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This is my final posts on my visit to Kyoto and the topic will focus on food. While walking around Kyoto and taking in the amazing sceneries, we also tried various types of specialty food in Kyoto. From Kobe Steak to Kaiseki Ryori, and to a traditional tofu shop that was founded 375 years ago, eating in Kyoto was just as interesting as the city itself. After we checked into our hotel (Westin Miyako Hotel) the first night, it was already dinner time and since the children wanted to swim right after dinner we grabbed a bite nearby at Kiraku....

Preparation Removable wallpaper is the gift that keeps on giving. Affordable and simple to install, these peel-and-stick coverings are made with low-tack adhesive, which makes them a foolproof way to spruce up your place in a pinch. “Removable wallpaper has the look and feel of traditional wallpaper—but no glue,” explains Chasing Paper founder Elizabeth Rees. “There’s an immediate curing or dry time, so there’s no smudging or discoloration. Essentially, it makes installation simple....

Ingredients 1 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and gingers....

Ingredients 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 pound turkey breast tenderloins 1 small onion, sliced 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced 1/4 cup mango chutney Preparation Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Spray 9-inch length of aluminum foil with cooking spray....

Preparation The opuntia, or prickly pear cactus, is known for its flat, oval-shaped pads and delicious fruits. What’s most surprisingly about the cactus is that it’s one of the few cold-hardy breeds—prickly pear cacti can survive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones as low as four. Varieties can range in height from as small as six-inches to over 15-feet, so you’ll want to be sure to make sure any prickly pears you bring home will have room to sprawl....

Preparation Feeling confused about hotel room blocks for your wedding guests? You’re not alone. There are a number of questions we’re frequently asked about hotel bookings for a wedding. The one we hear most often: How many rooms do we really need to reserve for guests? Here, find the answer to this query and more. RELATED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WEDDING ROOM BLOCKS The number of rooms you’ll need really depends on how many guests will be travelling, but most hotels require you to book blocks in groups of 10 or more....

Preparation It’s romantic to think that our spouses will anticipate our every want and need, but the truth is that no one is good at reading minds, especially when the expectation of fulfilling newlywed roles gets mixed into the minutiae of everyday life after the wedding. Forming a tangible list of marriage goals—what each partner expects regarding date nights, intimacy, and moral support—alleviates the misunderstanding that undoubtedly pops up from playing the guessing game....

Ingredients 2 cans (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) 16 (1 1/2-inch) frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs, (about 1 pound), thawed and cut in half 1 cup tomato-basil pasta sauce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces) 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray. Separate dough into 8 rectangles. Place rectangles on cookie sheets....

Ingredients 1 crust from 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box 1/3 cup canned apple pie filling, apples chopped into small pieces 1/3 cup caramel topping Preparation Heat oven to 450°F. Unroll pie crust on work surface. Using rolling pin, roll out slightly. Using 2 1/2- to 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut 16 rounds from pie crust. Press rounds into 16 ungreased mini muffin cups, folding edges if needed....

Preparation Shortly on the heels of the bourbon boom came the rye renaissance, with demand for rye whiskey growing year over year during the past decade. If you’re just beginning to learn about American whiskeys, check out our explainer on the difference between bourbon and rye. If you’re interested in better understanding the latter, this is a good place to start. Rye may be trending, but it’s far from new. In fact, it’s older than the United States itself....

Preparation Bristle paintbrush Paint White circle labels Use a dry bristle brush to paint rough vertical strokes on an entire page of white circle labels. Let dry completely before adding additional colors. 2 1⁄2-inch round labels, $15 for 120, jampaper.com. Martha Stewart Crafts “Multi-Surface” craft paint in Hydrangea Purple, Lilac Cloud, and gold, from $2 each, michaels.com. Related Video

Ingredients 4 cups hot water 1 box (4.7 oz) Betty Crocker™ au gratin potatoes 1/2 teaspoon salt, if desired 1 cup frozen corn 1 cup frozen broccoli florets 3 cups milk 1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup) 2 cans (6 1/2 ounces each) minced clams, undrained Preparation Heat water, Potatoes and salt to boiling in 3-quart saucepan. Boil 20 minutes; drain. Stir in Sauce Mix and remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally....

Ingredients 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips 1/3 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon butter 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows 3/4 cup Golden Grahams™ cereal 1/2 cup Cocoa Puffs™ cereal 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips 1/3 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon butter Preparation Place mini paper baking cup in each of 30 mini muffin cups. Spray paper cups with cooking spray. In medium bowl, place 3/4 cup chocolate chips; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup whipping cream and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted and mixture begins to boil....

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb small beets (1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter) 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 4 cups bite-size pieces mixed salad greens 1 medium orange, peeled, sliced 1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup crumbled chèvre (goat) cheese (1 oz) 1/2 cup Fresh Herb Vinaigrette Dressing Preparation Heat oven to 425°F. Remove greens from beets, leaving about 1/2 inch of stem. Wash beets well; leave whole with root ends attached....

This Simmered Sweet Potatoes with Lemon (さつまいものレモン煮) is a humble dish that exemplifies the flavor and nutrients of the amazing vegetable. Gently cooked in a liquid with lemon juice, they are slightly tangy and sweet with a pleasant fruity fragrance. I like to make a big batch of it to serve as a side dish throughout the week and I sometimes pack them in my kids’ lunch boxes. They make a healthy afternoon snack to enjoy with your green tea too....

These treats may look like muffins, but as you might have guessed – they’re not. We call these Steamed Cakes “Mushi-pan” (蒸しパン) in Japanese. The biggest difference between these cakes and muffins is that these delicious little treats are steamed instead of baked. What is Steamed Cake (Mushi-pan)? The Japanese steamed cakes are made with very simple ingredients: flour (all-purpose flour or cake flour), baking powder, eggs, milk, sugar, and neutral-flavored oil (such as vegetable oil)....

Ingredients 1/2 cup uncooked Minute™ white rice 1/2 cup Progresso™ beef flavored broth (from 32-oz carton) 2 large red bell peppers 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 2 green onions, thinly sliced on the bias, white and green parts separated 1/2 cup shredded carrots 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon chile garlic sauce 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz)...

Ingredients 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon ranch dressing 8 slices soft Italian bread (about 1/2 inch thick) 4 oz shaved cooked turkey breast (from deli) 4 slices cooked bacon, halved 4 slices tomato, halved 2 slices (1 oz each) Cheddar cheese, halved 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened Preparation In small bowl, mix mayonnaise and dressing. Spread on one side of each slice of bread. Top each of 4 bread slices with turkey, bacon, tomato, cheese and remaining bread slices, mayonnaise mixture side down....

Not quite sure how time snuck up on us so quickly. In a blink of an eye, our baby boy is off to college in 2 years. The thought of him leaving home in such a short time is a strange feeling for us and we are definitely not ready. Regardless, we want to make sure he is well informed about his options before he decides which college to attend....

Ingredients 2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream Granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla Red liquid food color Preparation In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 cup butter and the whipping cream with spoon. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. Heat oven to 375°F. Roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured surface....