Allie Sivak

Have you ever wondered if you can substitute evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk, or vice-versa? When you've got a hankering for dulce de leche made with condensed milk or sweet potato pie made with the evaporated stuff, but the store is sold out of what you need, this swap certainly sounds tempting. But unfortunately, the answer is no — these canned dairy products have key distinctions in flavor, texture, and taste, making them far from interchangable.

When the craving for fresh guacamole strikes, it's easy to mash up some avocados, lime, salt, and chopped cilantro. But if you're firing up the grill at the same time, try this super quick way to seamlessly upgrade your basic guacamole recipe and add a little smokiness: Simply throw those avocados on the grill grates.

Though most seasoned bakers will tell you their favorite recipes are scratch-made, the truth is that even professionals lean on boxed cake mix sometimes. Food Republic talked to Jessie Sheehan, a recipe developer, podcast host, and author of several cookbooks — including "Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy Recipes for Exceptionally Scrumptious Sweets and Treats

When crafting the perfect burger on the grill, it can be a challenging feat to keep the meat nice and juicy. You need to cook it long enough to create a crusty, browned exterior, but the high heat can dry out your patties fast. Luckily, renowned barbecue aficionado Bobby Flay is here to help: He has published some must-know advice in his "10 Commandments of Grilling" (via Food Network ). The pro chef warns about one common mistake that could give you those dreaded dried-out patties: Pressing the burgers down when grilling them.

At first glance, a hot dog might seem like a simple street food or barbecued meat, but in actuality, there are upwards of 40 ways the world makes awesome hot dogs — and all of them are unique in their own way. One regional hot dog style that stands out for its pop of flavors, appearance, and textures hails from Chicago. What makes a Chicago hot dog different from the rest? Its inclusion of crunchy veggie toppings and brightly colored condiments.

When fresh produce like juicy watermelon, succulent peaches and plums, and vibrant blueberries come into season, there are a plethora of easy ways to dress up these delicious summer fruits. But have you tried tossing slices of nectarines or plump grapes in with pasta salad and dressing? It might sound counterintuitive at first, since pasta salad is a popular cookout dish that is typically associated with savory eating. But trust us when we say that making pasta salad with seasonal summer fruit is a refreshing game-changer.

It's the small things, like delicate flowers or hearts on top of your latte, that can brighten an average morning routine. If you're trying to save money by skipping the cafe and making coffee at home, you can still make your own pleasing designs on top of your drink. To learn about the tricks of the trade for latte art, Food Republic spoke with Jee Choe, Specialty Coffee Association trained barista and writer of the blog "Oh, How Civilized."

One of the most surprising ways to mouthwatering juicy chicken is an item we often think of as trash: banana peels.

The shop offers a wide array of traditional dishes and imported food items from the South American country and serves as a gathering space for cultural exchange.

Use this ingredient to help your boiled potatoes retain their shape and structure as they cook evenly throughout the boil.