Do you notice dirt, rain and snow creeping into your garage at the door threshold? That’s caused by the continued weight of a car driving in and out over the seal created by the threshold. The seal breaks down over time. It’s an obvious problem for any garage door, but one you can solve by…
Make Room on the Grill for These Delicious Veggie Burgers
Mushrooms are a source of glutamate, a naturally occurring compound that gives the fungi their umami flavor. But to really give these “patties” a savory boost, we brush them with vegetarian steak sauce. Add a simple side salad or some grilled veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner on the grill. Vegetarian All-American Portobello Burgers…
Time-Tested Exterior Painting Secrets
Not long ago in this column, I shared why it’s so hard to preserve exterior wood using any number of products. One of them was paint. You may have been one of the many readers that reached out to me. If I had to boil down all the emails I received to just one, it…
The Thrill of Everything Muffins
Lifelong fans of sesame bagels, ordering an everything bagel at Zabar’s, our favorite specialty food shop in New York City, proved a no-brainer. One bite and we knew we’d search out these toasted sesame, garlic, onion and poppy seed bagels at every opportunity. Decades later, spice companies brilliantly bottled the chunky, aromatic topping from everything bagels…
Enjoy ‘Elote’ Without the Mess
This street corn dish, known as esquites, is served in a bowl instead of on the cob for all the flavor of elote without the mess. Mexican Corn (Esquites) Serves 6 Active Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes 4 large ears corn, husked 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 scallion, sliced 3/4…
Ireland’s Starkly Beautiful Aran Islands
I spent the day walking on Inishmore. It’s one of the weather- and wave-beaten Aran Islands which, on a blustery day, seem to be gulping seawater off the west coast of Ireland. Locals, keenly aware that they’re on the west fringe of Europe, are fond of saying, “The next parish over’s Boston.” An elfish, black-clad…
Install a Multifloor Threshold
We all know how replacing the flooring material in a room can change its appearance, creating a unified new surface for furnishings. If that’s in your plans, spend some time deciding how the new surface will transition to the level of flooring in the hallway or adjoining room. If you’re in a newer home with…
Install a Humidity Sensor Fan Control
After taking a hot shower in a poorly ventilated bathroom, there’s often an unpleasant and damp feeling. Over time the buildup of humidity creates the creeping growth of mold and mildew on surfaces. In a one-bathroom home with several family members it can become a real issue. The solution is a device that detects changes…
Using the Humble Plumbing Loop Vent for Kitchen Islands
Have you heard the old saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know”? It’s an axiom homeowners should always keep in mind when thinking about the mechanical and structural systems hidden behind the plaster or drywall of their homes — especially the plumbing drain and vent system. I’ve been a master plumber since 1981, and…
Roasted Garden Salsa
What is Taco Tuesday (or Thursday) without salsa? Whether you like it spicy or mild, this condiment is the perfect pairing for any number of favorite Mexican dishes, whether you’re eating burritos, quesadillas or simple homemade tortilla chips. But don’t waste your money buying jarred salsa at the store when you can make your own at home that fits your flavor…
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