It's BBQ time and the cookin' is easy! Especially if you know the right time and temperatures to serve up sizzling hot and juicy food. When Jack Thompson, founder of BroBBQ, wrote to me and shared his very detailed infographic, I knew I had to share it with you. So for all the Here... Read more →

It's baking time again. Or as dessert lovers and avid bakers say, "It is always baking time, and there is always time to bake!!" Ok, that is actually my quote... But if you like to bake, I bet you agree with me. This made from scratch apple tart recipe was originally published in 2010... Read more →

When I say "mango ice made easy," I mean EEEEAAASY! This recipe serves up a tasty, full of flavor, sweet, refreshing treat. You'll wonder why you haven't made it before, I know I did! While mangoes aren't something I usually buy or cook with, I had a mango salsa over mahi-mahi recently that reminded... Read more →

There are those of us who are either water drinkers or not... If you are, spa water will entice you to drink more water, and if you aren't, you'll be pleasantly surprised how quickly sweetened beverages lose their sparkle. Spa water, AKA water infused with fruit, vegetables, and herbs, is a wonderful, refreshing, less... Read more →

Yes, I baked this loaf of bread myself! And you can, too! This homemade bread recipe (borrowed from my friend, Michelle) is simple to do, and best of all, there is no need for a bread machine because this is a NO knead bread recipe! Yeah!! Everyone I know who owns a big bread-making... Read more →

I love, love, love my Cuisinart Rice Cooker... I've written about the other ways I use this handy, kitchen gadget in the Here We Are article, The Rice Cooker: A Better Way To Cook Brown Rice, Couscous, And Oatmeal In Less Time. This time, I am sharing with you how to hard-cook, or hard-boil,... Read more →

So you are in the mood to do a little baking, and you come upon a strip of dry yeast packets in your cabinet... Not sure if they are any good? Use my quick tip to test the potency BEFORE you begin the process of baking bread or whatever other warm and toasty goodies... Read more →

If you've ever been strolling the supermarket produce section and thought about buying pomegranates but figured it would be too messy to peel and seed them... Stop pushing your shopping cart! After you watch this One By One video, the next time you are in the store you'll want to treat yourself and your... Read more →

If you like DIY - do it YOURSELF - projects, then this is a simple, fun, and quick project you'll enjoy doing. Sugar shapes are easy to make once you get a few little tips and tricks out of the bowl! In this One By One video, I show you just how easy it... Read more →

Call it whatever you want... Italian Ice, Lemon Ice, Granita, Sorbet, or Sorbetto, it is still a sweet and tasty cold treat perfect for hot summer days. This recipe came out of my attempt to make a watermelon-lemonade granita BUT when I sliced open the seedless watermelon, it was rotten! Since I had the... Read more →

In this One By One video, I show you how to make my EASY Lime Dressing recipe, step by step. You may remember the original article, Lime Salad Dressing: Simple, Tasty, and Versatile. Check it out for the exact ingredients and measurements as described in this video. This homemade, delicious dressing can be used... Read more →

Nothing says "summer" more than an ice-cold glass of lemonade... Sweet, tart, and oh so refreshing on a hot day. While a tempting glass full of mother nature's goodness is a welcome sight, sometimes we get served sour lemons in other areas of our life. It may be a heart ache, a difficult issue,... Read more →

Wherever you live, find an opportunity in your area to go fruit picking this spring, summer, or fall. Whether you pick apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries, it's a fun outing and can be an adventure. Besides getting outdoors, you will be up close and personal with Mother Nature while supporting local farms. Walking... Read more →

It's been years since I discovered the Butter Bell. When I first launched Here We Are, I shared that experience with you in the article, Butter... Spread Soft Cheer To Better Butter Up Your Toast & Maybe Your Host (obviously, I was exercising my "catchy title" muscles!). Since then, every time I entertain, someone... Read more →

This is a very easy, quick recipe to make delicious, homemade cranberry sauce not only for the holidays, but as a side dish or relish any time. It's perfect with turkey, but also revs up roast pork, pork chops, and chicken for the meat eaters; spread it on top of a grilled portobello mushroom... Read more →

A while back I posted this homemade pizza recipe on my Instagram page and it received a lot of action. Who doesn't like pizza? Especially when you can make it at home, any way you like, and on the grill! This recipe belongs to my sister-in-law, Lynn, who has been perfecting it for the... Read more →

In this One By One video, Luci shows you how to open a wine bottle the easy and fast way. Watch her technique to keep the cork whole and removed intact using an old-fashioned cork screw. You will never struggle again with a broken or stuck cork! It is always frustrating when the cork... Read more →

Summer may be over but this lime salad dressing recipe is one you will make throughout the year. Not only is it EASY and FAST to make, you can use this tasty, tangy dressing over a mexican salad, drizzle it on sliced avocado and tomatoes, top a fruit salad, toss it with steamed vegetables,... Read more →

In this ONE BY ONE video, Luci shares an easy, tasty drink recipe that can be served in the pineapple shells after you've cored out the fruit. Don't throw away the shells after coring, consider using them instead of traditional drink ware for frozen tropical drinks. Remember to plan ahead so you have enough... Read more →

If you love pineapple but struggle with getting the fresh, juicy meat out of the shell… Then you need a pineapple corer in your kitchen. This affordable gadget makes easy work of removing the delicious, nutritious meat of this tropical fruit. With a knife, a bowl, and a little elbow grease applied to the... Read more →

This is a fun, easy recipe that I've adapted for Here We Are after much testing and tasting! If you like the traditional York style peppermint patty, then you will enjoy making this eggless, homemade recipe. These chocolate covered treats make a great gift in a pretty box or cellophane gift bag; are perfect... Read more →

