Still trying to come up with a great New Year’s Eve plan? It’s a safe bet that many of your friends are too. So spare yourselves and your crowd the hassle of squeezing into a packed club or the expense of a six-course meal at a restaurant and throw a party at your place. Although […]

Candy Cane Cocktail INGREDIENTS 1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish 2 ounces strawberry vodka 4 dashes white creme de menthe 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice Ice cubes PREPARATION Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, […]

“Unsweetened chestnut puree is folded into a brandy-flavored custard and baked into an airy souffle for an elegant dessert. Top with unsweetened whipped cream.” ”Fluffy goodness! This easy recipe calls for chestnut puree which can be found in most specialty food stores.” — Stella {allrecipes} Read more about chestnuts :: in season. INGREDIENTS 4 egg yolks 1 cup chestnut […]

Basler Brunsli (Chocolate-Almond Spice Cookies) Specialties of Basel, in northern Switzerland, these chocolatey confections are often described as Swiss brownies. Almonds, sugar, and chocolate are ground fine and bound together with egg whites to create a satisfyingly chewy texture, while cinnamon and cloves impart an unmistakable flavor of old-fashioned Christmas cheer. Added bonus: they’re gluten-free, […]

It’s officially the season of celebration, and this month we bring you TWO wines to help make it a December to remember! From an outstanding American sparkling winery founded in California’s cool weather Russian River Valley in 1986, and using the traditional méthode champenoise, these wines are great examples of American sparklers. Both delicate in […]

While still as diverse as any other season’s offerings, the uniting quality of most winter seasonals is the concentration of flavors on the malty-side of the spectrum, giving your palate a break from the aggressively hoppy styles that are so popular these days. You’ll find some lightly spiced, some surprisingly fresh and clean, but no […]

INGREDIENTS 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 10 oz bittersweet chocolate or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 pinch salt PREPARATION On baking sheet, toast walnuts in 350F (180C) oven until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool. In heatproof bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate. Remove from heat. Stir in condensed […]

Make all three flavored cheese balls or prepare just one or two, adjusting the ingredients accordingly. {via Martha Stewart} For a different spin on the traditional cheese ball, try Wendy’s Fresh Cherry Cheese Ball at Around my Family Table. Yield: Makes three 4-inch cheeseballs Serves: 10 INGREDIENTS Base Recipe 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened […]

Mix-and-Match Cookie Tins Make a mixed tin. Line the bottom and sides with corrugated paper. Fold short lengths in half for dividers. Envelop your cookies in tissue paper, buffer them with corrugated paper tubes, or protect them using accordion-folds of red paper. You can also tie a stack of cookies with baker’s twine. {for sources […]

Turkeys are able to adapt to a wide variety of habitats. However, most turkeys are found in hardwood forests with grassy areas. The best time to see a turkey is on a warm clear day or in a light rain. Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the […]