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Tom kha gai is probably the second best-known Thai dish in America, with pad Thai being the first. Literally translated, tom kha gai means “chicken galangal soup.” It’s made from chicken lightly poached in a silky coconut milk broth which has been infused with galangal (kha), lemongrass, and makrut or lime leaves. Luckily for those of us who enjoy this Thai soup at restaurants, the hardest part of making tom kha gai at home is simply tracking down the galangal, lemongrass, and limes leaves. And hunting for these few ingredients will be well worth the creamy, savory, spicy, sweet soup that results in their procurement.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-tom-kha-gai-the-best-method-for-most-home-cooks-236343′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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Jalfrezi may be lesser-known than dishes like tikka masala or rogan josh, but it still has quite the fan base. And that’s for good reason — this Indian stir-fry is as fragrant and comforting as the others, with even more of a powerful, spicy kick.

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When it comes to homemade gifts, there’s really nothing better than homemade cookies and bars. It’s the sweet treat that says everything from “thank you” to “I’m thinking of you,” to “These are some really good cookies and I want you to have some.” These are our five favorite cookies that will keep well and are perfect for gifting.

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Shopping for the ingredients to make tom kha gai is the hardest part of preparing the fragrant, sweet, tart, fiery soup. Luckily the three key ingredients, galangal, lemongrass, and lime leaves, can be procured with one trip to an Asian or Thai grocery store and all three freeze with ease. Here’s what you should stock up on to have tom kha gai at home any time.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/shop-your-soup-a-grocery-list-for-making-the-best-tom-kha-gai-at-home-236293′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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(Image credit: Meghan Splawn)

My 4-year-old has been planning her Halloween costume for months. She’s on the fence about whether she wants to be a hyena (thank you, Lion King) or Tinker Bell (because of the dress, of course). And, of course, costumes and candy are a big part of the excitement of Halloween, especially when you’re in the single digits.

But I’m hoping that my daughter is old enough to share the hospitable Halloween spirit with our community. Giving back doesn’t have to be difficult. Set out a jar for donations at your Halloween to-do, or run in a 5K where the proceeds go to a local charity. Bonus: You’ll feel less guilty about all those candy corns you’re going to eat.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-make-halloween-benefit-your-community-236102′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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(Image credit: Chris Perez)

Family rituals are important to raising confident children. This is why family dinner is lauded as a simple way to improve our parenting. But once you’ve mastered a family dinner schedule, that ritual can become a boring routine. Often we’re so tired from work or school or rushing off to PTA meetings and soccer practice that we barely connect at the dinner table.

A simple way I reconnect with my children is a family date night at home, and this is the menu I whip up for dinner.

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If what you crave is serious comfort with a kick, a pat of butter and a sprinkle of chile flakes will take you there.

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Coconut milk is a pantry staple for us — there are so many delicious ways to cook with it! You can even make your own coconut milk at home. But if you’re buying it at the store, should you get the kind in a can or a box? What about BPA? And did you know it also comes in powdered and concentrated forms? We’ve sorted out the pros and cons of each.

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Making a satisfying soup on a weeknight is a delicious possibility, as long as you’ve got a good game plan. Sometimes that’s just as simple as having a good trick or two up your sleeve, like pre-chopping the vegetables ahead of time or gussying up a can or box of pre-made soup, and sometimes it means using your slow cooker. Here are 10 smart strategies to help you make weeknight homemade soup a reality.

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Warm tomato soup is one of my favorite dishes. Served with a perfectly melty grilled cheese or topped with crispy chickpeas, tomato soup is a quintessential soup that every cook should know how to make.

So what’s the secret to making great tomato soup year-round? A pantry staple that you should always have on hand.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/3-things-you-can-do-for-even-better-tomato-soup-236431′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>