Sarah Rae Smith

Sarah Rae Smith has lived all across the Midwest and currently calls the bratwurst-laden city of Sheboygan home. She seeks out kitchens that make the best pie and farmers with fresh eggs.
10 Meals To Make In 10 Minutes Or Less
It seems these days a quick meal is less than 30 minutes — thank you Rachael Ray. But there are nights, now and then, when even 30 minutes can seem like a luxury. With 30 minutes we could cook a 3-course meal, do some laundry, run the dishwasher and whittle a horse from a spare piece of wood. In the real world, when you’re dashing from one evening activity to another, dinner sometimes needs to come together in 10 minutes or less.
Nov 28, 2023
When Calculating the Amount of Turkey per Person, Use This Simple Rule
Bonus: You'll be able to have plenty of leftovers.
Nov 1, 2023
How to Clean Your House in 20 Minutes a Day for 30 Days
There's no need to wait until the weekend to do everything at once.
Jul 20, 2023
A Clever Use for IKEA’s Magnetic Knife Strip
If you do a lot of painting projects, you'll love this.
Jan 13, 2023
Before & After: The $300 Kitchen Makeover
This kitchen was a little too honey colored for the homeowners, but working within a small budget, something had to change without too much expense. A little creativity, gold paint and some fabric later and the results are fabulous — all for $300!The fine folks over at One Project Closer have been busy renovating their kitchen. Their cabinet color was the easiest thing to change without having a high overhead. They set to work painting the edges which were then covered with white paint.
Sep 19, 2022
Recipe: Tropical Fruit Salad With Creamy Lime Sauce
When you think about dessert, the first thing that pops into your mind is usually a baked good of some sort. Cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, bars — I’ll stop a minute so you can wipe away the drool — but more often than not, what I really crave is a lime-laden fruit salad with a sweet sauce so smooth you’ll almost forget about those oven-based snacks! This fruit salad is more than your usual gathering of fruits in a bowl.
May 12, 2022
Lego Creations In The Kitchen
There’s no secret when it comes to our love for Legos in the kitchen. Yes the majority of us are total nerds (we admit that), but there’s a certain something about making something out of nothing. We ran across a cool kitchen collection of handmade Lego goods and just had to share.We first ran across these super cool Lego kitchen crafts from Lenore over at Flickr, where we followed the internet trail over to Evil Mad Scientist.
May 12, 2022
10 Simple Centerpieces Without Flowers
Although flowers are quite lovely and in abundance this time of year, some of us still might not have easy access to them. If you’re without a garden and don’t live in a big city, you can be stuck with what’s sold at your local grocer. And unless you’re into carnations, supply can be limited. Instead, try out one of these non-flower-based centerpiece ideas that you might already have in your kitchen! 1.
May 12, 2022
How Many of These 10 Mystery Kitchen Gadgets Can You Identify? Get the Answers Here
Did you take our quiz on mystery gadgets? Time to turn the page upside down and see how many you got right! (Or click through the gallery above to see the answers.) Corn on the cob butter-er and salter Vintage metal cookware handle Corn Stripper Pre-1950s broiler pan Vintage pot handle for Pyrex or Corningware dishes Nutcracker Ice crusher Potato Grater Egg or Pancake Ring Coconut Grater 1 to 3 correct: Zzzzt. You’re not into unitaskers are you?
May 11, 2022
Here Are the Only Kitchen Cleaners You Actually Need
“Honey can you hand me the bottle of window cleaner? It’s right behind the bottle of stainless steel stuff but in front of the wood polish and next to the doggy carpet spray.” Sound familiar? Having the right tools for the job is a good thing, but what happens when you have too many? Clutter! (Insert dramatic music here.) How many cleansers do you really need? Which ones are essential? What’s the bottle with the smeared label way in the back?
May 11, 2022
How To Make Flour Tortillas From Scratch
Good flour tortillas are a thing of beauty. Once you know the taste of fresh handmade tortillas, well let’s just say you’re missing out. Before we were making them ourselves we would drive across town to pick up the best of the best, but not any more because making them is as simple as mix, roll, heat and eat!Homemade flour tortillas come together with just a couple basic ingredients.
Apr 19, 2022
9 Inspiring Ideas to Help You Organize All the Stuff Under Your Sink
Organizing Tips from The Kitchn
Including the best way to store clean (and dirty!) towels, brilliant ideas for hanging spray bottles, a hack for stashing trash bags, and more.
Aug 2, 2021
I Tried KFC’s Leaked Secret Recipe and Here’s How It Went
Recently I found out that the supposed real mixture of magical 11 herbs and spices was released, and of course I scrambled to put it to the test. Man oh man, I'm sure glad I did!
