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Is it safe to eat dyed Easter eggs?

Is it safe to eat dyed Easter eggs?

You look forward to the tradition every year. You stock up on eggs, select your dyes, and pick a few patterns that will show off your creativity. Then for all of your efforts, you get to display your beautiful Easter handiwork on the table or as part of the big Easter egg hunt—but wait. Are those dyed eggs actually safe to eat? Well, it depends. It’s estimated that Americans dye more than 180 million eggs for Easter Sunday (read more incredible facts about eggs you never knew), so it would be a shame just to waste them. However, unless you set some parameters from the get-go, you’ll likely put yourself at risk for salmonella and eggs that end up in the trash. If you can answer “yes” to EVERY question on this list, your eggs are still safe to eat. If you answer “no” to one or more questions, it’s best…

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Seasonal

5 new Peeps flavors available for Easter 2020

5 new Peeps flavors available for Easter 2020

April is still weeks away, but Peeps fans will be thrilled to know that several brand new flavors are coming to stores in celebration of Easter 2020. And the new flavors do not disappoint! Peeps lovers can choose from 5 flavors: Froot Loops (available at Target and Walmart), Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon (available at Kroger), Raspberry Dipped in Crème Fudge (available only at Target), Root Beer Float (available nationwide), and Chocolate Pudding bunnies (available nationwide). Also see 14 fun facts about Peeps.  Along with these new marshmallow treats, Peeps released Peeps-flavors jelly beans and individually wrapped Peeps (available at Walmart)—perfect for your Easter egg hunt! “The Peeps Brand has become an icon in American pop culture, with it’s instantly recognizable colors, shapes and flavors holiday a special place int he hearts of many for nearly seven decades,” said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps, in a statement. “We strive to…

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Seasonal

This is why we eat ham on Easter

This is why we eat ham on Easter

Holidays are chock-full of timeless traditions, perhaps in no category more steadfastly than food. What’s Thanksgiving without turkey? Halloween without candy? New Year’s without some bubbly? And of course, what would Easter dinner even be without a briny, salty ham? But aside from simply tradition, how did pigs come to play such an important role in our annual spring feast? It really just has to do with practical considerations and timing. Traditionally, pigs were slaughtered in the fall as temperatures cooled. This would allow the meat to stay fresher for much longer. Before refrigeration, farmers would set aside any unsold meat to be cured, or preserved, as to not waste food or income. That cured meat was finally ready to eat each year right around Easter. Also read, Why do eat chocolate bunnies on Easter? These days, slaughtering schedules don’t play an important of a part as simply our preference. While…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Honey soy glazed salmon

salmon_soy_honey_glaze_1Meghan Rodgers

If you want a fancy-yet-easy main dish, look no further than baked salmon fillets. It can be a midweek date go-to as much as it can  be an al fresco meal with friends, or even a romantic night in. Salmon pretty much always suits the occasion. This baked salmon comes out beautifully with little-to-no effort. The marinade is an interesting blend of sweet and sour flavors. It’s similar to a teriyaki sauce, though it takes its main spice ingredients from Chinese and Thai cuisine. Also try these Spicy Thai tuna stuffed avocados. To cook, let your fillets soak up the marinade for about 2 hours before baking (no less than 30 minutes), then place in preheated oven (350ºF). Even thick salmon fillets cook quickly, so don’t stray too far from the kitchen. As a rule of thumb, salmon needs four to six minutes cook time per half-inch of thickness. Start…

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News Bites

The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

Valentine’s Day is the most popular day all year for dining out, and to help diners decide where to impress the object of their affection, OpenTable has released its user generated annual list of 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. The online restaurant reservation company creates its comprehensive list by culling more than 12 million verified diner reviews of more than 28,000 restaurants in all 50 states plus D.C. And the results? Perhaps surprisingly, Ohio tops the list with nine recognized restaurants. Texas comes in close with eight, followed by North Carolina and Virginia with seven each. Pennsylvania places fifth with six winning restaurants. And the type of food diners desire most? American cuisine-serving restaurants dominate the list, but French, Italian, Latin, Seafood, and Southern restaurants have a strong showing, so you’ll be able to customize the cuisine to whatever your love loves most. “These 100 restaurants excel at setting…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Brownies with cream cheese frosting_2

