When you're pregnant, friends and relatives galore will likely offer up their babysitting services at some point and time. But when the kid shows up, many of those offers conveniently (well-not for you!) evaporate into thin air.

Family

Life as a working parent is a constant juggle. Throw in the added pressure of preparing for the holidays, and well, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are some tips for keeping the Merry and Happy front and center during school celebrations this holiday season.

Baking

I love gingerbread cookies, but my schedule doesn't always allow time for the rolling, cutting and decorating required. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy the flavor of my favorite cookie.

Entertaining

You’ve got your list of cookies and cakes to bake, but how do you plan to pack them up for gift giving? Here’s a checklist to make sure you’ve got all your holiday packing materials.

Pantry Basics

Right around this time of year, there’s lots of talk about making a list and checking it twice. When it comes to holiday baking, this is especially wise advice. Before you preheat the oven, add these ingredients to your shopping list, and you’ll be ready for almost any recipe that catches your eye during this busy baking season.

Entertaining

I sometimes like to satisfy my sweet tooth with a cup of joe. I steam some milk and create my own coffee drinks at home. One of my favorites is a mocha, and the “recipe” is just three ingredients—decaf espresso, steamed milk and a teaspoon or two of chocolate ganache.

Entertaining

The annual cooking marathon, otherwise known as Thanksgiving, started weeks ago for some homecooks. Others are bustling about jotting down lists of last-minute ingredients. With only two days left, you may be wondering if you bit off more than you can chew. No worries, though—we’ve got a few tips to help make your holiday hosting easier.

Family

The turkey is sure to take second place this year as everyone oohs and ahhs over your little one’s first Thanksgiving celebration. Your little one’s digestive system is still developing, so you’ll want to avoid dairy-laden mashed potatoes and gravy. The good news is there are still plenty of ways to indulge her new appetite for solids at your Thanksgiving table.

Entertaining

Butternut squash, one of my favorites, is sure to grace many Thanksgiving tables next week. With the right preparation, it can go from the littlest one’s first Thanksgiving plate to the appetizer course, and even a side dish. The trick is roasting it first. My favorite way to enjoy it is in this easy-to-make soup, a perfect prelude to the main course.

Entertaining

I love the cool, crisp days in New York City this time of year. It’s nice to say hello again to fall’s hearty bounty. Pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash—they’re all overflowing at the farmer’s market right now.

Family

When I was growing up in a small town in upstate New York, I remember that Halloween was one of the best nights of the year. We got to be anyone we wanted, and run the streets at night, bumping into friends, comparing costumes, getting as much candy as we possibly could. It was scary, but fun scary. I will never forget it.

Family

My husband, David, is not a cook. When I’m not home for dinner, he’s shuttling the kids off to the neighborhood Japanese restaurant, or out for shrimp cocktail at the local Applebee’s. But the one thing that always bothered him is our daughter’s love for chocolate milk, and how much sugar was in every glass. So he decided to do something about it.

Entertaining

Once the kids were tucked in, and finally asleep, my husband and I used to love curling up on the couch with a movie or to catch up on whatever shows we had recorded. A few months back I went through a phase of making seasoned popcorns for our late-night snack. I’m partial to Parmesan & black pepper, or straight-up movie-theater style with some melted butter, but Mikey was a salty-spicy guy. Add the crunch factor of homemade popcorn, and it was an easy, homemade treat to satisfy his snack tooth.

Family

What constitutes a “good snack”? Most of us can agree it’s not a sugary cupcake but are dried fruit and granola too extreme? Throw in food allergies, and snack duty can be a downright draining responsibility. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it’s your turn to bring the snacks:

Family

This year a restaurant in Pennsylvania banned children under six. Hardly anyone noticed. Children, unlike senior citizens, are not a protected class, but this has only reinforced my belief that parents should make it a point to bring their kids to restaurants.

Family

One of our favorite breakfasts and snacks is a simple smoothie. They're great for mornings when you're on the go, and kids of all ages can agree on a breakfast that feels like a treat. Moms can get behind whole fruits and vegetables even when slurped through a straw.

