(Image credit: Bottle: volkovslava/Shutterstock)

I do not remember a time when I did not love spicy food. I grew up eating Sichuan food and I can almost imagine my mom introducing me to solids with a healthy dose of chilies. The brazen heat that is so enticing and exotic to so many people is my comfort food. When I crave something familiar, it’s not mac-and-cheese that I reach for, but red oil wontons and mapo tofu. It’s these dishes that tempt my taste buds, tease my sense of smell, and evoke a powerful feeling of nostalgia.

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

When it comes to making dinner, I always count it a victory when I find a recipe I want to make and I already have all the ingredients. It’s even more of a win when I can count all the ingredients on one hand.

Get ready for a victory dance because we’ve got 20 satisfying chicken dinners that are perfect for dinner. And not counting the basics — like oil, salt, pepper, and water — these winning recipes all have just five main ingredients (or fewer!).

READ MORE »

(Image credit: @girlscouts)

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of selling cookies, Girl Scouts announced that they are adding not one, but two new cookies to their roster for 2017. While the technical 100th anniversary isn’t for a few months, Girl Scouts announced the new arrivals today to match up with National S’mores Day because — surprise! — both of the new cookies are s’mores themed.

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

If you don’t know about succotash, you should. Like potato salad or coleslaw, it’s a frequent player at summer cookouts. While a classic succotash is all about corn, lima beans, and maybe some tomatoes or red bell peppers, this one, from Jeanine Donofrio of Love & Lemons, eschews the norm. Swap out the limas for chickpeas, add in a mix of tender summer squash, and boost the flavor with smoked paprika.

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Ashley Poskin)

From Apartment Therapy → This Is How Much Time I Actually Spend On Housework in a Week

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Ashley Poskin)

With summer winding down, we’re planning to spend as much time outside as possible: on the deck, in the yard, at the beach, by the pool — you name it, we’re doing it. One of our favorite ways to hang al fresco is with friends, with something cold in hand and the bounty of the season’s produce on the table.

Of course, nothing puts a damper on an outdoor party like unwelcome guests of the biting variety. So, if you’re planning one last hurrah (or a few), forget the flowers and opt for these mason jar citronella candles.

Not only will they help keep those pesky bugs at bay, they’re also perfectly pretty table decor. Even better, you’ve probably already got the majority of ingredients on hand and can prep the candles while you’re preparing dinner.

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Getty Images, courtesy of WTA)

The Olympics are here — neither Zika, nor heat wave, not presidential impeachment, nor plumbing woes could keep this age-old competition from moving forward. We’re planning marathon Olympic-watching sessions, of course, but all these amazing athletes got us thinking about what it takes to fuel such terrific prowess — in the pool, on the field, in the ring. We asked 10 athletes to share what they eat on a daily basis. Here’s what we found out.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

Age: 31
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Event: Tennis; Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
Training Regimen: Fitness, practice, and tournaments — lots and lots of tournaments. At home, 3 days on and one day off. The “day off” could include mountain biking, swimming, or walking.

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Soylent)

Soylent, the meal replacement drink that came out of Silicon Valley, announced a new product offering today: Coffiest. This new beverage wants to help you replace your breakfast and morning cup of coffee. The drink is comprised of Soylent 2.0 and an added 150 mg of caffeine (a small cup at Starbucks is 260 mg).

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Saveur)

For the seventh year in a row, Saveur is holding their Blog Awards. There are 78 finalists in 13 categories, whittled down from an astounding 30,000 nominations. Some of the categories this year include “Best Food Instagram,” “Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners,” and my personal favorite “Best New Voice.”

READ MORE »

(Image credit: Christine Han)

Mussels are one of the unsung heroes of the seafood counter. They’re readily available, a sustainable choice, and easy to cook in a myriad of ways. Mussels make a good weeknight option since they cook quickly and sit in a flavorful sauce that’s great for serving over noodles or rice, or just with a crusty heel of bread. Thai green curry paste and coconut milk are a great match for these briny bivalves.

READ MORE »