2 cup whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ¼ cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoon packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon very hot water ¾ cup powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon maple flavoring 1 teaspoon fat-free milk

¾ cup broken black walnuts or English walnuts ¼ cup sugar 1 tablespoon butter ¼ teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cup whipping cream ½ cup maple syrup 3 tablespoon cornstarch 5 egg yolks, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup butter, softened **Test Kitchen Tip: The chemistry behind caramelizing sugar is complicated. If some of the sugar mixture is stirred up onto the sides of the pan, the water will evaporate and cause the sugar particles to crystallize. This sets off a chain reaction in the caramel that can leave you with a grainy mess....

Deadnettle Care Must-Knows These easy-to-grow plants require very little care once established and create stunning mats of color in a shade garden. Deadnettles are most at home in well-drained soil with even moisture. Once established, they are quite tolerant of dry soil; they may just be a bit less vigorous. The biggest concern is overly moist soil. Most species and varieties will not tolerate too much moisture, so be sure to avoid soggy soil, especially standing water....

Over four decades of culinary experienceAuthor of 18 different cookbooksFood teacher, writer, and recipe developerWriter of food articles for Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, and Clean EatingFormer columnist for the Los Angeles TimesTV Presenter for Food Network, the TODAY Show, and Seasonings on PBS

Do You Need to Peel Carrots? “There is no need to peel carrots before eating—many people enjoy eating them with the skin on,” says Alan Hilowitz, former communications director at Bolthouse Farms. “However, since carrots are grown in the ground, washing/scrubbing is important if you do choose not to peel,” he adds. Of course, you should always wash your produce to reduce your risk of illness and pesticides, so hopefully, that’s nothing new....

Plants for Creating the Downspout Garden Plan 1 Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum): Zones 4-8 2 Pink turtlehead (Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’): Zones 3-7 5 Dwarf sweetflag (Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’): Zones 5-8 3 Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): Zones 5-9 If you aren’t able to find the exact varieties listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes. And because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting....

Cottage Kitchen Inspiration 15 Tips for a Cottage-Style Kitchen