Better Homes and Gardens March 2023

THE HEADLINE BELOW comes from the title of a book by Elizabeth David, one of my favorite writers about food. Her insightful essays came to mind when I was scrounging through the disorganized pantry of my brain searching for an editor’s letter topic for this, our latest food issue. Food writing, or cookery writing as it is called in the UK, is a genre of books that focuses on the history and cultural context around what we eat, more than merely providing recipes. I love these books and have a list of beloved writers I’ve turned to over the years. Like garden essayists, food writers who share concepts rather than strict how-to instructions, necessary as those things are, influence my actions the most. David, who is largely credited with bringing the…

The thing that makes me feel healthiest is exercising. It’s how I start every day. I find the time by getting up early and doing it first thing before the rest of my to-dos take over—it makes me feel more awake throughout the day than sleeping in that extra hour would. It’s also a way of putting myself first while everyone else is still sleeping.MONIKA EYERS, home editorI joined a nearby studio that teaches a restorative type of yoga called Kaiut, soI get out to a class and connect with other people. The yoga is designed to loosen joints and reset the brain and nervous system—but slowly over time so the practice is very relaxing. It feels like melting butter as everything opens up inside. It’s the best thing I’ve…

Dream Inspiration of the month ● The hallmarks of authentic English style—aged brass hardware, Shaker-style cabinetry, butcher-block counters, and a mantel over the cast-iron range—layer on the charm in this kitchen designed by Maddalena Minerva. Touches such as a well-loved leather chair, vintage art, and an antique rug invite lingering. 1 WARM CONTRAST The scale of this kitchen is grand, but its timeless palette could work anywhere. Minerva drew inspiration from the original oak beams (the chosen material for counters, dining furniture, and stools) and the lush garden (translated as rich green cabinetry by deVOL Kitchens). She opted for cream-color walls and subtly crackled backsplash tiles to add texture and warmth without overwhelming. 2 MIXED MATERIALS Much of this kitchen’s appeal lies in its surfaces. Even if your kitchen is not blessed with a vaulted ceiling,…

Party-worthy arrangements that make the most of spring ● Early-flowering branches like redbud are alluring after a long winter, but their heaviness can make them daunting to arrange. Enter the floral frog, which secures branches even in a low vessel so you can show off their shape. Soften the base of the arrangement with other early-spring flowers like tulip magnolias and hellebores. ● Re-create the wild beauty of a flower field with daffodils in various shapes and colors, including sunshine yellow and pale peach. To extend the theme to the rest of the table (for Easter brunch, say), you can use any small vessel, even an egg cup, fitted with a tiny floral frog at the base. A topdressing of moss is an extra-earthy touch. ● It can be hard to choose among…

If this light and creamy confection looks like it belongs on a dessert cart, there’s a good reason. It’s one of many offerings from the famous dessert trolley at Ballymaloe House, a country hotel in seaside East Cork, Ireland (and one of many treats featured in Ballymaloe Desserts, a new cookbook by longtime pastry chef JR Ryall). As luck would have it, you don’t need to be a pastry chef to pull this one off. Irish Coffee Meringue Gâteau The whipped cream filling in pastry chef JR Ryall’s impressive stacked meringue cake is intentionally unsweetened to complement the sweeter meringue layers. For a milder whiskey flavor in the cream, JR says you can fold in 3 Tbsp. Irish cream liqueur instead of the whiskey. HANDS ON 30 min. TOTAL TIME 2 hr. 30 min. 1…

PHOTOS: (HEADBOARD) PRUE RUSCOE, (3, 4, 6, 7) JASON DONNELLY, (5) JACOB FOX…