I cannot tell you how many months (eight? ten?) I have been intending to get a new spatula. As you can see in the bottom of the photo, my old spatula bears stains and deep scratches, frayed edges and a large missing chunk. Replacing Dear Old Spatula was the sort of thing I’d remember in the midst of using it, then put off until “later.” Last week when another little piece broke off, I realized I couldn’t ignore the situation any longer. I stopped cooking, pulled out my phone, and ordered TWO new spatulas on the spot. Why two? Let me explain…

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I secretly love those little packets of hot cocoa mix — but I recently decided to quit buying them and start making my own. The nice thing about making your own hot cocoa mix is that you have free control over what goes into it (and what stays out of it). Like yours super chocolatey? No problem. Want to take down the sugar and add a bit of cayenne and cinnamon? Do it.

Today, I’m sharing my recipe for basic hot cocoa mix, plus a few suggestions for mix-ins that I’ve been loving lately.

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Who cooks and eats here: Ivka, her husband Angelo, and Totti the dog
Where: Florence, Italy
Rent or Own? Rent

Ivka’s Florence kitchen reflects her cooking philosophy: simple, clean, and no superfluous clutter or junk. Despite being a humble rental space, Ivka frequently and enthusiastically cooks up Italian classics for a crowd! When I visited her we shared a cup of her grandmother’s herbal tea (grown in her very own garden in Croatia!) and got to talking about food, culture, tradition and home cooking…

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@shanicarola’s first and second homework assignment

Are you participating in The Cooking Cure? All month long we’re helping you take a closer look at your daily meals and set new culinary goals to get you excited about cooking. If you’re sick of winter food or just need some fresh perspective, follow along! It’s always better with company.

Yesterday our assignment was to ask three specific questions about your breakfast habits. We checked out the #cookingcure hashtag to see how Day 2’s assignment went for you — here are some highlights!

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We’re halfway through Breakfast Week and we’ve given you plenty of virtuous and make-ahead breakfast ideas, so now let’s talk about cereal. And I don’t mean oatmeal, steel-cut or otherwise. I mean that delicious crunchy stuff that comes in a box. What’s your favorite kind? And has it stayed the same since childhood or have your tastes changed? Personally, I’ve been having a serious renewal in my love for cold cereal.

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