Tips for Cumin-Dusted Pita Chips
Use a variety of pitas--onion, plain, and wheat--and make extras to keep on hand for snacks.

Cumin is a popular spice used in Mexican, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cooking. It's great in chili or with chicken, beans, lentils, and vegetables -- and it's what gives tacos their distinct flavor. Store cumin in a cool, dark place and use within six months of purchase.

Chips can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Tips for Turkey-Vegetable Wraps
You can make these wraps earlier in the day and tuck into the kids' (and your) lunch boxes.

We like the contrast of the slightly bitter gourmet salad greens and the sweet corn and bell pepper. If, however, you think this combo won't go over well with your kids, try using a sweeter lettuce such as Boston or Bibb.

Look for corn with bright green, snugly fitting husks and fresh-looking, pale golden to golden-brown silks. The kernels should be plump and milky, and come all the way to the ear's tip. Don't buy corn that's been husked--the husk might have been removed because is was discolored or wilted, a sign that the corn is old; plus, husked corn deteriorates faster.

Because the sugar in corn starts to convert to starch immediately after picking, it's best to use corn the same day you buy it. When it's truly fresh, you can use the kernels raw. Corn will keep for a few days, however, if refrigerated in a plastic bag.

To remove the corn kernels, simply run a sharp knife down the length of the ear of corn, turning until you remove all the kernels.

Try this timesaver for seeding bell peppers: Stand the pepper up on your cutting board, stem pointing upward. Slice off the four "sides" of the pepper, which will fall away to leave the stem and membrane/seeds standing. Discard stem, membrane, and seeds, and chop the pepper.

Select green onions (a.k.a. scallions) with bright green tops. They will keep for up to 5 days when stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Don't wash them until you're ready to use them. Trim off the roots (unless otherwise specified), and use both the green and white part -- the white part has a stronger flavor.

Tips for Ooey-Gooey Peanut Butter-Chocolate Brownies

They're not dubbed "Ooey Gooey" for nothing.

Sweetened condensed milk is a mixture of milk and sugar that's heated until about 60% of the water evaporates, resulting in a very thick, sticky, sweet mixture. You can find cans of sweetened condensed milk next to the dry milk and canned evaporated milk. Make sure to get sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk, which is unsweetened and very thin.

It's easier to separate eggs when they are cold. If you're like most people, you separate an egg by pouring the yolk back and forth from one half of the eggshell to the other so that the white slides off into a bowl. But this can introduce bacteria from the eggshell pores into the egg, and there's a greater chance of the shell breaking the yolk. It may seem strange, but it's fine to use your hands. Your fingers are softer and don't bring in bacteria. Just crack the egg, and let the white run through your fingers into a bowl. Of course, wash your hands before and after. Don't bother with buying an egg separator when you've got the best tools with you already.

Marshmallow creme is a thick, whipped mixture available in jars. Look for it on either the baking or candy aisle, near the marshmallows.