Annie Epstein

Looking at cuisines around the world, you might assume that potato-loving countries like Russia or the United States are neck-and-neck when it comes to production. After all, spuds account for a $100.9 billion industry in the U.S. (per the National Potato Council ), and mashed potatoes are practically our national side dish come Thanksgiving. Or maybe, knowing that South America domesticated the tuber before the food spread to farmers around the world, you figured Peru holds the lead.

Fried eggs have a satisfying richness that feels like the result of hours of cooking, rather than mere minutes. They taste even better — their browned edges sweeter, and their yolky centers even more luxurious — when paired with a sweet, umami-rich ingredient, particularly one that might otherwise go to waste. We're talking about canned tomato paste, a powerhouse pantry item that we usually have on hand and rarely finish in one cook.

Learning how to order with confidence at a bar is a rite of passage for many. Yet somehow, no matter how much you study or how frequently you chat with your bartender, there's always more to discover. One word to add to your lexicon is "down."

When you request a glass of wine at an open bar, a trendy new restaurant, or a friend's backyard gathering, there's a high chance someone will hand you a stemless glass full of your grape of choice. There's nothing wrong with that — the pared-down wine glasses are pleasantly casual, there are no stems to break, and they take up less storage space. However, for all their charms, the glassware's shape can instill panic among drinkers when they contemplate holding the chalices without warming up the drinks inside them.

The best corn cobs are so sugary, they almost beg for a spot in your dessert lineup. Their intriguingly fresh, vegetal taste toes the line between sweet and savory. It's no surprise, then, that we can't stop thinking about criminally underrated foods like sweet corn ice cream. The fresh vegetable already has our vote when it comes to frozen desserts, so why not embrace the sunny yellow ingredient in other applications? Consider using cornbread as the foundation for an ice cream sandwich (corn-flecked filling suggested but not required).

If you're a seasoned ice cream cake maker, you may already have heavy whipping cream waiting in your fridge for your next project. A straightforward whipped cream frosting is a classic choice, and might do a beautiful job replicating your favorite store-bought ice cream cake. However, if you're preparing your dessert for a long stint in the freezer, we urge you to step away from the carton.

For those who are new to the term, decanting means pouring a liquid from one container to another. In many cases, aficionados decant wine or whiskey by tipping their bottles into a glass or crystal vessel of their choice.

Chances are, if you've been to a dive bar or spent time with drinkers on a budget, you've come across the phrase "well drink." Although bartenders and more knowledgeable customers throw the order around, it's more than possible you never quite figured out what it means. There's no time like the present, as this insight can help you navigate your next happy hour — where well drinks are often offered at a discount — with ease.

Don't be scared, throw some shrimp — and lobster — on the barbie. The aromatic smoke and a hint of bittersweet char will highlight the sweetness of the succulent meat. The high heat may be intimidating for some cooks preparing the delicacies, but that's no reason to avoid grilling. The shellfish is easier to prepare than you think, especially when you heed the hard-won tips of an expert.

Staring down bags and cans of white-ish, small-ish beans at the grocery store can be intimidating. You may wonder what the difference is between popular options like navy and great northern beans. After all, they look similar, and you can use both of them interchangeably to make polenta with white beans and spinach.