Grenadine is that bright red, super sweet syrup that helps put the sun in a Tequila Sunrise and makes a Shirley Temple blush. It also occasionally puts the cherry in cherry cokes, but actually, grenadine is traditionally made from pomegranates (grenadine is French for pomegranate) and has a lot more going for it when you make your own. This quick, simple method for making homemade grenadine allows the tartness of the pomegranate to really come through and is a big improvement over the commercial versions.

Q: What are some gluten-free meal ideas for a couple with a new baby still in the hospital? A friend recently had a baby who is staying in the NICU. With all the time spent at the hospital, the parents have little energy to cook when they get home. 

Q: I'm hosting a burger bar party for 36 guests, including 6 kids. I'm planning on serving mushroom burgers, beef burgers, salmon burgers, grilled chicken, and grilled cheese sandwiches. How much of each burger should I make? I want to make sure I have enough!

Sent by Lucy

For the longest time I thought entertaining meant an all-out war with my family, my kitchen, and my senses. It was something I felt I had to conquer in order to become an amazing wife and friend. But I now realize that had I taken a step back and just made a few simple things a little extra special, I could have saved myself the stress and had more time to enjoy those around me. Here are 5 things you can do so you don't make the same mistakes I did!

I found a surprising note on the new nonstick pan I purchased. While the instructions noted that the pan had been fully seasoned and was ready for use, it suggested seasoning the pan twice a year to maintain its finish. Hold on a minute, we're supposed to season nonstick pans?  

Q: I'm getting ready to move into a new home and am devastated that I'll be leaving my gas stove behind! There's no possibility of installing a gas stove in the new house as there aren't any gas lines in the neighborhood, so I'm looking for advice on the best substitute. 

Q: My brother and his fiancée really want a carrot cake for their wedding cake, but I'm concerned that the cream cheese frosting will be a food poisoning risk. How long can a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting stay unrefridgerated before it becomes a health hazard?

Sent by Liz

I can't think of a more perfect person to interview for our Expert Essentials series (see the whole series so far here!) than Sam Mogannam, owner of Bi-Rite Grocery in San Francisco.  Not only did Sam grow up in the grocery store, which was owned by his family, but he went to culinary school and worked as a chef before returning to Bi-Rite to reinvent it from a cooks point of view.  He is absolutely dedicated to helping people love, appreciate, understand, and enjoy food and cooking.  Read on for his lively, engaging list of essential things for a happy home kitchen. 

Q: My boyfriend and I are trying to bring our lunches to work more often. I was wondering if your readers can recommend lunch-specific cookbooks or cookbooks with recipes that transport well? We both have refrigerators, microwaves and toasters at our respective offices.