Our Kitchen Blog

From tips for cooking through chemotherapy to busting healthy food myths to easy, pantry-friendly meal ideas — our team of experts covers it here.

Kitchen Dictionary

Papaya

Originally native to the warmer climates of Mexico and Central America, the juicy papaya can now be found in tropical countries all over the world. The bright orange...

Kitchen Dictionary

Rutabaga

In winter, when other veggies are taking the season off, antioxidant-rich rutabaga comes to market. Rutabaga is a vegetable that for many reasons doesn’t deserve its near anonymity....

Kitchen Dictionary

Fennel: Health Benefits & Recipe Tips

Fragrant fennel has been used for centuries to ward off stomachaches. Atypical in American cuisine, this licorice-like bulb has an honored place at the table throughout Europe —...

Kitchen Dictionary

Breadcrumbs

A Happy Home Crumbing By Ann Ogden Breadcrumbs are one of those useful kitchen staples that most people think about only when they make stuffing at Thanksgiving. That short, seasonal...

Kitchen Dictionary

Maple Syrup

The Sap of Happiness: Maple Syrup By Chelsea Fisher The big price difference between ordinary pancake and waffle syrup and pure maple syrup is no artificial mark up. The inexpensive...

Kitchen Dictionary

Okra: Health Benefits & Recipe Tips

Okra is a cooking staple in Asia and the southern United States and is divisive among diners for its slightly slippery texture. But when prepared correctly, okra adds...

Kitchen Dictionary

Basil

Basil garners accolades for great taste, but it also provides a number of vitamins, minerals, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and even anti-inflammatory compounds. Adding basil to meals provides a boost of...

Kitchen Dictionary

Spaghetti Squash

You may have heard spaghetti squash referred to as “vegetable spaghetti” or “noodle squash.” The insides look just like spaghetti, making this squash ready to be your next pasta. Spaghetti...

Kitchen Dictionary

Tahini: Health Benefits & Recipe Tips

Tahini offers a salty, creamy component to any dish and its health benefits are certainly something to brag about. Made into a paste from grounded sesame seeds, tahini...

Kitchen Dictionary

Grapeseed Oil

You might wonder how fresh, juicy grapes could be connected to sauteed vegetables. Yet the fruit’s little seeds contain oil that’s gaining popularity among food companies and home...

Kitchen Dictionary

Parsley

Parsley is an ancient herb rich in iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin K. The ever-present parsley sprig has taken on a bigger role in modern cooking. The...

Kitchen Dictionary

Pepper

Whole black peppercorns were once considered so valuable they were used as currency in Europe and traded for gold. Today, peppercorns are nearly everywhere and valued for their...