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Soft Peaks Any fat (egg yolk, butter, oil) will inhibit egg whites from whipping properly. Clean all equipment with vinegar to neutralize any residual fat on their surfaces. Place egg whites in glass or metal bowl (do not use plastic). For the best results, separate your eggs while they’re cold. Then let the whites sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed or with a rotary beater until they form peaks with tips that curl over when the beaters are lifted....

What Is Vanilla, Exactly? Derived from an orchid plant, vanilla beans have been put to use in recipes since the 17th century. It works as a natural flavor enhancer and helps amplify the flavors it’s paired with, somewhat like salt. (You might notice chocolate cakes with vanilla taste even chocolatier.) Imitation vanilla flavor is often on the supermarket shelf right next to pure vanilla extract, as well as a few other options....

Caring for Filbert Filbert is easy to grow in average, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. As a woodland native, it tolerates part shade well—particularly morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Plant filbert in spring, and water plants weekly for the first two months after planting. Continue watering during long dry periods during the first growing season. Plants rarely need supplemental water after the first growing season. Keep an eye out for vigorous stems (called suckers) extending from the roots of Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick....

Flowering kale is right at home in garden-bed plantings, too. Use it as a statement plant near entryways or patios. This frilly, colorful plant will amplify interest in early- and late-season gardens when perennials are slow to emerge in spring, and annuals and perennials are languishing at the end of the growing season in fall. Flowering kale grows slowly, so purchase large plants if you plan to enjoy them for just a few weeks in spring or fall....

Find your color match. Do It Yourself: See how to wallpaper a room. Do It Yourself: See the best way to paint furniture.

1 ½ cup sugar ⅓ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cup milk 2 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cup unsalted butter, cut up and softened Candied Carrot Ribbons 2 medium carrots 2 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon water

Learn more about growing sedum. Learn more about growing California poppy. Learn more about growing iris. Learn more about growing rosemary. Learn more about growing coreopsis. Test Garden Tip: Be sure to install edging if your mailbox garden is next to turf. Edging will keep the grass from creeping in around your perennials. Learn more about growing clematis. Learn more about growing yarrow. Learn more about salvia. Learn more about lavender....

½ cup coarsely chopped pecans ¼ cup sugar 1 tablespoon butter or margarine Creme Fraiche ½ cup whipping cream ½ cup dairy sour cream ¼ cup sifted powdered sugar 1 teaspoon finely shredded tangerine or orange peel

1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces 2 3 ounce package softened cream cheese ½ cup powdered sugar Mint Brownies: When preparing brownies, stir in 1/2 teaspoon mint extract with the vanilla. Sprinkle frosted brownies with 1 cup chopped layered chocolate-mint candies. Raspberry Brownies: Spread 2/3 cup raspberry preserves evenly over cooled brownies; cool. Frost as directed. Garnish with fresh raspberries. Malted Brownies: When preparing brownies, add 1/4 cup malted milk powder with the flour....

Lights are an amenity for a garden shed. It’s easy enough to add them to an existing shed, but integrating lights into the structure enhances the architecture of the building. Short benches are incorporated into the design of the building for a restful spot. One easy way to transition from yard to shed area is to change the paving material. Here, paving stones change to a concrete path. Tucked along one side, a small walkway and railing lead around one side of the shed....

3 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 ears fresh sweet corn 2 tomatillos, finely chopped 1 small sweet pepper, chopped ¼ cup snipped fresh cilantro 3 tablespoon finely chopped red onion ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper