@heartbeetkitchen

Pin it

July’s Instagram theme for The Kitchn was frozen – all those popsicles, drinks, and ice cream scoops that cool you down when it’s basically too hot to live. We were so impressed with all your ideas! Here are some of our favorite photos that you shared with us throughout the month.

We’ll also reveal August’s Instagram theme, which includes a special month-long contest with Staub. Care to join?

READ MORE »

Pin it

If your nose doesn’t lead you straight to the kettle corn vendor at just about any state fair or festival this summer, then your ears surely will. The aroma of lightly caramelized popcorn combined with the merry sound of popping is all the encouragement I need to buy myself a big bag for snacking. Craving this sweet and crunchy treat without the road trip? Here’s how you can make kettle corn at home.

READ MORE »

Pin it

We’ve finally reached the last herb in our Herb Gardening 101 series, and we’ve definitely saved the trickiest for last. Cilantro was one of the earliest herbs ever cultivated for culinary use — dating back over 3,000 years — and over that period of time, it has found its way into almost every major cuisine.

Its tendency to go to seed at the slightest rise in temperature can make it a little frustrating to grow in hot, dry climates, but where would our guacamole, Asian spring rolls, or Dhanya Chatni be without this incredibly aromatic herb? Here’s how to turn one packet of seeds into a garden staple for years to come.

READ MORE »

Pin it

Open Slideshow

Ah, French toast! That iconic, special-occasion, breakfast-in-bed treat that so many people long for … only to end up with soggy, burnt toast and a big mess in the kitchen. But it isn’t that difficult, or that messy, to make golden, crispy-edged, truly delicious French toast. Let me show you how.

READ MORE »

Garlic Dill Refrigerator Pickles

Pin it

Open Slideshow

Nothing tops eating fresh summer produce the second it hits the farmers market, but preserving it is a close second. With preserving, you get to enjoy your bounty for months and months, even after the warmth of summertime has passed.

My preferred preserving method is pickling — you just can’t beat that flavorful, vinegary tang. From quick-pickled mushrooms to classic dill pickles, here are 10 pickled recipes to try this summer.

READ MORE »

Pin it

Salad dressing can sometimes seem like an afterthought, something to quickly pick up at the supermarket while we focus more on the greens and toppings. But think about it this way: Dressing is like the music score to a movie, the undercurrent that weaves its way through the entire experience. A good dressing, like a good music score, works with every part of the salad and rounds everything out into a complete package, so it’s worth a little bit more attention.

Make a homemade salad dressing with these tips in mind, and your next salad will be a perfect harmony of delicious dressing, greens, and toppings!

READ MORE »

A Spring Vegetarian Dinner for Six

Pin it

We have this friend, a former fraternity brother of my boyfriend’s, and he’s a great guy, but he can’t seem to leave our female friends alone. When we invite him over, he attaches himself to at least one of our lady guests, ignoring all signals of disinterest, and follows her around all night. If he doesn’t get a phone number, he asks us the next day. We’re beginning to think this guy is too lazy to join Tinder and that he just uses our parties as his personal dating service. On the rare occasion he hits it off with one of our friends, it never goes past the second date. Awkwardness ensues, and we end up playing a game of Him-or-Her for our next party. How can we keep him from using our place to troll for girlfriends?

Not a Matchmaker

Dear NaM,

He sounds awesome. (Just kidding.) I have an honest question: What’s so great about this guy? Once you’ve figured out why (or if) you really need him at your parties, I can answer your question.

READ MORE »