Tired of handwashing dishes? Even if you don't have space in your kitchen for a full-size dishwasher, there is a countertop solution for tackling those dishes. ... Read full Story
Texas Roadhouse is known predominantly for its steaks but the casual dining establishment's croutons are also legendary and there's a reason they taste so good. ... Read full Story
Tired of the same old yogurt? Take your yogurt parfait to a brighter level and jazz it up with this simple ingredient you probably have in your kitchen. ... Read full Story
When you get a steak at a good restaurant, it has that delicious crispy crust. Steakhouses cook the meat with a method you may not be aware of. ... Read full Story
Sweet potato pie is a beloved fall dessert, especially in the Southern US, and it's versatile enough that these tips can give your old recipe a whole new taste. ... Read full Story
Packed with flavor that's both creamy and tangy, this style of Ruffles potato chips comes out on top. Blending two popular tastes, these chips wow customers. ... Read full Story
Pancakes are comforting and delicious, and with bananas, especially so. You can make an easy and tasty version by adding three ingredients to a box mix. ... Read full Story
Now is maybe the best time of the year for a good Old Fashioned recipe. Eventually, though, it’s time to change things up. That’s where creative interpretations of the original come into play. Already, this classic cocktail has gone in a number of directions. Some bartenders like to swap bourbon for rum while others go […]
The post How to make the Nectar Confit, a cocktail from a two-Michelin star NYC restaurant appeared first on The Manual.
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Most of us are familiar with the traditional pub crawl, a jaunt that tends to drift from one pub to another in group format. They can happen on foot, on bike, or some means in between, but they all tend to offer a good taste of the craft beer movement. In San Francisco, they’re changing […]
The post In San Francisco, it’s the cocktail crawl, not the pub crawl appeared first on The Manual.
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If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it's important to keep it well organized, and these Dollar Tree finds will help you do just that. ... Read full Story
Many people love espresso and thanks to portable machines, you can make it anywhere you have water. Amazon has five excellent portable espresso machines. ... Read full Story
This one simple trick can help you open jars more easily; you don't even need a special kitchen gadget. You probably already have the necessary item on hand. ... Read full Story
The Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer (SP151) is now $149.94, down from $249.99, a 40% discount on one of the most versatile and compact countertop appliances available. With eight cooking functions and an ingenious flip-up design for easy storage, this appliance does the work of multiple tools without taking up much space. Whether […]
The post Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer drops to $149 in 40% off Amazon deal appeared first on The Manual.
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Discover “Splitting the G,” the fun Guinness game that turns a pint into a friendly competition with friends. Learn how to play step by step.
The post How to “split the G” at your local pub like a pro appeared first on The Manual.
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Before putting your fresh apples into the fruit bowl on the counter, think again! Instead, use this hack to keep apples fresh for much longer. ... Read full Story
Not only is the aging process important, but so is the barrel used.
The post The hidden craft behind whiskey: Why barrels matter more than you think appeared first on The Manual.
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Did you know that both Texas Roadhouse and another chain used to give customers free peanuts? Unfortunately, both chains put an end to this tasty tradition. ... Read full Story
This fun coffee advent calendar transforms the holiday countdown into a flavorful daily ritual, with twelve unique ground coffee varieties crafted with an element of surprise.
The post Peet’s 12 Days of Coffee Advent Calendar is the perfect gift for coffee lovers appeared first on The Manual.
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Halloween is tomorrow. Many of you know exactly what you’re drinking and wearing. Some of you need an 11th hour Halloween cocktail recipe. That’s where we come in. We’ve come across quite a few over the last several weeks and some have performed better than others. A good fall cocktail recipe will do, but the […]
The post Need an 11th hour Halloween cocktail recipe? Try this one with eye balls for a garnish appeared first on The Manual.
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A tasty homemade dessert is a wonderful thing and better when it's easy to make. You can make an apple crisp in a cast iron skillet with three ingredients. ... Read full Story
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 2, 2025 is:
arbitrary \AHR-buh-trair-ee\ adjective
Arbitrary describes something that is not planned or chosen for a particular reason, is not based on reason or evidence, or is done without concern for what is fair or right.
// Because the committee wasn’t transparent about the selection process, the results of the process appeared to be wholly arbitrary.
// An arbitrary number will be assigned to each participant.
“The authority of the crown, contemporaries believed, was instituted by God to rule the kingdom and its people. England’s sovereign was required to be both a warrior and a judge, to protect the realm from external attack and internal anarchy. To depose the king, therefore, was to risk everything—worldly security and immortal soul—by challenging the order of God’s creation. Such devastatingly radical action could never be justified unless kingship became tyranny: rule by arbitrary will rather than law, threatening the interests of kingdom and people instead of defending them.” — Helen Castor, The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV, 2024
Did you know?
Donning black robes and a powdered wig to learn about arbitrary might seem to be an arbitrary—that is, random or capricious—choice, but it would in fact jibe with the word’s etymology. Arbitrary comes from the Latin noun arbiter, which means “judge” and is the source of the English word arbiter, also meaning “judge.” In English, arbitrary first meant “depending upon choice or discretion” and was specifically used to indicate the sort of decision (as for punishment) left up to the expert determination of a judge rather than defined by law. Today, it can also be used for anything determined by or as if by chance or whim.