Few things make people as nervous in the kitchen as making pastry dough. This is understandable because it’s easy to get wrong, and you can end up with something tough or soggy, instead of a light and ...

A heat-resistant silicone mat is ideal for rolling out dough, but you can also use parchment or waxed paper. A glass pie plate is a must because it’s the best heat conductor for a golden bottom crust.

A handheld blender is a magic wand for your kitchen, useful for puréeing soups, emulsifying sauces, and whipping up smoothies An immersion blender's compact size and versatility make it a handy tool.