Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Food Network Magazine

DINNERS UNDER 500 CALORIES Try these light meals from our Weeknight Cooking section. Snapper with Kale-Orange Salad Page 112 CALORIES: 410 Pork with Sweet-and-Sour Squash Page 134 CALORIES: 460 Chicken and Barley Soup Page 130 CALORIES: 390 spicy tofu and vegetable lo mein Page 134 CALORIES: 440 THINK FAST There may be a way to keep your brain as fresh as it was years ago. A recent study from the University of Illinois suggests that lutein, a nutrient found in leafy green vegetables, avocados and eggs, might help slow cognitive decline. Make it your New Year’s resolution to get more of the nutrient. The rigatoni with Swiss chard on page 124 is a good start! CHEERS! A holiday happy hour could actually be good for your health: New research connects…

Holiday tunes “My husband and I released our own Christmas duet album last year, so that’s playing in our home during the holidays. I mix it up with classic Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and my favorite Christmas record of all time, A Charlie Brown Christmas.” $10; amazon.com Cool carryall “Any bag I buy has to have several compartments and fit on my shoulder without constantly slipping off. I’m a big fan of Coach bags.” Edie Shoulder Bag 31, $350; coach.com Beauty bargains “Two of my most frequent beauty buys are from the drugstore: Ardell’s Demi Wispies false eyelashes, which I wear all the time on the road, and T.N. Dickinson’s witch hazel pads. I use them every day after washing my face with soap and water.” Witch hazel cleansing pads,…

Marcela, I love roasting and stuffing poblanos, but when I try to remove the seeds I mangle the peppers, making them hard to fill. Help! Alessandra Delfico Miami It’s all in how you char the peppers: If you overcook them, the flesh will be too tender and removing the seeds will be difficult. Under-charring the peppers so they still have a little bite is better. Then slice vertically down the length of each pepper and make a crosswise slice across the top. Gently open the flaps and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. —Marcela Valladolid Have a question for a Food Network star? Ask it at foodnetwork.com/ youasked. Scott, what’s the secret to perfectly round meatballs? Mine get lopsided when I cook them. Julia Morse Kaneohe, HI When you’re…

FAVORITE HOLIDAY FLAVOR 84% have never roasted chestnuts on an open fire (kudos to the 16% who have!) Who needs Christmas linens? ONLY 10% SAY THEY PUT OUT HOLIDAY-THEMED PLACE MATS, AND ONLY 7% WEAR A HOLIDAY APRON 26% PEPPERMINT 26% PUMPKIN SPICE 24% GINGERBREAD 23% EGGNOG Home is where the holiday is… 83% say they’ve never been to a restaurant for Christmas dinner 9% SAY THEY WAKE UP BEFORE SIX O’CLOCK ON CHRISTMAS MORNING! 12% Eating 18% Hanging on my tree 59% Both 13% Neither HOW DO YOU BUILD YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE? 13% from scratch 31% from a kit 56% don’t make one What’s your take on fruitcake? 37% YUM! 63% NO THANKS!…

@foodnetmagpromo foodnetmag.com BETTER BAKING WITH STEVIA IN THE RAW® Try baking with Stevia In The Raw this holiday season and reduce calories in your favorite recipes—up to 700 calories per every cup of sugar swapped with Stevia In The Raw Bakers Bag! It measures just like sugar, so no conversion necessary. CHOCOLATE-ESPRESSO PIZZELLES Reduce up to half the amount of sugar in this Chocolate-Espresso Pizzelle cookie made with Stevia In The Raw. Find this recipe and more at InTheRaw.com. MATTE BLACK BY MOEN. With clean, simple lines and a stunning finish, our Align® faucet in matte black adds a touch of elegance to any room, proving once again that black goes with everything. Explore more at moen.com/matteblack. COFFEE MADE SIMPLE Simply add water to unlock the delicious taste and fresh-brewed…

