The Basics: How to Make French Toast

Breakfast with flair.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Cravings

Bread plus cheese plus heat equals perfection (times 10). (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Things to Do with Stale Bread

Ten uses for an old loaf of bread, from thickening gazpacho to soaking up the Grand Marnier in grown-up French toast (By Aida Mollenkamp and Regan Burns)

College Cooks Gone Wild!

Crème brûlée in the microwave and other desperate dorm-room tricks. (By Margot Kaminski)

You Want Fries on That?

Hold the ketchup and try one of these twists on the old familiar french fry. (By Kathryn Hawkins)

Valentine's Day Breakfast in Bed

Make ahead so you can make out.

Take Your Lunch to Work: Tofu

One pound of tofu; five easy, varied, and quick lunches.

Fast-Food Pizza Chains Attempt Gourmet

This week’s mission: pizzas that are less fake and greasy, and toasted ciabattas that are more fake and greasy. (By James Norton)

Father's Day Breakfast

Wake Dad on the right side of the bed.

Another Secretly High-Calorie Salad

This week’s mission: Cold meets hot on a lettuce bed, and a new fast-food breakfast. (By James Norton)

Curry by the Book

In search of a true spice education from a new Indian cookbook. (By Sara Dickerman)

A Plunge into Cheesy Lava Sauce

This week’s mission: a health-conscious Dunkin' Donuts offering, and a hot new Taco Bell item. (By James Norton)

Return of the Salmon Mousse

The Silver Palate duo makes nice and makes dinner. (By Sara Dickerman)

Deli Creations and Salad Spritzers

This week’s mission: personally assembled fake deli sandwiches and the Binaca of salad dressing. (By James Norton)

Summer 2009 Cookbook Gift Guide

Because cookbooks are easy to wrap and fun to give. (By Roxanne Webber)