For the flakiest crust, use real lard and a touch of vinegar. Pork lard has a milder flavor than shortening or oil and produces an even flakier crust than butter. Therefore, it is easier to incorporate it into the flour. Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Canned pumpkins shelf-stable reliability makes it a classic base for pumpkin pie filling. For me, its about simplicity and tradition. But several of our consulted chefs told us that fresh pumpkin yields a much more robust pie filling....

Roux is good for far more than gumbo. Learn how to make a roux. It’s used in many dishes you know and love. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What Is a Roux? A roux refers to a mixture of equal parts flour and fat thats cooked into a smooth paste. The fat coats and helps to separate the starchesbasically preventing lumps. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What Can You Make With Roux?...

Southern interior designers share how to instantly make a small dining space appear larger. Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Stuck with a small dining space? Here, Southern experts weigh in with useful insights regarding furniture shape, wall color, and much more. Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Sallie Lord, the founder ofGreyHunt Interiorsin Chantilly, Virginia, agrees. The key in of seating you select for a small dining space is also key....

you’re free to turn any sheet cake into a layered dessert with just four simple steps. It also typically requires you to use multiple pans. But what if we told you there’s another way? Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley With a little assembly, you’re able to turn a sheet cake into a two-layer treat. Use a gentle sawing motion for a clean slice. If you’re able to, avoid using a dull knife, which might tear the delicate sponge....

No one will ever know they’re not from scratch. How did it happen this time? Or is it late at night, and you suddenly remember theoffice potluckis tomorrow? Credit: istetiana/Getty Images So, don’t panic. Nobody will ever suspect those chocolatey treats came from a box. Shhh…we won’t tell! Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Instant coffee is also a substitute for espresso powder. Check Your Pantry Have a look through your pantry at what is available....

Homemade buttermilk is easy to make with milk and vinegar. What Does Buttermilk Do in a Recipe? Besides acting as a liquid ingredient, buttermilk adds flavor and acidity to a recipe. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox In baked goods, the acid in buttermilk can react with baking soda to provide lift. Is Homemade Buttermilk the Same as Store-bought? No, homemade buttermilk won’t be exactly the same as store-bought. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox...

Cut thick breasts into chicken cutlets with our easy instructions. What Is a Chicken Cutlet? Chicken cutlets are prized because they cook faster and typically more evenly than thicker breasts. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This keeps the lean meat of the chicken breasts from drying out. How Do You Flatten Chicken for Chicken Cutlets? How To Make Chicken Cutlets With the right equipment, making chicken cutlets takes just minutes....

It’s never too late to strike the perfect balance of heat and flavor. Overusing hot peppers or selecting particularlyspicy varietiescan lead to a chili that’s too fiery for some to enjoy. If you find your chili has turned out too hot, don’t worry. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox What Makes Chili Spicy? Capsaicinis the active compound found in chili peppers that accounts for their heat level. Interestingly, capsaicin doesn’t have a flavorit simply affects the sensory nerves, causing food tofeelhot or spicy....

Giving your desserts a decadent, shiny finish with chocolate ganache is easier than you think. Shiny, silky, and oh-so chocolaty, ganache is the extra special touch on many desserts. It can even be whipped into a mousse-like filling for cakes or piped onto cupcakes. Credit: Lilechka75/Getty Images What Is Ganache? Butter is often added for extra richness. We’ll breakdown how to make a simple ganache to use as a frosting, filling, or mousse....

Secrets to keep cut flower arrangements perky and fragrant. The kind with big, vibrant blooms all bundled together. There’s also nothing quite as disappointing as watching the rapid and relentless wilting of said bouquet. Credit:Erin Adams So we’ve gathered our favorite tips to preservefresh-cut flowersso that you might enjoy them for longer. Better start on them now. Cut Stems Diagonally This classic trick is a must before arranging blooms. Re-trim the stems every few days for fresh cuts that will help maximize the amount of water they drink....

Because deviled eggs are so delicate. you might wonder whether you’ve got the option to make them the day before. Read on to learn the right way to make deviled eggs ahead of time. Credit:Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster Have an airtight container ready, big enough to hold the halved egg whites. You also need a disposablepiping bagfor the filling. Instead, follow these four steps to get everything ready to go and fill the eggs just before serving....

you’re free to still make deviled eggs. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Some people, bless their hearts, are not mayonnaise people. Yes, you heard right. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Thatclassic Southern delicacycan be made without mayonnaise. And you might still keep classic ingredients like mustard and pickle relish. Read on to see how to make delicious deviled eggs without mayo and get creamy results. It’s tangier than mayonnaise, which changes the flavor of the filling slightly....

We bet you already have an unlimited supply in your kitchen. But they’re challenging to perfect. Most folks spend years experimenting with ingredient measurements until they find a recipe that works for them. Credit: Amarita / Getty Images We’re here to help you speed up the process. Water is the unassuming and necessary component that your scrambled eggs desperately need. It’s as simple as this: add a splash of water to your already-whisked eggs....