Mary Jo DiLonardo

6 days ago | simplyrecipes.com | Mary Jo DiLonardo

Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock It’s no surprise the Aperol Spritz is known as sunset in a glass. Vivid orange Aperol aperitif gives this trendy Italian cocktail its bright glow and refreshing taste. The popular cocktail is two parts Aperol, the bright-orange Italian aperitif, plus three parts prosecco and one part club soda. Just add ice to a glass, splash in the ingredients, then stir.

1 week ago | simplyrecipes.com | Mary Jo DiLonardo

Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock There isn’t anything much sweeter and juicier than a ripe strawberry at the height of the season. I love eating them right out of the package—with a quick rinse under the faucet first—or sliced and piled on a heap of spinach. Sometimes, I get carried away and wash and slice too many strawberries to eat. I usually end up putting them in a small bowl in the fridge and, the next time I check, they’re an unappealing, rubbery mess.

1 week ago | simplyrecipes.com | Mary Jo DiLonardo

Simply Recipes / Getty ImagesKey Takeaways• Don't use vinegar to clean cast iron cookware, stainless steel, hardwood floors and furniture, natural stone surfaces like granite and marble, electronic screens, washing machines, dishwashers, or grout. Vinegar is like a magical concoction. I use it in the kitchen to clean the drain and I spritz it on the showerhead to remove built-up gunk. Although it can be quite handy in many cleaning situations, sometimes vinegar should not be used.

2 weeks ago | simplyrecipes.com | Mary Jo DiLonardo

Simply Recipes / Getty Images Key Takeaways• Store bottles of olive oil in a cool, dark place like your pantry. • Be sure bottles are capped airtight. • Use up opened bottles of olive oil within a month or two. • Replace olive oil if it starts to smell or taste rancid. The 15-Minute Meal I Always Make When I Don't Feel Like CookingREAD MORE: I come from an Italian family, so olive oil has always been a big deal in the kitchen.

4 weeks ago | simplyrecipes.com | Mary Jo DiLonardo

Store ground beef in the coldest part of the fridge: the back of the bottom shelf. Make sure the temperature of your fridge is below 40°F to prevent premature spoilage. Use ground beef within two days of putting it in your fridge. Sometimes when I buy ground beef for making burgers or meatballs, I tuck the package away in the fridge and forget about it. When I happen upon it, the meat may have changed color and I worry if it’s still fresh.