Jun 21, 2021
Get Hotter Coals Faster with a Charcoal Chimney Starter (Here’s How)
Here's exactly how to light your coals with a chimney and some tricks for getting the coals hotter, faster.
May 19, 2020
How To Make Cream Biscuits
These simple cream biscuits are a take on the ever-delicious and classic buttermilk biscuits. And just as you’d expect with any biscuit, these are slightly crisp on the outside and pillow-soft on the inside. But what really makes them my go-to biscuit recipe on weeknights is the fact that from start to finish, these cream-based biscuits (no butter!) only take around 15 minutes to make.
Jan 31, 2020
Recipe: No-Bake Fat Elvis Peanut Butter, Pretzel & Banana Pie
There are very few cravings as strong as the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Combine it with pretzels, bananas and salty goodness and what do you have? A no-bake Fat Elvis pie, that’s what! There’s something ridiculously perfect about a dessert creation that doesn’t have to be perfect. Especially when the end result looks extra fancy.
Jan 29, 2020
Recipe: Savory Carrot & Zucchini Pancakes
My love for potato pancakes knows no bounds, but sometimes I’m looking for something with a little more color and personality. Move over, potatoes — these savory vegetable pancakes make an even better (and healthier) treat. A vegetable fritter isn’t anything new, but during the doldrums of winter, they can be just the thing to liven up your kitchen, clean out your pantry and fridge, and pack some extra nutrients into those little ones.
Jan 22, 2020
Snack Recipe: Extra-Dark Brownies with Sea Salt & Lime
When it comes to brownies it seems as though the sky is the limit. You can add almost anything to their moist interior, making each mouthful full of figurative fireworks. So why would you want to add something extra-dark, even bitter? The same reason you add lime to your beer — it just tastes good. But unsweetened chocolate? Really? Sure there are bittersweet and very bittersweet chocolates that can be used in this recipe if you’re too timid for the full-out unsweetened chocolate.
Jan 21, 2020
10 Ways to Eat Your Pantry All the Way to the End
With the end of the year comes a time of reflection on many parts of our home. Maybe you’ve acquired too many T-shirts this year, or possibly one too many garden gnomes. I tend to get myself into trouble in the pantry. The year is nearly over, but there are all sorts of miscellaneous odds and ends in there. Here’s how to make the most of those cans and boxes that are wrecking your New Year’s chi. 1.
Jun 8, 2019
10 Things Every Kitchen Needs That You Can’t See
Choosing the right equipment for your kitchen is important, and we believe making educated choices can keep clutter down and add harmony to the home. That said, the most important stuff in your kitchen isn’t your handmade Swedish cutting board or even your new Vitamix that cost as much as your first car. No, the things that every kitchen needs most aren’t actually things you can see at all! Read on for our picks for the 10 things your kitchen (and your cooking) need most of all.
Jun 8, 2019
Nutritious and Delicious Kid-Friendly Vegetarian Meals and Snacks
Looking for nutritious, tasty meal ideas for your tots that don’t rely on meat? Look no further! From tiny tortillas to fruit smoothies, these five vegetarian foods are perfect for kids.1. Mini Versions Of Large Things: It’s easier to make real meals in mini forms instead of coming up with snacks all the time. It can also be cheaper, but picking good meals to make in smaller form is key to success.
Jun 5, 2019
Tips on Pickling, Canning & Preserving This Year’s CSA Haul
So you signed up for a CSA. Your bounty is already starting to roll in, but wait — you’re having a hard time finishing things off with your busy spring schedule. That’s OK! Here are a few tips to help make sure you don’t let it go to waste, and to help you have tasty snacks when your CSA is a snow-covered memory later in the year.Well good news, you’ve stumbled upon a wealth of information.
Jun 5, 2019
5 Tips for Making a Week’s Worth of Salads on Sunday
For many years I worked in overnight retail management. Working odd hours is rough to begin with, but having something fresh for lunch at 2 a.m. was tricky, so we turned to salads — they were easy to make, quick to throw together, and always left us with a fresh burst of energy. Here are some tips I learned along the way to help you efficiently prep a variety of salad lunches on Sunday.
May 2, 2019
Product Review: Bamboo Partyware from Restaurantware
Although I might have a ridiculous amount of white plates on hand for parties, they’re all 12-inch rounds. This is fine until you’re serving strictly finger foods and really require something smaller. For a recent bridal shower, I put a few eco-friendly few pieces from Restaurantware to the test and I have to say — I was pretty darn impressed.Small disposable plates by nature usually, well, let’s be honest… suck.
