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Mary-Frances Heck

The New York Sour

This wine-spiked whiskey sour is our pick for comeback cocktail of the year.

Strawberry Lemonade Smash

It goes without saying, but the sweeter and riper your strawberries, the better this adult slushy will taste (and look).

How to Bread and Fry a Chicken Cutlet

How to get that satisfying CRUNCH into your cutlets

How to Make a Rich, Light Chocolate Mousse

Here are the keys to making a rich yet light chocolate mousse for your honey on Valentine's Day

Beef Short Ribs

We love (love!) short ribs, but there are three different styles of cuts, each with their own uses. Here's what you need to know

Pineapple-Mint Vodka

This pineapple-mint vodka recipe is pretty much the definition of refreshing.

How to Care for a Butcher Block

Autumn and Hive's high-beeswax conditioner is just what you need to treat your cutting boards and butcher blocks

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil

Styrian pumpkin-seed oil, believe it or not, pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream

Vegetable Stock

Don't bother peeling the onions; their skins add a nice, rich brown color to this vegetable stock. If you'd like, remove the skins for use in dishes when a lighter color is preferred, such as in risotto or cream sauces.

Chicken Stock

Chicken wings are great for stock. They're flavor-making powerhouses of bones, meat, and skin and are easy to find. Some supermarkets sell backbones and carcasses; feel free to use them toward (or instead of) the four-pound total.

How to Prep a Lobster

Prep your bug with confidence with this step-by-step guide

New England Clam Chowder Brunch

New England clam chowder makes for a surprising--yet low-key--brunch

Have an Old Fashioned for Happy Hour

For BA Test Kitchen director Mary-Frances Heck, it's not the holidays till Dad mixes this cocktail

Boston Brown Bread

This dense quickbread is traditionally baked in empty coffee cans.

How to Get All Cheffy With Your Gravy

Add another level of flavor with these tweaks

How to Make Perfect Gravy

It all starts with the stock and ends with sighs