So you’re the proud new owner of a cast iron skillet. Whether you bought it new, scored it at a yard sale, or are finally getting your family’s heirloom skillet, there are a few things you need to know before you start cooking. Cast iron pans need a little different care than other pans, and because cast iron is so beloved (and has such a long history), there are also a few myths about cast iron care you need to steer clear of.

Here’s the absolutely beginners guide to cast iron care — including cleaning and storage, troubleshooting, and what we think you should cook in it first.

READ MORE »

Sometimes it feels like I spend a solid quarter of my life reading nutrition labels. I know I have to read those labels to know what’s in my food, but reading all the labels — for everything — means a trip to the grocery store takes at least twice as long as it would if it didn’t involve standing around the aisles googling “xylitol” while the ice cream melts.

READ MORE »

Everything is better in Paris. I know that. Attempting to make my American home my own version of a Parisian apartment was destined to be a disappointment. I live on the wrong continent with a different way of life. But I couldn’t resist.

I should have resisted.

READ MORE »

Kitchn’s Delicious Links column highlights recipes we’re excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.

Recently I got into the habit of keeping a big bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer because I always forget to defrost chicken and other meaty proteins in time for dinner. (Although, when I do manage to think ahead and thaw out some chicken breasts, I feel like an absolute CHAMP.) Since shrimp thaw in a flash and can also be cooked from frozen, it’s a delicious alternative.

READ MORE »

I’ll eat an avocado any time of day, but for breakfast it seems especially satisfying. This creamy green fruit is loaded with a dose of healthy fats that make your morning meal more satiating and satisfying, and won’t leave you reaching for a snack in an hour. From smoothies to toast to breakfast bowls, here are 15 delicious ways to eat an avocado for breakfast.

READ MORE »

Most marinades are essentially salad dressings masquerading for a part in the main course. Salad-style marinades thin as they pull moisture from the meat, so when the meat hits the grill, the marinade slips right off. The solution lies in one special ingredient: yogurt!

Yogurt makes boneless, skinless chicken infinitely more tender, and a yogurt marinade is as easy as one-two-three: one cup of yogurt, two citrus fruits, and three garlic cloves.

READ MORE »

My very first job when I was in high school was at a bakery down the street from where I grew up. In the midst of boxing up cakes, slicing bread, and slinging donuts on Saturday mornings, I developed a deep love affair with crumb cake that opened my eyes to a world way beyond Entenmann’s. The buttery, plush dough, the fat crumbs, and powdered sugar were pure bliss.

This is a crumb cake meets muffin combo that’s directly inspired by the classic bakery breakfast cake. And like their inspiration, these muffins have a fine, delicate crumb with a buttery, vanilla flavor and a thick topping of sweet crumbs. Ready to make them your reality? Let’s get started!

READ MORE »

What if I told you that all the stress of grilling could be removed with one marinade? You’d totally be making that marinade tonight, wouldn’t you? Well ready your chicken, friends, because the one marinade you need this summer for juicy grilled chicken is right here!

READ MORE »

Even on busy weeknights, I don’t mind taking time to put a homemade dinner on the table. What I don’t want to spend all evening doing? Cleaning the kitchen. Enter: the foil packet, where individual servings are cooked and served straight from a cocoon of crumpled foil.

In this recipe, chicken breasts are nestled into a bed of sweet and juicy pineapple, and the whole thing soaks up a spicy, citrus-spiked marinade for an easy, mess-free meal.

READ MORE »

Kitchn’s Delicious Links column highlights recipes we’re excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.

No Fourth of July menu is complete without a potato salad recipe. Sure, burgers and hot dogs might be on there, and maybe some grilled corn, but there’s something about potato salad that seems quintessential for long days spent outside on hot, sticky summer days. Do you have a recipe ready to go for the big day? If not, I’d love to recommend this gorgeous potato salad from Half Baked Harvest. It’s creamy, but there’s no mayo! And there are plenty of delicious herbs.

READ MORE »