Rendering Beeswax – A clear, practical guide to turning hive wax into clean, usable beeswax. If you’ve harvested honey, don’t discard the wax cappings. Properly rendered beeswax is a valuable, natural material you can use for candles, balms, wraps and many other projects. This guide explains a simple oven method to clean and render wax … Read more

Chocolate Cherry Coconut Bites A satisfying treat in a small package, these layered gluten-free dessert bites combine chocolate, cherries, coconut and almonds. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Course: Dessert Keyword: cherry, coconut, coconut bites Servings: 12 bites Author: Julie Rotz Ingredients 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons coconut flour … Read more

A warm, hearty lentil soup perfect for chilly days. Sausage and Lentil Soup combines sweet Italian sausage with leeks, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, and a caramelized tomato base, finished with a squeeze of lemon and simmered with a Parmesan rind for deep, savory flavor. This classic Italian-inspired soup is a family favorite and makes a filling, … Read more

If your food thermometer gives unreliable readings, it defeats its purpose. Thermometers are essential for safe, well-cooked food, but they can drift over time or be knocked out of calibration. Fortunately, you can test and recalibrate most thermometers at home. I consulted guidance from thermometer manufacturers and summarized the straightforward tests and maintenance steps that … Read more

This easy healthy shrimp and asparagus pasta is bright with lemon, quick to make, and requires just a few simple ingredients. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight when you want something light but satisfying. The shrimp and asparagus are gently sautéed in olive oil, finished with lemon juice and freshly grated … Read more

Print Sheet Pan Garlic, Parmesan Chicken & Vegetables Author Catherine’s Plates Ingredients 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders 1 egg 2 TBS lemon juice 2 tsp minced garlic 1/2 TBS chopped parsley 1/2 cup panko crumbs or breadcrumbs 1/3 cup grated Parmesan salt & pepper, to taste Vegetables 1 lb potatoes cut into … Read more

If you’ve ever paid $16 for a spicy margarita at a Tex‑Mex spot and thought “I could absolutely make this at home,” you were right — and this recipe proves it. After shaking hundreds of these over the years (I’m often the designated cocktail person at gatherings), this is the version friends now ask for … Read more

Matilda’s Chocolate Cake is one of those desserts that feels wildly indulgent with every bite. If you remember the movie, this is that cake — the enormous, over-the-top slice Bruce was challenged to finish. Here, though, you’re in your kitchen, not a school auditorium, and you can make a cake that tastes like a bakery … Read more

This Instant Pot chicken bone broth is quick to make and yields a gelatinous, nutritious stock perfect for soups, sauces, and everyday cooking. Homemade chicken bone broth requires just a few simple ingredients: poultry bones, optional chicken feet for extra collagen, some vegetable scraps or whole vegetables, fresh herbs, and seasoning. Though broth-making is an … Read more

Made with frozen peas, half and half, and cream cheese, these Creamed Peas are extra creamy and quick to prepare. Ready in just 15 minutes, they make a simple, comforting side that highlights the peas. Peas don’t always take center stage in my cooking, but this creamed peas recipe is one of those simple dishes … Read more