Taste of Home February/March 2020

Over the past several months, I’ve reconnected with an old friend: baking. A few years ago, my husband and I bought an early 1900s Victorian house with a dark, cramped kitchen and almost no counter space. Even worse, the oven temperature was never consistent. Baking was no longer fun or easy, so I set it aside. Fast forward to last year when we gave that old kitchen a complete overhaul. Counter space—lots of it. Brand-new appliances, including a range with a double oven. Light, bright colors. Aah… Just like that, baking was back in my life and I rediscovered my love for it. If you share that same love—whether you are a veteran baker or want to begin—our new Bakeable section (page 33) will give you a heaping helping of from-scratch baking…

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[Indispensable] You Go, Grill! “I live in an apartment building, and there’s no grill readily available. This pan cooks on the stovetop and allows me to get those signature grill marks anytime, anywhere. So handy during frigid Wisconsin winters!” DISHING WITH Annamarie Higley TOH Associate Editor [Stuff We Love] Think you know food? This tabletop trivia game lets home cooks and food fanatics go head-to-head to test their culinary know-how. Breakfast tacos are as ubiquitous in Austin as live music. From food trucks to barbecue joints to coffee shops, dozens of establishments around the city serve up their own versions wrapped in a toasty tortilla. The Veracruz All Natural food truck fleet makes a mean migas breakfast taco. Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop keeps ’em simple, with bacon, egg and cheddar in a pillowy flour tortilla. Valentina’s…

TOSS ’EM A NEW TOY Show Fluffy some mid-February lovin’ by adding a new toy to its collection, suggests Shian Simms, veterinarian and chief of veterinary medicine at Bideawee, an animal shelter in New York City. “A lot of cats love playing with bird toys or chasing moving objects, like balls,” she says. Draw or sew on hearts if you feel extra festive. SCHEDULE A PLAY DATE For your outgoing doggy, there’s nothing more exhilarating than puppy playtime. Have your human honey over for dinner and invite Scout along, too, for the best kind of double date. LAY OUT A LUXE BED Comfort your dog or cat with a cuddly new bed, Dr. Simms says. Choose one that’s soft and the appropriate size (the bed should be 6 to 12 inches longer than the pet).…

Protect your heart If you don’t eat seafood (the primary food source for omega-3s), try walnuts. As a rich, plant based source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), they provide more omega-3s (2½ grams per 1-ounce serving) than any other nut. And they can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure—both risk factors for heart disease. Fight inflammation Several plant compounds and nutrients in walnuts (including polyphenols, ALA and magnesium) may help decrease inflammation, which is at the root of many chronic illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Type 2 diabetes. Reduce cancer risks Thanks to their dietary fiber and nutrients, walnuts can improve gut functioning. Regularly eating walnuts may slow the growth of certain kinds of cancer, including colorectal cancer, so add them to salads, yogurts and stir-fries. Keep skin healthy Besides protecting your heart, omega-3s make…

Taste Panel Says: “BUBBLY AND CRISP. LOVE THE GINGER KICK.” KOMBUCHA PROBIOTIC POWERHOUSE GT’s Organic & Raw Gingerade $3 Fizzy with a refreshing bite, our fave fermented tea is a must-try. Don’t shy away because of the floaty bits you see—it’s the stuff that makes it healthy! SPIRALIZER THE TOP ZOODLER Paderno 8-Cut Collapsible Spiralizer $60 Grab your vegetables and give ’em a twirl. This trusty spiralizer slices up both firm and soft produce easy peasy—without much food waste in the process. Win! The stowable blades and superior stability make this a grade-A gadget. Test Kitchen Says: Cleaning spiralizers can be a chore, but this one comes with a brush that makes it a snap. SALAD DRESSING Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette $3 This is the MVP of salad dressings. Drizzle it on your Caprese, douse your steakhouse and toss it with your…