Food and Recipes

Symbolic foods are an integral part of the festivities surrounding Chinese New Year, the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar.

Nicely pleated and well-stuffed Chinese dumplings are flavor-filled pillows worthy of main meal status. They're not hard to prepare, despite how it may look, and dumplings are a Chinese New Year's treat that's a great appetizer or side dish year round.

By Sara Elliott

Some fans of Chinese food are content to stick with basic sauces and spices common to this type of cuisine. Others wish to branch out and try new flavors. Check out our list of 10 sauces and spices to suit both of these preferences.

By Alia Hoyt & Sara Elliott

Chinese New Year is made up of a rich fabric of symbols, traditions and superstitions designed to influence the future. With a cultural heritage that spans more than 5,000 years, it's a 15-day celebration filled food that may shape your future.

By Sara Elliott & Francisco Guzman

For your next meal, will you be dining on last night's leftovers or munching on moldy meats and fetid vegetables? How can you tell when it's time to throw out the leftovers? Don't trust your nose to tell you.

By Chris Obenschain

Steak is a classic eyes-bigger-than-your-stomach food. Most people think they can finish the huge juicy goodness of a 24-ounce steak, but more often than not, they can't. What do you do with all of the leftover steak?

By Sara Elliott & Gallagher Flinn

Few people will dispute the fact that foods like French fries and pancakes are best eaten hot from the deep fryer or griddle, but some day-old foods actually taste better than fresh ones. Which ones made our list?

By Alia Hoyt & Danielle Fisher

In TLC's "Ultimate Cake Off," you'll see the greatest cake artists in the world. Check out our collection of pictures and see what we mean.

Immigrants settled in the United States and flooded the country with foods, methods of preparation and recipes native to their home country. The culmination of all of these influences has made up the varied and delicious American cuisine we have today.

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you're throwing a cocktail party, the biggest part of your budget goes toward the cocktails. After you buy the liquor, wine and beer, how can you make do with minimal funds for food? We've got some ideas.

By Victoria Vogt

Throwing a memorable cocktail party doesn't have to be a costly celebration. Try these tips for planning the perfect party without breaking your budget.

By Sara Elliott

Picking the right drink to pair with your dish can sometimes mean the difference between a memorable meal and a dinnertime disaster. Which drinks should you choose to enhance the flavors of your favorite food?

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you're feeling down and out, your diet may be partially to blame. Next time you're in a funk, reach for one of these five mood-enhancing foods.

By Chris Obenschain

Just because children are too young to drink alcohol doesn't mean they have to be limited to boring beverages. These ideas for kiddie cocktails let children safely celebrate with the grown-ups.

By Sara Elliott

If you've ever woken up to a pounding headache and a nauseous stomach, then you know how bad a hangover can be. But what drinks cause the worst hangovers?

By Sara Elliott

Serving champagne properly is more than pouring it into a glass -- it takes preparation and practice. How can you serve up this bubbly beverage the right way at your next celebration?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Home meal delivery services take the guesswork out of dieting, but do they really deliver the goods? The short answer is yes -- and no. While they do have many advantages, they may not have long-lasting effects.

By Sara Elliott

You don't have to look far for a number of likely culprits in the healthy-diet battle. From nutrition-barren fast foods to packaged foods filled with sodium and bad-for-you fats, eating a healthy diet can be tough.

By Sara Elliott

We associate grilling with sunshine and fun. Although the weather doesn't always cooperate, you can still have a good time grilling in the rain, snow or cold. Here are some tips designed to help you cope.

By Linda C. Brinson

There's no good reason to cook a choice cut of meat without seasoning it. Doctoring up your favorite foods with a little flavor transforms meals. These 10 marinades, brines and rubs are a cinch to make.

By Echo Surina

Although many people turn to salads for a healthy meal, one simple thing can ruin good intentions -- the salad dressing. To help cut back on the fat, we have ten easy-to-make dressings that can keep your greens healthy and great-tasting.

By Kim Williamson

Firing up your grill can melt away the winter blues and bring back memories of summertime cookouts. But instead of roasting hot dogs over the coals, try grilling your favorite veggies for an intense, smoky flavor and nutritious boost.

By Bambi Turner

When you're craving fatty foods -- pizza, potato chips or chocolate cake -- you know a salad just isn't going to satisfy your hunger, and you may be wondering why fat tastes so good.

By Sara Elliott

For most, grilling means cooking outdoors for family and friends on a warm, summer day. But there's a group of people out there that see grilling as so much more: a competition to be named the best griller in the land.

By Sara Elliott

Even though most people host a traditional holiday meal with the roasted turkey and all the trimmings, some people shun tradition in favor of doing something a little different. Try the grill instead of the oven for a unique holiday dinner this year.

By Emilie Sennebogen