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Preparation Is coffee your super power? Whether you prefer to purchase beans or pre-ground, coffee begins to lose freshness almost immediately after roasting, according to the National Coffee Association, a trade group representing the U.S. coffee industry. Luckily, there are things you can do to ensure you brew a better cup. It all starts with the bag. “Any factory sealed bag will keep freshness longer than an open bag, paper or not,” says Michael Phillips, director of coffee culture for Blue Bottle Coffee....

Preparation Irish stout is a well-known and beloved beverage, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. The dark, malty brew is no stranger to the baking world; its rich, roasted flavor makes it an excellent addition to many kitchen creations. Because Irish stout already has aromas of familiar types of dark roasts—like coffee and chocolate—it pairs well with many sweet treats. This week, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by baking with beer. Try making these rich and boozy Irish stout cupcakes topped with a fresh and delicious whipped mint frosting for a tasty end to your March 17 festivities....

Preparation Photo booths seem to be ubiquitous with modern weddings, but they’re certainly not a requirement. Whether you’re considering a vintage booth, an open-air setup by your photographer, or a DIY backdrop that guests can pose in front of, you may find yourself considering whether this is an expense that’s really worth the splurge. Here are some of the pros and cons to help you make the decision that’s best for your wedding and your budget....

Preparation Over 50 years later, Jackie and John F. Kennedy’s nuptials are still considered one of the most iconic celebrity weddings of all time. The fairy-tale event, which took place in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1953, wasn’t without its hiccups, however. Just two weeks before what would have been the late couple’s 66th anniversary, the unusual, distressing story about then-Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding dress has resurfaced. Although she never received credit during her lifetime for designing the former first lady’s bridal gown, Ann Lowe was the creative who ideated and executed the off-the-shoulder masterpiece....

Preparation On New Year’s Eve, Maria Menounos married the man of her dreams in the wedding dress of her dreams. The TV host opened up about finding her bridal gown to People, revealing how she found “the one” in record time. Two weeks before saying “I do” to her now-husband, Keven Undergaro, Menounos chose a Pronovias’ lace “Randala” wedding dress, with a mermaid silhouette and lace long sleeves. The gown also came with a detachable coat and dramatic train, which made it the perfect choice for her freezing Times Square ceremony....

Preparation For most people, it isn’t Thanksgiving without turkey, and Martha is no exception. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t open to change-she’s always looking for another technique to add to her holiday repertoire. When Martha is down South, and the weather is crisp but not yet cold-perfect for an alfresco feast-she opts to put the turkey on the grill instead of roasting it indoors. After many rounds of basting, in between which Martha works on the side dishes, dinner is ready....

Ingredients 1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ oatmeal cookie mix Butter, water and egg called for on cookie mix pouch 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 bar (4.4 oz) white chocolate, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup) 3/4 cup dried cranberries Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch square pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, softened butter, water, egg and cinnamon with spoon until soft dough forms. Reserve 1/4 cup of the chopped white chocolate for topping....

Ingredients 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup shredded coconut 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, drained, 2 tablespoons juice reserved 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ vanilla cake mix 1 cup reduced-fat (lite) coconut milk (not cream of coconut) 1/2 cup olive oil 3 eggs Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place butter in 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish; place in oven until butter is melted....

Ingredients 3 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb 3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries 6 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons vanilla 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 crust from 1 package (12 oz) frozen Pillsbury™ Deep Dish Pie Crusts (2 Count) 1 crust from 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box 1 quart vanilla ice cream Preparation Heat oven to 350°F....

Ingredients 3 cups cubed (1 inch) cooked chicken breast 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/2 cups sour cream 1 cup milk Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz) 3 green onions, chopped 1 pouch (6.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ cornbread & muffin mix 1 can (14.75 oz) cream style sweet corn 1 egg 2 tablespoons butter, melted Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray....

Here are the cutest and daintiest sushi you can easily make at home – Temari Sushi or Temarizushi (手まり寿司). Adorned with a variety of colorful toppings, these sushi balls are often served during happy occasions like Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) in Japan. What is Temari Sushi? Temari (手毬), which means “handball” in English, is a traditional Japanese embroidered ball, which people used to play with. These days, Temari balls are treated more as decorative ornaments in the house rather than a children’s toy....

Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1 1/2 cups Corn Chex™ cereal 1 1/2 cups Rice Chex™ cereal 1 1/2 cups Wheat Chex™ cereal 1/2 cup mixed nuts 1/2 cup bite-size pretzels 1/2 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces Preparation In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted....

Preparation If you’ve ever been to the tropical forests of Thailand, India, or Myanmar in the fall, this specimen may look familiar. The Impatiens psittacina (or parrot flower as it’s more casually known) was first discovered deep in the forests of Southeast Asia at the turn of the century. In 1899, seeds of it were first presented to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and after it flowered, botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker described it in a published report dated a few years later as the “cockatoo balsam....

Ingredients 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/3 cups white vanilla baking chips (from 12-oz package) 3/4 cup maraschino cherries without stems, coarsely chopped, well-drained 1 teaspoon oil 24 maraschino cherries, drained, each cut in half...

Ingredients 1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz) 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 3 flavored or plain flour tortillas (8 to 10 inch) Preparation In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except tortillas. Spread about 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture over one side of each tortilla....

Preparation For as beautiful as velvet upholstery looks, caring for it can be tricky. “Velvet has a reputation for being a fussy and high-maintenance fabric,” says Zoe Garred, director of product development at Article. “However, while it looks luxe, velvet isn’t much more difficult to clean and maintain than other fabrics or materials.” So, how does one ensure that their velvet furniture continues to look great over time? For starters, Garred suggests sticking with easy-to-clean types when picking out pieces....

Preparation Affordable and truffles are two words we don’t often associate. After all, truffles are the ultimate luxury signifier and one of the priciest foods around; they can easily cost anywhere from $250 to $800 a pound, with prices varying by season, availability, and type. So, how can satisfy a truffle craving without breaking the bank? By turning to the next best thing: Shelf stable products that lock in the flavor of truffles and provide mouthwatering umami year-round....

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. This past Saturday my Chicken Adobo made it Top 9 dish on Foodbuzz. To me and my husband, it was really like winning the lottery because we didn’t expect it at all. I would like to thank all my readers for visiting my site. I’ve been working hard for my website and I really appreciate your time here. And for those of you who found me through the Foodbuzz Top 9 link, welcome!...

The whole family will approve, even the picky eaters. Try our Zucchini Fritters Recipe. zucchini fritters- Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day and is my favorite meal to prepare. Kiddos are more into the cream of wheat, oatmeal, or milk soup with angel hair pasta but my hubby and I prefer a great sandwich with eggs, omelet or these delicious zucchini pancakes I am sharing today....

Ingredients 1 lb uncooked spaghetti Olive oil 2 slices bacon, chopped 1 onion, diced 4 jalapeño chiles, diced 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 1 tablespoon chili powder Dash salt 1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted crushed tomatoes 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz) 1/4 cup sliced green onions (4 medium) 1/4 cup pickled jalapeño chiles Preparation Heat large stockpot of water to boiling. Once water is boiling vigorously, add generous dash of salt and the spaghetti....