I tested the same mac and cheese recipe on the stovetop, in the oven, and in the microwave. The stove, my go-to appliance, made the creamiest sauce, but the oven version had the best flavor. The ...

What does it mean to be a good cook? Sure, there’s the technical stuff: the knife skills, the timing, the intuitive moment when you know a chicken breast is cooked through but not yet dry. Beyond that ...