May 2, 2019
Look! Rosemary Trees At Whole Foods
When my husband and I set foot inside our local Whole Foods this weekend it was crazy busy as you might expect before a holiday. We decided to divide and conquer our list and we each took half. When he returned he had arms full of the items I sent him off for and then… he also had a tree. A rosemary tree!Technically speaking, rosemary was on his list of things to get and our local store had these rosemary trees up for grabs at just $9.99 (instead of $3-$4/box).
May 2, 2019
5 Cookie Cookbooks Worth Owning
When I’m browsing through the cookbook section of the local bookstore, it’s very rare that I’m looking for a book that encompasses all the different courses and dishes one could eat. Instead, I’m usually very specific and looking for a book about meat or slow cookers, but in this case it’s cookies.Although it sounds silly to want to own 5 cookbooks worth of cookie recipes, if you’re truly digesting what’s in each book, it’s not difficult to do.
May 2, 2019
Nutrients In Disguise: Kale, Spinach & Pear Smoothie
As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve still never been able to jump aboard the baked or roasted kale bandwagon. Kale is OK, but it has never been one of my particular cravings — that is, until this kale and pear smoothie recipe came into my world. It’s delicious, it’s beautiful, it’s bright friggin’ green!Now, when we have the honor of mentioning Joy The Baker there’s usually baking involved.
May 2, 2019
20 Brilliant Breads To Bake Up For Dinner
Adding a bread to your dinner table is an inexpensive way to beef up a meal. Plus, just the thought of warm, homemade bread straight from the oven is enough to make even those who are carb-averse go weak at the knees. Forget storebought; baking bread is far easier than you think and here are 20 ways to do it!
May 2, 2019
Recipe: Steak with Drunken Mushrooms & Roasted Blue Cheese Potatoes
The lure of steak is simply irresistible. Add in beer-soaked mushrooms, caramelized onions, and some fingerling potatoes roasted with blue cheese, and you’ll have every neighbor within 300 feet of your front door standing in your kitchen. So lock ’em out, or welcome them in — either way, this 30-minute meal will knock the socks off your local steakhouse. I love to indulge in a great cut of meat and a few rich flavors to go with it.
May 2, 2019
Which Foods Are the Most Dangerous to Handle?
What food are most dangerous? Your mind might turn first to living creatures equipped with claws or pinchers. But actually, the foods that seem to give the most people a hard time aren’t alive. They are the foods that are slippery or hard to hold. I’ll tell you my most-feared food if you tell me yours! A few years ago Oprah made a big deal about bagels. Does anyone remember that? She cut herself holding one and afterwards she started giving away bagel slicers like mad.
May 2, 2019
The Best Way to Store Cilantro
I’m always excited when I purchase cilantro. In my neighborhood you can get four bunches for a dollar, and even if I don’t need all four bunches I still bring them home. I figure I’ll find a way to use all of them up, but inevitably there’s one sad bunch all soggy and brown in the back of the fridge a week later. But not anymore! Curious about which methods kept cilantro fresh longer, Jodi Torpey of the blog Vegetable Gardener tested a few out.
May 2, 2019
Holiday Centerpiece Idea: Turn Your Vegetables Into Vases!
I’m not a huge fan of traditional vases. They take up space under your counter and are tricky to wash. So I love these! We’ve shown you gourd and squash vases before, but these vases are made from all kinds of vegetables!Brit over at the aptly named Brit + Co blog has whipped up a smashing centerpiece that can not only be purchased on the cheap. The ends of vegetables are sliced off to create a flat surface in which to rest and then cored out to create a vase or candlestick holder.
May 2, 2019
15 Adorable Pets Who Make Their Kitchen a Happier Place
The kitchen is the heart of the home and cooking for your family or loved ones is a feeling second to none. But there’s another member of the household who is also often happy to be in the kitchen — and that’s your four-legged friend. Here are 15 of the cutest furry faces that have shown up in our real-life kitchen tours over the years! We think pets like these in the kitchen make it a happier place to be; here’s why.
May 1, 2019
I Baked the Original Girl Scout Cookie Recipe and Here’s What I Thought
I love Girl Scout cookies (you’ll pry the Thin Mints from my cold dead fingers), so it’s no shock that once I learned that the original recipe for their very first cookie was floating around, I simply had to test it out. You know that friend in high school who had a car and laughed at your jokes, but you weren’t exactly BFFs with? This cookie is exactly that, and here’s why.
May 1, 2019
Pyrex Is Bringing Back a Super-Popular Vintage Pattern
Pyrex never really went out of style, and in recent years the cult containers have made quite a resurgence with people snatching up new and vintage pieces alike. We love that Pyrex containers don’t usually hold smells and are as aesthetically pleasing in our fridge as they are on our shelves.
May 1, 2019