Karen Hart
Expertise
Cooking Tips And Tricks, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Comfort Foods
- Karen's great food influences are her dad who taught her about patience and love with his fried cornmeal mush; her sister Linda whose green corn tamales and refried beans deserve a Michelin star; Nigella Lawson whose show was Karen's guilty pleasure during all six of her pregnancies; and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend whose cooking style and recipes make Karen's family happy eaters.
- Despite being a vegetarian, Karen loves the smell of bacon and grilling steaks for backyard barbecues.
- Karen loves learning about the culinary history of the U.S. capital and its surrounding areas.
Experience
Karen is a non-award-winning writer who has worked as a professional writer for over two decades. She freelanced for the Washington Post writing for its retired Sunday Source, as well as the D.C. Examiner. When she isn't trying the newest ice cream spot in town with her kids, she is watching Premier League Soccer.
Education
Karen has a B.A. in English Literature.
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Stories By Karen Hart
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Cast iron skillets are usually a dark color, but this isn't the case with the brand Smithey which has a copper hue. The difference comes down to one reason.
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It may seem unconventional, but throwing a wheel of marinated brie on to the grill is a delicious way to enjoy the decadent dairy.
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The beauty of oatmeal lies in its ability to be customized - and if your heart desires dried fruit, you go for it! Use Ina Garten's tip for best results.
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If you want to enjoy the same drink as a legend, try sipping on The Stinger, a sweet two-ingredient sipper that was singer Billie Holiday's favorite cocktail.
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A few ingredients are commonplace in Italian sauces. But, in the case of pasta all'Amatriciana, there are two classic additions you'll want to leave out.
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You might think you know exactly how to peel a banana, but, believe it or not, there's a far more effective way to do it - and it comes with surprise benefits.
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Once you crack open a bottle of this brown, savory liquid, you may be wondering: Do you have to refrigerate soy sauce? Well, the answer lies in its composition.
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If you are looking to bring your sandwich game up quite a few levels, check out our tip about saving pork fat and using it to upgrade your bread.
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Pine nuts are often thought of as essential for pesto, but it is possible to swap them out for other nuts or legumes and still achieve a strong end result.
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President Teddy Roosevelt's favorite cocktail was a minty classic - and, in fact, he loved it so much that he grew his own mint in the White House garden.
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If you're looking for a substitute for simple syrup in your next cocktail, coconut nectar is a great alternative that complements a variety of drinks.
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Breakfast can mean different things in different parts of the world, and in Italy, the morning meal is commonly associated with sweet treats.
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It's critical to your health to make certain that these dishes have been stored at their optimal temperature before you purchase them.
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Ham works well with many flavors - but no one likes it when it comes out dry. Luckily, Ina Garten has a sweet trick that helps keep things moist and flavorful.
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If you're looking for a playful and sweet variation of the Negroni, why not swap in some bourbon and try out the classic Boulevardier cocktail?
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Once you bring your fresh grapes home, you'll want to fight the urge to remove them from the stem. Instead, store them as a bunch to increase their longevity!
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Sweet tea is among the many beverages that can turn plain rice into an incredibly flavorful bite that complements a number of foods.
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Roasting cauliflower improves the taste, but Ina Garten knows it can be even better. Two cheeses can provide a potent one-two punch of flavor and texture.
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Jim Morrison's penchant for Jack Daniel's is mirrored in The Door's cover of the Alabama song, "Whiskey" where he sings about a whiskey bar.
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Pairing delicacies and bourbon is an intricate process. With many factors to consider, consider pairing this spicy chocolate next time you sip on Buffalo Trace.
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It's truly amazing what a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar can do to transform a dish like red beans and rice, a New Orleans classic.
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The Dutch oven may be one of, if not, the most significant pots to cook in, so here's why you should avoid citrus when cleaning your Dutch oven.
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Sometimes the simplest culinary ideas generate the best results, like in this super easy tip to serve spaghetti with brown butter and parmesan.
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In his youth, Edgar Allan Poe was known for his voracious thirst for alcohol. A family recipe for eggnog was the master of macabre's favorite tipple.
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If you've never been to Spain but are planning a trip in the near future, here's what to know about a typical breakfast spread and what it looks like.
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If you want to give this dish an Italian twist, it's time to borrow from Ina Garten's playbook and add a little pecorino cheese to your scrambled eggs.
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If you need to season or re-season your cast iron skillet with some EVOO, here's what you need to do (and what you need to be cautious about).