Family

Years ago, I was on the phone with my mom when she said abruptly, "Just a second, there's a recipe I want to read to you." She had just re-discovered a pumpkin cookbook that dated back to her newlywed days and wanted to share a little of her culinary history with me.

Pantry Basics

Last year, one of my favorite orchards offered an incredible deal. For just $20, they’d let you fill a half-bushel crate of apples up to the very top. That’s approximately 25 pounds of apples. Being one who cannot resist the allure of a good deal, I indulged in this bargain.

Family

If your little one is anything like mine, he probably doesn’t even need an invitation into the kitchen. Children are naturally drawn to the heart of the home because of the good smells, curious gadgets and, let’s face it, that’s where they find YOU most of the time. But those hands are fast, and attention spans are short. How does one get anything accomplished with a two or three-year-old ‘helping’?

Family

Fall whispers its entrance with cool evenings, blushing trees, and the laughter of school children. With it comes an array of colorful squash, my favorite of them being butternut. Fall squash are not only pretty and decorative, but they are tasty and loaded with complex vegetable carbohydrates and dietary fiber. The butternut happens to be my favorite because its thin skin is easy to peel and there is a high flesh-to-seed ratio in each squash.

Baking

Pears aren’t as eye-catchingly glossy, but they grab my attention far more than apples. They have a certain culinary humility and lack of flash that makes them good players in baked goods and preserves. Pears also dress up better than apples ever can, achieving easy sophistication simmered in honeyed wine or baked into an elegant tart.

Entertaining

The secret to end-of-season party planning is keeping it easy. No need for complicated cocktails or loads of decorations. It really helps that there’s so much amazing food in season right now. Here are some ideas to celebrate the labor of summer’s fruits (and vegetables).

Family

Along with all of the other various trials that come with having your first baby, tummy time proved to be the first that challenged my instincts as a new parent. It seemed as though just at the moment when we got to know each other, I needed to place my son into this awkward position on the ground that made him more than a little uncomfortable.

Pantry Basics

Ever since I started growing my own tomatoes, I looked forward to making tomato jam each summer. I make all sorts of salads, salsas, and sauces, too, but there's just something magical about this jam: the spices and the ginger make it reminiscent of an Indian chutney, but it's thick, perfectly sweet, and spreadable.

Pantry Basics

Show me someone who has never heard of salsa verde (green salsa) and I will show you someone who will fall in love with the taste of it as soon as they give it a try.

Pantry Basics

I know, I know, cold soups aren't for everyone. But I've found that most people don't like the idea of a cold soup because they haven't actually tried it.

Baking

The other day as the sun crept behind the clouds, I could tell a storm was about to break loose. Most were troubled by this interruption of summer weather; however, I couldn’t help but welcome a night of relaxation. I cozied up onto the couch and flipped through some channels. However, I quickly realized that something was missing: the smell of fresh baked goods to replace the cold air taking over my apartment.

Family

In a few weeks, we’ll embark on our annual family vacation to Cape Cod. This is a trip my husband and I have been making for some 16 years, and the way we get there has certainly changed since children came into our lives.

Pantry Basics

Farmers’ markets were not a full-time affair growing up, so in the off-season, most of our vegetables came from a can. Come summertime, though, I remember by mom rifling through mounds of fresh-picked corn on the cob. She’d gently pull back the husks to peek at the top kernels, making sure it was worth the asking price. Try doing that today, and your friendly farmer may start giving you the evil eye.

Family

A dip in the pool seems the perfect cure for summer’s scorching temperatures, but water’s refreshing effects extend far beyond a few laps. Staying hydrated is especially important when kids are running around outdoors.

Pantry Basics

I’ve been eating seasonally for some time now, and it certainly has its advantages. Every veggie and bite of fruit is bursting with flavor, having only been picked hours before, generally within 100 to 150 miles of where I live. The downside to this approach means I haven’t had eggplant parmigiana in the winter in about five years.

Family

Summer is the perfect season for so many reasons. School is out, meaning kids and parents can take a break from the daily homework grind. Pools, and sprinklers for us city folk, provide a fun reprieve from the sun’s melting rays. The best part, by far, though, is the sight of all my family’s favorite foods coming into season at the farmers’ market.

