Few things are simpler, less expensive, and more satisfying than homemade shortbread. — Los Angeles Times Restaurants, facing dire consequences, are now willing to bend over backwards for customers. — New York Times How has the classic martini transformed itself over the years? — Washington Post Coconut comes in different varieties; pick the sweetness and texture that suits your palate. Read more

Jam-packed with crisp vegetables and poached chicken, this salad is a healthy, filling meal in itself. The dressing calls for sherry vinegar, but if you don't have it in your pantry simply use white wine vinegar. To toast the walnuts, cook in a small skillet over medium-low heat until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Check out the recipe and read more Read more

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds: Learn how to get free drinks at your local watering hole. 75 percent frosting, 25 percent cake! Do you write notes in your cookbooks? The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys want you to eat better when at the ballpark. Radicchio is in season; it pairs perfectly with raisins and Read more

This casserole of polenta and vegetables uses canned beans and store-bought pesto to cut down on preparation time, but the slow cooker does all the hard work. The recipe calls for an Italian cheese blend and specific vegetables, but feel free to mix things up with an American or Mexican cheese blend and different beans and vegetables, if you like. To learn more about this easy-to-make, one-pot Read more

Every day when I water my small herb garden, I get a whiff of fresh basil. My first thoughts always go to one of my favorite summertime dishes: caprese salad! However, the tomatoes I've picked up lately are rather disappointing. Luckily, I stumbled across this recipe that puts a new twist on the classic caprese. It's made with mangoes instead of tomatoes. This salad is a simple mix of mango, Read more

At the Junior Achievement's Wine Tasting and Auction, I was inspired by their servingware. Instead of offering guests olives and marinated cheeses in regular bowls, they were festively placed inside radicchio leaves. The bright purple leaves made the antipasto display pop with color! This is a great idea for the eco-conscious hostess. No bowls need to be washed and the empty leaves can be placed Read more

At a traditional Seder dinner, no flour products are consumed, so my menu consists of flavorful and delicious dishes that are Passover friendly. To start things off create a cheese display with matzo crackers and cured olives. Once guests have had time to mingle, ask everyone to join you at the table. Serve a parsley, radicchio, and napa cabbage salad with lemon vinaigrette as the first course. Read more