$6 Gummy Christmas Kebobs For one; dylanscandybar.com These candy skewers come with a gummy Santa on top. $4 Gold Teacups For four; homegoods.com for stores Each cup in the set has a different color glazed interior. $7 Crinkle Bowl cb2.com Filled with treats, this makes a perfect little gift. $8 Fried Chicken Dog Toy crateandbarrel.com Pets can chew on this (boneless) polyester drumstick—it squeaks! $8 Glass Shot Glasses For two; makobarware.com You can mix and match eight different colors. $9 Gradient Color Blade Knives $9/paring, $10/universal, $10/bread; alwaysfits.com These are stainless, so they’re rust-resistant. $10 Small Knit Hotdog Pet Sweater worldmarket.com This acrylic and polyester top will fit dogs 10 to 12 pounds. $10 White Tree Pillar Candles $10/small, $15/medium, $35/large; crateandbarrel.com This trio creates a flickering forest. $10 Exfoliating Sugar Cubes harperari.com These fruity cubes look like candy,…

COCKTAILS APPETIZERS MAIN DISHES SIDE DISHES Cocktails APEROL MANHATTANS ACTIVE: 5 min | TOTAL: 1 hr 5 min SERVES: 8 2 cups bourbon½ cup sweet vermouth¼ cup Aperol8 cocktail cherries (such as amarena), plus 2 tablespoons syrupOrange slices, for garnish 1. Combine the bourbon, 1 cup cold water, the vermouth, Aperol and cherry syrup in a resealable plastic container. Freeze at least 1 hour. 2. Pour into glasses and add the cherries. Garnish with the orange slices. CUCUMBER-ELDERFLOWER SPARKLERS ACTIVE: 15 min | TOTAL: 45 min SERVES: 6 to 8 2 Persian cucumbersFinely grated zest and juice of 1 lime¾ cup elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)Orange bitters6 to 8 sugar cubes1 750-ml bottle champagne or other sparkling white wine, chilled 1. Grate the cucumbers on the large holes of a…

CHERRY-CHOCOLATE CRINKLES ACTIVE: 45 min I TOTAL: 2 hr 15 min MAKES: about 30 1¾ cups all-purpose flour¾ teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon salt1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup granulated sugar⅓ cup packed light brown sugar1 large egg⅓ cup cherry jam or preserves½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract½ teaspoon pure almond extract1 teaspoon red food coloring½ cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate (about 3 ounces)⅓ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped½ cup confectioners’ sugar 1. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter, ½ cup granulated sugar and the brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, then beat in the jam, both extracts and the food coloring. Reduce the mixer…

@foodnetmagpromo foodnetmag.com TRY NEW! BARILLA READY PASTA With Barilla Ready Pasta you can make delicious microwavable pasta in just 60 seconds. Made with three simple ingredients: fully cooked al dente pasta, a pinch of sea salt and a touch of extra-virgin olive oil. Simply tear open the pouch, heat, and mix in your own fresh ingredients. FANCY. BUT NOT TOO FANCY.™ Stacy’s® Pita Chips are a deliciously versatile snack suited for both sides of life. Whether your friend’s invitation says “RSVP” or “BYOB.” Whether you’re drinking wine from a vintage or wine from a box. Stacy’s® Pita Chips. Fancy. But not too fancy.™ Find our delicious Cinnamon Sugar pita chips in the deli section, and visit us at stacyssnacks.com. THE MODERNIST COLLECTION FROM DACOR As smart as they are stunning,…

SECRETO LOUNGE Santa Fe was the first American city to import tequila from Mexico, and the town takes its margaritas seriously. At this candlelit bar in Hotel St. Francis, the drink is made with a smoked sage leaf. hotelstfrancis.com GRUET WINERY This well-known sparkling wine producer opened a tasting room in Santa Fe last year. Pull up a seat at the marble-topped bar for a flight (four vintages for $16), or try a bubbly cocktail. gruetwinery.com SANTA FE SPIRITS TASTING ROOM You’ll be full of holiday spirit after a trip to this bar, an outpost of New Mexico’s largest distillery. Get a predinner cocktail made with the signature white whiskey, or try the Atapiño, a liqueur made from pine nuts and ponderosa pine sap. santafespirits.com…

