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Spring May 22, 2013

8 Creative Sides For a Late-Spring BBQ

It's still technically Spring, but given how April showers have quickly passed into sunny May days, now's the perfect time to head to the outdoors and fire up the grates for a pre-Summer cookout.

by Lizzie Fuhr

It's still technically Spring, but given how April showers have quickly passed into sunny May days, now's the perfect time to head to the outdoors and fire up the grates for a pre-Summer cookout.

You could go for the classic sides — or just grab bags of your favorite chips — but putting in some extra effort won't go unnoticed by all your guests who are looking forward to what you'll be heating up on the grill! Click through to check out eight less-conventional sides that will have everyone impressed.

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Spring May 21, 2013

Spring Flowers Are Here! Fun Floral Finds For Moms-to-Be

Gorgeous Spring flowers are all around us (and hopefully you, too), so celebrate this lovely season with floral maternity finds from Topshop, Seraphine, and more.

by Kate Stahl

Gorgeous Spring flowers are all around us (and hopefully you, too), so celebrate this lovely season with floral maternity finds from Topshop, Seraphine, and more. Patterned pants from ASOS and Gap work are totally on trend and spirit-lifting, while cute tees and tops featuring large print roses or small print blooms will work now and throughout the Summer. Keep clicking to check out those fantastic flowered finds and more!

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Cooking Basics May 21, 2013

How to Shell and Prepare Fava Beans

Unless they're very young (in which case they can be eaten whole), fava beans must be peeled twice: the outer shell and outer skin of each bean must be removed to enjoy the tender, buttery fava beans.

by Anna Monette Roberts

Unless they're very young (in which case they can be eaten whole), fava beans must be peeled twice: the outer shell and outer skin of each bean must be removed to enjoy the tender, buttery fava beans. It's a little bit of a fussy technique; however, blanching and shocking the beans in their shell makes it easier to shuck them. Fava beans are in season from April to July, so take a look at these step-by-step photos for easy prep all Spring and Summer long.

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recipes May 20, 2013

Snag What's Left of Spring With Asparagus and Pea Shoot Pizza

Come Sunday morning, you'll find me with toes tapping, eagerly anticipating my weekly stroll to my neighborhood farmers market.

by Nicole Perry

Come Sunday morning, you'll find me with toes tapping, eagerly anticipating my weekly stroll to my neighborhood farmers market. Part of the excitement, especially this time of year, comes from not knowing exactly what new treats I'll find as we hit peak harvest season. That being said, I'll be sad to see some Spring favorites vanish till next year. Like a chipmunk before Winter, I gorge myself on those treats, trying to get my fill before they're gone.

Many a meal over the past couple of months involved slender and snappy stalks of asparagus, what some might consider the quintessential Spring vegetable. I've eaten it every which way: blanched, roasted, grilled, and even larded with prosciutto (wow). This is not to say that I've grown sick of it: I've just satisfied my need to consume it in more elemental preparations, and at this time of year, I find myself turning to one of my favorite kitchen tricks. A few swipes of a vegetable peeler, and I'm left with a pile of willowy asparagus ribbons, fit to be tossed into a salad or (my favorite) atop a pizza.

Keep reading to get the recipe.

recipes May 18, 2013

Toast to Springtime With an Apricot Bourbon Cocktail

Kick off your weekend with a drink that makes use of what's in season right now: ripe, plush apricots.

by Brandi Milloy

Kick off your weekend with a drink that makes use of what's in season right now: ripe, plush apricots. This muddled cocktail, inspired by the classic whiskey smash, calls for just four ingredients: apricots, whiskey, lemon, and agave. Dare we say it's, well, a smash? See how it's done, and then print out the recipe so you can make one for yourself.

recipes May 17, 2013

Happy Hour: Apricot Smash

This garden-to-glass cocktail pays homage to what I consider to be the most underrated Spring fruit of all time: the apricot.

by Susannah Chen

This garden-to-glass cocktail pays homage to what I consider to be the most underrated Spring fruit of all time: the apricot. There's only a short window of time in May when these stone fruits are ripe, plump, and bursting with sweet juice; after that, they turn mealy and flavorless. Make the most of their short-lived season with a cocktail that highlights the fruit's floral, honeysuckle-like flavor. This tipple, which is inspired by the classic whiskey smash, calls for just apricots, agave, lemon, and bourbon. Got four ingredients and five minutes? Then make the apricot smash.

Spring May 17, 2013

18 Cocktails to Toast College Grads and Coeds-to-Be

We're headed into college graduation season, which for many means packing four years of accumulated stuff in garbage bags, last-hurrah Summer vacations, and — soon enough — leaps into résumé writing and job hunting.

by Sara Yoo

We're headed into college graduation season, which for many means packing four years of accumulated stuff in garbage bags, last-hurrah Summer vacations, and — soon enough — leaps into résumé writing and job hunting. With so much on these graduates' minds, why not make a toast to your special hard worker with a party and some delicious cocktails? We've rounded up festive, refreshing, and great-tasting alcoholic bevvies for your favorite over-21 former collegians, as well as cocktails with nonalcoholic alternatives to toast grads of all ages and their adventures to come!

— Additional reporting by Emily Bibb

For High School Grads: Sweet Southern Tea

For High School Grads: Fizzy Lavender Lemonade

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Spring May 17, 2013

Lovely Little Liberty London Finds For Girls

With a 138-year history, Liberty London's dainty floral prints have long been a hallmark of classic British style.

by Lisa Horten

With a 138-year history, Liberty London's dainty floral prints have long been a hallmark of classic British style. The brand has recently experienced a resurgence, partnering with everyone from J.Crew to Petit Bateau to Nike. Since the look lends itself so well to warm weather, and little girls, we've rounded up 11 of our favorite Spring Liberty print finds for kids. It's a garden party!

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recipes May 17, 2013

Impress Your Guests With the Easiest Strawberry Tart Ever

Next time you're tasked with dessert for a crowd, impress your guests with this stunning fresh strawberry tart.

by Brandi Milloy

Next time you're tasked with dessert for a crowd, impress your guests with this stunning fresh strawberry tart. It may look like it's straight out of a magazine, but it's actually the easiest fresh fruit tart ever — all you really need is a handful of ingredients.

Be sure to go the extra mile for the freshest, off-the-vine, most fragrant berries; they'll really shine in this dessert (and, as a bonus, your entire house will smell like fresh strawberries). Then serve it to your guests with an ethereal dollop of fresh whipped cream. Ready to make this tart? Watch our video, then print out the recipe.

recipes May 16, 2013

A 3-Star Michelin Chef's Cannes-Approved Sea Bass Recipe

Did you ever think you could re-create a meal by a three-starred Michelin chef at home?

by Allie Merriam

Did you ever think you could re-create a meal by a three-starred Michelin chef at home? Many of France native Anne-Sophie Pic's recipes are not for the home chef — unless one has some molecular gastronomy essentials handy — but her sea bass is comparatively straightforward, though admittedly not a fast and easy weeknight affair. Anne-Sophie left her usual station at her three-starred restaurant Maison Pic in the French town of Valence to take the helm at Electrolux's Chef's Kitchen at the Cannes Film Festival.

A table full of journalists was able to break from the cinema excitement at Cannes to sample Sophie's creations, which were also served at Wednesday night's opening gala. The party welcomed 650 guests for dinner, including members of this year's jury, like Nicole Kidman and head juror Steven Spielberg. With instructions on how to re-create the complex entrée, now Nicole and Steven (and you) can take a bit of elegant French fare home to the US.

Get the mouthwatering recipe.