Food and Recipes

Sodium may be necessary for life, but in large quantities, it can cause major health problems. The trouble is, when we say large amounts, we're not talking about much -- even a tablespoon a day unhealthy. So how can you season food without all the salt?

By Jessika Toothman

Even if your food doesn't taste salty, that doesn't mean there isn't a whole lot of sodium lurking in your meal, particularly if you bought it, rather than made it. But there are some options. Here are five foods for dinner naturally low in sodium.

Sodium and salt are the same, right? And salt causes high blood pressure, too, doesn't it? With so many myths about sodium, we don't know what to eat anymore. And with so much contradictory information out there, how can we tell what's true?

By Maria Trimarchi

It doesn't take much talent to cut a tomato well, but it does take some care. Here, five tips to help you turn a beautiful tomato into a slice, a chunk or a perfect, tiny square you can be proud of.

By Julia Layton

You've picked tomatoes from your garden and made a scrumptious homemade sauce on your stove. But the consistency just isn't right. Don't worry; there are a ton of ways to thicken up your sauce.

By Sara Elliott

The use of a fresh tomato is seemingly endless. You can make pasta sauce, salsa or even eat it raw and whole. So, it only makes sense that you grow your own in your garden. Have too many coming off the vines? We'll tell you what to do with them.

By Sara Elliott

Tomatoes are easy to grow in your backyard garden -- maybe a little too easy. When the season's over, and you're stuck with more tomatoes than you know what to do with, it's a shame to throw them out. Now, you don't have to.

By Sara Elliott

Tomatoes are a staple vegetable found in countless recipes. If you want the freshest tomatoes for your fare, you can grow your own and can the leftovers before they go bad. We'll give you five tips to help you can your bounty.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Few things add flourish to a dish like a gorgeous garnish. And, thanks to the tomato's versatility, there are plenty of ways to make it the co-star of any plated affair.

By Laurie L. Dove

So, you want to live forever ... almost. Can your diet help get you there? Maybe. What are some foods that increase longevity? Hint: None of them contains lots of preservatives.

By Heather Kolich

Who doesn't want to dig their teeth into a delectable pastry? The creamy filling oozes onto your fingers. The pastry shell melts in your mouth. What are the world's greatest pastry inventions?

By Debra Ronca

Are you invited to a lot of parties? And when you're invited to these parties, are you always asked to bring a dessert? Perhaps you're a born pastry chef.

By Debra Ronca

When people want to help feed the hungry, most will donate food, time or even money. And those things are always needed and appreciated. But if you want to get more involved, we have a list of things you can do.

By Sara Elliott

So you have a recipe that your friends swoon over, and you're looking for a career change. Or, maybe you're getting back into the working world but want to be your own boss. How do you get your big break?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Thanksgiving Day can be the stuff of memories, and cooks everywhere plan their menus carefully, plot out their seating arrangements and strategize their approach to dinner. What can you do to make your feast a success?

By Sara Elliott

Have you ever left the theater after a food-centric film with your mouth watering for the onscreen delights? What are 10 movies that have left us wanting more -- or left us seriously questioning what's stocked in the pantry?

By Jessika Toothman

Few things cause more joy in young children than eating. Sometimes, though, overzealous (and clumsy) hands don't quite know how to handle certain foods, and healthy snacks and sweet treats alike can be hazardous.

By Christine Venzon

Liver in your strudel? Sure, 3-year-olds are picky eaters, but sometimes full-grown taste buds have some strong opinions, too, like no organ-filled pastries. What are 10 foods we love to hate, and how can we get past our culinary prejudices?

By Julia Layton

If autumn has you lamenting the end of summer's sweet corn and sun-warmed peaches, take heart. Hardy and slow-growing, fall crops come into their own just as summer fruits and vegetables are packing it in.

By Christine Venzon

Today, there are vast culinary realms to explore, and the route is as clear as your Internet connection. We've got five foods you should give a chance -- some you might recognize, some you might read about for the first time, others could have you holding your nose.

By Christine Venzon

Nougat is the stuff inside candy bars that makes them so fluffy and delicious. Yet it looks different in a Snickers bar than it does in a 3 Musketeers. What gives? Here's what you need to know about nougat.

By Chris Obenschain

If you're a coffee lover, then your neighborhood barista is a very important person in your life. But is he or she telling you everything about the cafe's caffeinated concoctions?

By Debra Ronca

Kate and her kids prepared these dishes with chef Emeril Lagasse. Now you can try these delicious, kid-friendly recipes with your little ones.

Home Made Simple recipes are tasty dishes that even the most amateur cook can prepare. Try these deliciously simple recipes from the Home Made Simple.

Honey is an ancient and delicious pleasure. Read on to learn some of the best ways you can use it to sweeten your kitchen.

By Julia Layton & Mark Boyer