When it's time to cook, use a nonstick pan, if possible (our test kitchen uses a seasoned cast-iron skillet). "Wipe the pan with a towel before heating and greasing to ensure you have a clean surface.

The secret to making perfect pancakes is obvious, according to Carla Connett, owner of Hotcakes Cafe in Wilmette and Green Bay Cafe in Winnetka: “The very simple way to put it is that they’re not made ...

My ideal pancake has crisp edges. It's plump but not dense, a down pillowlike sponge that can absorb lots of salted butter and just enough maple syrup to tilt everything toward sweetness. Crucially, ...

The best home cooks I ever knew were my mother and grandmother. Maybe all the delicious schnitzels, dumplings, cookies and desserts they made for my sisters, my brother and me during our childhood ...

If you’re not already a cast-iron skillet fan, it’s time to discover the many, many benefits of cooking with this does-it-all pan. When it comes to retaining heat, it’s hard to beat cast-iron, which ...

When I was learning how to cook, I began by taking baby steps. I used a lot of products that gave me a jump start on the preparations. Boxed brownie mix. Dried tabbouleh. Bottled dressing. Canned ...