$500 GIVEAWAY! How to enter: 1 Color these treats—on this page, a photocopy or a page printed from foodnetwork.com/colorthisdish. 2 Go to foodnetwork.com/ colorthisdish and submit a scan or photo of your finished work. The winner will receive $500 and three runners-up will each receive $50. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Color This Dish! Contest. Sponsored by Hearst Communications, Inc. Beginning November 17, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. ET, through December 15, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET (the “Entry Period”), go to foodnetwork.com/colorthisdish on a computer or wireless device and complete and submit the entry form pursuant to the on-screen instructions. All entries must include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and a scanned copy or photo of your completed version of the work that appears in the…

ACTIVE: 30 min | TOTAL: 1 hr | SERVES: 6 to 8 2 medium kabocha or butternut squash (about 4 pounds)2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oilKosher salt and freshly ground pepper2 white corn tortillas, torn into large pieces4 carrots, chopped1 red onion, chopped1 red Fresno or jalapeño chile pepper, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)2 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 teaspoon ground cumin6 cups chicken brothSour cream, pomegranate seeds and toasted pepitas, for topping 1. Preheat the oven to 425?. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub all over with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season the cut sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast until very tender and the skin is easily pierced…

ACTIVE: 20 min | TOTAL: 50 min | SERVES: 6 to 8 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature1 small shallot, chopped2 cups frozen fire-roasted corn, thawed1 red jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped2 tablespoons sherry or dry white wineKosher salt and freshly ground pepper8 ounces lump crabmeat, picked over1½ cups grated monterey jack cheese (about 6 ounces)¾ cup sour cream1 cup crushed butter crackers¼ cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning 1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the corn and jalapeno; cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the sherry and cook, stirring, until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Season with…

ACTIVE: 25 min | TOTAL: 6 hr | MAKES: two 9-inch wreaths 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting2¼ cups bread flour4 teaspoons kosher salt1 tablespoon rapid-rise yeast2½ cups warm water (105? to 110?) 1. Mix 2½ cups all-purpose flour, the bread flour, salt, yeast and water in a large bowl with a wooden spoon to make a wet and sticky dough. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until almost tripled in size, 2 to 3 hours (the top will flatten and begin to sink in the center). Divide the dough in half and transfer 1 piece to another bowl. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. 2. Put a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet…

ACTIVE: 45 min | TOTAL: 4 hr | MAKES: 24 to 36 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon ground ginger2 teaspoons ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon ground cloves¼ teaspoon ground allspice6 tablespoons unsalted butter1 tablespoon vegetable shortening⅔ cup packed light brown sugar¾ cup molasses1 large eggRoyal icing, for decorating (below)Assorted candies, for decorating 1. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and allspice into a medium bowl; set aside. Melt the butter and shortening in a medium saucepan; remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar and molasses. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. 2. Add the egg to the butter mixture; beat with a mixer on medium speed until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low;…

We asked the stars: What’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Valerie Bertinelli Valerie’s Home Cooking; Kids Baking Championship pg. 34 “MY MOM’S CHRISTMAS BELLS—THEY’RE GINGERBREADISH COOKIES WITH A BUTTERY PECAN FILLING.” Alton Brown Iron Chef America; Iron Chef Showdown; Good Eats (on Cooking Channel) pg. 196 Maneet Chauhan Chopped; Chopped Junior pg. 34 Scott Conant Chopped; Chopped After Hours; Chopped Junior pg. 34 “I’M A SIMPLE SUGAR COOKIE GUY. A COUPLE DOZEN OF THOSE AND A DOUBLE ESPRESSO AND I’M GOOD TO GO.” Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay; The Bobby and Damaris Show; Food Network Star; Iron Chef America; Iron Chef Showdown; Brunch @ Bobby’s (on Cooking Channel) pg. 108 Jose Garces Iron Chef Gauntlet; Iron Chef Showdown pg. 103 Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa pg. 96 Duff Goldman Kids Baking Championship; Holiday Baking Championship pg. 34 Alex Guarnaschelli Iron Chef…

