I would love it if I came home from work and found a hot, fragrant, hearty soup waiting for me. How can I make that happen -- without the use of magic or takeout? With the Crock-Pot, of course! Slow cookers to the rescue. You just throw in the ingredients at the beginning of the day (or maybe the night before), leave for work, and then ta-da! Dinner for everyone.

We've compiled a list of 20 soup recipes written just for the slow cooker. And guess what we found out? There's a Crock-Pot recipe for just about every soup out there. So enjoy a whole season of cozy Crock-Pot soups.

Summertime! It's hotter than Satan's breath around here, but at least we have corn. Fresh cobs of sweet, juicy corn. And if you love picking stuff out of your teeth as much as I do, then corn on the cob is on the menu -- today and every day. But! That's not your only option. There are so many other delicious ways to eat fresh corn. Here are six tasty ways to enjoy the golden nibblets of summer.

Buenas tardes everyone, Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday. Time to grill up some fajitas, open up a jar of salsa, pour some Coronas ... But before you trot out the same ol' same ol', why not plan something new?

We've rounded up some Cinco de Mayo deliciousness that will take you a little off the beaten calle. How about a surprising salsa, four flavorful mains, and three spectacular desserts? Here's a whole menu of Cinco de Mayo fiesta ideas you'll love.

We all love oven-backed nacho. But if you're not a fan of scraping cheese crisps off your baking sheet, I have another alternative for you: Slow-cooker nachos! Yup, just add all the ingredients you want to go gooey -- bean, cheese, salsa -- into the slow cooker and let it work its melty magic. Then just pour it over your chips.

This recipe is for black beans, but you could pinto beans instead if you like those better. For that matter, if you have some already-browned ground meat (sans pink slime, of course) you could add that in, as well. With a salad on the side I would call this Friday Night Dinner. I would also call it delicious.

You know that moment when you walk into the kitchen and think, "Okay, gotta feed the family dinner." And the kids are screaming with hunger in the other room and there's a great, big cartoon thought balloon above your head. AND IT'S EMPTY? 

Yeah, I hate that, too.

It's like those days when you open your closet and think, "I have nothing to wear!" even though there are clearly clothes there. You open your refrigerator, see food-like substances, but unfortunately some assembly is required. That's why we need ideas for quick, simple family meals! Well hang in there, moms, help is on the way.

Grab your purple and green beads and get ready for Mardi Gras! We're just a few days away from Fat Tuesday so you have time to plan your party -- which could happen on the weekend if you want!

And what's Fat Tuesday all about? Why, ugly little critters from the sea, that's what: Crawfish and shrimp! Check out our tips and recipes for a fabulous Fat Tuesday party.

What a blizzardy week! Who else is craving soup right now? But not just any soup -- something a little spicy. I love all the smoky, spicy, and tart flavors in tortilla soup. And I love all the textures, especially the crunchy tortilla chips with the creamy avocado. Chilies and chicken broth are just what the doctor ordered to keep those winter colds away.

This recipe calls for a whole, dried pasilla chile. You can find these at specialty Mexican markets or in the ethnic foods section of your grocery store. If pasilla isn't available, just about any other dried chile will work, like ancho. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock and tofu instead of chicken stock and cubed chicken. Now have a toasty, tasty weekend!

Those of you who love and defend Gwyneth, who don't understand why people keep picking on Gwyneth like ALL THE TIME, why, why, why? you may want to skip this post. Move along now, fans! Nothing to see here! This one's for the rest of us.

Okay, are they gone? Good. This one's for those of us with jobs and children but no hired help and no money for a fishmonger who delivers. This is for those of us who don't have time/money/paid staff to whip up roasted red peppers with anchovies, escarole salad, and pasta with duck ragout for an intimate dinner with your celebrity friends.

I'd like to introduce you to the Anti-Gwyneth: Ines de la Fressange, French lady, former model, and the daughter of a Marquess. You hate her already, right? But don't! Sure, she's another hopelessly wealthy, effortlessly stylish woman, but I think you're going to like her idea of a fun, low-maintenance dinner party.