Before I had a baby, my freezer was like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It seemed impenetrable, things had been there forever, and whoever was brave enough to wade through it would receive handsome rewards.

There were bottles of expensive vodka, the juice of lemons I had brought home from Capri, and batches of peach ice cream I made in the summer. There was the top tier of wedding cake for a year after my wedding. (Once my husband noticed it back there, he legitimately asked me if there was a human head in the freezer. I should have said yes).

These days, my freezer is less of an exciting addition to my fridge and more of a lifeline. On nights when the day was overwhelming, my baby is fussy, or I just don’t feel like cooking or making a mess in the kitchen, that freezer is a necessity. Here are items I always have in my freezer.

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

This spicy, smoky bean salad packs a whole lot more flavor into it than you’d expect of something that takes all of six minutes to make, and you have hot smoked salmon to thank for that. Its deep flavor gives a can of black beans a serious boost of flavor, so this lunch doesn’t need too much else by way of seasoning. Add some cherry tomatoes and avocado in there for color and toss it all with a cumin-lime dressing, and the result is a lunch I guarantee you’ll be putting on repeat. Pile the whole mess on rice, scoop it up with chips, or just eat it straight from the bowl.

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Part of the fun of grilling is that there are fewer pots and pans to wash than stovetop cooking, right? Well, while you generally don’t have to scrub down your gas grill to shiny perfection after each use, you should give it a deep clean once in a while to make sure it runs safely and efficiently. Here’s how!

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Swap out any ol’ bread for a baguette when making a sandwich and suddenly it’s transformed. How so, you ask? Well, a baguette makes it a touch French, which means it’s a touch fancy (read: you can grab a bottle of rosé and head out for an impromptu picnic lunch).

This sandwich involves crisp, juicy green apple slices, buttery brie cheese, and a swipe of tangy Dijon. Tuck them into a baguette and in a matter of seconds you have a lunch that’s sure to brighten your afternoon — even if you aren’t able to escape your desk for that picnic.

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Here’s the thing about a charcoal grill: It inspires profound loyalty. Chances are that if you are #teamcharcoal, you’re #teamcharcoal all the way. Maybe it’s the fact that it requires a certain amount of patience and strategy to get that Goldilocks char and tenderness, or perhaps it’s that it feels like a true hobby you can spend a Saturday afternoon practicing and perfecting.

If you’re ready to join the legions of devoted charcoal fans, whatever your reason, there are a few things you should know before you buy.

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

It’s summer, which means that not only is your grill hot, but corn is finally juicy and sweet. The two need to meet. While I’d like to tell you it’s as simple as throwing the cobs on the hot grill and letting the two mingle, there is some work that must be done to get the corn and its husk ready for the grill.

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Sometimes you need someone else to come up with a bright idea — especially the ones that are so obvious in hindsight — so you can simply partake in its glory. That’s how we feel about this confection that brings the flavors and gooey textures of lemon meringue pie to a towering layer cake. We’re just happy someone dreamt it up so we can make it at home! To demystify some of the magic, start by watching this video. It will show you how to turn three glorious layers of buttery lemon cake, homemade lemon curd, and meringue frosting into this citrus-lover’s dream cake.

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

These are not cupcakes dressed up in muffin’s clothing. That generous drizzle of orange glaze over the top is definitely a treat, so if you’re having these first thing in the morning consider them the baked good that replaces that pastry you usually pick up with a cup a coffee.

It’s not sugar and spice, though! A mix of whole-wheat and all-purpose flour leaves these orange- and vanilla-scented muffins with nutty undertones and a hearty texture that makes them feel wholesome. The real highlight, though, is the ripple of fresh, chopped strawberries throughout and piled on top of each muffin.

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(Image credit: IKEA)

From Apartment Therapy → Ideas for Growing Herbs Right in Your Kitchen

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