December 19, 2016, almost broke me as a baker. I only remember the date because I kept a baking diary last December to document the insanity and to remind myself not to repeat it. On this particular day, before work, I had to bag up 45 homemade gingerbread men plus make six batches of royal icing in assorted colors for a kindergarten cookie-decorating party (side note: My daughter got sick and missed the whole thing). Then that night, I baked a four-layer cake for my sister’s birthday, four dozen muffins for my other daughter’s holiday breakfast and three batches of chocolate chip cookies to give to some business contacts. According to my notes, the first two weeks of December weren’t much better: I baked 90 sugar cookies for my older…

The Cookie Crumbles One of the creators of the best-known chocolate chip cookie on earth—the Toll House cookie—actually used a different recipe! The cookie’s inventor, Ruth Graves Wakefield, and her chief baker, Sue Brides, first made the recipe nearly 80 years ago at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, MA. But recently, Sue’s daughter Peg Gaquin revealed that her mom’s handwritten version called for shortening instead of butter and slightly different measurements than the recipe listed on every bag of Nestlé morsels. Peg says wartime shortages were likely the reason, as shortening was easier to get than butter at the time.…

Makes 6 tacos Fry bread • 4 cups fine-milled flour • 1 tablespoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1/4 cup lard • 2 cups water • Additional lard for deep-frying Toppings • 3 pounds of ground beef • 2 yellow onions, diced • 3 cups stewed tomatoes • 4 cups finely shredded cheddar-jack cheese • 3 cups shredded romaine lettuce • 1 1/2 cups fresh tomato, diced • Green chile and/or red chile sauce DIRECTIONS 1. To make the fry bread, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in a stand mixer with a dough hook. Add the lard and mix for 2 minutes on medium. Add the water and continue mixing until the dough is combined. 2. Form the dough into 6 separate balls, then let…

Robb Riedel Managing Editor, Food Network Magazine ”Whenever I have friends over, I do a cheese board, but for the holidays, I try to up my game. This recipe combines my favorite elements of a cheese board— creamy brie, sweet apricot preserves and crunchy pistachios— in one bite-size treat.” MINI BAKED BRIE CUPS Arrange mini croustades (mini pastry shells) on a baking sheet. Fill each with a cube of brie cheese (rind removed), then top each with ½ teaspoon apricot preserves. Bake in a 375? oven until bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes. Top with chopped pistachios. MINI CROUSTADES KRUSTADER mini croustades, $4 DINNER PLATE VARDAGEN plate in dark gray, $3 APRON IKEA 365+ apron, $13 Kate Doherty Market Director, HGTV Magazine ”Sticking to a classic color palette makes it a…

$2 Junk Food Scented Lip Balms For one; fashionangels.com These moisturizing sticks come in scents like french fries, pizza and doughnuts. $6 Tie-Pop Hair Ties cupcakesandcartwheels.com for stores These hair elastics look pretty sweet in their package. $7 Toppklocka Apron Set ikea-usa.com Little cooks can dress the part in a chef’s coat apron and matching hat. $8 Popcorn Erasers Fred; perpetualkid.com Mistakes are OK! Kernel erasers will take them away. $10 Chill Baby Twisted Teether Fred; amazon.com A pretzel shape is a clever twist on a teether. $10 Vibe Squad Keyring Set npwgifts.com Food-themed keyrings are the definition of grab-and-go. $12 Lollipop Door Hang Land of Nod; dylanscandybar.com This 5" wall or door hook is big enough to hold winter coats. $12 Food Wall Stickers karmakiss.com Kids can decorate their room with ingredients and easily remove them later.…

