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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We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Karen Hart
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Making brown butter is a delicate art, and you should take any advantage you can get to avoid burning or undercooking it. Using a light pan is an easy leg up.
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Crispy and spicy jalapeño poppers are often appetizers, but they don't have to be! Add them to your next grilled cheese to really elevate the classic sandwich.
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When looking at the history of U.S. presidents, you'll find many of them had peculiar eating habits. In Thomas Jefferson's case, one veggie reigned supreme.
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Coleslaw may seem like it's just about perfect with it's creamy tanginess, but adding just one extra ingredient of celery seeds will take it up a level.
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Tired of underwhelming cheap canned tomatoes? Tasting Table recently spoke with Danny Freeman, author of "Danny Loves Pasta," to learn how to fix them.
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If you love cocktails and breakfast cereal, there's great news. The sweet cereal milk solution makes the perfect base for a decadent dessert cocktail.
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Tortilla chips taste best when they're just out of the fryer. Store-bought chips obviously won't deliver this satisfaction until you toss them in the oven.
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Gin is more than an important cocktail ingredient. It's a tasty beverage in its own right. So, what's the right way to drink it? Tasting Table asked an expert.
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There's a hack that can help speed up the process so you can get to cooking and you don't need any appliances or fancy gadgets, just your hands and a baggie.
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It may feel like a waste not to drink your soda or cook with it. However, it has other practical uses, like removing burnt food from cookware.
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Nailing the perfect balance of flavor in your buttercream is complicated, but coffee creamer can make this traditionally tough task a lot easier.
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If you are a blue cheese lover, you may want to consider adding this tangy cheese to your simple mac and cheese recipe to create a bold flavor.
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We've all been there. That moment when you're using plastic wrap, only for it to cling to itself. Luckily, Gordon Ramsay has a tip that will change the game.
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While it's definitely on the list of the best coffee cocktails, if you are a White Russian fan you may want to try this adventurous drink instead.
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A bowl of crisp summer salad brings joy, but it's also easy to get stuck in a salad rut. Bring textural contrast and aesthetic delight with this easy tip.
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There is nothing worse than reaching for an ingredient and realizing you're out. If you need a mint substitute, please don't reach for that canister of tea.
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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.