Whether you are trussing a holiday turkey, tying a bundle of fresh herbs for a bouquet garni or securing parchment paper around freshly baked banana bread, a spool of kitchen twine is handy to have
With a history rooted in the Bible and the writings of Hippocrates, lentils have maintained prominence in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine since their cultivation 8,500 years ago. A member of the legume family, lentils
Move over, fried chicken strips, mayo-laden potato salad and overstuffed meat sandwiches. Today’s supermarket deli food offerings are an improved trifecta of taste, variety and nutrition. Alongside traditional deli meats and cheeses in the “prepared
Mid-Autumn Festival is a holiday observed during a full moon on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar (September 27 in 2015). Traditionally, it is celebrated as a harvest festival similar
Once upon a time, the term “bulk aisle” conjured images of bins filled with oats and granola. Today, the grocery store’s bulk bin aisle is a place to discover new foods and ingredients without having
The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that half of all grains consumed be whole grains, and while most Americans still fail to meet this goal, we are moving in the right direction. In fact,
Cultures around the world have been cooking rice using various methods for centuries — from soaked and boiled basmati rice in India to sticky, steamed medium-grain rice in Japan and boiled, spiced rice with vegetables
With aromatic licorice notes and its distinctive bulbous base, long stalks and feathery fronds, fennel is sometimes known as “sweet anise” — but is of no relation to the pungent aniseed plant. There are two types
Chances are you’ve heard about sprouted grains. Though it may sound like a new trend, sprouted grains have been around for years. Once relegated to the back corner of the community health-food store, sprouted grains
Since the mid-1800s, food jars of all shapes and sizes have been staple items in kitchens around the world. From colorful and ornate glass containers to those with plain, smooth edges, jars are a great
Krishna Janmashtami, or simply Janmashtami, is the two-day birthday celebration of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. The holiday is celebrated throughout India and in Hindu homes around the world, but the spirit of devotion is
After travels in China during the 12th century, Japanese Buddhist monk Eisai brought home green tea and the knowledge of how to grind its leaves into a powder to create what is known as matcha.
Say goodbye to cupcakes and hello to all-natural, whole-grain popcorn. According to the Popcorn Board, Americans consume about 51 quarts of popcorn per person each year. Beyond movie theaters, popcorn is replacing nuts as a
Commonly used to add flavor and color to a dish, cup for cup, fresh herbs are one nutritious bunch. In addition to vitamins and minerals, the volatile oils in most herbs lend antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
Nothing says summer quite like the sweet, juicy flavors of stone fruits. Whether you prefer peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots or cherries — or any of their hybrids — act quickly: Unlike apples or pears, fresh
While it may appear a bit "unrefined," eating food on a stick takes us back to a time when utensils didn't exist. Whether you call them skewers, brochettes or pinchos, cooking and serving a variety
Fresh flowers can brighten a day, a room — and even a plate! While they may seem intrinsically ornamental, edible flowers can be budget-friendly, convenient and healthy additions to any home cook’s repertoire. Flowers have
True or false: Some kinds of “peppercorns” aren’t actually pepper at all. It’s true. Black peppercorns are a required kitchen staple, and fashionable peppercorn blends are adding white, green and pink peppers as flavor accessories. But
Walk into nearly any American supermarket and you’re likely to find yucca sitting near the potatoes in the produce section, Asian dumplings in the frozen-food case or wasabi-ginger dressing shelved next to ranch dressing. It’s
Steeped in family togetherness and traditional foods among the Jewish community, Passover celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Seder dinner occurs on the evening of the 15th day of Nisan in the