Cold weather conjures memories of my mom’s creamy potato soup, with its tiny pools of melted butter and black pepper flecks on the surface. It was rich and sating, but also simple and balanced.

That simplicity and balance was front and center as I invented my own take on my mom’s recipe. A cache of lemons on my countertop presented the chance to push the envelope. I wanted a soup that was creamy, sure, but also tangy and vivid. My potato soup is every bit as comforting as the recipe I remember, but the hint of zest and generous squeeze of lemon enliven the dish, making for a happy, almost playful soup that pops.

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Emma and Matt bought a home in Ipswich, Australia for its old-world character and its affordability. But you know what that means: Most of the time, “character” often comes with a huge list of DIYs and needed renovations. This home had a particularly dated living area and kitchen that, despite having big windows to let light in, usually felt quite dark.

The kitchen, especially, was stuck in the past with the yellow walls, green trim, ugly tile, and dark kitchen cabinets. While the couple did a full makeover on both rooms, they kept the existing cabinets — so it’s really the fresh coat of white paint that makes the biggest difference here.

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How do you plan on enjoying your old age? I’ve always hoped for a future that involves wine, coffee, and lots and lots of chocolate. Unfortunately, that might not be possible for many of us, because climate change is affecting the earth’s food producers, and a lot of those favorite foods could be gone in our lifetimes. In the case of chocolate in particular, scientists say chocolate as we know it is on track to be extinct as early as 2050.

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If you’re giving Whole30 a try, your first question is likely “Where do I start?” In this month-long reset, you temporarily eliminate grains, sugar, dairy, and alcohol, while focusing on whole foods like meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats such as avocado and nuts.

It’s not as limiting as it sounds; in fact, it’s a great way to upgrade your cooking skills through a month of focusing just on whole foods and vegetables. We’ve gathered some of our favorite cooking lessons and recipes for smart, simple cooking during the Whole30 stretch. From how to roast, steam, and blend vegetables into soup, to how to cook your favorite cuts of meat and fish, these recipes are just what you need to build your foundation in the Whole30 kitchen.

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So simple and pure, meringue makes for the lightest, almost cloud-like cookies and pastries. With a crisp outer shell, slightly chewy center, and a subtle sweetness, baked meringue is a melt-in-your-mouth delight. It’s also extremely versatile — after mastering the basics of how to whip meringue, you’ll be making these underrated cookies for almost any occasion.

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We’re big fans of the pressure cooker, so it’s no surprise that we love leaning on it to help us prepare Whole30-friendly recipes. The 30-day plan calls for a lot of pressure cooker-friendly foods like eggs and meat, which means utilizing one allows you to get your meals on the table in less time. Whether it’s smoky pulled pork or creamy coconut chicken curry, here are 10 great pressure-cooker recipes that are Whole30-friendly.

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Even as open shelving gets more and more popular, it also accrues more and more criticism from people who just don’t want to see all their kitchen stuff. But there’s no denying its advantages: Substituting open shelving for upper cabinets results in a more open, lighter kitchen, with plenty of wall space for things like art and even windows.

Now there’s a way to have the best of both worlds. Some kitchen designers are opting for no upper cabinets on one wall and installing full-height cabinetry on another, striking a lovely balance between storage and spaciousness.

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There are few better comfort foods than Vietnamese phở. When I’m on the verge of a cold or in need of a culinary pick-me-up, I sit down to a restorative bowl of aromatic broth, slippery rice noodles, and fresh, customizable garnishes.

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Of all the cookware in my kitchen, there is nothing I use more often than my Dutch oven. It’s the workhorse of the kitchen, making almost anything from stovetop soups to oven-baked casseroles. These large, heavy pots are a worthwhile investment, and we’re sharing a selection for a range of budgets. And when you’re ready to put your Dutch oven to work, these 10 recipes are just the thing to inspire you.

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Pork tenderloin is on regular rotation at my house, both for its flavor and its ease. We love to marinate it in sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, or serve it with a big dollop of Spanish-style romesco. But our current favorite is definitely wrapping that pork tenderloin in bacon, because as my neighbor says, pork on pork can never be a bad thing. And I must say I agree.

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