Jennifer Mathews

Served for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-day big meal of the day — aka a comida –huevos rancheros and chilaquiles are inexpensive, delicious, quick-to-prepare Mexican dishes that are popular all over the world. Although both recipes share some ingredients and even look similar at first glance, a big difference sets these saucy, eggy treats apart. Regional variations abound, but generally speaking, what distinguishes them is the base.

Anthony Bourdain famously said he would try anything once, yet despite sampling more than a few questionable-looking dishes, what Bourdain witnessed while working in professional kitchens turned him into a bit of a whistleblower. One of his shared insights was providing deeper rationale for why professional chefs skip chicken at restaurants, and why he suggested opting for pork instead.

In 2021, Kweku Larbi and Ross Smith brought Brümachen to "Shark Tank, appearing on Season 12, Episode 11 of the hit show. Brümachen is a single-serve portable coffeemaker that uses standard-sized coffee pods like those for Keurig to brew the hot drink on-the-go. The invention is Larbi's brainchild, who offered a personal story as compelling as his creation. At the age of 17 and with $2,000 in his pocket, Larbi left his family in Ghana to move to the States alone and pursue a degree in civil engineering.

In 2011, when they were both 10-years-old, childhood friends Oliver Greenwald and Sam Nassif invented The Drip Drop to solve a common problem plaguing children like them: melting ice cream. The Drip Drop is an edible waffle cone ring that acts like a shelf to catch liquified remnants and falling sprinkles while also shielding hands from the sticky mess. It easily slides on and off pointy-tipped cones, like sugar and waffle varieties, enabling ice cream lovers of all ages to enjoy the frozen treat mess-free and get a bonus donut-shaped cookie ring to devour at the end.

When the Founding Fathers penned the Declaration of Independence, they might as well have included a line about the self-evident truth that most Americans would celebrate the Fourth of July with barbecue. In 1776, John Adams even predicted that Independence Day would be celebrated for generations with fireworks, parades, and food. And, although there is less cannon fire nowadays, many of these traditions have stuck, including barbecue, which can be traced back to the early 1800s.

At the risk of ruffling a few feathers, it may be time to update the family's lasagna recipe. While heirloom dishes reserve a special place in our hearts, Ina Garten has a hack that can improve the meal while simultaneously making it quicker to prepare — she simply soaks the noodles first.

Tomatoes are the cornerstone of many favorite recipes, like pasta, pizza, salsa, and so much more. However, not everyone enjoys or can tolerate the fruit in their diet. Regardless of the reason, you don't need to deprive yourself of comfort foods if you can't eat tomatoes since there are delicious, easy swaps you can make — especially when it comes to a satisfying spaghetti sauce.

Most dishes taste better with a little butter and cream, especially in baking where they act as essential ingredients that can truly make or break a recipe. Like everything related to baking, though, it's all a precise science. And if you're thinking of making a dairy swap, some milk products are better than others as the choice can affect the crumb, mouthfeel, and taste.

Just like a president's policies, a POTUS'food choices can impact the nation. When former California governor Ronald Reagan took the highest office in 1981, his love for jelly beans followed him into the White House and beyond. In particular, The Gipper loved the popular Jelly Belly brand treats, eventually receiving 720 bags monthly.

Gone are the days when we relied on store-bought mixes and sweetened liqueurs to craft homemade cocktails. Classic drinks have received a much-needed makeover, turning favorites like margaritas into brighter, more sophisticated versions. For your next margarita, try adding a splash of orange juice for a refreshing upgrade on the OG.