Cutting Fresh Pineapple

With a chef's knife, remove the crown and the base. Stand the pineapple upright and cut down the length to remove the eyes and rind in strips.

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Stir-Fry: Fresh Vegetable Stir-Fry with Peppery Orange Beef

"Easy, tasty stir-fry recipe. Delicious and fresh taste!!! Passed down from my father. Recipe may seem long, but you can whip it up in no time. Also, feel free to use any vegetables that you like, or add bamboo shoots or water chestnuts at the end of the recipe!" — BRITTANYDEAR 

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Follow These 4 Guidelines to Keep Your Spices Fresh

Whether you're partial to Indian curries, homemade chili, warmly spiced granola, or all three, chances are you've accrued quite the spice collection, but do you know how best to store your flavorful bounty? Protect your investment by keeping a few simple guidelines in mind:

• Store spices in airtight containers away from direct heat and sunlight, preferably in a cupboard, pantry, or drawer, so as to avoid damage to their essential oils. If storing spices in a drawer, stock up on a brand whose lid is labeled on top, like Morton & Basset, for easy identification of the contents within, or label the lids yourself. If housing spices in a cupboard or pantry, try a tiered shelf or lazy Susan for the best access.
• When you first crack open a spice jar, make certain to label it somewhere - we typically mark the bottom of the jar - with the date using a permanent marker. This way you'll know when the contents' potency has dulled, avoiding bland, disappointing dishes ahead. Whole spices are typically good for up to three years, while preground should be discarded after one year.

Keep reading for two more indispensable spice storage tips.

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5 Fresh Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas

Wondering how to celebrate Valentine's Day? If you're feeling stumped or you're tired of the standard fancy-dinner routine, get creative and mix it up with a meal that steps outside your typical date pattern. Here are five great ways to get romantic for the heart-filled holiday, from a cozy indoor picnic to an anti-Valentine's Day dinner spread.

Source: Thinkstock

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Savory Pies: Fresh Tomato Pie

Aug 11, 2003 This looked really interesting to me, so I decided to give it a try and bring it to a party this past weekend. Because there were a lot of non mayo and onion eaters I left those two ingredients out. Instead, I roasted a head of garlic, squeezed it out, mashed it and spread it on the bottom of the pie crust. I used a combo of Fontina and parm cheeses on the bottom of the crust and also over the top of the tomatoes. To make life a little easier, I baked it in a tart pan with a removeable bottom and sliced with a pizza cutter. When it came out, half the guests thought it was pizza and the other half thought it was a fritatta. Whatever you prefer to call it, the pie was delicious and gone in minutes. Thanks Britt!

—LINDA MCLEAN 

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