Ask today's moms about their favorite childhood toys, and there's a good chance they'll mention the Easy-Bake Oven. The iconic toy oven — first introduced in 1963 with two 100-watt light bulbs to bake premade mixes and food — has undergone 11 redesigns over the years. The latest incarnation may be the most dramatic yet. After 48 years, the light's gone off in the Easy-Bake Oven! The new Read more

The definitive guide to ordering at In-N-Out Burger. — A Hamburger Today Want a laugh? Visit the latest Paula website. — Paula Deen Riding Things Happy banana cream pie day! — Bites on Today RIP Henry Africa, creator of the fern bar. — Grub Street SF Freebie alert! Golden Treasure Shrimp at Panda Express. — Eater LA How do you feel about bananas packaged in plastic wrapping? — The Read more

Long before major culinary retailers began shrinking their grown-up sized cooking utensils to fit into lil hands, the Easy-Bake Oven gave tots a taste of kitchen magic. First introduced in 1963, the turquoise oven had a fake stove top and used two 100-watt lightbulbs to bake pre-made mixes and food. Over the years, the oven evolved with the changing views toward kitchen design. In the late 60s Read more

In honor of next week's release of Michelle Obama's cookbook, American Grown, we baked up something sweet, and now we're onto another one of America's favorite comfort foods, mac and cheese. I was initially a little wary of this version because it didn't call for making a roux, which gives most mac and cheese recipes that creamy, hearty texture. In the first lady's recipe, you simply stir Read more

A crunchy coating on soft and flaky fish always takes me back to my childhood and those frozen boxes of fish sticks. That's why a recipe for fresh baked cornflake-crusted snapper seemed like the perfect way to re-create the nostalgic dish with a little more adult flair. Set up stations for the flour, egg white, and cornflakes, and your family will be sitting down for dinner in about a half hour. Read more

Everyone's had potato hash browns — either in patty form at McDonald's, from a mother's stove, or in an American diner where the dish is served up around the clock. One Sunday morning, I awoke with a hankering for hash browns, but I didn't have any potatoes on hand, only sweet potatoes. I figured sweet potatoes make great fries, so why not hash browns? If you want to pay homage to your Read more

Though we may be loathe to admit it, one of the most exciting — and frenzied — moments of wedding planning is setting up a registry. While deep down I knew that marrying the man of my dreams was the best present of all, other visions, like that of a perfectly appointed home, turned me into Dirty Harry with the scanner gun. A fondue set? I'll take two. The enormous countertop convection oven? Read more

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson A couple of years ago I watched the Barefoot Contessa roast bacon in the oven. She was making a BLT and didn't need the bacon fat. I had never thought to bake bacon, and the idea has changed my life! Now, I roast bacon all the time. It's an easy, convenient, and splatter-free way to cook it. Here's what you do: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover a large cookie sheet Read more