Modern recipes include detailed steps so readers can follow along exactly as the author intended. As a food writer, I spend most of my days carefully writing directions, thinking through every action. Older recipes often provide far less guidance. Sometimes, they don’t even include a complete ingredient list. My editor […]
Kitchen Tips
This 100-Year-Old Recipe Was the First Cookie the Girl Scouts Ever Sold
For over 110 years, the Girl Scouts of the USA have brought young girls together to make friends, learn leadership skills, explore the world, and give back to their communities. According to the Girl Scouts website, in 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low started Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. The first-ever […]
Should You Reuse Plastic Bags?
If one of your resolutions this year includes using fewer single-use plastic items, you might’ve heard a tip to wash and reuse plastic bags. Seems like a great idea: You save some money, and there are fewer bags in the trash. Win, win! But is that safe? And how many […]
I Learned the Best Guacamole Trick at My Old Job, and It Still Works
To me, avocados are one of God’s gifts to man. I know, I know, I sound like a millennial who will never buy a house (hint: it’s because I am one!), but they are a thing of beauty—buttery, rich, refreshing, and perfectly creamy. I challenge you to find one dish […]
The 5-Second Trick To Keep Guacamole From Turning Brown
Guacamole is delicious, but keeping it green and fresh after the first scoop can feel like a losing battle. You make a big batch, serve it proudly, and the next day? It’s turned an unappetizing shade of brown. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Like avocados themselves, guacamole is prone to […]
The Potato Soup We’ll Make Forever Is Only 5 Ingredients
On a chilly fall or winter night, a piping bowl of homemade soup can feel like a warm hug. And, after a long day of work or running a household, preparing a pot of homemade soup can feel like an exhausting chore. That’s where this one-pot Aaahh! Potato Soup recipe […]
I Tried the Cozy Chicken Soup Our Readers Swear by When They’re Sick
It’s a tale as old as time—when you are sick and down-and-out, nothing beats a hearty, brothy soup. As a food editor, I’ve come across my fair share of soup recipes, and I’m always tinkering with something new. When I’m cooking and feeling well, I add a little bit of […]
The Vintage Funeral Dessert That Brings Comfort to Every Gathering
Texas sheet cake—also referred to as “funeral cake,” “church lady cake,” and “cemetery cake”—is known for feeding a crowd and soothing heavy hearts. The thin, moist chocolate cake is baked in a large jelly roll pan and topped with a warm, fudgy icing that’s poured over the top while the […]
The Best Use for Jell-O Mix Is Not Jell-O
When Jell-O mix goes on sale at the grocery store, I love stocking up. It tastes great on its own, and I enjoy turning it into boozy shots or decorative finger foods for parties. Recently, I discovered a clever route to use these powdery packets in a completely new way, […]
I Learned Why Spring Mix Gets So Slimy—and Here’s What I Buy Instead
If there’s one hard rule for grocery shopping that I believe in with all my heart and uphold without exception, it is this: NEVER buy “spring mix” salad greens. I don’t care what grocery store I’m at or how much it costs; experience has taught me that spring mix is […]