Every self-respecting cook has one or two... or more. Secret ingredients don't need to be fancy; in my kitchen it's usually Worcestershire, sour cream or black pepper. Each adds a little depth and unexpected flavor to a dish, without overpowering it. Hence, you can use some pretty basic items to spice up even the classiest meals. Here are a few ingredients you probably have in your pantry right now, and plenty of ideas to experiment with.

The pressed salad represents everything traditional Japanese: minimalistic but stylized, simple but complex, easy but precise. And that fact should be no surprise, as the iconic dish has roots in Macrobiotic cuisine. Read on to learn what this beautiful salad is, and how to perfect it at home.

I don't know about you, but after all the overindulgence that generally characterizes the all-American Super Bowl Sunday, well, I'm feeling like some detox fare come Monday. So, today's Meatless Monday is dedicated to getting you back on track and replacing nachos and pepperoni with some much-needed nutritionally-dense dishes. Here are some inspired recipes from our healthiest blogger friends.

Just 'cause you like beer don't mean you ain't classy. And even when you're rockin' a baggy jersey and a smudged black eye, you still don't have to settle for cheap brews out of a can. In honor of the Super Bowl, here are a few beer-based cocktails that'll look elegant in your hand even as your mouth is cursing out the ref.

People around the country are prepping for Super Bowl parties, and whether you’ll watch for the game or the commercials, you’ll likely have lots of food options close at hand. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest food day in the U.S., checking in right behind Thanksgiving. And right behind that statistic is another: the Calorie Control Council and Snack Food Association forecast Americans will eat 30 million pounds of snacks on the big game day.

I've finally figured out how to have an amazing Valentine's Day: Treat myself like a princess, wear a pretty outfit, eat and drink what I like -- and oh yes, accept gifts of love from anyone worth my attention. Whether you're focusing on yourself by default this year, or sharing your happiness with somebody special, start preparing for a fabulous day now by making this traditional Eastern European liqueur made with sour cherries. It'll be ready when you are to mix up fun, bright pink cocktails that make delicious antidotes to Cupid's poison arrows.

My first brush with parsnips was unfortunate. A well-meaning babysitter, attempting to fulfill my request for a whole peeled carrot as a snack (I was raised in a household where this was a normal request), rummaged through the vegetable bin, pulled out something that resembled a white carrot, peeled it and handed it to me. I ate it -- she told me not to waste food -- but I did not enjoy it. Luckily, once I reached adulthood, I decided to give parsnips another chance... and I fell in love.

As we long to crawl our way out of the winter months, let's take a moment to stop, wallow a bit (in the best sense of the word) and appreciate one great comfort to come from the ground this chilly time of year: Root vegetables. Hardy and versatile, flavorful and unique, root veggies hold up to all kinds of cooking and can be done both simply or exquisitely. And the blogosphere is rife with creative expressions of the humble root vegetable. Here are just a few ways to get rooted this Meatless Monday. 

Mashed potatoes are one of the most versatile side dishes: perfect with stews, roast chicken or even on all on their luscious own. But as winter trudges on, I start looking for ways to perk up my favorite purée... and perhaps add a few extra vitamins to the starchy side! Whether you're looking for something new and different or trying to hide veggies in a friendly form for picky kids, here are three great alternatives to mashed potatoes.

Everyone knows about the bright red Bloody Mary, the most famous vegetable cocktail in the world that you can even get away with drinking for breakfast, thanks to its healthy properties. But did you know that vegetable cocktails come in almost every color of the rainbow?

While vegetables and alcohol might at first seem to be an unlikely pair, in reality the juxtaposition of savory and spirited provides a fresh slap of flavor that will wake up your taste buds.