We've all been in this predicament: you opened a fresh bottle of wine, poured yourself a glass, then realized weeks later that you wasted tons of vino. This may have been a bummer in the past, but it's time to rethink this age-old problem. Leftover wine does not need to go to waste down the drain; it can be repurposed for sheer culinary delight. Here are three easy ways to make the most of your Read more

Photo: Camilla Salem When building salads, it's far too easy to get stuck in a rut. You know what works, buy the same ingredients, and inevitably eat green leaf lettuce with black olives, sliced tomatoes, and shredded carrots everyday. However, with a little creativity and an open mind at the grocery store, you can enjoy a fabulous variety of healthful and scrumptious salads on a regular basis. Read more

Your morning cup of coffee may be sacred, but every once in a while, it's good to shake things up and get creative. Cream and sugar are always going to be there for you, so why not try something new? Spice up your coffee (or spike it up) with interesting additions and mix-ins. Try adding spices to the coffee grounds before brewing. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common additions. If you're looking 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

We all get hungry throughout the day, and while it's easy to pop into the nearest café or corner store to pick up something to nibble on, it's much more rewarding, and satisfying, to make your own snacks. The good news is if you spend a little time on the weekend preparing some tasty treats, you'll be able to toss them in a bag and throw them into your purse to enjoy for the week ahead. Note: Read more

Love the texture and flavor of nuts? Then take the time to toast them before adding them to dishes. The difference between regular and toasted nuts is noticeable: a short period of high heat will release the oils within the nuts, enhancing the nutty flavor and the crunchy texture. If you're toasting a small amount of nuts, a cup or so, use a pan on the stove over medium-high heat. There's no Read more

Memorable drinks and bites aren't the only things at play inside the South Beach Wine and Food Festival tents — the Grand Tasting Village also holds an impressive lineup of cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs and culinary personalities. To my surprise, one of the most captivating (and entertaining) cooking demos came from Bravo's Bethenny Frankel. Although the Skinnygirl cocktails Read more

Here at the office, we're big fans of mason jar meals; we've found you can avoid the hassle that comes with plastic food containers if you bring your lunch to work or school in a Ball jar. These glass storage containers are easy to clean and not prone to residue. We love that they seal, which prevents leaking in your bag, and they leave no plastic flavor in food. Best of all, they can hold Read more

We're officially in the throes of West Coast Dungeness crab season, and there's no better way to celebrate than by purchasing a live or fresh-cooked crab, while the crustaceans are local and affordably-priced. But how do you know which live member to pick out from the crowd? Mike La Rocca, who helms A. La Rocca Sea Food, a wholesaler that supplies fresh Dungeness to seafood restaurants like Read more

When it comes to serving platters, I'm always looking for something festive and large. However, the tray that gets the most use in my kitchen is actually a wooden cutting board. The simple board doubles as a delightful serving tray for everything from crostini to crispy salami. By adding the rustic wood to a party's decor, a wooden board also makes the atmosphere seem less formal and more casual. Read more