Everyday Cooking

Have ants? This DIY, natural remedy will take care of those ants for you. No chemicals involved, just bay leaves, salt, and water so it's safe around kids and pets.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

A great make-ahead recipe. Simply fill the sliced bread with a garlic butter spread and freeze until you are ready to bake it.

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

As long as you've got the ratio right, you'll never need to run out to the store for evaporated milk again. One less thing to clutter your pantry.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with jalapeno peppers, red bell pepper, cider vinegar, sugar, dried apricots, liquid pectin, red food coloring

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with eggs, biscuit baking mix, prepared mustard, ham, frozen peas, cheddar cheese, milk, mayonnaise or salad dressing

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!

Looking for a rainy day craft project with the kids? Try making this homemade playdough made from flavored gelatin powder, flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

A good powdered coffee creamer is never a bad thing to have on hand. This malted blend is a major improvement on plain store-bought creamer.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Make your own paneer or channa for all sorts of Indian recipes. All you need is milk, buttermilk and a bit of patience.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

You could buy colored sand for fun arts and crafts projects, but why buy it when you can make it yourself? All you need is sand and tempera paints.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Who knew apple juice could dress up so nicely? This apple juice jelly recipe turns your everyday juice into a gourmet treat that's perfect for toast, desserts, or just a...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

A twist on the famous beer can chicken. In this version, a whole chicken, rubbed in spices, cooks right on top of a half-full soda can and comes out perfectly moist.

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   2-5 hours

This cherry jam can go either way: sweet or sour! Step up the sugar to fruit ratio for a sweet jam that's perfect on baked goods.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Letting the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice flavors meld overnight not only improves the flavor but it makes the canning process less exhausting.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

If you like sweet biscuits, you'll love these Bisquick cinnamon rolls with a sweet, powdered sugar glaze.

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

This tea mix is the perfect way to enjoy the tropical flavors of the Caribbean. It's a delicious blend of sweet tea, pineapple, and orange with a hint of coconut extract.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Make-ahead mixes like this are so convenient. Whether you're setting up camp outdoors or just settling in for a chilly night at home, a spectacular homemade "just add...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Make your own pumpkin pie coffee. The ground ginger in there really sends it over the edge. You can take this stuff with you wherever you need a holiday-flavored cup of joe....


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with sugar, crushed pineapple, pears, oranges, maraschino cherries

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Make ahead today for a last minute dinner idea later or keep on hand to use in another recipe.

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Much maligned rhubarb rarely gets the love it deserves, but one spoonful of this rhubarb and fig jam will change your mind on the vegetable for good.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Out-of-this-world ham with just the right touch of sweetness from slowly cooking in the coca cola sauce.

Method:   stovetop, crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

A tasty hint of lime is what spices up this recipe. Simple to make too.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Make ahead and use as needed. This cream sauce mix works great in a pinch for topping vegetables, seafood, or anywhere you need a white sauce.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Homemade peanut butter is so much better than store-bought varieties. Fresher taste, less unnecessary additives, and the bonus satisfaction of making something from...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Stir up this cornbread mix and keep it on hand for anytime you want to add a little southern flair to your meal. Keeps well for several months.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with salt, butter, water, cornmeal, flour, honey, sunflower butter or peanut butter

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

For a delicious, fun, and surprisingly easy kitchen project, fresh mozzarella is hard to beat. It's perfect for salads, melty grilled cheeses, and caprese appetizers.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Ham and cola are all you need for a sweet and surprisingly subtly flavored roast, so ditch the long recipes and just grab a can of Coke.

Method:   oven
Time:   over 5 hours

An easy make-ahead mix for the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven for kids. You can use other drink mix powder for even more flavor variations.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with green food coloring, fresh jalapeno peppers, sugar, water

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

These spareribs are slow cooked until they are wonderfully tender. The glaze is a mixture of ketchup and cola which gives them a tang with a hint of sweetness.

Method:   outdoor grill, crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

Commercial baby food can contain a lot of unwanted ingredients. Make your own baby food with this easy pureed meat recipe, where you control the ingredients.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Make your own gentle baby powder with ingredients you control instead of one loaded with harsh chemicals.


Time:   under 30 minutes

This baking mix is perfect for people who are gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease (or who are just avoiding gluten).


Time:   under 30 minutes

Mixing spices, powdered coffee creamer, and instant coffee together makes an all-in-one instant gingerbread coffee.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with honey, water, liquid fruit pectin

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of dry pancake mix that can be stored for weeks and used whenever you crave fluffy and delicious pancakes.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Half-and-half is basically milk with a higher fat content. So it's easy to make your own substitute by upping the fat content of regular milk.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with butter, sugar, peaches, lemon juice, powdered fruit pectin

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with ground cardamom, cinnamon stick, rhubarb, sugar, water, ginger root

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with fruit-flavored gelatin, water, fruit-flavored yogurt, frozen whipped topping, graham cracker pie shell


Time:   2-5 hours

Change up your lasagna routine. Not only does this twist on traditional lasagna turn them into pasta roll-ups, it can also be made ahead of time and frozen.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   1-2 hours

This flavorful gravy made from roasted turkey wings can be made up to a week in advance (longer if you freeze the gravy). Perfect time saver over the holidays.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

Take your dry cornbread, cut into bite size, give a coat of butter and bake until crispy. Your soups and salads just got a new side kick.

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

This rich brown stock can be used as a soup base, or in any recipe calling for beef broth or stock.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

This sweet and tangy cola sauced chicken can be slow cooked in a crock pot or oven-baked.

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

Classic family-style casserole. A can of mushroom soup cuts down on the ingredients and time involved so you can spend less time with the casserole and more time with the family...

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Keep this Easy-Bake Oven chocolate cake mix on hand so the kids can whip up their own chocolate cakes anytime they like. Just add water and bake!

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

You'll be a superstar at your next party with these wings. Root beer, liquid smoke, and ginger combine for a unique marinade and sauce that gives these wings an...

Method:   stovetop, outdoor grill
Time:   over 5 hours

Made with salt, sugar, nonfat dry milk, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, almonds, baking powder


Time:   under 30 minutes

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

Made with liquid fruit pectin, green food coloring, jalapeno peppers, sugar, green peppers, cider vinegar

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

This recipe works great in a whipped cream dispenser if you have one. If not, simply mix the ingredients with a hand mixer until fluffy and then drop by spoonfuls onto the...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Add a little holiday fragrance with this easy to make recipe for potpourri. The combination of orange and lemon peels, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and bay leaves will...

Method:   oven
Time:   over 5 hours

Made with fruit-flavored yogurt, water, gelatin, cream cheese, vanilla wafers


Time:   2-5 hours

Add a sweet finish to your desserts with this frosting recipe, a creamy, versatile topping that can be prepared in advance and stored for in the freezer for up to 2 months.


Time:   under 30 minutes

These make great finger food for parties or just as a snack. Slices of pepperoni and cheese are rolled up inside crescent roll dough and baked until golden brown and the cheese is...

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Make a soothing baby bath with gentle ingredients like buttermilk. Give your baby a comforting, homemade bath they'll love.


Time:   under 30 minutes