Jennifer Waldera

From fruit to soup, canned foods are a pantry staple that make it easy to get meals on the table in a hurry, so it's no surprise that the queen of quick cooking, Rachael Ray, keeps them handy in her kitchen. But she has one particular favorite that she loves so much that she even partnered with a brand: canned tuna.

If you're planning a European trip, Rick Steves is definitely the expert with advice that will help you build the best vacation. From tips on how to snag cheaper drinks to suggestions for saving money, he has European travel down to a fine art. And when it comes to his dining rules across the continent, he has one solid piece of advice about how to start your day: Skip the hotel breakfast.

From affordable produce to flavorful cheese that customers can't get enough of, there is a lot to love about Aldi. And in addition to the food, the discount retailer also has an impressive household section full of cheap goods. While it stocks items for the kitchen, like an inexpensive Williams Sonoma copycat pot, the grocery store also fills the Aldi Finds section with anything from clothing and blankets to home décor. One popular item that devoted shoppers tend to buy is candles — but the store's Dill-Licious Pickle scent is raising some eyebrows.

Creamy chicken salad almost always benefits from a healthy dose of crunch, and if you're a traditionalist, you may be tempted to turn to celery to add texture. However, there may be another green veggie in your fridge that can add a crisp bite to this lunchtime staple: cucumber.

Whether you're looking for a leafy green as a base for your salad or a filling for your sandwich, or you're on the hunt for an easy alternative to canned greens, growing them yourself may be the best option. However, if you're not seasoned, it may not seem so simple to harvest your own. So, to find out what plant is perfect for the beginning gardener, Food Republic reached out to

While there's no shortage of variations on beef stroganoff, many modern American recipes call for sliced beef, onions, and mushrooms that are all pan-fried and ultimately smothered in a thickened beef broth-based sauce laced with just a touch of tanginess from sour cream. Often served over starches like egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, the dish, which hails from Russia, is basically comfort on a plate.

If your grill is typically at max capacity at your outdoor parties, it's easy to save a little space by making some dishes ahead of time. One quick and easy way to do that while satisfying everyone's craving for hot dogs, a cookout classic, is to whip up an easy 3-ingredient chili dog casserole.

Rick Steves regularly offers tips that range from European dining etiquette to advice on eating well in Europe on a budget. Given his extensive travels, it's fair to say he's enjoyed countless meals across the continent. However, the one he recounts as his absolute favorite took place in Tuscany, at a historic family-owned bed and breakfast called Villa Belsedere.

Costco's hot dogs have what could only be described as having a cult following. At only $1.50 (with a soda) in the food court, and ranking as the number one brand overall, the wholesaler's Beef Dinner Franks are a hard act to follow. But there's one runner-up that's worth trying, according to Food Republic's taste-tester, who rated multiple brands: Ambassador Old Fashioned Wieners.

From sourcing the best flour and perfectly proofing the dough to scoring the loaf for a gorgeous rise, there are a number of components that go into creating a mouthwatering loaf of sourdough. Once you've put in all of that work to craft your beautiful bread, naturally, you'll want to keep it around for as long as possible. To find out how to make that happen, Food Republic spoke with Tatiana Kamakura, a sourdough baker, recipe developer, and the creator behind Milk and Pop.