This is a mature scoby – after a few rounds of making kombucha, it will thicken, become smooth, and take uniform color

(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

There’s really no arguing that it’s ugly. And kind of alien-looking. And yeah, even downright gross. But dang it! Scobys make some delicious kombucha! If you want to save a few bucks on your ‘booch habit, there’s just no getting around it. You’re going to need a scoby.

You can beg a scoby from a kombucha-brewing friend, or you can order a fresh one online. But there’s one more option: you can grow your own.

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Growing up, my mom did hardly any of the cooking for our family. She could microwave frozen fish sticks and toast Eggo waffles, and she had one signature dish of meatballs with jarred Ragu sauce over spaghetti, but that’s about as far as her culinary prowess extended. There were a few times when she attempted to make slice-and-bake cookies, but they either ended up burnt or she walked away without preheating the oven and would come back hours later to find sad blobs of dough still waiting on the baking sheet.

As president of a video production company and a singer in a blues band, my mom had many talents — cooking was just not one of them. So she deferred to my dad, a wonderful cook, when it came to feeding us. But all that changed some years ago when my dad’s ability and desire to cook was thwarted by illness.

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Gingery Poached Egg Soup

(Image credit: Christine Han)

There are times when only a steaming bowl of slow-simmered soup will do, and then there are more realistic times when a meal needs to come together right this minute. This soup has been my saving grace when my stomach is rumbling, I want something healthy, and I don’t have much kicking around in the fridge. With this formula, a quick, nourishing soup is mine for the slurping in just about 10 minutes.

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If you ask us, the best Mother’s Day gift is surprising mom with a celebratory brunch. Whatever you cook up, we know she’s going to love it. And, if you’re worried about pulling off a special to-do without neglecting your most important guest — don’t. You can get a jump-start on the day with a menu that can be prepped (if not fully prepared) in advance.

From sweet cinnamon rolls and egg casseroles, to quiches and sweet breakfast bakes, here are 20 make-ahead recipes for a delicious and stress-free Mother’s Day brunch.

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(Image credit: Michael Wiltbank)

I am warning you now that you may inhale these innocent-looking roll-ups before your friends even ring the doorbell. I had to pull myself away from the baking sheet and leave the kitchen entirely to escape the buttery, garlicky aroma. These roll-ups wouldn’t make it to their serving platter if I lingered too long.

This is the kind of homemade appetizer that is going to win you accolades. Make them once and friends will begin to ask you for those “flaky, garlicky things” each time they drop by; it’s already happening to me! That’s not necessarily a bad thing because they’re something you can keep stocked in the freezer to bake off at a moment’s notice. They’ll bake in just the amount of time it takes to pop open a bottle of wine and pour everyone a glass, ensuring your happy hour is effortless.

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Do not forget: Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14! Be sure to give her a call (you might even want to go see her if she lives close by!) and consider buying her a nice little present. What to get? We’ve rounded up 36 gift ideas that she’s sure to love — no matter how much money you have to spend.

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A Champagne brunch is always a good idea for Mother’s Day because it automatically makes the occasion feel special and elegant. So grab a few bottles of the finest bubbles around and put together a spread that’s full of spring flavors, like an herby egg and potato frittata and a fresh fruit salad. This menu feeds six to eight people comfortably and doesn’t require much prep. We’ve even included a timeline on how you to can pull this together with a day’s head start.

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

If you are skeptical about the magic of gelatin desserts, then this is the best recipe to start with. This stunning, sparkling jewel of a jello mold is simply flavorful sparkling wine set with gelatin and studded with fresh fruit. It will make every guest at your brunch table ooh and ahh in delight. The best part? It tastes incredible — light and fruity, with a tart, balanced sweetness that will surprise even the most ardent jello-salad skeptics.

How do I know? Because this is the dessert that turned me into a jello-mold fanatic in one slice.

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(Image credit: Cambria Bold)

Instructions for cast iron skillet cleaning often include a lot of don’ts: Don’t use soap, don’t use steel wool, don’t put it in the dishwasher. It’s almost enough to scare a cook off from cast iron completely!

However, with a few simple techniques, you’ll be able to keep your skillet clean, rust-free, and well-seasoned.

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If you’ve been bored by the art options available for your kitchen or dining room, perhaps this might be of interest: Lately, we’ve been obsessing over the idea to turn cutting boards into a gallery wall. (Get it? Bored and boards?)

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