photo by verybadlady

Dips are the perfect accompaniment to standard party appetizers. Fancy dips can be intimidating for family and guests, so having a selection of practical, tasty dips will ensure that you don’t end up with an abundance of leftovers when the party is over. As a bonus, the following crowd-pleasing recipes can be made in advance, so pairing them with fruit, bread, crackers, chips or vegetable trays will be …

Photo by MMcM

DEAR SARA: I bought shredded wheat, and my kids don’t like it. Any ideas for using it up in a different way? — Susie, via forums
DEAR SUSIE: Try crumbling it and adding it to yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, cookies, breads, muffins and on salad. It would be good in apple crisp and meatloaf, too.
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photo by tokyofoodcast

My husband gave me a garlic press, and I don’t know how I went without one for so long. What was I thinking? I’ll tell you what I was thinking: I didn’t need it. Some purchases are investments in ourselves, such as items that offer comfort, knowledge, more time and sometimes just because it makes us happy. We can get by without gizmos, and for generations we have, …

If your family is the meat-and-potatoes type like mine, it can be challenging to introduce new side dishes without someone giving it a thumbs down. You need side dishes that are so simple and delicious that they become center stage. Opening a can is convenient, but if you’ve been relying on that, you’ve got to try the following recipes that will give a fresh twist to your side dishes. All …