. For Chinese cuisine they can be used in lo mai gai or sticky rice. In Korean cooking they can be the center of flavor for pajeon or scallion pancakes. Scallions are vegetables from the genus…
How to Grow a Jar Herb Garden
Herbs can bring such great flavor to food, and fresh is always better! Growing a jar garden for herbs is super easy! Jar gardens are great for their mobility and convenience. Jar gardens do not take up a lot of space and if you need to move it to where the sun is in your…
How to Make a Mini Portable Greenhouse Seed Starter
Want to start some seeds for your garden? There is no need to buy a seed starter from a store. You can make one at home using supplies that are typically found around the house! My method ensures that you will create a Mini Portable Greenhouse Seed Starter that is cheap to make and super…
Lifestyle
Ten Thousand Villages
I have received no compensation in exchange for this post. I simply wanted to review these products. Prices are accurate as of time of publication. One of the goals I have resolved to do this year is to make more ethical choices when it comes to my purchases. Most of items I purchase these days…
Top Ten Simple Changes for a More Sustainable Life
Sustainable living is a practical method that aims at reducing one “carbon footprint”. The goal of it is to reduce one’s environmental impact by making changes that will counteract climate change and other negative environmental problems. Sustainable living means minimizing the overuse of Earth’s resources and limiting further damage to the environment. Living more sustainably…
Culinary Cupcake 