As soon as warm days arrive, the outdoor kitchen becomes the heart of the garden. Simple meals are prepared there, impromptu aperitifs can last until nightfall, and you finally enjoy mild air and long summer evenings. Today, this space is no longer limited to a barbecue at the back of the terrace — it is … Read more

Instant Pot ribs are both delicious and surprisingly easy to prepare. Whether you choose baby back ribs or St. Louis–style spare ribs, the pressure cooker transforms them into tender, flavorful results in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Ribs no longer require hours of slow cooking. The … Read more

For the next 30 days I’m switching to Living Now gluten-free products to try in place of the brands I usually use. They sent a selection of items to test, and the boxed brownie mix immediately caught my attention. Over the last few days I’ve baked multiple batches and narrowed down three favorite ways to … Read more

Homemade simple syrup is a versatile sweetener for cocktails, lemonades, iced tea, and mocktails. Making it at home is quick, inexpensive, and far easier than buying the premade bottles sold in stores. Store-bought simple syrup can cost more than you might expect. Fortunately, the homemade version requires only two ingredients and a few minutes on … Read more

There’s a small courtyard café my husband and I visit every week for brunch. We discovered this little gem about a year ago and instantly fell for its quiet charm. Tucked away yet consistently popular, the café is intimate with both indoor seating and a lovely outdoor courtyard. The courtyard has a simple, cottage-like appeal … Read more

Deciding what to bake often balances my urge to try something new with the comfort of revisiting a favorite, occasionally with a small twist. A couple of years ago I made the Smitten Kitchen sunken apple and honey cake and was instantly smitten. That version riffs on the traditional German versunkener apfelkuchen (sunken apple cake), … Read more

A fresh spin on classic gluten-free apple crisp: Honeycrisp apples filled with gluten-free oatmeal cookies and finished with a warm caramel drizzle. Apple Season Fall brings more than pumpkin spice — it ushers in apple season. I love the variety and flavor of apples this time of year. While my daughter and husband prefer Jazz … Read more

If you love caramels and enjoy a creamy, slightly nutty flavor, Goat Milk Caramels are a wonderful treat. Even first-time candy makers can succeed with this straightforward recipe. Be warned: once you start, they may be hard to stop eating! Not sure about goat milk? If your first reaction is “goat milk!?” relax. These caramels … Read more

Heirloom tomato season is one of my favorite times of year, and this Easy Caprese Salad is my absolute favorite way to enjoy them. This year Jamie planted Black Krim and Black Prince heirloom varieties along with several other tomatoes for eating and canning; they should be ready in about a month. Until then, our … Read more