SHRIMP + CHILI SAUCE + LIME Broil peeled extra-large shrimp until cooked through, 5 minutes. Toss with sweet chili sauce and a little lime zest and juice. BEET CHIPS + ROAST BEEF + HORSERADISH MUSTARD Top beet chips with thinly sliced roast beef. Top with a dollop of horseradish mustard. CHORIZO + POTATOES + SPICY HONEY Brown sliced dried chorizo in a skillet. Skewer with roasted red potato wedges. Drizzle with warm spicy honey. CUCUMBER + CHEESE SPREAD + SMOKED TROUT Spread English cucumber slices with garlic-herb cheese spread (such as Boursin). Top with smoked trout. GOAT CHEESE + CRANBERRIES + PISTACHIOS Mash herbed goat cheese with chopped dried cranberries. Roll into 1-inch balls, then roll the balls in chopped toasted pistachios. BISCUITS + APPLE CHUTNEY + DILL HAVARTI Split…

CRUNCH TIME “Fried potatoes make the best sandwich topping! When I was traveling recently, I tried two Cuban dishes that came with crispy shoestring potatoes on top: pan con bistec, or steak sandwich, and a frita, or hamburger. The contrast of textures was so perfect that I had to create my own dish using store-bought potato sticks (see page 122). Try them on a favorite sandwich sometime.” Young Sun Huh Recipe Developer A NEW START A lot of breakfast dishes are going savory lately: We’ve seen cheddar oatmeal, sauerkraut pancakes, even kale doughnuts! The trend inspired us to create the parmesan French toast on page 124. Use the recipe to dream up your own savory French toast for a holiday brunch: You can swap in different cheeses (try grana padano…

Hot Cocoa Cake Roll Coconut Red Currant Cake Roll Lemon-Vanilla Cake Roll Gingerbread Cake Roll How To Make A Cake Roll 1. Bake the cake, then dust as directed while still warm. Loosen the edges with a knife, then lay a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) over the top. 2. Place another baking sheet over the towel and flip the cake with the baking sheets to invert it onto the towel. Remove the top baking sheet. 3. Remove the parchment from the cake. Starting at a short end, roll up the cake and the towel together into a tight spiral; let cool. 4. Gently unroll the cake. Spread with filling, then reroll (without the towel). Trim the ends with a serrated knife. HOT COCOA CAKE ROLL ACTIVE: 1 hr…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INGREDIENT TIPS Flour Spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level with a knife. If you pack it into the cup, you’ll end up with too much flour—and a dry cookie. Butter To bring butter to room temperature, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before you need it. If you’re short on time, cut the butter into pieces and microwave in 5-second intervals just until soft but not melted. Leaveners Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Check the expiration dates or do a quick test: Drop a pinch of baking powder in warm water and a pinch of baking soda in vinegar. If they bubble and foam, the leaveners are still good. Extracts Use pure extracts when available. The…

Fans of A Christmas Story, rejoice! You can now book a stay year-round at the Cleveland house where the classic movie was shot. And if you’re lucky enough to score a reservation, you can re-create the iconic meatloaf scene in the very kitchen where it took place—or just head across the street to The Rowley Inn. The gastropub serves Randy’s Meatloaf Dinner (classic meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy) and challenges patrons to eat it nose-first just like Ralphie’s little brother did. Consider it a triple-dog dare. achristmasstoryhouse.com for prices Cleveland…

ACTIVE: 20 min | TOTAL: 45 min | MAKES: about 24 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting1 tablespoon baking powder1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon baking soda1 stick cold unsalted butter, diced1 cup buttermilk1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)1 scallion, choppedFig jam, for topping8 ounces deli-sliced ham 1. Preheat the oven to 400?. Pulse the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Pulse in the buttermilk, cheese and scallion until incorporated. 2. Roll out the dough to ½ inch thick on a lightly floured surface, then fold in half and reroll. Cut out 1- to 2-inch rounds with a biscuit cutter. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until…

