Taste of Home February-March 2014

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS THE BIGGEST PIZZA BLITZ OF THE YEAR, and home cooks show how wonderful a loaded-up version can be on page 44. Tracy Miller in Wakeman, Ohio, piles on Reuben toppings—mmm. Or go deep dish with a Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza in a good ol’ 13x9 pan by Elizabeth Wolff of Carmel, Indiana. “My oldest son lives overseas, and I try to make it for him when he comes home for visits. I also served it at a Super Bowl party (Go Colts!) and at Moms’ Weekend at Indiana University.” Thanks for sharing it with millions of Taste of Home fans and friends, Elizabeth. REMEMBER THE COVER THAT KICKED OFF 2004? Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since readers first got your kitchens glowing with their puckery-sweet…

KITCHEN COLLECTIBLES Cookie Jars Flaunt your cookies or hide the sweet stash in jars that make a statement. Fill them with Potato Chip Cookies, recipe below. NATIONAL POTATO CHIP DAY MARCH 14 1 Cost Plus World Market’s Mint Scalloped Jar worldmarket.com $13 2 Pier 1 Imports’ Flying Pig Cookie Jar pier1.com $34 3 PlaceTile Design’s Interchangeable Magnetic Cookie Jar shop.placetile.com $57 for jar, $15 for magnet motifs Potato Chip Cookies Give this cookie a try next time you’re looking for a sweet and salty treat. They quickly bake to a crispy, golden brown…and disappear even faster.—MONNA LU BAUER LEXINGTON, KY PREP: 15 MIN. • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH MAKES: 4 DOZEN 1 cup butter-flavored shortening 3/4. cup sugar 3/4. cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp.…

Candy Corn Mix up these sweet slants on popcorn inspired by some of your favorite treats. No.1 Sweet & Salty Popcorn Brittle made better with a tropical twist. Melt 10 oz. white candy coating in the microwave. Stir into 10 cups popcorn and 1 cup each Almond Joy pieces or M&M’s, broken mini pretzels and chopped dried pineapple.—DIANE SMITH PINE MOUNTAIN, GA No.2 Marshmallow-Peanut Popcorn Pretzel bits and peanuts? Yes, please. Boil 2/3. cup sugar, 1/2. cup butter and 1/2. cup corn syrup for 2 minutes. Stir into 15 cups popcorn, 2 cups miniature marshmallows and 1 cup each salted peanuts and broken pretzel sticks. .JULIE PEREZ IDAHO FALLS, ID No.3 Chocolate-Mint Popcorn It’s cool, sweet and crunchy in one bite. Melt 1 box (4 oz.) Junior Mints with 2…

If you love Taste of Home magazine, get ready for an event like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a blushing beginner, it’s an unforgettable LIVE Cooking School filled with new friends, fabulous food and lots of fun! At Every Show… LEARN 10 NEW RECIPES! The Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies dessert below is just one of the yummy recipes we’ve shown fans how to make. Like all Cooking Show recipes, it’s easy enough to recreate at home. PICK UP NEW TECHNIQUES! Our Culinary Specialist, the host of the show, will toss in tips and techniques while teaching recipes. You’re guaranteed to walk away with something new! GET A BAG FULL OF GOODIES! Every attendee receives a valuable gift bag filled with products, recipes and coupons from local sponsors.…

GOTTA HAVE GUAC When life gives you less-thanripe avocados, here’s how to get them into a big bowl of guacamole ASAP. Place avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Poke the bag a few times with a toothpick or scissors, and let ripen at room temperature for a day or two. The more fruit, the faster the results. Did you know? Americans tackle 53.5 million pounds of guacamole every Super Bowl Sunday. That’s enough to cover a football field more than 20 feet deep. Dig into more fun factoids and tasty recipes in Absolutely Avocados by Gaby Dalkin, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $18. EAT SMART FAST FIX Three-Pepper Guacamole If you’re serious about guacamole, use a molcajete. The lava stone makes a big difference in the pepper paste.—LAURA…

SLOW COOKER Slow Cooker Short Ribs These ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don’t need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker.—REBEKAH BEYER SABETHA, KS PREP: 30 MIN. . COOK: 61. HOURS MAKES: 6 SERVINGS 3 lbs. bone-in beef short ribs 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 1 Tbsp. canola oil 4 medium carrots, cut into 1-in. pieces 1 cup beef broth 4 fresh thyme sprigs 1 bay leaf 2 large onions, cut into 1/2-in. wedges 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 cups dry red wine or beef broth 4 tsp. cornstarch 3 Tbsp. cold water Salt and pepper to taste 1. Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium…