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Christmas is a time where both traditional recipes and innovative spins on holiday recipes come into play. Here are some of my favorite dishes for the holiday, as well as ideas for gifting to loved ones.

Essential Mexican Pantry Ingredients for Celebrations & Fiestas

Mexican cuisine is quite diverse, with many different regional variations of traditional or authentic recipes. However, during the Winter holidays there are a few key staples that can be found in nearly every Mexican household. Below are the essential pantry ingredients that will help you be prepared to take on making most Mexican celebration meals. …

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Holiday Care Packages: 7 Homemade Treats to Send

Have a kid in college or a loved one living abroad? This holiday season, let them know you’re thinking of them by sending a themed holiday care package filled with homemade treats and other goodies. Below, you’ll find 7 festive recipes that ship well. Jump to: Chocolate Cherry Bark | Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Zucchini …

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8 Specialty Martini Drinks For the Holidays

Looking for a nice martini recipe for the holidays, to wow guests at your next party, or just to celebrate Friday night? I’ve got you covered! Have a look at my 8 favorite martini drinks for every occasion. What Exactly is a Martini? Let’s clarify one thing first. Traditionally, a martini is just a mix …

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Peppermint Espresso Martini

Make the holidays extra festive with one of my favorite twists on the classic: a peppermint espresso martini! The perfect boozy pick-me-up to serve after a long family dinner, your guests will love this sweet and minty holiday cocktail. Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Directions Peppermint Espresso Martini Ingredients Espresso martini… but make it …

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Traditional Pork Pozole Rojo: Pork & Hominy Stew

This version of pozole rojo is from mi amiga who lives in the Bajío region of Mexico (west-central Mexico). It is a luscious slow-cooked stew made with pork, hominy, Mexican spices, and a blend of mild to moderate chile peppers in the rojo sauce. It is simple to make without a lot of hands-on time, …

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10 Drinks to Make with Homemade Vanilla Vodka Recipe

Move over, fake-tasting and sugary supermarket vanilla vodka! Find out how to make delicious vanilla vodka yourself at home using just two ingredients: vodka and real vanilla beans. Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Method | Ideas for Drinks I love playing around with making my own liqueurs! Whether it’s something summery like blueberry-infused liqueur …

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Easy Swedish Potato Bake for the Holidays (aka Jansson’s Temptation)

This simple potato side dish is a mainstay on the Swedish smorgasbord at Christmastime, where it is referred to as Jansson’s Temptation or Janssons frestelse. It is a rich and creamy comfort food made with potatoes, onions, cream and the secret ingredient of anchovies. Perfect for the holiday table, no matter which country you celebrate …

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Chocoflan (Impossible Cake) Recipe (+ Tips for Avoiding Failure

I wanted to make this remarkable cake for a fiesta party, but the first two attempts were total failures. The third time around was perfection and raves from the friends and family on the both the taste and the presentation. Learn from my mistakes below and get your layered, sweet Impossible Chocoflan to turn out …

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Mexican Ponche Navideño: Christmas Punch

Looking for a hot drink to serve for the holiday season? This year, let’s skip the mulled wine and go for a warming classic from Mexico instead. Mexican ponche navideño is a traditional fruit punch bursting with comforting flavors and a spiced aroma that will make your home smell heavenly. Serve it like a tea …

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Chocolate Sprinkle Thumbprint Cookies: Nutella & Dulce de Leche Fillings

Thumbprint cookies are one of the easiest cookies to make along with being one of most flexible and festive. Change out the chocolate sprinkles for a different color and change out the filling to your favorite preserve and poof, you have thumbprint cookies that will match any holiday. These are filled with Nutella and with …

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Ginger-Spiced Thumbprint Cookies with Champagne Jelly

Thumbprint cookies are iconic around Christmas time and no other cookies can compete with the simplicity and amount of flexibility in flavors they offer. These ginger-spiced thumbprint cookies can be filled with endless possibilities, but using a jewel-toned champagne jelly makes them shimmer and sparkle for the holiday cookie tray. Jump to: RECIPE | Best …

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Spicy Cranberry Margarita with Homemade Simple Syrup

Beautifully bright red and a little tangy, this cranberry margarita packs a secret punch: homemade cranberry syrup infused with habanero pepper. Perfect for a cold Christmas, a fiery Valentine’s Day or just a fancy Friday drink after work. Jump to: RECIPE | Substitutions | DIY Cranberry Syrup | More Tequila Cocktails Ingredients and Substitutions for …

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Thumbprint Cookies with a Lemon Filling

These shortbread thumbprint cookies are filled with a bright, citrusy lemon filling and then dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for spring baking or for an Easter treat. The lemon filling can be store-bought lemon curd, lemon marmalade or even an orange jelly. The shortbread cookie part is easier than making a pie crust, so they come …

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