BABY CARROTS Trim, then toss with olive oil, chopped dill and parsley, and salt. Roast at 425°, tossing halfway through, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. ACORN SQUASH Halve, seed and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 425?, stirring halfway through, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (You can do this at the same time as the carrots.) ROMESCO SAUCE Soak 1 dried New Mexico chile pepper in hot water, 10 minutes; drain, then remove the stem and seeds. Puree 1 garlic clove, 1 slice toasted bread, ¼ cup smoked almonds and the chile in a food processor. Add 2 cups quartered tomatoes, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; puree. With the motor running, slowly pour in ¾ cup…

ACTIVE: 25 min | TOTAL: 1 hr 40 min SERVES: 4 2 beets, trimmed2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzlingKosher salt1 8-ounce ball burrata cheese1 tablespoon fresh orange juice1 tablespoon champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar½ small shallot, mincedFreshly ground pepper1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives2 tablespoons roughly chopped pistachiosToasted crusty bread, for serving 1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Place the beets on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Wrap the foil around the beets and place on a baking sheet. Roast until tender when pierced with a knife, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool slightly, then unwrap and rub off the skins using a paper towel. 2. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the burrata from the refrigerator and let stand…

ACTIVE: 45 min | TOTAL: 3 hr MAKES: 24 to 36 2½ cups cake flour, plus more for dusting1 teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon salt2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature¾ cup sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract14 to 20 hard candies, such as Jolly Rancher or Life Savers 1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in two additions and beat until just incorporated. Divide the dough in half; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.…

ACTIVE: 15 min | TOTAL: 20 min | SERVES: 4 2 cups cooked rice1⅔ cups whole milk½ teaspoon pure vanilla extractPinch of salt¾ cup white chocolate chips1 cup frozen cherries, thawed 1. Bring the rice, milk, vanilla and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until creamy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the white chocolate chips and let sit a few minutes. 2. Divide the cherries among 4 bowls. Top with the rice pudding.…

ACTIVE: 20 min | TOTAL: 40 min | MAKES: about 8 dozen 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half a 17.3-ounce package), thawedAll-purpose flour, for dusting¼ cup lemon curd1 tablespoon poppy seeds1 large eggConfectioners’ sugar, for dusting 1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry into a 12-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Brush with the lemon curd and sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Cut the puff pastry in half, then cut each half crosswise into ¼-inch-wide strips. Roll each strip into a coil and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. 2. Beat the egg with 2 teaspoons water; brush on the pinwheels. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to…

1 Kick off the month with hot cocoa muffins: Make a chocolate cake mix; add 3 cups mini marshmallows, divide among lined muffin cups and bake. 2 3 4 5 Prohibition ended on this day in 1933. Mix up a classic Bee’s Knees cocktail: Go to foodnetwork.com/beesknees. 6 7 8 Holiday movie night! Make a retro snack: Toss 2 cups oyster crackers with melted butter and a packet of ranch dressing mix; bake at 250?, 15 minutes. 9 10 Happy birthday, Bobby Flay! Make the chef’s go-to spice mix to give as holiday gifts. See page 108. 11 12 Hanukkah begins tonight! Make homemade gelt: Pour a few teaspoons melted chocolate into gold-foil muffin liners. Let set; wrap in the liners. 13 14 15 Ten days until Christmas! Infuse vodka…

Mega Menorah Bethesda, MD, has a tradition of hosting Hanukkah celebrations of epic proportions. Last year the city’s Chabad constructed a 10-foot menorah out of 400 assorted bagels from local shop Goldberg’s New York Bagels, and this year members voted to make a giant “Chocolate-Norah.” Stop by on December 17 to see it—and get a taste: The Chabad is giving away chocolate to anyone who visits. shalomchabad.com CHICKEN LITTLE Mint isn’t for everyone—so the novelty company Archie McPhee is making sure candy canes come in plenty of other options. New to the collection this year: coal (which actually tastes like smoky cinnamon) and rotisserie chicken. If those don’t appeal, pickle, wasabi and bacon versions are still available from years past. $5 for a box of six, mcphee.com Over the Barrel…

