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So how do you measure sugar correctly? Follow along as we show you how to measure sugar of every type, including granulated sugar, powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar), and brown sugar. Yes, there are some differences between these, and our Test Kitchen tips are here to guide you. We’ll also cover which cups and tools you should use for all sugar measurements. How to Measure Sugar Before learning how to measure sugar, you need the right measuring tools....

After a quick Google search, I learned that they’re Japanese white sweet potatoes of the Murasaki variety. I also read that they have a very different taste and texture than more popular sweet potatoes. I decided to try them, and they are now a staple in my kitchen that I incorporate into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here’s what you can expect and how you could use them in your dishes....

Recommended Washing Frequency The following recommendations are meant as general guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. Remember, a sniff check is still a quick and easy way to determine when it’s time for a wash. And of course, common sense applies here: Even if you can get by with washing a particular shirt every five wears in the winter, you’ll have to wash it more often during the sweltering summer months....

You can easily find photos of the giant red ornaments around the building’s exterior, lit-up trees brightening the street outside, and the glowing tree at the marquee, but there’s a lot more that goes into Christmas at Radio City. Read on to find out how the Radio City Music Hall gets decked out, with insider details from a Rockette. The annual tradition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular started in 1933 and has been one of New York’s favorite holiday activities since its opening....

“Throughout history, we’ve been told our boobs are the problem—that they’re too big, too small, or uneven in size—when misguidance and a lack of fitting options have been the problem all along,” says Ra’el Cohen, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at ThirdLove. Ready for an upgrade? We asked Cohen to help break down what to look for when shopping for a bra so you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable fits ever again....

So who better to provide us with expertise in baking the best pies than Nicole Rucker, author of Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers? She’s spent years working as the pastry chef in top restaurants like Gjusta and owns her own pie company, Rucker’s Pie. Her self-proclaimed lifelong passion is helping home cooks find the same magical alchemy she’s achieved with fruit desserts. Here are Nicole’s top tips for achieving pie perfection....

How to Carve a Turkey: Step-by-Step Carving a turkey is an important part of any holiday feast, but it can be a daunting task for first-timers and pro slicers alike. Luckily, we have step-by-step tips for carving a turkey. We’ll walk you through the best way to carve a turkey so you’ll be ready come Thanksgiving dinner. The first step to carve a turkey is really not a step at all....

Although it’s often overlooked, the garbage disposal is an essential item on your kitchen cleaning checklist. Make the process easier by utilizing the natural cleaning materials you already use to clean countertops and kitchen appliances. The best way to clean and get smells out of a garbage disposal is a combination of the methods outlined below. These tips for how to clean a garbage disposal will remove odor and grime while helping to keep the appliance running smoothly....

Marble, Quartz, and Granite Countertops Real and engineered stone are the stars of the countertop world. While they’re more expensive to install, they can add value to your home when you go to sell. One of the challenges with marble is that it’s a natural stone, so it’s very porous and hard to keep pristine. Quartz can also stain if a spill is left sitting too long, plus it’s sensitive to heat (so reach for a trivet before setting down that hot pan)....

Easy Methods to Wash Shoes by Hand In a perfect world, ice cream would have no calories, and white shoes wouldn’t get dirty. (OK, maybe that’s just one idea of a perfect world.) But what if there was a way to keep your beloved white shoes pristine without harsh chemicals, a dry cleaner, or a washing machine? Trust us, it’s possible. Try out these three simple methods to clean your shoes by hand with items you likely already have in your linen closet....

When it comes to wood furniture maintenance, there are a number of terms that get tossed around, such as dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing. To keep wood furniture looking its best, you’ll likely have to tackle all four of these cleaning tasks every now and then. While experts have varying opinions on wood furniture care, the technique you use will depend on the finish of the piece. You should always seek out specific care and cleaning guidelines when purchasing new or old furnishings....

Use it as a marinade Brush a thin coat of mayonnaise on meat, poultry, seafood, or veggiesto help prevent them from sticking to the grill. This step also seals in the natural flavors and juices and prevents your protein from drying out. Make a delicious dip Mayonnaise makes a mean summer dip for chips and veggies. Mix it with avocado, cilantro, and lime for a delicious spin on guacamole, or stir with lemon juice, chives, Dijon, and sour cream for the perfect herbed crudité dip....

Step 1: Outline Garden Bed Once you’ve decided where to build a new garden bed, mark the plot’s perimeter with spray paint or a sprinkling of flour. Removing the top layer of sod speeds up the process so you could be planting a little sooner, but it’s not necessary. You can just start adding your layers right on top of the grass. Step 2: Build Your Layers Spread a layer of newspaper six sheets thick so that the entire outlined space is covered....

To get a glimpse of Abdallah’s garden, with its raised beds and verdant greenhouse, is to see her passion evolve in real time. But for those who look at it and think, “Well, it’s too bad my yard doesn’t have nearly as much light,” all is not lost. It is possible to start a garden in the shade, and Abdallah knows how. “There are so many varieties of flowers, herbs, and veggies that thrive in shady environments,” she continues....

Here’s what to consider as you’re planning your backyard shade, and the shelter options you can choose from to create your perfect space. Determining Your Backyard Shade Needs There’s no one-size-fits all option for creating backyard shade. Depending on your backyard setup and your needs, you may opt for multiple shade options, from planting trees to umbrellas to permanent shady structures. Consider these questions before you shop. Why do you want shade?...

Keep reading to learn our advice for how to cut watermelon confidently and safely for all the summer salads, granitas, and agua frescas your heart desires. Spoiler: it’s a lot easier than you think to cut watermelon slices, cubes, and more! Just make sure you have a big, sturdy cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife, and you’re good to go. How to Cut Watermelon Slices With built-in watermelon rind handles, classic triangular slices are a perfect picnic snack....

Because it’s fast, healthy, and easy, grilling is one of our go-to methods for cooking meat when the weather cooperates. When the weather prohibits outdoor cooking, you can use the same cooking times for expert results indoors on a grill pan. There’s no stopping your grilling endeavors—no matter the season or weather. Direct-Heat Grilling Guide Before we go any further, be sure you know how to control grill temperature for direct heat grilling....

Anyone with any hair type can do a Dutch braid. Once you’ve mastered the skill, the options for hairstyles are endless. You can do braided updos, boxer braids, and more. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to Dutch braid but were intimidated, allow us to help break it down with this step-by-step process. Brush Your Hair Whether you’re braiding with dry or damp hair, brushing out the knots is important....

“If you’re using a new product or not necessarily sticking to a routine, then that can precipitate an irritation on the face,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist at Yale Medical School. What’s more, using a wide range of products can make it difficult to single out what is causing a negative reaction. To find out which product—and, more specifically, which ingredient—is responsible, Gohara says you have to become a skincare detective....

What is Chest Acne? As defined by Papri Sarkar, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Newton, Mass., chest acne is often called ‘folliculitis’ because it’s just that: an inflammatory process around the hair follicle. Much like breakouts on your face, there are several types and causes of chest acne. One type is caused by a higher concentration of sweat glands in the skin that become clogged. Another cause can be hair growth, particularly for men....