Bisi bele bath is a celebrated rice dish from Karnataka, made with lentils, vegetables and a fragrant spice mix. Also known as bisi bela huli anna, the dish often includes tamarind for a pleasant tang. This version is inspired by memories of Mysore and family kitchens. My neighbor Latha aunty once taught my mother how … Read more

This Japanese Black Sesame Pudding is simple to make from scratch and delivers a silky, deeply flavored dessert with minimal fuss. Using just a few pantry staples and high-quality black sesame paste, you can create an elegant Japanese-style pudding that’s rich, nutty, and perfectly balanced. Recipe contributed by Lucy. Image credits retained. A single spoonful … Read more

I’m thrilled to take part in the Silhouette Challenge! The Silhouette Challenge is a monthly group posting event that happens on the second Monday of every month at 10 a.m. Eastern. The idea is to try a new material or medium with your Silhouette machine and share the result on your blog. This month, participating … Read more

This budget-friendly Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, family-approved meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It combines the familiar, savory flavors of sloppy joes with melted cheddar and a crispy layer of tater tots on top. The ingredients are simple and affordable—ground beef, onion, green pepper, tomato sauce, ketchup, and frozen tater tots—so … Read more

If your sourdough starter isn’t bubbling, doubling, or performing as it should, it needs a targeted boost. Starters can survive periods of neglect, but getting them back to reliable activity takes consistent care and the right techniques. Below are practical, tried-and-true methods to strengthen a sourdough starter and restore vigorous yeast activity. These tips help … Read more

Start canning pumpkin in your kitchen so you have homemade pumpkin ready to use year-round for pies, breads, soups, baby food, and other favorite recipes. While it isn’t safe to can pumpkin in pureed form, canning pumpkin in 1-inch chunks is a reliable preservation method. Having jars of pumpkin cubes on the pantry shelf makes … Read more

I’m using bbPress on a development project, and the client asked for a “Report Abuse” link on replies. I packaged that functionality into a lightweight plugin called bbPress Report Abuse, which adds a convenient, admin-friendly way for users to flag problematic replies. When a visitor clicks “Report Abuse” next to a reply, they are taken … Read more

I recently returned from a visit to Iowa to see my daughter Allie and her sweet family. Watching the grandbabies’ faces is one of my favorite things. While there I sampled lots of local favorites—yes, plenty of beef and pork in farm country—and had a memorable bowl of chili at Jethro’s BBQ ‘n’ Bacon Bacon … Read more

This Coconut Cream Pie is inspired by the famous Zingerman’s Bakehouse recipe and is packed with real coconut flavor. A smooth coconut custard fills a buttery vanilla wafer crust, then gets topped with freshly whipped cream and crunchy toasted coconut flakes. It’s simple to make and impressive to serve. I’ve long admired Zingerman’s Bakehouse in … Read more

A couple of weeks ago I was talking with my neighbor about her trash collection bill. She mentioned she was paying $35 more than I was for essentially the same service, because she had stayed with a different company. She planned to switch, but before canceling she called her current provider to explain why. Immediately … Read more