It’s about 65 degrees and sunny in San Diego at Christmastime, but inside Marcela Valladolid’s house, it’s a winter wonderland. Marcela goes all out for the holidays, decorating nearly every room with live garland, trees, and ornaments made by Mexican artisans—a nod to her heritage. Last Christmas, she and her fiancé, Philip, managed to go big even while she was nine months pregnant! Wall-to-wall holiday decorating is a tradition for Marcela: She remembers how festively her mom dressed up their house every Christmas when she and her two siblings were growing up in Tijuana. “She made sure everything for us was magical. I want my kids [Fausto, 13, David, 2, and Anna, 1] to remember everything—the fireplace, the cutouts on the mantel,” she says. “For me, it’s about creating those…

A stocking full of coal might not be such a bad gift after all: These lumps are Rice Krispies Treats! To make some, prepare a half batch of the treats as the box directs, then shape into small irregular lumps while still warm. Microwave 16 ounces chopped dark chocolate in 30-second intervals until melted. Dip the treats in the melted chocolate and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let set slightly, then roll in black cocoa powder or finely ground chocolate wafer cookies.…

I’m always on the lookout for a great new recipe, and this one came to me in the form of a gift from my friend Steven Barclay. Steven lives in Sonoma, CA, and he brought me some biscotti from the wonderful Della Fattoria bakery there. They were so good that I asked Steven’s friend Kathleen Weber, who owns the bakery, if she would share the recipe with me. They’re the perfect biscotti—crisp (but not so hard that you break your teeth on them!), a little sweet and a little savory. I make them ahead of time to serve as an afternoon snack with tea or a cappuccino, with a cheese course, or with some good vanilla ice cream for dessert. But this time of year I always make a big…

JOSE GARCES’S PICKLED BABY BEETS ACTIVE: 30 min | TOTAL: 45 min (plus cooling) | MAKES: about 8 cups Kosher salt 2 pounds baby red beets (about 8), trimmed2 pounds baby gold beets (about 8), trimmed1 onion, julienned1 cup sugar3 fresh bay leaves3 sprigs thymeZest (in wide strips) and juice of 1 orange1 tablespoon whole allspice1 tablespoon mustard seeds1 canela stick (or regular cinnamon stick)6 cloves3 cups rice wine vinegar1 cup white balsamic vinegar½ cup honey 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beets and blanch until the skin becomes loose, 5 to 10 minutes. Shock the beets in ice water to cool. 2. Combine 6 cups water, ¼ cup salt, the onion, sugar, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, orange zest, orange juice, allspice, mustard…

Baby, It’s Cold Add an extra course to your Christmas dinner—all you need is a bottle of juice! To make this cranberry granita, pour 4 cups cranberry juice into a 9-inch square metal baking dish and freeze, scraping with a fork every 30 minutes, until frozen, about 3 hours. Spoon into small bowls, top with frozen cranberries and serve between dinner and dessert. To start planning the rest of your menu, turn the page.…

1. PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Whisk 3 cups flour with 1 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 sticks melted butter with 1° cups light brown sugar, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon each vanilla and peppermint extract. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, then stir in 1 cup each chocolate chips and mint M&M’s. Arrange ¼-cup scoops (about 12) on parchment-lined baking sheets and flatten. Bake at 350° until lightly browned around the edges, 15 to 18 minutes. 2. PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM SANDWICHES Make Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (No. 1); let cool. Sandwich scoops of peppermint ice cream between the cookies. Freeze until firm. 3. PEPPERMINT SUGAR COOKIES Whisk 3 cups flour with 1 teaspoon each baking…

Anyone who lives in Santa Fe, NM, will tell you that it’s a magical place, and at no time is that more true than around Christmas. Farolitos (paper-bag lanterns) line the rooftop of nearly every building, casting a soft glow over the town, and almost everyone with a fireplace burns piñon wood, filling the air with a spicy, woodsy scent. The city has deep Native American, Mexican and Spanish roots, and during the holidays you can bet that whatever food you taste—tamales smothered in green chile sauce, cinnamon-dusted biscochitos (traditional Christmas cookies)—will be memorable. Here’s where to eat and what to do on a Santa Fe holiday. What to Do MUSEUM HILL This spot on Camino Lejo is named for its concentration of public art spaces, including the Museum of…

