Madeline Muzzi

Oct 10, 2024 | seriouseats.com | Madeline Muzzi

Today's nonstick coatings are considered safer than their ancestors and are made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). However, while PTFE is initially inert, it can off-gas if heated at high temperatures, potentially causing polymer fume fever-a rare condition that manifests in flu-like symptoms. With proper care (and retiring nonstick pans when they're damaged), traditional nonstick is thought to be safe for general use. But for those who'd like to avoid it, there's ceramic cookware.

May 16, 2024 | seriouseats.com | Ashia Aubourg |Madeline Muzzi

One of the most alluring qualities of wine is its ability to age. Even though it's in a sealed bottle, it develops flavor and becomes more complex over time-that is if it's stored correctly. Proper storage can also help prevent the tragedy of saving a bottle for a special occasion only to discover it's muted or corked when you finally pop it open. The most important advice for storing wine is simple: keep bottles on their side in a cool, dark place.

Apr 8, 2024 | seriouseats.com | Madeline Muzzi

Give me a baguette, focaccia, boule, or brioche. I'm not picky about the size and shape-nothing beats a fresh loaf of bread. The operative word here is fresh. If it's not stored properly, it only takes a day or two for a beautiful bakery ciabatta to enter crouton territory. Keeping bread in good condition is all about controlling airflow. Out in the open, bread goes stale quickly. On the other hand, it's vulnerable to growing if it's completely sealed off from oxygen.

Mar 27, 2024 | seriouseats.com | Madeline Muzzi

Looking for a new toaster oven? After testing, we think it's hard to beat the Breville Smart Oven Pro, which wowed us with its accuracy and easy-to-use control panel and dials. Toaster ovens do more than toast. These versatile appliances can cook pizza, roast small sheet-pan dinners, and bake beautifully browned chocolate chip cookies. But like many a kitchen workhorse, after use comes grime-crumbs, grease, burnt-on bits. I'm no stranger to toaster ovens.

Mar 19, 2024 | seriouseats.com | Madeline Muzzi

Spices are akin to food storage containers; they tend towards entropy. It's easy to toss a bunch of jars and tins and packets into a cabinet, but you'll rue the day when your stew is boiling and you needed to add that pinch of dried thyme five minutes ago (cue the frantic scrabbling amongst a jumble of spice bottles). A messy spice cabinet also makes it easier to keep spices that are past their prime. Luckily, there's a gadget that'll help you get your spices in order: the mighty spice rack.