A few weeks ago, our nephews came to visit. They’re 5 and 7, and most often lately we make forts and watch movies and eat popcorn. This time, though, we decided to break out some kitchen experiments as an activity. I found an old Kitchen Experiments book my mom had passed on from my childhood, and the book fell open to a page that said “A Heat Your Own Hot Chocolate Project....

What foods make you most nostalgic? Is it your grandmother’s peach cobbler? Your mom’s mac and cheese? It’s interesting how generational foods have become. If you’re part of my generation, you might have fond memories of tater tots. A little Google research shows they were invented in 1953 when a company was trying to decide what to do with leftover slivers of cut up potato. They chopped it, mixed it with flour and salt and fried up little bits of it....

When it comes to pizza, I’m a 200 percent meat eater. But, every now and then, I really want to take a break from my meat eating habit, and indulge in wholesome vegetarian food. I’ll tell you a big secret. One of my biggest goals this year is to eat less meat and include more plant based food in my diet. You see, I’m trying to eat healthy this year....

How to carve a chicken All you need to carve a chicken is a cutting board and a large chef’s knife. Get a platter ready and some aluminum foil to keep the pieces warm as you cut them off. Here’s how to carve a chicken: Alex and I know it’s easiest to learn by seeing something. Since we can’t jump into your kitchen, the next best thing is our step-by-step guide on how to carve a chicken!...

Here’s our tried and true method for cooking up a pot of jasmine rice! It’s perfect for serving with Southeast Asian style curries and stir fries. Alex and I are partial to jasmine rice for its mild, buttery flavor and the texture of the grains when cooked. It makes any curry taste like it just came out of a Thai restaurant. Here’s how to cook jasmine rice: a spin on the traditional method that’s faster and more reliable!...

Why was absinthe banned? Read more at our Guide to Absinthe. As two cocktail experts, Alex and I have been lucky enough to drink Pernod with a view of the Mediterranean in the South of France (truly an experience). What’s the best way to drink Pernod? Here’s everything you need to know! Pernod is made with star anise, fennel, and other herbs and botanicals. The anise or black licorice flavor is very strong, though not quite as potent as similar liqueurs like absinthe and pastis....

(In the pic: dosa served with sambar) One fine Saturday morning, I soaked some rice and black gram in water. The same evening I ground them to make silky smooth batter. Next morning they were fermented and ready to be made into crispy dosas. Now I guess you’ve assumed the amount of time involved in the making of these crepes. But for a good reason. Enjoying a classic breakfast with your family or friends on the weekend is something special....

What’s more fun than a good kitchen DIY? Here at A Couple Cooks, we love making things from scratch like Everything Bagel seasoning and pumpkin pie spice. When we have lots of herbs in our garden at the end of the season, we make our own herb salt. So want to learn how to make garlic salt? We’ve gotcha. This homemade garlic salt not only tastes better than store bought, it’s fun to make at home....

I’ve always been a savory snacker, but finding savory snacks that are also healthy is a different animal altogether.Lately, we’ve been loving veggie chips, peanut butter crackers, and this oven-roasted chickpea recipe. Rather than being loaded with oil and salt, the chickpeas are dried and then roasted in the oven, giving them an addictive crunchy texture. Recipe highlights Endlessly customizable. I give you a base recipe plus 7 recipe variations so you can make them different every time....

Ever brought fresh herbs inside, only to have them wilt a few hours later? We’ve brought in basil from our garden and placed it in a cup of water, only to have it fully wilted just 1 hour! Luckily, we’ve found a trick for how to store fresh basil: and all you need is a canning jar. The canning jar approach keeps basil fresh for 3 to 5 days! Here’s how to store fresh basil indoors to extend its life....

Frequently asked questions Over the years, we’ve discovered this quick and easy method that yields fine zest for using in recipes. (If you’re looking to make a cocktail garnish, go to How to Make a Lemon Twist instead!) Here’s how to zest a lime with a microplane (or fine holes on a box grater): Use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel off large pieces of the colored part of the skin only, dragging from the top to the bottom (not the pith)....

What to do with lots of apples? Make applesauce, of course! I grew up with an apple tree as a kid, and have fond memories of my family making applesauce every year. This homemade applesauce is our family favorite recipe, and it’s so good that Alex and I have adapted it for the Instant Pot! A pressure cooker makes it seriously quick and easy to make. All you need is a bunch of apples and a cinnamon stick....

What makes a good curry sensational? Yes, obviously, the flavors. And what makes curry cooked in an instant pot so delicious? The flavors that are sealed in the pot to deliver maximum deliciousness.The best part? This instant pot beef curry is the quickest and easiest way to make your favorite meal. Trust me, it tastes amazing without all the hard work of sautéing and waiting near the stove top. To be exact, it’s a “set and forget” recipe just like your favorite slow cooker meal....

Does Kahlua go in coffee? We’re glad you asked. This sweet coffee-flavored liqueur is at its best in a cup of joe, and it works any time of the day. Add it to morning coffee for a brunch pick-me-up, or serve it as a dessert drink topped with whipped cream like an Irish coffee. Anything goes, here! Add a hint of cream or just serve it black: it’s delicious whatever variation you choose....

Fish fry was something I always ate growing up in Kerala, the southern state of India. In Kerala, fish is staple food, and is eaten more often than chicken or meat. This recipe is very classic and pairs really well with rice. Although it’s very spicy, you could adjust the heat level depending on your taste. This fish fry recipe is easy to make, super tasty, and I’m sure you’ll love it....

Whenever I’m watching my carbs but craving comfort food, low-carb cauliflower mac n cheese is always a fabulous idea. Instead of using traditional macaroni noodles, I replaced them with lightly cooked cauliflower. After covering it in a creamy keto cheese sauce, I could barely tell that this was missing the pasta because let’s be real…the best part of mac and cheese is the cheesy sauce. It makes a fabulous vegetable side dish, or you can amp it up and make it a meal on its own!...

Keto Cheese Chips When it comes to keto cheese snacks, my favorite recipes to make are tortilla chips, crackers, and these easy cheese chips. When I first started following a lower carb diet, I really struggled with snacks. I’ve always been a snacker, and having a little something between meals has been key in keeping my energy levels high. The thing is, I never really snack on sweet things. Sure, if they are around, I’d have an energy ball or a granola bar, but honestly, I prefer things to be a little more savory....

We take appetizers VERY seriously in my family. Ever since I can remember, whenever my parents would host dinner parties or gatherings, they would ensure there was a plethora of appetizers served. To them, appetizers were the teaser of what was to come, and they’d always knock it out of the park. From crispy crab cakes to jalapeno poppers, there was always something for everyone and it was always delicious....

Looking for more keto ground beef recipes? Try keto meatloaf, keto lasagna, and keto chili. I love a quick and easy keto dinner, and nothing tastes as good as juicy, saucy, Italian meatballs. Traditional meatballs are usually bound with bread crumbs, which makes them unsuitable for a keto diet. Luckily, with a few smart swaps, my keto meatballs will rival any Italian Nonna! Why I love this recipe The best texture....

Love keto snacks? Try my keto fat bombs, keto crackers, and keto popcorn! Being keto means I snack more than usual, so it’s important to have plenty of snacks on hand. This keto-friendly trail mix has been a lifesaver. Plus, with less than 7 grams of net carbs per serving, it gives traditional trail mix a run for its money! Why I love this recipe Way cheaper than store-bought. Nowadays, a few brands offer keto-friendly trail mix, but it’s usually twice as expensive as the regular stuff....