Baking

Turning on the oven is the last thing most people want to do come summertime. Sure there’s good reason to take dinner outdoors when the temperatures rise into the 90s, but with a little planning, baking can still be a part of your summer dessert strategy. After all, berry season means it’s time to make pies!

Family

After years of being a voracious milk drinker, my oldest daughter has taken to sipping mostly water. On the surface, this may seem nothing to worry about since water is essential for proper body functions, especially during the summertime. My cause for concern was more about her calcium intake, and the August issue of Parents’ magazine shed some light on my worries.

Entertaining

An icy cold beer is pretty perfect with a hot off the grill burger. On sunny summer days though, I’ve found a cooling refresher that doesn’t leave me feeling sleepy as the day progresses is sometimes a better pairing. We always seem to have watermelon in the fridge this time of year since it’s the kids’ favorite fruit. This July 4th, and the rest of the summer in fact, I plan to turn it into some fun mocktails the whole family can enjoy.

Pantry Basics

One perk of my job as a food editor is getting a sneak peek at cookbooks before they hit shelves. While browsing through a new Italian one scheduled for release this fall, I was reminded there’s more than one way to make pasta at home. We often rely on eggs to make pasta at home, but there’s good news if you’re allergic to eggs. Next time you’re in the supermarket, read one of the labels and you’ll see most boxed pasta are made with semolina flour and water, not an egg in site. You can make this at home too.

Family

Kids will probably chuckle if you tell them blueberries are a superfood, especially boys conjuring up images of Superman. While they can’t make them fly, rest assured this is one fruit you want your little ones to become best friends with for life.

Pantry Basics

Here in New York, we wait for the short window of time when strawberries come into season. While the hope is that each batch is filled with juicy, sweet berries, it’s inevitable that some need a little help. My solution for the tart berries in the bunch is to make jam. Recently, I realized if I took this one step further, I could have a tasty way to the beat the heat too with homemade strawberry frozen yogurt.

Family

Australians take their sun protection pretty seriously - a hole in the ozone layer over the country means that Aussie’s get a lot of UV radiation and presumably a higher rate of skin cancer than many other countries. That means they have adopted some of the best, more rigorous skin protection regimes out there.

Family

My eyes lit up a few weeks ago when I spied the first zucchini of the season. I decided to use roasted zucchini as a springboard for a new dip recipe. Since both the kids love hummus, I decided to add a familiar flavor and included tahini in my final recipe. A fresh squirt of lemon brightened the flavors too.

Family

Since I had my own phobias with rhubarb, I knew it would likely be a hard sell to my daughters too. Well, what kid doesn’t love pie? I made them kid-sized, so they could hold them and happily snack on a homemade treat and still have room for an icy cold glass of milk.

Pantry Basics

Every week I’m greeted with sightings of old favorites making a comeback at the farmers’ market. Recently, I blinked and rubbed my eyes in surprise to see the first zucchini of the season. June has snuck up on me, though, so perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise at all.

Baking

The strawberries are here! If you were anywhere near the farmers’ market at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn a week or two ago, you may have heard me singing the praises of the season. After what seemed like an endless winter, and more than three feet of snow here in New York City, those ruby red orbs of fruit were enough to make me do a happy dance.

Pantry Basics

Rhubarb was the first sign of spring, its ruby stalks brightening up the rows of root vegetables at the farmers’ market. Now strawberries have made their presence known too. Before long, sweet peas will also be in abundance—I already spied a few, but they were expensive. Thankfully I have one last bag of fresh-frozen peas from last year’s harvest. I’m happy I planned ahead too, though a bag of frozen peas from the supermarket is perfectly fine in a pinch.

Family

As the weather gets warmer, heating up the kitchen first thing with a home-cooked breakfast isn’t my favorite way to start the day. That doesn’t mean we survive on cold cereal Monday through Friday, though. A little planning on the weekends means breakfast comes together quickly, and easily, as I’m getting everyone off to work and school.

