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Ricotta gnocchi aren’t new, but this old-school version has gained recent popularity, partly because they’re easy. Boiling, peeling, and handling hot potatoes is the hardest part of making gnocchi; but with ricotta, you start with something cool, flavorful, and easy to handle. With just ricotta, flour, and 20 minutes; you can make the perfect ricotta gnocchi—so long as you follow these six simple steps. RELATED: Gluten Is Seriously Misunderstood—Here’s Why...

These DIY ornaments also double as thoughtful homemade gifts: Grandparents, aunts and uncles, or other family members will cherish this sentimental gift idea. How to Make a Handprint Christmas Ornament Supplies Needed 2 cups flour1 cup salt1 cup warm waterFood coloringRolling pinPencil or strawRibbonScissors Step-by-Step Directions Use these simple how-to instructions to make your own handprint or footprint ornaments. You should be able to mix the dough and create a set of ornaments in under 30 minutes, but you’ll need to allow three hours of baking time....

First, the most important thing you can do is try not to carve your pumpkin too early. We know that’s tough to do. The long lead-up to Halloween is arguably the best part of the holiday—that’s when you go pumpkin picking and bring out your spooky Halloween decorations. However, prematurely carved pumpkins can more easily fall prey to bugs or poor conditions. Next, follow these simple steps to prolong its life, whether your pumpkin will be carved or left whole....

Choose a menu that’ll keep for as long as you need it to. (We have a few great picnic menus to consider, depending on when and where you’re picnicking.) Some salads, like panzanella, pasta or potato salads with a vinegar-based dressing, and tabouleh are easier to transport and leave at room temperature than mayo-based options. (Make sure you keep food safety in mind when you’re packing your picnic basket!) If you still want that traditional picnic aesthetic, consider using the wicker basket for nonperishables like bread, baked goods, plates, and other picnic gear, and keeping anything temperature sensitive in a separate cooler or thermally protected container....

There are nearly 2400 species of palms, with perhaps the most familiar being the date palm. To successfully grow a palm tree, learn what the variety you choose needs in order to thrive in your climate, whether outdoors or inside. Just as no two palm tree species look the same, their care will be different as well. Where to Plant Palm Trees Palm trees need to be planted in a suitable climate to thrive....

Along with variations in weigela sizes, it comes in many foliage colors. Colors can range anywhere from green and gold to deep burgundy while showing a glossy finish. Shades of red and pink are still the dominant colors of weigela blooms, but new varieties have white and yellow options. Where to Plant Weigela Weigelas aren’t too picky on planting location, but full sun is best for the biggest flowers and deepest foliage color....

“It is an interesting time when roles begin to reverse and the parent needs the emotional, financial, or daily support from the adult child,” says Martha Sullivan, founder of Provenance Hill Consulting. “It is a challenging transition for all involved because of many factors, including emotions, independence, perceived roles, and the quality of our relationships.” You can provide financial assistance while also keeping your own finances on track in the process....

Either of these strategies can yield your best-ever beef tenderloin roast—as long as you don’t overcook it! We’ll show you exactly how long to roast beef tenderloin for the most flavorful results, starting with our fastest and most basic method. Equipment Needed to Make Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin You’ll need a roasting pan or a large, sturdy, shallow pan with a rack set inside to cook beef tenderloin. The pan’s sides should be 2 to 3 inches high....

Many people aspire to one day be homeowners but aren’t sure how to make it a reality. The home buying checklist is a long one, and coming up with the money for a down payment on a house—the initial deposit you make on your property—is no small effort. It’s dependent on a landslide of factors—mainly your income, debt, and responsibilities. Experts agree it’s possible to save for a house in one year....

Next, assess the quality of what’s left. Any change in texture, color, or smell is a telltale sign that a product is past its prime. If the color is separated on your nail polish, even after you shake it, it’s time to get rid of it. Skin-care items often come with expiration dates, so anything that has expired should go. This quality assessment is important not only for hygiene reasons but also for efficacy purposes, especially when it comes to makeup....

