The Secret to Making Sure the Sugar Dissolves Well, the problem is that if you just stir all of these together the sugar will sink to the bottom. So the best way to make lemonade is to make a simple syrup first, by heating water and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved, and then mix that with the lemon juice. The proportions will vary depending on how sweet and strong you like your lemonade, and how sour your lemons are to begin with....

The recipe is adapted from one in the Sacramento Bee by Jane Dewey, the wife of a local pistachio farmer. I tweaked the recipe a bit from the original. I prefer using a brick of white chocolate and chopping it into chunks for a more rustic look, but white chocolate chips will do just fine. I also reduced the butter and used kosher salt which gives a spark of contrast to the cookies’ sweetness....

This crusty loaf takes some time and effort, but it’s well worth it! You’ll need two days to prep this bread, including time for the dough to rest and develop some flavor before baking. The earthiness of the pumpkin purée pairs perfectly with tangy sourdough. It also adds moisture and softness to the crumb. This bread is sweet but not overly so. Baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger impart warmth....

The variations on Rasta pasta range from chef to chef and within each household. The type of pasta and choice of vegetables is up to you, but one thing is a must—there must be an ample amount of jerk seasoning, so each bite has ample flavor. What I love most about Rasta pasta is that it’s a complete meal in one pot. Serve it up with a little side of cabbage salad and a nice refreshing drink and you’re all set....

Naan is something we either enjoy at a celebratory gathering or in restaurants. The day-to-day bread in most Indian homes is roti or chapati. A simple flatbread typically made with whole wheat flour and served with pretty much any kind of lentil soup, curry, stir fry, or dips. Roti is a staple Indian bread, made fresh in Indian homes every day, sometimes for 2 to 3 meals. So, it is a common practice to make them during the week as well as the weekend....

A festive occasion calls for a big statement, and this paella is just that: a colorful rice dish bursting with clams, mussels and shrimp along with smoky chorizo and saffron for tons of flavor. You don’t need much else to serve alongside it, but you could make a green salad if you feel inspired. Set the whole pan of paella on your picnic table, and bring out some crusty bread and wine glasses....

It’s rare to find a truly great weeknight meal that looks and tastes like it could be served at your next dinner party! This halibut is one such recipe, and it is particularly wonderful during the height of strawberry season (now!) The game plan: Because halibut cooks up so quickly, you’ll simply roast the potatoes and asparagus while you prep the strawberry compote and sear the fish, and you can have dinner on the table in less than an hour....

Roasted on a sheet pan with sweet onion, meaty slices of bell pepper, tender squash, and sweet-tart cherry tomatoes, and dusted with parmesan, these little potato dumplings make a colorful and flavorful meal! A Sheet Pan Makes Packages Gnocchi Shine Here are a couple pieces of good news for people who find cooking gnocchi intimidating: Gnocchi are readily available at the grocery store and this cooking method makes sure they aren’t a goopy mess....

Slow cooker oatmeal uses the longer-cooking steel-cut variety, which adds more body and a nuttier flavor to this healthy breakfast. I keep it simple with classic warming spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom, then round it out with golden raisins that melt into the final dish, giving it a sweetness without any additional sugar. Best of all—you can dump everything into your slow cooker the night before and not stir it again until morning....

Always a huge hit with guests! The one ingredient that makes a surprising difference is the sliver of lemon peel on each piece of salmon. The added zing from the lemon peel perks up the salmon and completes each bite.

There are many ways to make soy sauce eggs—some require braising the eggs in soy sauce after soft boiling them, but the eggs are cooked for longer than I like and they’re chalkier and rubberier. I prefer mine boiled until the yolks are jammy and then marinated in the soy sauce off the heat. While this recipe is quick and easy, it takes 4 hours or up to a full day to marinate the eggs, so plan ahead....

Tools Needed to Cook Steak on the Stovetop The main thing you need is a heavy-bottomed skillet made out of stainless steel or cast iron so it can withstand the heat. As you can see, I used a cast-iron skillet to cook this steak and take the photos for this post, but a high-quality stainless steel skillet will work just as well. Other than that, all you need are paper towels to dry the steak and tongs to move the steak around (or whatever tool you think is easiest for this)....

This strawberry frozen yogurt is a terrific way to take advantage of the abundance of the season. And as the days heat up, it’s a good way to cool down quickly. Although it feels like you’re eating ice cream, this strawberry frozen yogurt is actually much lighter than a typical custard and cream-based ice cream, and it’s filled with the flavor of the fresh strawberries. Use a potato masher to mash up the strawberries as the mixture is heating....

Let’s check out what makes this dish so great (and if my kids liked it). What Are Gnocchi? Gnocchi (pronounced nyow-kee) are small, potato-based dumplings that have been boiled lightly in salted water. Some people think of gnocchi as a fancy restaurant-only dish, but you can find pre-made gnocchi in most grocery stores. Once cooked, all you need is a simple sauce and a few add-ins for a complete meal....

Years later, I learned to make that same Japanese egg omelet, called tamagoyaki, without the rice and nori. Even though I’m not an expert in Japanese cuisine, I set out to make it at home and I’m here to share what I’ve learned with you! Tamagoyaki is an easy breakfast or a great side dish for lunch or dinner. Best of all, leftovers are amazing, cold from the fridge or warmed up in the microwave....

Choosing the best cast iron skillet depends on what you’re looking for. To help, we put our favorites and a few other top picks through a battery of tests, including just how good of a sear you’ll get on your ribeyes or how golden your cornbread will turn out. After testing, we collated the data to figure out which pans are true winners. Based on our testing, the Stargazer 10....

Most have similar designs and features, however, when choosing the best mini-fridge, you’ll need to consider the outside dimensions and interior capacity. Optional features such as freezer compartments, shelving, and reversible doors also play into your decision-making process. For example, our top pick—the RCA Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer—features a reversible door and slide out shelves that make it easy to clean. Whether you’re looking for a place to store snacks during the day or need a new fridge for your dorm room, here are our top picks for a mini-fridge....

In addition its ease of use and handy extras, the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill also heats up in a few minutes with a guaranteed ignition, which is why its our top choice for outdoor cooking. Whether you’re searching for your perfect first gas grill or ready for an upgrade, here are the best of the best propane grills for the ultimate veggie burgers, steaks, and grilled chicken for years to come....

Investing in an effective coffee grinder is exactly that—an investment. If you’re an avid coffee drinker who prides themselves in their collection of coffee gadgets, such as a French press, milk frother, espresso machine, and so on, then you’ll likely get plenty of use out of your coffee grinder. You will also need to decide if you want a burr grinder like the Baratza Encore, or a blade grinder like the KitchenAid Blade....