Food Facts & Fun

When it comes to summertime freshness, not much beats the taste of a newly picked, vine-ripe tomato. Every cook worth his or her knives, however, should know which herbs go well with tomatoes.

By Rachel Oswald

On a cold winter day, nothing can compare to a frothy mug of hot chocolate. To make it even better, just add a spoonful of whipped cream or a handful of marshmallows. But don't get tired of the same old drink; spice it up.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Tomatoes are one of the most vital and versatile vegetables (OK, fruits) to have around, but they can also be hard to check for quality. How can we know whether the tomato we're buying is going to be a juicy treat or a flavorless disappointment?

By Gallagher Flinn

Ketchup is arguably the most popular and recognizable condiment on the market. But what you're used to finding in your grocery store or on the table of your local diner may have a different kick to it in other parts of the world.

By Sara Elliott

Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods you can add to your diet. But, like anything, they can get boring if they're prepared the same way every time you eat them. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to spice them up.

By Stefani Newman & Emilie Sennebogen

How does a food associated with cannibalism and believed to be toxic become known as the love apple? Whether you say "tomato" or "tomahto," we have the answer.

By Molly Edmonds

If you've ever tried to coerce a youngster into eating good-for-you foods, you probably know the wondrous advantages of that child-friendly sauce, ketchup. More than mustard and better than mayo, ketchup is the colorful condiment.

By Sara Elliott

Christmas wouldn't be the same without a bunch of candy canes. But how did these sticky, striped treats become synonymous with the holiday anyway?

By Jennifer Walker-Journey

Oh, fudge, that wonderful candy with a rich, deep flavor and thick texture. It's the guilty pleasure of choice for many chocolate lovers, and fudge, in all of its many flavorful incarnations, isn't that hard to make -- if you have a little patience.

By Sara Elliott

The words "health" and "cake" aren't often uttered in the same sentence. Ingredients like butter and heavy cream make the cake taste great but can end up forever on the hips. A few substitutions can change that.

By Emilie Sennebogen

The cupcake is hotter than ever, and it's easy to see why. This individual-sized little cake has a frosted dome and the kind of personality that fits in at a class party or a wedding. But what are the most popular flavors?

By Chris Obenschain

These miniature cakes are more popular than ever thanks to the designer cupcake bakeries that have cropped up in major cities all over the country. How can you enjoy them without the guilt?

By Alison Cooper & Emilie Sennebogen

Going vegan means no animal products of any kind, including dairy. But how do you make a cake without the three holy ingredients of the baking world: eggs, butter and milk? Turns out, it's not so tough to bake vegan.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Cupcakes seem uniquely suited to our modern sensibilities. They're portion-controlled, portable, easy to make in batches, open to lots of decorating strategies, tasty and can be inexpensive to make. So, who is the genius behind them?

By Sara Elliott

When we broach the topic of cake, we start getting into passionate territory. People define important moments in life, like birthdays, weddings and holidays, with cake. But where did this obsession begin?

By Sara Elliott

Any parent who's planned a festive first birthday party only to have the guest of honor sleep through the proceedings or seem a little lost and forlorn will love the idea of a smash cake celebration. Let your child dig in -- literally.

By Sara Elliott

Tomatoes are wonderfully versatile when it comes to preparation. They can be stewed, stuffed, baked, broiled, pureed, pickled, deviled, glazed, grilled and fried. But how do you match the tomato to the meal?

By Jessika Toothman

It's easy enough to peel food at home with hot water and a pan -- but surely the world's canned produce is peeled by some faster means? What is flash steaming, and how fast does it work?

By Jessika Toothman

The noble art of mixology goes a long way past alcohol. These five kiddie "cocktails" are perfect for parties, special occasions or just a hot afternoon. The days of raising plastic cups of milk to toast are gone for good.

By Gallagher Flinn

Holiday cheer and colorful cookies just seem to go mitten in mitten. Not only are they a hit at any soiree, but they also make great gifts. So, if you plan to deck the halls with trays of cookies, why not go the extra mile and decorate them yourself?

By Emilie Sennebogen

From the early days of scooping out ice cream floats at soda fountains, sundaes now have become a household treat that you can make for yourself and your family. So, why not make Sunday a fun day for making ice cream sundaes at home?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Autumn is a beautiful time of year when a crisp coolness fills the air. So bundle up and visit a pumpkin patch or get lost in a corn maze. It's time to enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

An apple a day will keep the doctor away! Did you know that approximately 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States? Apples are a delicious fruit that is available year-round and they are full of vitamins and nutrients.

The key to low-calorie desserts? Smaller portions, natural sweetening from fruit and low-fat dairy. These five desserts keep the calorie count low while still satisfying your sweet tooth.

By Debra Ronca

To some of us, growing a crop in the shade is a perplexing concept. But for crops like coffee, shade is a good thing -- for the environment, for biodiversity and even for your cup of joe.

By Julia Layton