How To With Madeline Merced

Hey Everyone,

Wow, it’s been a while! So much has happened since last fall with both Eric and I that we have been away for longer then we both intended but things are looking up! Coming up in April we are going to have some new interesting stuff up.

There are also some changes coming for the show and website but I think that it’s going to be better than ever! Thanks so much for watching the show and visiting the site! Come back often to see the changes that we make and of course along the way we want your input because after all we do this to entertain you.

Thanks again!!

Madeline

by Eric

One of the nice things about being married is being able to coax out secret family recipes from the in-laws… or from secretive members of your own family! Seems as soon as you say “I do” they say “I’ll share.” That’s practically all there is to it! You’ve joined the club! It’s like getting one of those secret decoder rings from the box of Cracker Jacks or in one of those ads in the back of comic books. Why, yes, I am over 39. How ever did you know?

Of course, with the popularity of the internets, there just aren’t that many secrets anymore! Including secret family recipes. And with that, another one is brought forth into the light of day! Not because I like squealing secrets (well, just a little!), but because now that one holiday is down (Thanksgiving), it’s time to start thinking about the next one. With their warm, fresh-baked smell filling the house, and the soft, melt-in-your mouth texture of the bread, this formerly top-secret family recipe for dinner rolls from my mother-in-law is a sure way to bring something back of those old-timed holiday dinners. (recipe after the break). [Read more →]

Madeline and “How-To” make their debut on TasteTV’s Chocolate Television Hulu channel at Hulu.com.

If you’re a member of Hulu (or even if you’re not), go ahead and sign in to rate the video, or leave a review. It may help ensure that we get more episodes onto Hulu!

by Eric

So what is this clip full of hippies doing here? Look, I don’t have to tell anyone that we’re living in turbulent times right now, and I’m not writing this to dwell on what’s wrong in the world — I’m sure that from whatever perspective you’re looking at things you see a lot of room for improvement. I know I do!

I’ve found that it helps to realize that we’re not the first generation to see hard times; that just about every generation can point back to their past and say “See? See what we had to do deal with?” And they would be right. The Cuban Missile Crisis. The Great Depression (1.0). World Wars. You name it, people have had to slog through it! But even better than realizing that we’re not the only ones to suffer insecurity, uncertainty, and hardship, we’re also not the first to aspire to a common purpose. Or to Hope. Or to have Faith. We’re not the first to come together! [Read more →]

Follow this link to Madeline’s recipes, including a bonus one!

 

 127 How-To Make Halloween Snacks: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of Halloween Week, Madeline continues planning for her Halloween Party. She’s got a great recipe for making a “brain” Jello mold, some spooky decorating ideas, and some quick-to-throw-together Halloween costume ideas, for those last minute ghosties and ghoulies out there! See some sample ideas below the break: [Read more →]

 

 126 How-To Host a Halloween Party, Pt. 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Remember those pumpkins we bought at the farmers’ market? Now that it’s Halloween, it’s time to do something with them. Sure, there’s Jack O’ Lanterns — in fact, Madeline has some tips to make carving them easier — but there’s other uses for them that you may not have thought about! How about using a large one as a cooler for soft drinks at your party? Or toasting the seeds for a healthy, nutty-tasting snack? Madeline even has the low-down on keeping your Jack O’ Lantern fresher longer!

 

 125 How-To Carve a Jack O' Lantern: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download