We swear we’re done eating junk after the holidays, and then BAM! Valentine’s Day goodies are everywhere. But I have to tell you, these red velvet brownies are totally worth it! If you’re a fan of red velvet, you’ll love these moist, chewy brownies. They’re 100 percent homemade, and ready in no time. Even the cream cheese frosting is homemade. Yes, you can leave your brownies bare, but red velvet and cream cheese are just meant to be together. If I can give you one tip, it’s when you go to cut your finished baked goods, clean your knife after each cut. Bonus points for warming it up a bit under the faucet first. A warm, clean knife will ensure your keeping the luscious crumbs and the cream, white icing in their separate layers. You can also make these in muffin tins for easy removal and less hassle. Red Velvet…

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Seasonal

Sweethearts are back for Valentine’s Day 2020 but with a few changes

Sweethearts are back for Valentine's Day 2020 but with a few changes

Sweethearts are back on store shelves in time for Valentine’s Day. Last year, you may remember, if you wanted to tell the object of your affection to “BE MINE” or “KISS ME” you had to find another way. The iconic conversation hearts were missing from store shelves because of a change in ownership. Thankfully they’re back for Valentine’s Day 2020, but consumers might notice a few changes. Because of printing machine issues, not all hearts will receive printed messages. Some Sweethearts are being released blank. Yes—silent hearts. Additionally, Spangler the company behind Dum Dum lollipops and now Sweethearts, has decided to return to the original 118-year-old candy recipe. That means flavors like banana and wintergreen will find their way back in the box. Consumers can find Sweethearts for the 2020 season at big retailers like Walgreen’s and CVS, but should act soon. Spangler spokeswoman Diana Moore Eschhofen told CNBC that…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Cranberry baked brie pull-apart bread bowl appetizer

Cranberry baked brie pull-apart bread bowl appetizer

If you’re looking for an appetizer to share, cranberry brie an easy go to combo — that’s because it’s insanely delicious! Creamy, melted brie smothered in rich, tart cranberry sauce can turn any holiday event into something special. Bring this cranberry brie bowl to any party and watch it disappear. To serve the best recipe you possibly can, make sure you scoop up a quality bread bowl. A rustic loaf from a bakery, or at the very least your grocer’s bakery, should do the trick. Also, opt for triple cream brie if you can find it. It melts more consistently and stays creamy without separating. And for the cranberries, only a whole cranberry sauce will really work. Ocean Spray, and a few other brands, carry whole cranberry sauce in a can, so you don’t have to make your own—unless you want to! If you love this recipe, you’ll also love…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

chocolate_crinkle_cookies_m_rodgers_2

In the holiday wonderland of hundreds of types of Christmas cookies, how does one cookie stand apart? It must be one rich, decadent, and fudgy cookie! These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are seriously the best! They taste just like a brownie only better. They’re lightly crunchy on the outside, yet irresistibly chewy in the center. You’re about to find a new holiday favorite. Tips for baking the Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Make sure all of your ingredients are room temperature. Don’t skip Step 4 (chilling the dough). Dough is super sticky and needs to chill or else it will be too difficult to work with. Chilling also helps create thicker cookies with a fudgy flavor. If they’re too warm when they go into the oven, they’ll spread out too thin. Remember to adjust the baking time to your oven. 10-12 minutes is a suggestion. If you bake too long, they’ll lose…

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Seasonal

The most popular Christmas candies by state

The most popular Christmas candies by state

American loves candy. That much is clear. And the fanciful, food-filled Christmas season only seems to add to our obsession. Christmas candy sales hit about $1.9 billion last in 2017 and they’re projected to reach a full $2 billion in 2019, according to the National Confectionary Association. Whether it’s chocolate candies decorating baked goods or candy canes dangling on trees (or grossing out your friends), it all adds up. But where you live might persuade your purchasing habits. Candystore.com released an interactive map revealing the results of their candy research: the top three most popular Christmas candies in each state. The online bulk candy distributor calculated more than 32,000 responses nationwide. And you just might be surprised by your state. Source: CandyStore.com. So what’s the most popular candy nationwide? Candy canes, of course. Whether they’re used as decoration, stirring hot chocolate, or crushed up atop cookies, candy canes make an…

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