ACTIVE: 20 min | TOTAL: 1 hr 10 min | SERVES: 4 1 pound medium beets (red and/or golden)3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil¼ cup walnut pieces⅓ cup fresh orange juice2 oranges, segmentedKosher salt 1. Place the beets on a large sheet of foil. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Wrap the foil around the beets and place on a baking sheet. Roast at 400? until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 50 minutes. Unwrap and let cool slightly, then peel the beets and cut into wedges. 2. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly golden. Let cool, then roughly chop. 3. Whisk the orange juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large bowl;…

ACTIVE: 15 min | TOTAL: 15 min | MAKES: about 24 2 tablespoons honey1 teaspoon hot sauce8 slices bacon1 baguette1 cup ricotta cheese 1. Combine the honey and hot sauce in a small bowl. Set aside. 2. Cook the bacon in a single layer in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 9 minutes. Remove to a paper towel–lined plate to drain, then chop into large pieces. 3. Preheat the broiler. Slice the baguette ½ inch thick and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. 4. Spread the ricotta on the crostini and top each with a piece of bacon. Drizzle with the spicy honey.…

ACTIVE: 15 min | TOTAL: 20 min | SERVES: 6 to 8 1 seeded baguette, split⅓ cup ketchup⅓ cup mayonnaise1½ pounds deli-sliced corned beef1½ cups drained sauerkraut8 ounces deli-sliced havarti cheesePickle slices, for topping 1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Hollow out the baguette to make room for the fillings. Combine the ketchup and mayonnaise in a small bowl, then spread on the cut sides of the baguette. 2. Fill the baguette with the corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese. Place on a baking sheet and bake open-face until the cheese melts, about 4 minutes. Sandwich the halves together and skewer with pickles; cut into pieces.…

ACTIVE: 15 min | TOTAL: 1½ hr SERVES: 10 to 12 Unsalted butter, for the dish 6 large eggs2 cups heavy cream¾ cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling¾ cup raisins¾ cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 loaf challah bread, cut into chunks 1. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, caramel sauce, raisins, pecans, cinnamon and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in the challah. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish; let soak 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 375°. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden, 15 more minutes. Drizzle with more caramel sauce; let cool slightly.…

ACTIVE: 25 min | TOTAL: 4 hr | MAKES: 8 4 large egg whites, at room temperature½ teaspoon cream of tartar¼ teaspoon salt2½ cups confectioners’ sugar8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 cup cold heavy creamSugar pearls or sprinkles, for decorating 1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 250°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 more minute. Gradually beat in 2¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, about ¼ cup at a time; beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 more minutes. 2. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with…

ACTIVE: 1 hr | TOTAL: 1½ hr | MAKES: 12 FOR THE CUPCAKES 1½ cups all-purpose flour½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon baking soda⅛ to ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature¾ cup granulated sugar1 large egg, at room temperature1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract½ cup sour cream½ cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce FOR THE FROSTING 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature3 cups confectioners’ sugar¼ cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce½ teaspoon pure vanilla extractPinch of saltDried cranberries, for topping 1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350° and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a medium bowl. 2. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer…

CRAB SALAD PHYLLO CUPS Bake 15 frozen mini phyllo shells on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375? until browned and crisp, 5 minutes. Combine 4 ounces lump crabmeat, ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper, 2 to 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 finely chopped scallion and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro. Season with hot sauce and salt. Divide among the shells; top with sliced cucumber. SHRIMP COCKTAIL PHYLLO CUPS Bake 15 frozen mini phyllo shells on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375? until browned and crisp, 5 minutes. Combine 4 ounces chopped cooked shrimp, 2 to 3 tablespoons cocktail sauce and ¼ cup finely chopped celery; season with hot sauce, salt and lemon juice. Refrigerate until cold. Divide among the shells; top with celery leaves. TUNA TARTARE PHYLLO CUPS Bake…