If you find yourself out of heavy cream and you need some for a recipe, use this simple substitute that requires only two ingredients.
Method: microwave, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
The Basics
There are some recipes that you just don't think about until you run out of an ingredient or want to make something from scratch. Our basics here will help you make everything from hard-boiled eggs to boiled rice to homemade butter or roasted garlic.
jump to the recipes
Heavy Cream Substitute
Shake and Make Butter
Making butter at home is a fun and easy project that yields delicious results. With just heavy cream and salt, you can create homemade butter in about 15 minutes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Hard-Boiled Eggs
Want perfect hard-boiled eggs every time? Try making them in your crock pot.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Julia Child's Lobster
Learn how to cook lobster from the master! Julia shares her methods for both boiling and steaming fresh lobster to perfection.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is one of the easier cheeses to make from scratch. All it requires are 2 ingredients and a little patience.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Get our daily recipe newsletter!
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Mint Ice Cubes
These minty ice cubes are perfect in iced tea or cocktails. They add a little color to the drink and release a light fresh mint flavor as they melt.
Time: 2-5 hours
Basic Roux
Roux is a key ingredient in many classic French dishes and sauces like etouffee and bechamel. Roux is simply equal parts flour and fat that are cooked together.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Self-Rising Cornmeal
A simple way to make your own self-rising cornmeal - just replace 1 tablespoon with baking powder!
Time: under 30 minutes
Flower Ice Cubes
Edible flowers can be found in the produce section of most large grocery stores these days and are specifically labeled as being for culinary uses.
Time: 2-5 hours
Basic Cooked Jerusalem Artichoke
Also known as a sunchoke, this vegetable is a member of the sunflower family (and not related to the other kind of artichokes). It is nutty, sweet, and crunchy. They...
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Old Fashioned Homemade Almond Paste
Almond paste is easier than you think to make yourself. Who knew that ground up almonds and sugar could be so delicious? If you bake, you'll find yourself using it...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Frozen Peaches
Keep nearly fresh-like peaches in the freezer for pies and other desserts, any time of the year. Adding baby aspirin to the peaches helps them retain their color.
Time: under 30 minutes
How To Make Rice
Once you understand the ratio of water to rice you'll be a pro at cooking rice. If you use a different kind of rice (other than long grain) you may have to adjust the ratio and/or...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Baked tortilla chips are a fun experiment and a healthier alternative to the store-bought fried variety.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Bulghur Wheat
Bulgar wheat is a particularly versatile grain. Use it to thicken up soups and stews, turn salads into satisfying meals, or top it with veggies for a healthy grain bowl.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Love the spinach dip at restaurants like TGIFriday's and the Olive Garden? Make it at home with these easy-to-follow copycat recipes.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
Got leftovers? We've got recipes. 18 delicious recipes using cooked chicken (plus 9 bonus recipes!)