We have been noticing an explosion of color across the internet in the form of brilliantly colored sugar cookies. Glittering sugar, colored glazes, and pretty designs seem to be everywhere. Here are a few inspiring designs we've seen around — maybe they'll inspire you to bake up a batch of pretty sugar cookies soon! More

We know a lot of you are giving up something for Lent. Maybe it's sweets or alcohol, or maybe you're going full-on vegetarian. More common is the Catholic tradition of eating fish on Fridays. For that, we have some help. More

Every year, Max and I make a nod to our shared Irish Catholic heritage and give up something for Lent. This year it's a biggie: alcohol. For a food writer who usually drinks wine with almost every meal, this one is a challenge. We did it once before, but it was before food and wine were such a big part of our lives.

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It's quite appropriate that Top Chef filmed its finale in New Orleans, because we've got Mardi Gras on the brain (it's this Tuesday). So do many of you, it turns out. We've had a few requests for Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras menu ideas, including this one from Ashley:

With February being the month to celebrate Mardi Gras... any fabulous recipes for a Fat Tuesday party? We're hosting one on February 24th and would love some great cajun food ideas! Thanks so much, and laissez les bon temps roule! More

I have a bone to pick with Mark Bittman.

I read his Minimalist column in the NY Times every week and usually love it. His recipes are smart and easy. Everyone here at the office loves him: his No Knead Bread will live on forever, and have you tried his Braised Turkey? Faith did and loved it.

But...Yesterday I was perplexed to find Bittman had done a piece about making prosciutto-wrapped asparagus for a holiday appetizer. More

With Thanksgiving nipping at our heels, it's a good time to remember all the things that help make a meal a great meal. Here's one I learned from both my mother and my husband: warm plates make a huge difference.

I'll admit that I don't warm the plates every time I serve someone food, but when it feels special, I always try to give them a little kiss of warmth. Here are a few ways of doing it. More

Now here's a handy tool for Thanksgiving and the other holidays swiftly approaching. We don't know about you, but there never seems to be enough room in our oven on the day itself. There are squash casseroles to be warmed up, stuffing to be crisped, and many more dishes besides. We need more oven space, and this rack might be a major helper. More

Didn't have a chance to scoop up that Garden Patch Cakelet Pan yet? Now's the time. Williams-Sonoma has some spring and Easter items on sale right now, if you want to stock up for next year.

Also, a few year-round goodies that would make good graduation or wedding gifts this summer... More

Did you know that Easter comes twice a year? Well, sort of. Western and Eastern Christians celebrate it on different days, so while one eggs-n-bunny phase is long past, Orthodox Easter is this Sunday. Far more spring-like weather, we say!

In case you're celebrating Easter this weekend, here are a few good Easter recipes from our archive, including Pascha cheese with cherries, golden chocolate eggs, and a traditional sweet bread. More

So, there's a lot of egg on the web right now. It's a post-Easter bandwagon and we have no problem jumping right on. We love eggs and we are in love with egg cups, egg poachers, and eggs on toast and spring veggies. Here we go... More