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  To batch or not to batch — that is always the question when you know a gathering is coming. By batching cocktails, it frees you up to play host, mingle and ensure everyone is having fun without having to be constantly on call at the bar. It also allows guests to feel welcomed and elevates a party – they don’t have to mix their own cocktails from a selection of items, no one has to worry about what wine to open and it gives the vibe of a signature drink.      However, there are several pitfalls when it...

You just wanted to make a cake and now you’re standing in front of a row of different types of vanillas, unsure of which one to choose. With different price points and packaging, they all seem pretty exotic, but which one will be the best for what you’re making? And, since vanilla is the second-most expensive ingredient in the world, second only to saffron, how will you make sure you’re buying the one that will offer you the most options.  Check out what makes each vanilla the same, or different, from the next in hopes that you won’t ever have...

Whether you’re a novice home cook or someone who can slice and dice your way around the kitchen, there is one thing that you may still be getting wrong: Salting. Yes, that’s right – there are different types of salt for different reasons!    Kosher salt is primarily used for seasoning while cooking, brining, baking, boiling water for pasta — adding salinity where texture isn’t necessarily important. For example, he says, scrambling eggs. Best practices for using Kosher salt include salting pasta water, mashed potatoes, butternut squash soup and for baking bread.  Finishing salt is a relatively new thing in the...

It’s so easy to get caught up in just stacking your liquor bottles on your bar cart. But then you look at it in the corner and it becomes a pain point instead of one that you’re proud to show off. It starts with changing your mind about what your bar cart should be – a design-forward piece of the home that has your personal brand written all over it, but that should also be easy to use for a party or small gathering. It does not replace your liquor cabinet. And it is, actually, not your liquor cabinet.   ...

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting out, knowing the right cooking vessel for the job is half the battle when it comes to creating a flavorful meal. The cookware industry has a lot of materials out there – carbon steel, stainless steel and copper, to name a few.  But when it comes to cooking on these heavy metals, how is cooking on copper different than stainless steel? How does it impact a meal?  We got the scoop on the different types of metal cookware so you know exactly which one is right for you.    Copper Cookware...