1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 4 cup powdered sugar 3 tablespoon milk **Test Kitchen Tip: To achieve the colors shown in photo, for red fondant, combine pink and red-red paste food colorings. For the green fondant, combine leaf green and brown paste food colorings. For blue fondant, combine cornflower blue and sky blue food colorings. ***Test Kitchen Tip: If you like, wear plastic gloves to keep from discoloring your hands....

1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup water *NOTE If using a plastic container, be sure it is very clean and free of residue. Saving starter for later To preserve your starter for a longer period of time, try drying it 1. First, fee your started as though you were going to bake with it. If it has been stored in the fridge, take it out and feed with equal parts unbleached all-purpose flour and lukewarm water....

Rolled Cookies Instead of using a cookie press, roll dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut dough into desired shapes. Bake and decorate as directed.

Gray concrete tiles with an eye-catching geometric design eliminate the need for rugs, allowing hamper wheels to roll freely. Glistening white quartz countertops in varying heights stretch along every wall and complement the soothing aqua cabinets. The washer and dryer, work sink, sorting area, desk station, and gift-wrap spot all fit seamlessly into the design. Open shelving stores frequently used items. Natural baskets add softness and texture to the middle shelf....

Consider this Waco, Texas, abode, purchased for just $10,000 by Clint and Kelly Harp, who moved to town in 2011. Clint spotted it across the street from a wood shop he’d been renting from Habitat for Humanity, where he was volunteering while Kelly was in grad school. “It looked like it was going to fall down,” he says. With Kelly in school and Clint not finding much work as a carpenter, the couple was almost broke....

Microwave: Pierce squash in 3 places with a sharp knife. Microwave for 7 minutes or until tender. When cool enough to handle slice squash in halve and remove seeds. Reserve some of the seeds for garnish, if desired. Scoop flesh from squash halves and set aside. Discard skins.

6 egg yolks ½ cup sugar ⅔ cup sweet Marsala wine ⅛ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg or ground cinnamon (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla

Tips Narrow-mouth half-pint jars may also be used. Bake 40 to 45 minutes. Reheating To reheat, remove lid from jar and microwave on 100% power in 30 second increments for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until heated through. Allow to stand 1 minute to distribute heat.

Why Colorful Kitchen Appliances Are Popular Today Colorful appliances, whether a bold red stand mixer or soft mint-green toaster, have long been found on the countertop. In contrast, major kitchen appliances have typically remained neutral, with stainless-steel finishes dominating this century (and white and black before that). While designers and manufacturers anticipate stainless steel will continue to be most prevalent, three factors are converging to bring more color to large kitchen appliances: a demand for personalization, an increase in color appliances on the market, and a shift to more color in the kitchen generally....

½ medium thinly sliced red onion 2 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon rice vinegar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Lime Slather ⅓ cup mayonnaise ½ teaspoon finely shredded lime peel 1 teaspoon lime juice

NA for Sugared Cranberries NA per serving: 11 calories, 0 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 2 g total sugar, 0% Vitamin A, 1% Vitamin C, 0 mg sodium, 0% calcium, 0% iron NA for Simple Syrup NA per serving: 44 calories, 0 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 12 g total sugar, 0% Vitamin A, 1% Vitamin C, 0 mg sodium, 0% calcium, 0% iron

2 baby bok choy, separated into leaves (or 8 cups coarsely chopped regular bok choy) 1 pound strawberries, sliced ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion ¼ cup walnut oil or extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Writer of home and lifestyle pieces, especially interior designFormer executive editor of LuckyBrand strategist for Nike and J. CrewInterior design writer for Better Homes & Gardens

1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (4-1/4 cups) 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup warm water 1 teaspoon vanilla