Thanksgiving is over and the last of the cranberry sauce is gone. Now what to do with those extra cranberries that didn't make it into the sauce? Freeze them... Right? Except six months later we find the Ziploc bag of berries in the freezer - uncertain if they are any good - we wastefully... Read more →

Updated Directions, October 2017. If you like to munch on pumpkin seeds, then try this quick and easy way to make this healthy, nutrient rich snack! The roasting process is approximate, keep an eye on them so they don't burn, but don't overcook them if you want the nutritional benefits. Here are the notes... Read more →

This past winter I decided to develop a granola bar recipe to share with the Here We Are readers. After reading long, sugar-filled ingredient lists on store brands, I wanted bars that were light on sugar content, preservative and soy-free. And so the testing began... Like all of the HWA recipes that must pass... Read more →

Article update 2016: Check out my video on how to use this handy gadget To Core A Pineapple. How often do you walk past the fresh pineapple display at the market simply because you don't want to make a mess getting the fruit out of its prickly shell? Once you use a pineapple coring... Read more →

Can you be anything but happy looking at this scrumptious treat? It tastes even better than it looks! This simple recipe makes it easy to enjoy this french dessert known as "pots de crème" - AKA pot of cream or custard - any time you have a chocolate craving. Expect a deep, rich chocolate... Read more →

Making homemade marshmallows is easy and fun to do for the whole family. There is something very pleasing about watching the ingredients turn into creamy white, delicious marshmallow dreaminess. This fluffy recipe mixture makes it hard to wait until they are ready to cut, so have a few spoons available for a quick tasting... Read more →

An Easy, Adaptable, Slow Cooker Recipe Think you can't do lasagna in a crock pot? Think again, you can! And it's easy as a blueberry pie! Besides the time savings, and ease, the best part about this recipe is that it is fully adaptable to your choice of ingredients. Whether you're a vegetarian or... Read more →

Last year, I was in the supermarket produce aisle when I saw an abundance of big, juicy, red grapes on a vine. It sparked a childhood memory of Thanksgiving holidays at my grandparent's house. I started telling my friend about how my grandmother used red and purple grapes as the center of a big... Read more →

When life gives you limes, turn it into a smile! ~ Unknown ****************** If you find you are overambitious when buying lemons and limes, you are not alone. Limes are inexpensive and very evocative of summer. It is tempting to buy too many only to find them shriveled up in the fruit basket long... Read more →

It's blueberry season! Not only are blueberries healthy, they are the easiest fruit to bake with because you don't have to slice, dice, peel, pit, core, or chop anything. Just wash and dry them, pick out the mushy ones, and you are on your way. If you are looking for an easy, quick recipe... Read more →

A Recipe Review by Here We Are Is it even possible to bake a great tasting chocolate cupcake without adding eggs? Yes, and I can vouch for this recipe... You won't be disappointed. To do this review, I tested it twice and both batches baked up beautifully in terms of shape, size, moist texture,... Read more →

This recipe for Pineapple Coconut Angel Food Cake makes the easiest cake you'll ever bake. The clean-up is a snap, too, because you'll only use 1 bowl, 1 spoon, and a bundt pan. Ingredients 16 oz. box of Angel Food Cake mix 20 oz. can of crushed pineapples (or you can core your own... Read more →

Think granola is a bland combo of seeds and nuts? You'll think differently after trying this recipe for an easy, homemade, healthy treat that can be served for breakfast or munched on by the handful. After you mix up this eggless, customizable recipe, you'll never buy another box of mass produced cereal again! ALLERGY... Read more →

Sugar Shapes are a fun and easy way to spruce up any tabletop presentation. Whether you are preparing a holiday dinner, a family brunch, or a simple coffee and dessert get-together, these sweet little extras add a lot pizazz with very little effort. $$ SAVING TIP: Making them yourself only costs a cup or... Read more →

Surprised by the vast selection of apples at the supermarket? If you are a seasoned baker, you know which type of apple you like to put into your pies and homemade treats. Unfortunately - for the occasional baker - picking the right variety can be confusing; possibly even stressful if you volunteered to bake... Read more →

This is a fast, healthy, and easy recipe for grilling salmon. Depending on your preference, both topping options are used in the same manner. The fruit options can be adjusted according to the amount of salmon you are grilling. Estimate two pieces of fruit per average size salmon steak (approx. 4 x 5 inches).... Read more →

2017 Update: I've added a One By One video extending the use of this rice cooker beyond couscous, oatmeal, and brown rice to eggs... Yes, eggs! For my tips on cooking these dry goods, and the eggs, check out How To Make Hard Cooked Eggs In A Rice Cooker Using The Steamer Basket. Original... Read more →

The Fast & Tasty 5 Ingredient Pasta Salad Not sure what to do with that leftover pasta? Tired of the typical summer pasta salad? Try this easy recipe for a light and healthy meal you can put together in minutes. Ingredients: All 5 ingredients should be chilled. You can make as much as needed... Read more →

Too much "junk in the trunk" to fit into your favorite summer shorts? Like to snack? Try this healthier Oatmeal Cookie recipe to satisfy summer snack cravings. They are loaded with ingredients that are good for you, but you'd never know it because they will please any sweet tooth. Remember, these cookies are a... Read more →

These dreamy, tasty, toasty treats can be on the cooling rack in 30 minutes. Here's how... 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (a convection oven will adjust to 375 degrees--this is how I baked them and they came out nicely toasted on the outside, but moist on the inside). 2. Working quickly, but... Read more →

Check out the ONE BY ONE Video on How To Use A Butter Bell, What It Is, And Why You'll Want One! Does your butter come out of the fridge looking unappetizing? Are you tired of cold, hard butter that refuses to spread on your nice warm bagel? In many cases, there is no... Read more →