One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving dinner is eating the lovely sweet yams. This year I might try this recipe for maple-glazed gingered yams. They look so tasty! — Ladle and Whisk

There are hot peppers and then there are HOT peppers. This afternoon we were talking about the Scoville rating system and how some peppers are hotter than others. The Scoville scale measures how hot chili peppers are. The number of Scoville heat units indicate how much capsaicin is present in the pepper. Capsaicin is the chemical compound responsible for the hot sensation you feel when eating a pepper.

Recently, an ESPN reporter casually took a bite out of a Bhut Joloki pepper, not realizing how hot it would be. Not even milk could cut the heat. If you want to see how he handled it, read more

Last Saturday night I found the words, "The Cosmo is so 2001," tumbling from my mouth. As soon as they escaped, I started to remember — and miss – my old friends: the classic, rosy hued cranberry juice Cosmo and her close cousin, the berry-colored pomegranate Cosmo. Monday morning, I was shocked to find a note from Angelica with a recipe for the pom Cosmo!

Could we be in the midst of a Cosmo renaissance? The pomegranate Cosmo is the perfect, festive, holiday-worthy cocktail. With its gorgeous color, and tart refreshing taste, it's a delicious aperitif or fun party drink. To join me in rekindling my love affair with Cosmos, get the recipe, just read more

Chocolates used to be reserved for Valentine's Day and Easter, however these days you can find themed chocolates for every holiday, including Thanksgiving. From chocolate cornucopias to dark chocolate turkeys, there's something for every chocoholic this Thanksgiving. If your idea of holiday celebrations involve gobbling down a wee chocolate squirrel, then you're in luck! For a few of my favorite Thanksgiving-themed chocolates, scroll through the list below.

If you have not begun to think about Thanksgiving, stop what you are doing, grab a pad and a pen, and make a list. Or twenty.

Start with the menu; if you are designating certain courses to friends or families do so on the list. Continue with the guest list, the things you want to get accomplished before Thursday — polish silver, buy a roasting rack, etc. — and the decorations. Plan out any other meals you may be making during that week.

Finally, make the most important list of all, the grocery list. Carefully read through each recipe and write down all the ingredients you will need. Use one sheet of paper for groceries you can buy in advance and another sheet for last minute things that will need to be picked up the day before or that morning. Once you have finished a task be sure to cross it off the list; after all, it's the most satisfying part of making a list!

Source

• Who doesn't love grilled cheese? Here are ten variations on the classic theme. — Chow
• Get the secret to Giada's Veal and Lemon Saltimbocca. — Secret Sauce
• Holiday drinks are showing up at Starbucks, including a new Shortbread Latte. — Baking Bites
• UC Santa Cruz sticks to its hippy roots by buying locally grown organic produce for their campus dining halls. — Slashfood
• Check out this breakdown of the leanest cuts of meat. — FitSugar



• Here are eight ways to use leftover bread. — Culinate
• Should bartenders wear gloves while prepping drinks? — Yummr
• Is it over for the traditional British pudding? — Word of Mouth
• Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but one of the best things in the world is eggs on pizza. — Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen

In an attempt to help my dad lower his cholesterol, I've been looking for recipes that feature whole grains. When I came across this recipe for whole wheat pasta tossed with a fragrant bacon and tomato sauce, I had to share it with both my dad and you! This hearty yet health-friendly pasta is scrumptious on a cold night, and is great when paired with a crunchy salad and crisp drink. It's simple to make the sauce and you will have dinner on the table in no time. Get the recipe when you read more