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Once you’ve got the basic Christmas crack recipe complete, go for one of five variations by our Test Kitchen. Keep the salty-sweet theme going by utilizing rich rectangular crackers, potato chips, and pretzels. Give the cracker candy some fireside flair by making a s’mores version. Add a fruity twist with some cranberries. For a richer flavor, try the dark chocolate Christmas crack made with saltines, pepitas, and toffee bits. No matter which version of cracker candy bark you make, everyone is going to be asking for the recipe to be able to make more at home....

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Pasta and Stir-Fry Wild Mushroom Spinach-Stuffed Shells: The ricotta, mushroom, and spinach stuffing is decadent in shells—and is equally tasty served wrapped in lasagna noodles. Get the recipe. Tomato Mushroom Pasta: Add hearty shiitake mushrooms to this simmered tomato mushroom sauce. Get the recipe. Tofu and Mushroom Larb: This plant-based variation of larb, a spicy Thai dish, features mushrooms and tofu in place of meat. Get the recipe. Soup Creamy Mushroom Soup With Chives: Cremini and shiitake mushrooms add richness to this easy-to-make soup that comes together in less than an hour....

But despite the convenience, mixing something designed to go on your ends with something designed to go on your scalp doesn’t seem like the smartest thing to do. So what are 2-in-1s, exactly? “[The] technology is essentially a shampoo that has added silicones (a substance that coats the hair shaft, locking in moisture) and a suspending/bonding agent—usually glycol distearate—that keeps the silicones from separating out of the shampoo formula,” says Paul Wintner, hairstylist and global education manager for Alterna Haircare....

Unfortunately, in the Test Kitchen, we found little to no difference in the popcorn results in the two methods. In fact, the first bag popped by one of our Test Kitchen pros turned out perfectly without preheating. Then, the second bag made after heating the water produced uneven popping and even a few burnt kernels. Since this trick reportedly works wonders for some, we got insight from an expert. “Based on how microwaves work, ‘preheating’ the microwave wouldn’t be very effective as the microwave heats molecules in the food itself,” says Laura Johnson, consumer analyst, research and development at LG Electronics....

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Home Director for Real SimplePreviously an editor at Food Network Magazine, HGTV Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine and InStyleOver 10 years of experience in editorial, both print and digital Related Video

Recently we spoke to several experts who had some great burger tips to add to the conversation. Charles Michel, University of Oxford chef and food scientist, George Motz, author of The Great American Burger Book, and Bryan Mayer, Fleishers’ director of butchery education, explain what makes a burger great. Here’s what you need to do to build a burger like a professional. Steps for the Perfect Burger Grill 80 percent lean beef....

Get a closer look at what you want in your knife block and a bit about knife sharpeners. We also share our Test Kitchen’s best tips on how to hold a knife, knife storage, and other basic knife skills. Must-Have Kitchen Knives and Helpful Extras These are the kitchen knife basics it’s important to have. Pictured above from top to bottom and then left to right: Tips for Buying Kitchen Knives A high-quality knife may seem costly, but compare buying a $70 knife you’ll use for 20 years with the $10 knife you replace each year....

In order to reduce food waste, FSIS recommends that regardless of the date, consumers should evaluate the quality of the food before deciding to eat it or throw it away. (The one exception: Federal law requires a date on all infant formulas for safety and it should always be followed.) So what exactly do expiration dates mean then, and how long is food really good for? With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple compiled this simple guide to reading expiration dates and when to worry about food safety, so you can shop smarter and waste less....

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Unfortunately, many believe that eco-friendly alternatives are inherently more expensive. But that’s a harmful myth, since reducing plastic use is becoming increasingly imperative. In order to tackle plastic pollution, we must demand alternatives from product manufacturers, and equally importantly, we must all begin to change our daily habits. It’s time we begin integrating products into our routines and lifestyles that provide alternatives to single-use plastics. At the very least, we need to begin consciously selecting products that significantly reduce plastic waste in some way....

Lemon cucumbers aren’t exactly a supermarket staple, but these unusual veggies have many traits that make them a must in your garden. Despite their name, lemon cucumbers don’t have any citrus-like flavor; they taste just like the traditional green, oblong cucumbers you’re used to seeing and eating (they’re often considered a little less bitter, though). Instead, the “lemon” part of their name refers to their appearance; each one is about the same size and shape as an egg or a lemon and turns yellow when ripe instead of staying green....

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Step 1: Make the Piecrust First, decide what type of piecrust you want to make—it depends at least in part on what you want the filling to be. For example, for most pumpkin and pecan pies, you’ll want to learn how to make a single-crust piecrust. But for most fruit pies, like apple and cherry, you’ll want to make a double-crust piecrust. Once you’ve chosen your recipe, follow these steps for success:...

Should I Put Water in the Roasting Pan for Turkey? “You can imagine all the turkey cooking methods we’ve tested over our 39 years at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line,” says Nicole Johnson, the director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. “Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan....

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As a rule of thumb, 401(k) distributions cannot start until you are 59 1/2 years old. “That’s the age when you can start taking the money out of retirement accounts without paying the additional 10 percent penalty,” says Shelly-Ann Eweka, director of financial planning strategy at TIAA. Retirement planning, then, has a lot to do with deciding which age to retire at and how to stretch your money between the various stages at which these funds become available: 401(k) distributions start at 59 1/2, but social security benefits won’t start until age 62....