Lifestyle

You pull the milk out of the fridge, take a sniff, and are not quite sure. Is it fine or is it off? And what does the date on the carton actually mean, because it definitely does not say “expires on”? The short answer: Yes, milk goes bad, and it follows a more predictable pattern…

You found an old bottle in the back of the pantry. It looks cloudy. There is something floating in it. The color seems darker than you remember. So does apple cider vinegar actually go bad, or are you looking at something completely normal? The short answer: Apple cider vinegar almost never goes bad. Its acetic…

You found a bottle of vanilla extract that has been in the back of the cabinet for years. Maybe it has a best-by date that has passed. Maybe it looks a little cloudy. Maybe it smells more like alcohol than you remember. So does vanilla extract actually go bad, and does the answer change depending…

I’m not exaggerating when I say I LIVE for hosting pizza parties. Once warm weather hits, all I want to do is fire up the pizza oven and invite friends over to the backyard to make some pies. It’s the ultimate collaborative effort, and the night never feels stressful or rushed. Instead, everyone has a…

You bought it for one recipe, used a tablespoon, and now it has been sitting in the back of the pantry (or the fridge door) for longer than you can remember. Maybe the color looks a little different. Maybe there is something settling at the bottom. So: does Worcestershire sauce actually go bad, or is…

Open two jars of peanut butter side by side and you’ll sometimes get two different answers on the same label question. A jar of Jif says it does not require refrigeration. A jar of natural peanut butter, sitting one shelf over at the same store, says refrigerate after opening. Neither label is wrong. They’re describing…

Few condiment questions spark more debate than this one. Heinz famously tweeted that ketchup goes in the fridge. The USDA says refrigeration is not required. Restaurants leave it on the table all day. So what is actually correct? Does ketchup need to be refrigerated after opening? The short answer: Commercial ketchup does not require refrigeration…

Horseradish is one of those condiments you pull out a few times a year and then wonder about the rest of the time. The bigger problem is that the word “horseradish” covers three completely different products: fresh root, prepared horseradish, and creamy horseradish sauce. Each one has different storage rules. Getting them confused is where…

Why Tree Removal Matters on the Mornington Peninsula… Tree Removal is a top concern for many homeowners on the Mornington Peninsula because the region’s climate, sandy soils and coastal winds create unique challenges. From the rolling hills of Red Hill to the beachfront properties in Sorrento, a dead or unstable tree can threaten a house,…

Every summer, I choose 2 or 3 recipe goals for myself—usually, they’re recipes that are great for gatherings, and by the end of summer, I’ve perfected them. Last summer, it was my grilled pizza and Amy Chaplin’s Black Sesame Bread—I made them so frequently that I didn’t even need to consult a recipe anymore. By…