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Preparation You’re going to be doing a lot of hand shaking and ring flashing throughout your wedding weekend, which likely has you thinking a manicure is in order. But when is the right time to book such an appointment? We’re turning to a professional nail artist for her expert opinion. Manicurist Morgan Dixon of MAD Nails says, “I suggest all brides and their wedding party plan to book their nail appointment within the week of the special day....

Ingredients 1 cup uncooked wild rice 2 1/2 cups water 2 cups cubed (1/2-inch) butternut squash (about 10 oz) 1 link smoked andouille sausage (from 13.5-oz package), cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/4-inch slices 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup with 30% less sodium 3/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese (3 oz) 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage...

Have you tried Japanese flavored ice creams such as Green Tea Ice Cream and Red Bean Ice Cream? I have another Japanese-flavored ice cream for you today, and it’s Black Sesame Ice Cream (黒ゴマのアイスクリーム). Sesame seeds might seem unusual ice cream flavor, but for the Japanese and Asian cuisine, black sesame flavor is commonly used in desserts. Black Sesame Flavored Desserts Popular desserts include black sesame macarons, purin (pudding), chiffon cake, mochi, bread, ice cream, and more....

Ingredients 1/4 cup Frank’s™ RedHot™ Buffalo Wings Sauce 1 1/4 cups Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into 24 (1/2-inch-thick) strips Blue cheese dressing, if desired Celery sticks, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 425°F. Line cookie sheet with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In shallow dish, place buffalo wing sauce....

Preparation If you had a very short engagement or you quietly eloped, you’re going to miss out on some wedding traditions like the bridal shower. Maybe, given the circumstances, there was no time to organize one or nobody knew you two lovebirds were going to get hitched in secret. But now you’re home and married and a friend asked if you were having a shower. You hadn’t thought about it but now that it’s come up, you’re wondering: Is it okay to have one if a friend or relative offers to host?...

Preparation Selecting the right wedding attire can be somewhat challenging; you may, for example, wonder whether it’s appropriate to wear black. The short answer? It depends on the wedding. “The rules around the color have definitely softened in recent years,” says Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events, adding that it’s no longer a faux pas to wear a color so closely associated with mourning to weddings and other joyous occasions....

Ingredients 1/2 cup rum 1/2 cup raisins 8 pearl onions, peeled and cut in half 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 2 pounds baby-cut carrots 1/3 cup dry white wine or apple juice 3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill weed or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 3/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream Preparation Pour rum over raisins. Let stand 30 minutes. Cook onions in butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to soften....

Preparation On the night before their wedding at the Ojai Valley Inn, the groom’s parents hosted the nearly 190-person guest list at the property’s Big Red Barn for a margarita-fueled Tex-Mex feast. The night started off tame, with about 10 different friends giving heartfelt toasts-that is until their Happy Endings castmate Adam Pally took the mic. “Adam roasted us hard,” Casey says with a laugh. “He said, ‘You know, the property is all abuzz that there’s a celebrity wedding here,’ but that they were all disappointed when they found out it was me....

Ingredients 1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons grated gingerroot 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sesame oil, if desired 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 3/4 cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 cups fresh broccoli florets 2 green onions, sliced (2 tablespoons) 1 cup salted roasted cashews Preparation Cook rice in water as directed on package....

Ingredients 2 1/2 cups frozen cottage fries (half of 2-lb bag) 1 1/2 cups chopped deli rotisserie chicken (without skin) 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz) 1/2 cup chopped precooked bacon (8 slices from 2.1-oz package) Sour cream, if desired Ketchup, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 450°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Bake cottage fries as directed on bag....

Ingredients 3 cups cubed cooked chicken 1 1/2 cups water 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can (15 oz) navy beans, drained, rinsed 1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained 1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 1/3 cups Original Bisquick™ mix 2/3 cup yellow cornmeal 2/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon chili powder...

Ingredients 6 large egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar 2/3 cup milk 1 lb mascarpone cheese or 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened 1 1/4 cups whipping (heavy) cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup brewed espresso or very strong coffee, chilled 2 tablespoons rum* 2 packages (3 oz each) ladyfingers** 1 1/2 teaspoons baking cocoa Preparation In 2-quart saucepan, beat egg yolks and sugar with wire whisk until well mixed....

Preparation Printed paper menusLiquid dye Dip one corner of the paper into the dye.Let dry completely before dipping into another color.Note: If the paper wrinkles, iron it flat on the backside. Rit liquid dye (in teal and royal blue), $4.50 each; michaels.com. Related Video

Ingredients 1 cup frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry (from 16-oz bag) 1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Thick ’n Chunky salsa 1 can (14.5 oz) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained 3/4 cup uncooked instant white rice 1/4 lb cooked kielbasa or Polish sausage, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 1 cup chopped cooked chicken Preparation In 1-quart microwavable casserole, mix bell pepper and onion stir-fry, salsa and tomatoes. Cover; microwave on High 3 to 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until mixture boils, and bell pepper and onion are crisp-tender....

It’s Father’s Day soon, what do you have in mind to celebrate the love of your favorite man in the world? In honor of all the amazing dads out there, we put together a selection of gift ideas and recipes that you can give or/and cook this Father’s Day! Father’s Day Gift Guide 1. Salt Fat Acid Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking For any dad who wants to be a better cook, Salt Fat Acid Heat is the book to get him this Father’s Day....

Preparation If you want a crystal-clear view of the world outside your home, you need to clean your windows. The same goes for mirrors. A smudge-free mirror, without finger prints and toothpaste droplets, gives us a better view of, well, us—and ultimately makes a room feel more polished. Cleaning both mirrors and windows, however, poses a common problem: streaks. To effectively wash both without leaving behind any streaks, grab a pair of rubber gloves and follow the expert tips below—they’ll make the job easier....

When cucumbers are at their peak in gardens and markets, we often find a few lingering around at the kitchen counter. If you are in need of some cucumber inspiration today, I hope you try this refreshing Japanese Cucumber Salad called Sunomono (酢の物). This is one of the most popular appetizers at the dinner tables in Japan, and it’s simple and very easy to prepare in a short time....

Summer cookouts and holiday get-togethers are where potato salads typically shine, but this recipe for Japanese Potato Salad (ポテトサラダ) is one I enjoy making year-round. In Japan, it shows up in bento boxes, convenience stores, and even as a bar snack at izakaya. Today, let’s learn how to make this classic, all-Japanese potato salad that will be loved across ages. What is a Japanese Potato Salad? A Brief History It may surprise you when I say potato salad has been a popular menu item in Japan for at least 125 years....

Ingredients 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8 squares) 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated) 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon grated lime peel 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon powdered sugar Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place foil muffin liner in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups. Spray liners with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar and melted butter....

Ingredients 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup canned pumpkin 3 eggs 2 1/3 cups Bisquick™ Original baking mix 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 cup raisins Preparation Heat oven to 350°. Generously grease bottom only of loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches. Stir all ingredients except raisins in pan with fork until moistened; beat vigorously 1 minute. Stir in raisins. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean....