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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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Calabaza en Tacha (Candied Pumpkin) Recipe

Calabaza en Tacha (aka candied pumpkin) is one of the traditional treats served on Mexico’s Day of the Dead Celebration, “Dia de Muertos”. The flavor is similar to what is served in the US as candied yams or sweet potatoes, but the key ingredients to this Mexican recipe include piloncillo syrup, cinnamon sticks, orange peel …

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Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata (Casserole) with Swiss Chard & Sausage

Strata is basically an egg casserole with varied fillings and a creamy custard base. It is often likened to a bread pudding. This breakfast strata is filled with swiss chard and sausage and topped with a smoky cheese. It is perfect for serving a crowd at brunch or as a stress-free make-ahead dish for holiday …

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3 Seafood Platters: Tinned Fish, Cold Platter, or Seafood Tower

Those of us who like to host during the holidays will know the struggle between wanting to serve something fancy and keeping things stress free. Here are 3 DIY seafood platters that range from an easy, inexpensive tinned seafood plate to a cold platter with shellfish to a luxury platter or tower for the seasoned …

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How to Make Mexican Pork Tamales: Step-by-Step

Tamales are special. While not the easiest thing to make, I can share a few methods to make it easier by revising the step where you rehydrate, deseed and roast the dried peppers, replacing this process with a homemade powdered spice blend. These Mexican pork tamales have excellent flavor and texture, while offering an easier …

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English Steamed Pudding with Persimmon: Holiday Showstopper

The Brits do love their steamed puddings, from the Christmas “figgy pudding” to all kinds of sweet and savory renditions. After making this persimmon steamed pudding, I echo their pudding love. It was delicious, and doesn’t require specialized equipment. Most of the “time” is down time while it is steaming away. Jump to: RECIPE | …

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Brazilian Shrimp in Pumpkins: Camarão na Moranga

Camarão na Moranga (Shrimp in Pumpkin) is a creamy seafood stew from Brazil beautifully served in a colorful pumpkin. Traditionally it would be served in a pinkish heirloom variety of pumpkin called Moranga (see photo below). If you can’t find this variety however, an orange baking pumpkin will work just fine. The flavor and the presentation …

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Low Carb Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad

Brussel sprouts are often hailed as one of the most-hated foods.  However, Caesar salad is one of the most popular.  This unique combination of brussel sprouts and Caesar salad brings out the best in both dishes for a spectacular side dish to any meal. Jump to: RECIPE | Health Benefits of Brussels | Substitutions | …

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Low Carb Cheese or Charcuterie Boards

Cheese platters (or charcuterie boards) are one of the most popular approaches to entertaining, primarily because they are easy to put together and easy to please a number of different palates. The drawback for some people is the sugar content of many of the accompaniments (like jams, honey, candied nuts, etc.). There are ways however …

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