Carmen Varner
Expertise
Vegetarian Cooking, Baking, Fine Dining
- Carmen always seeks out vintage cookbooks at thrift stores even though she doesn't need to add any more to her collection.
- She loves to travel and savor local cuisine such as huitlacoche in Mexico, port wine in Porto, and gelato in Italy.
- As a member of the Yelp Elite Squad in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Carmen enjoys trying new-to-her places, attending foodie events, and writing reviews about her experience.
Experience
Carmen is a food, drink, and travel writer based in San Diego. She has 10+ years of experience and has been published in Chickpea Magazine, Parade Magazine, San Diego Reader, Luxe Beat Magazine, LOCALE Magazine, and more.
Education
Carmen has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in health promotion and disease prevention.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Carmen Varner
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You can get super creative with pita, from salads to ice cream sandwiches. You'll want to stock up on this delightful round bread for snacks and meals to come.
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Canned sardines might seem basic, but you're just a few ingredients and techniques away from turning this simple tinned fish into a dinnertime showstopper.
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Does the sound of yogurt with edible flowers pique your interest? How about cream cheese and yogurt? If so, it's time to spruce up your yogurt routine.
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Whether you want to use them in savory dishes or you want to jazz up your chocolate bark, there are many ways to incorporate graham crackers in your next dish.
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Using this pretty, herbalicious plant can give any entrée, dessert, cocktail ─ you name it ─ a floral zing. Here's how to upgrade your cooking with lavender.
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We've all likely tried a Shirley Temple drink at some point in our lives. If you love the drink, here are some creative ways to spice it up this time.
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Hash browns, whether shredded, diced, or in patty form, are essential to have in your freezer. Here are our favorite ways to elevate this spud to new heights.
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You don't have to settle for plain whipped cream for your cheesecake, morning coffee, or dessert. Try one of these creative, flavorful variations instead.
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From drinks to desserts to bread to bark, discover a range of creative ways to use chocolate chips. You might have to buy a few bags with this inspiration.
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Hankering for waffles but not sure whether you want them for mains or dessert? Check out our favorite sweet and savory waffle recipes. They're waffley good.
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If you are putting together a burrata board for a casual night in or a big event, these tips are sure to take your platter to the next level.
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Coffee is nearly perfect as is, but drinking the same old cup of Joe gets monotonous. Here are 17 easy ways to liven up your morning coffee.
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Roasted almonds make for a healthy and tasty treat. But you don't have to take your almonds plain. Check out these spices to liven up your taste buds.
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There's plenty of ways to utilize radishes beyond a simple garnish. To up your veggie game, here are some creative ways to add more flavor to radishes.
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Beyond being scrumptious, enchiladas are an eminently customizable dish. Check out our collection of intriguing additions to boost their flavor.
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Peanut butter whiskey is quickly becoming all the rage. But what do you do with it? We have the answers with these delicious and unexpected cocktails.
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Boiled potatoes often get lost in the shuffle of other ways to cook potatoes, but boiling is an art. These are the best ways to make your boiled potatoes great.
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Ham is a remarkably versatile meat that be used in all sorts of ways. It's great as a main course, an appetizer, in soups, and so much more.
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Pâté comes in a small can, but it packs big flavor. Try adding it in a wide variety of recipes to impart savory sophistication to everyday dishes.
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Using canned sweet potatoes means you can create your favorite dishes whenever you feel like it, from warming bowls of gnocchi to stacks of spiced pancakes.
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Canned refried beans can be a bit bland right out of the can. With these tips, you can freshen up the flavor to make them a stand alone dish packed with taste.
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Jazz up that tub of supermarket hummus with a variety of creative add-ins, enlivening this versatile dish with tastes ranging from spicy to sweet.
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There are plenty of ways to add dimension and creativity to your rolls. We have a few hacks for a new take on a classic store-bought cinnamon roll.
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You likely have a can of pineapple in the back of your cabinet. Now's the perfect time to use it. They can be added to cocktails, cakes, casseroles, and more.
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Everyone loves blueberry muffins and pie, but these fresh berries are beautiful in all kinds of surprising dishes, from compound butter to BBQ sauce.
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While there are some obvious choices to dip your fries in, this list offers some underrated choices to dunk your fried potato pieces in - like teriyaki.
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No matter your flavor preferences, a whole world of canned meats is waiting for you to discover them, from Vienna sausages to Spam to canned chicken.