Keep It Shelved The best way to keep ground coffee or whole beans fresh is to store the coffee on a pantry shelf in an opaque, airtight container. It should be away from light, heat, and moisture, says Scott McMartin, who has tasted more than half a million cups of coffee as a member of the Starbucks Green Coffee Quality group. (If you don’t have a canister, close the top of the bag with a rubber band, then put the bag in a resealable plastic bag....

While we’ve seen some pretty close replicas of burgers and barbecued meat dishes, there hasn’t been a good plant-based pick for the unmistakable texture and feel of seafood—until now. As it turns out, the perfect replacement for flaky, fresh seafood grows on trees and is a by-product of banana production. It’s true! If you’re looking for the next innovative, plant-based swap to fish and seafood, get ready to meet the mighty banana blossom....

Familiarize Yourself with Your Snowblower Before heading out to the driveway, get to know your machine’s controls. Identify what propels the machine forward and backward and how to engage the auger. Look for speed controls as well as controls for altering the direction of the discharge chute. Inspect the Machine Inspect your snowblower thoroughly before use, especially before the first use of the season. Here are a few key components to check:...

But if there’s one beauty temptation that we can all relate to, it has to be a new hair color, and I wasn’t immune. I started eyeing lighter shades and, as most naturally black-haired Asians eventually do, I ultimately succumbed to my milky caramel brown desires. I grabbed a box of Japanese bubble hair dye, and went to town on my strands. Don’t get me wrong—the color came out fine—but I was now introduced to a new problem I’ve never had before....

“Vitamin A compounds help the skin cells to differentiate—or ’turn over’—which helps to renew the epidermal layer,” says Anthony Rossi Jr., MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Retinols and retinoids have been shown to reduce signs of photoaging and UV damage, and they also work well for conditions such as acne and hyperpigmentation.” But there’s a small catch. Retinoids have some unsavory side effects, including flakiness, redness, and sensitivity....

In this guide, you’ll find care instructions for cashmere, including tips for hand- and machine-washing, stain treatment, drying, and storing cashmere garments. The Basics of Caring for Cashmere The best way to wash cashmere is by hand. If you’ve never washed a garment by hand, this might conjure an image of long hours spent hunched over a washboard, but in fact, hand-washing a cashmere item is, at most, a 15-minute job (usually less!...

In culinary school, washing mushrooms under running water was basically considered a sin punishable by the culinary gods. We were taught to always use a damp paper towel to “wash” mushrooms, and gently rub off the almost guaranteed-to-be-there dirt. We were promised this was enough, and if we swayed toward the washing route, the mushrooms would absorb the water, turn soggy, and never achieve the desirable browning that makes them so delicious....

“Derived from garbanzo beans [also referred to as chickpeas], hummus is a fiber-rich food that’s high in plant-based protein and essential minerals,” says Lee Cotton, a registered dietitian and founder of Lee Cotton Nutrition. “It’s also a versatile dish that’s great for dipping and adding flavor to dishes.” Dip veggies, pretzels, or pita chips into hummus for the perfect afternoon snack. Serve it with dinner as a healthy, creamy side....

But preparing a bowl of nourishing oatmeal for breakfast can take some effort. So with the rise of instant oatmeal cups, we simply had to put them to the test. Oatmeal cups are super convenient: They stash well in the pantry for mornings on the go, in the car, or even at your desk, and they’re portable, too. The best part is that there is no microwave needed. Just hot water and a couple of minutes can make a great travel meal....

1. Exchange Lightbulbs If you’re still using incandescent lightbulbs, consider replacing them with LED lightbulbs. These bulbs last longer and are energy-efficient. Many LED bulbs are also adjustable, so you can change their brightness depending on the time of day. Set your lights to a bright bluish hue in the morning to help you wake up, then switch to warm, yellow light in the evening to ease into your bedtime routine....