Posts

How to Prepare Carrots for Cooking The first step in learning how to cook carrots in the oven, stove top, or slow cooker is knowing how to prep them. For four servings of carrots, start with 1 pound of fresh carrots. Wash carrots thoroughly under cool running water. Scrub or peel the carrots using a vegetable peeler ($12, Bed Bath & Beyond). Trim the stem and root ends. Test Kitchen Tip: If your recipe calls for cooking carrots whole, you can leave some of the stems intact for a pretty presentation....

Signs That Reveal It’s Time to Get Rid of Old Cookware According to Laurie Klein, a consumer test kitchen specialist for Hamilton Beach Consumer Test Kitchen, good quality cookware can last a lifetime when properly cared for. However, “manufacturers recommend replacing some lightweight nonstick cookware every five years due to the nonstick finish,” she says. With extended use, there may come a time where replacing old pots and pans is the best option....

Ultrafrilly This was the mom antidote to your grunge phase. STUFF. We need more stuff. Finding Fido in this room is like searching a Where’s Waldo? book. Can you spot the dog in this picture? Wicker Furniture Demand for wicker furniture went wild. And we’re pretty sure these rooms had something to do with it. Pattern x 1,000,000 PATTERNS! Oh, and did we mention PATTERNS? (Also, those window treatments. DYING!) We think designers secretly challenged each other to see how many stripes they could fit into one room....

Over and under bathroom sink storage cabinets provide the majority of potential extra room, but these might not cut it if you have a lot of stuff to store or if your bathroom is particularly small. The trick is knowing which updates can help solve those organizing issues. Here are some smart ideas for bathroom sink cabinets to help you maximize style and organization within a limited space. 1. Consider an alternative to traditional bathroom sink cabinets....

Buy It: PowerXL Vortex 7 qt. AirFryer ($150, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker 6-Qt. ($100, Macy’s)

1. Kitchen Handles Need a hand during dinner prep? You’re likely using one to open the refrigerator door—even if you just finished handling raw meat. If left untreated, refrigerator, freezer, and oven handles become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Scrub kitchen cabinet and appliance handles down once a week (or immediately after touching them with messy hands) with a cloth and a disinfectant spray or a mix of one part hot water and one part vinegar....

Buy It: Oven to Table Rectangular Baker, ($35, Williams Sonoma)

Buy It: Gobel Mini Tart Pans ($25, Williams Sonoma)

Typical sample-pot sizes range from about eight to 32 ounces, and most cost about $10 or less. Before you begin a paint project, measure the surface area you plan to cover and calculate whether you have enough paint to complete the job, factoring in the possibility you’ll need multiple coats. When you’re ready to start painting, consider one of these clever uses to turn leftover materials into show-stopping decor....

Buy It: Threshold 3-Quart Rectangular Baking Dish ($20, Target) Buy It: Our Table Dutch Oven ($55, Bed Bath & Beyond)

If you’re struggling to set New Year’s resolutions for 2021, not to worry—I’ve rounded up some of our editors’ best ideas to help you have the best year possible, even amid so much uncertainty about what the year may hold. As with all resolutions, keep in mind that you don’t have to start on January 1. I’m a firm believer that you should start the day you make the resolution, whether that’s in December, February, or at any point in the year....

Botanical Name: Acer palmatum Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 2-30 feet tall (depending on variety) Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Sangokaku’ Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 15–20 feet tall, 12 feet wide Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer griseum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 20–30 feet tall, 12 feet wide Zones: 5–7 Botanical Name: Acer saccharum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 50–75 feet tall, 30–45 feet wide Zones: 4–8 Botanical Name: Acer saccharinum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 60–80 feet tall, 40–60 feet wide Zones: 3–9 Botanical Name: Acer rubrum Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 40–60 feet tall, 30–40 feet wide Zones: 3–9 Botanical Name: Acer campestre Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 20–35 feet tall, 20–30 feet wide Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 35–45 feet tall, 25–30 feet wide Zones: 3–7 Botanical Name: Acer pectinatum ssp....

1. Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances Major appliances are your home’s third-biggest energy hog, behind heating, cooling, and water heating. Replace outdated appliances with efficient new models. In the long run, replacing old appliances will help your bills and the environment. Energy Star-qualified models have a range of efficiencies, so compare models and go with the most efficient. 2. Use Occupancy Sensors Turn off the lights when you leave a room. If that’s difficult for you or your kids to remember, buy lights with occupancy sensors that automatically turn off when there hasn’t been any movement for a period of time....

Make It Yours: This coastal living room skews modern thanks to a subdued palette and sleek gold and black accents. For added color, apply blue on walls instead of white and incorporate another splashy hue as an accent through accessories or artwork. To relax the look, bring in additional nods to nature, such as a driftwood centerpiece, woven baskets, or rattan accent furniture. Make It Yours: Go a few shades darker on the cabinet paint color for added contrast, or opt for white on the upper cabinets for an airier look....