Expertise
Cooking Tips & Tricks, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Comfort Foods
- Karen joined the Chowhound news team in 2025.
- She has written dozens of articles for the food site and its sister properties, but her favorite article so far is "The Bourbon Brand Ulysses S. Grant May Have Drunk By The Glassful."
- Karen is currently cooking her way through Nigella Lawson's "Nigella Bites."
Experience
Karen has worked as a professional writer for over two decades, most recently for Daily Meal, Tasting Table, and Mashed. She freelanced for the Washington Post, writing for its retired Sunday Source, as well as the D.C. Examiner. When she isn't trying the newest ice cream spot, she is exploring the culinary scene in other states and countries.
Education
Karen has a B.A. in English Literature.
Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.
Our team also regularly reviews and updates articles as necessary to ensure they are accurate. For more information on our editorial process, view our full policies page.
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Food History
By Karen Hart
President Truman loved supporting his home state of Missouri. In fact, his favorite dessert is a mashup of different desserts that comes from the Show-Me State.
By Karen Hart
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Food Scenes
By Karen Hart
Kentucky Derby parties are a lot of fun: big hats, mint juleps, good-natured sports betting. And this one dish is a must-have for any Derby party.
By Karen Hart
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Barack Obama remains a polarizing figure years after his departure from the presidency, but for foodies, the biggest controversy is the way he likes his steak.
By Karen Hart
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Astronauts must adhere to a strict space diet, and their pre-launch meal is also carefully selected. Before launch, they eat this classic steak breakfast.
By Karen Hart
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Giada De Laurentiis is known for her love of her native Italian cooking, so her secret ingredient for better breadcrumbs makes sense, as it's an Italian staple.
By Karen Hart
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Food History
By Karen Hart
Most know Frank Sinatra's drink of choice and his favorite meal — but did you know you can find Ol' Blue Eyes' favorite dessert at your local grocery store?
By Karen Hart
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Food History
By Karen Hart
When reading about the Titanic, the meals served on board likely don't come to mind. But there was plenty of gourmet food, including this vintage dessert.
By Karen Hart
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Food History
By Karen Hart
Depression-era food utilized readily accessible ingredients. These old-school pickles may have gotten their start from the waste not, want not mentality.
By Karen Hart
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Celebrity chef Guy Fieri has a big personality and big opinions on ingredients, including beans. The mayor of Flavortown prefers dried over canned. Here's why.
By Karen Hart
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Ree Drummond is an expert when it comes to quick and tasty meals. Take a page from her book by using a store-bought frozen shortcut in innovative ways.
By Karen Hart
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Cincinnati-style chili is something of a legend in Ohio. Many are familiar with it, and some love it. What did Anthony Bourdain think about this famous chili?
By Karen Hart
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Believe it or not, those used coffee grounds from your morning cuppa joe can act as a powerful fertilizer in your garden. Here's how to put them to good use.
By Karen Hart
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Entertainment
By Karen Hart
We love when celebrities share their quirky snacks they make at home. One of Katie Couric's go-to sandwiches is easy to whip up and sounds super tasty.
By Karen Hart
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If you're craving fluffy cookies, believe it or not, all you need is a can of soda and some boxed cake mix to whip a batch up. Here's how it works.
By Karen Hart
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If there's one thing the Barefoot Contessa knows, it's her way around a kitchen. So when Ina Garten shares a hack for thinly slicing meat, we listen.
By Karen Hart
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Food Science
By Karen Hart
Salmon has a pretty unmistakable color when you're shopping for fillets at the market, but you may be surprised to learn that it may not be natural.
By Karen Hart
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A roux is the foundation for countless dishes. To make sure that yours is perfect every time, take Emeril Lagasse's advice and use this type of spoon.
By Karen Hart
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Taco Bell's famous ground beef has a pretty distinct taste that you don't forget, but there's one ingredient in it that we didn't expect to see.
By Karen Hart
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When the weather warms up, there may be no better food to enjoy than summer's quintessential sweet corn. This sweet variety can only be grown in Colorado.
By Karen Hart
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Spills and splatters happen, and sometimes on surfaces you may not notice. There's one part of your kitchen you might be overlooking when cleaning the room.
By Karen Hart
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When it comes to Italian cooking and eggplant Parmesan, ingredients matter. Just ask Nadia Caterina Munno who is better known as TikTok's Pasta Queen.
By Karen Hart
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If you happen to have a few cooked lasagna noodles left over after you assemble your dish, toss them with two simple ingredients to make a sweet tasty dessert.
By Karen Hart
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Chances are you have this savory salt on your spice rack already but don't use it that much. According to Emeril Lagasse you're missing out on flavor.
By Karen Hart
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If you are sick of trying and failing at degreasing your range hood, you should know this easy hack that involves fighting oil with oil.
By Karen Hart
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If you find yourself in need of cayenne pepper with no time to run to the store, this stand-in will have you covered. Just keep the ratio in mind.
By Karen Hart
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You don't need any sort of fancy gadget to preheat your oven in a way that allows your food to cook evenly and at the correct temperature.
By Karen Hart
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Steadfast fans of Five Guys love its menu. It may have started in Virginia, but which state has more fast-food franchise locations than any other?
By Karen Hart
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