Entertaining

This weekend signals the unofficial start to grilling season, so kick it off on a spicy note and add some zing to your usual burger line-up. A few months ago I took the plunge and tried a new ingredient, and since then harissa paste has become my new secret cooking weapon. A little bit adds lots of flavor, so start off small if this your first time cooking with it.

Family

We’ve all been told breakfast is important to jump start the day, but as the weather gets warmer a hot plate of food isn’t always appealing. A sure fire way to get my daughters, ages 3 and 8, interested is by offering something frosty they can sip.

Pantry Basics

Before summer rears its hot, humid head, there are some winter dishes I’m not ready to bid adieu. While strolling the market a few months ago, I happened upon a pile of onions. Actually, it was more like tripped over them. Anyone who’s spent a winter season in the northeast knows January is the land of root vegetables and tubers.

Family

The moment temperatures peek above 60 degrees you’ll find Mr. Softee waiting outside the schoolyard. I find no charm in his music. The fumes that release into the yard and neighboring park border on criminal behavior in my book. I wouldn’t call myself one of those moms. You know, the ones who forbid any sweets. Frankly, with my job as recipe developer that would be near impossible. I just don’t see why an ice cream truck should be allowed to park right in front of a school every single day.

Family

May 9, 2011

Gardening does not come as easy to me as cooking, so this isn’t exactly my comfort zone. Unlike the kitchen where things come instinctively, the yard takes a bit more effort and focus. Of course the kids just want to dig dirt, and I’ve finally come to accept it isn’t such a bad thing—as long as they stay away from my vegetables, flowers and herbs.

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Entertaining

Happy Mother’s Day!
May 7, 2011

What would be my idea of the perfect Mother’s Day? Not washing a single dish ranks high on that list. This means taking a break from cooking for the day too, but going out for brunch isn’t necessarily what I’d consider a peaceful Sunday morning.

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Entertaining

Flex Your Mussels
May 3, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

After tasting my first bowl of mussels, prepared with a spicy, garlic-laced tomato sauce in my early 20s, I was instantly hooked. It became my go-to appetizer whenever we visited a small Italian restaurant nearby.

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Baking

A Royal Breakfast
April 28, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

This week, Prince William is getting married and there hasn’t been an affair this grand since his mother, Princess Diana walked down the aisle. I’ll be in attendance this Friday morning. It’s perhaps the best wedding invitation too—no fussing with gowns, hair or make-up. My pajamas, fuzzy slippers and a pot of hot tea to enjoy with a fresh batch of English scones is all I’ll need to make my grand entrance.

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Family

The Food Dye Debate
April 25, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

A few weeks ago, artificial food colorings fell under scrutiny from the FDA. Parents around the country hoped the U.S. would come to its senses and realize our children don’t need the 15 million pounds of food dyes currently used in processed food annually. Yes—15 million, a staggering, and alarming, amount.

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Pantry Basics

Make Every Day Earth Day
April 22, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Reduce, reuse and recycle is how I normally approach life. Each day, week, and month, I build on that philosophy as I learn new ways to lessen my family’s carbon footprint. The same can easily be applied to food. Before you scrape leftovers into the trashcan, think about how you can make them into something delicious again.

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Baking

Easter Treats
April 20, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Come Easter dessert time, the last thing I want to do is serve another sugar-loaded sweet. This year I decided to make carrot cupcakes, figuring I could convince the kids they’re the Easter Bunny’s favorite too.

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Family

Earth Day Fun
April 18, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

My two-year old says her ABC’s, mostly in order, and even counts to 20, more often than not. What makes me most proud, though, is she knows to ask what canister to put trash in. While she’s still too young to understand the concept of recycling, she does knows that paper, plastic, tin and glass do not go in the same bin as a banana peel or the scraps from our dinner plates.

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Baking

Passover Treats
April 14, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Next week is the start of Passover, and I’ve been thinking about what dessert I’ll serve for a while now. Not having been raised Jewish—I’m an Italian-Catholic gal who married a Jewish-Italian guy, I don’t have staple recipes that were part of my holidays growing up. A few years back, I came across a recipe that seemed a perfect marriage of my Italian food history and the restrictions from using flour and butter in kosher Passover desserts.

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