Gumbo Ya Ya

There are a lot of gumbos out there, and although their ingredients may vary wildly (shrimp, sausage, okra, tomatoes, crab, filé - or not), this stew is always flavorful and hearty.  I did not grow up in Louisiana, but have enjoyed many bowls of this legendary dish on visits there. And one thing I've come to learn is that although the variations are endless, you don't have to live in New Orleans to master it. So along with my recipe for Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo, I've also included step-by-step photos with instructions. Enjoy!

A great-tasting muffin awaits. . .

Quick to make and delightful as ever, these Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins will disappear from your kitchen counter almost as quickly as you can put them there. Soaking the oats in the milk before using them in the batter makes these muffins especially moist and tender. This favorite recipe also doubles easily to feed a crowd.

Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins 

Mashed Potato Art

I have many memories of dinner table-potato art. My siblings and I created lots of spiraling potato towers and requisite hollowed-out wells spilling with golden gravy, much to our parents displeasure. But there's more to these delicious spuds than sculpture - they have comforting, almost therapeutic qualities.

The enduring romance of the mashed potato is the fact that such a plain and virtuous creature - the potato - can transform itself from whole into mashed so easily. Mashed potatoes are like a magic trick, a culinary sleight of hand. And all it takes is a little butter, milk or cream, salt and pepper to complete the metamorphosis into such a satisfying dish.

Here are five mashed potatoes recipes to match with your favorite meals and maybe have a little sculpting fun with.