Staff Writer
Allie has been Lifehacker’s Food Writer since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Ithaca College in drama and studied at the Institute of Culinary Education to earn her diploma in Pastry and Baking Arts. Allie worked professionally as a private chef for over a decade, honing her craft in New York at places like Balthazar, Bien Cuit, The Chocolate Room, Billy’s Bakery, and Whole Foods. She spent evenings as a chef instructor, and also earned a master’s degree at Hunter College for teaching English. Allie’s YouTube channel, Thainybites, features recipes and baking tricks. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
MORE BY Allie
The Best Foods to Pack for a Long Flight
Bring a full menu of snacks so you don't spend all your money in the airport before take-off.
The Best Oven Mitts (and Why They're Not Towels)
Oven mitts are going to protect you far better than a thin, damp cotton towel.
You Can Recycle Plastic Grocery Bags Into Packing Material
If your collection of single-use plastic bags is overflowing, here's a way to give them a second life.
How to Make Salt-Flaked French Butter the Lazy American Way
You don't need to churn your own from scratch to have an excellent French-ish butter.
The Easiest Way to Stuff a Stubborn Squash Blossom
Squash blossoms can tear easily, so use this trick to open them up for cheesy stuffing.
Make the Best Meatloaf of Your Life in an Air Fryer
It'll be well-browned and juicy in less than 20 minutes.
Use up All Your Summer Berries in a Single ‘Grunt’
This recipe uses as much or as little fruit as you got.
Seven Foods You Should Use for S'mores Instead of Graham Crackers
Shelve the grahams this summer and smash some chocolate and marshmallows with a new carb.
My Favorite No-Frills Air Fryer Is on Sale for Prime Day
It'll do the job, and do it well.
These Grills and Smokers Are up to 50% Off for Prime Day
There are smaller sales as well as deep cuts happening right now.
These Awesome Kitchen Appliances Are on Sale for Prime Day
Now is a good time to buy the kitchen appliances you've been stalking.
This Kitchen Vacuum Has Changed My Life, and It's on Sale for Prime Day
The rose gold Shark WandVac will make cleaning the annoying parts of your kitchen much easier.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools and Small Appliances You Should Buy on Prime Day
Upgrade your knives and refresh those scratched-up pots and pans.
You Need Different Peanut Butters for Snacking and Cooking
I've started keeping a separate cooking and snacking peanut butter available at all times.
Elevate Your Boring Store-Bought Pretzels With This Simple Seasoning Technique
Stop punishing yourself with one-note hard pretzels and make these instead.
The Four Apron Styles (and Which You Should Choose)
Protect yourself from food and oil splatter.
This Peanut Butter Latte Isn’t As Weird As It Sounds
This suspicious sounding latte is actually delicious and easy to make.
The Best Way to Use Up a Bunch of Leftover Celery
This is the recipe you need to tackle that aging celery heart in your fridge.
A Kamado Grill Might Be the Backyard Upgrade You've Been Looking For
If only there was a grill that could do it all. Oh, wait. The kamado grill can.
What to Do If You Get Yolk in Your Egg Whites
Getting blobs of yolk out of your egg whites is no longer a lost cause.