When you think of the perfect pie, chances are you don't think about a soggy crust. And I'm willing to bet you don't dream about burnt edges either. The dish you bake your pie in is a very real factor in the outcome of the perfect pie. Let's talk about which one you should reach for next time you're rolling out a batch of dough. More

It looks like ordinary plastic wrap, but it's not. It's free, it's user-friendly, and it ranks right up there with wooden spoons and measuring cups as an essential for everyone's kitchen. It's the shower cap! More

I was recently given a jar of homemade spoon butter, and it rules. What does one do with spoon butter, you ask? Slather it onto your wooden spoons, let them sit overnight, and then buff with a dry cloth. It brings the sheen back to your spoons, and protects them from drying, cracking, and staining. (And bonus points for leaving your hands soft.) More

I had read about the importance of an oven thermometer years ago, and purchased one for my apartment oven. The difference wasn't much, but it was great to know what was really going on in there. However, when I moved, I forgot the little thing and left it hanging on the middle rack. More

You know how tea can stain teeth? Undesirable, right? But take that same staining ability and apply it to plain-jane white table linens and you have yourself a real gem. Just check out these examples: More

When I bake, I may or may not pull out my spatula, my small whisk or my stand mixer. But the one tool I know I'll always need is a half sheet pan. Yes, they may look like simple cookie sheets, but these pans are all-purpose multi-taskers, worth much more than their $10 price tag. More

As we've said time and time again, a chef's knife is a very personal thing. There is no one-size-fits-all. It's all about how that particular knife feel feels in your hand, whether the size, weight, and comfort is specifically suited to you. More

Twine and funnels are an integral part of smooth kitchen operation. That said, you don't need them day in and day out, so this storage method is a great tip for a small space. More

Choosing my favorite baking tool was a difficult challenge. I thought first about the things that I use often like my favorite zester or my Silpat. Then I thought about things with emotional significance like my grandmother's cookie cutters or my mom's old sheet trays. But when it comes right down to it, there's only one favorite. More

Pastry scrapers really need their own infomercial. It slices! It dices! It cleans up gunked-on messes! I use mine for all of the above. More