Taste of Home December/January 2022

One of the things I love most about this season is learning about the special ways the holidays are celebrated in different families. From region to region, from home to home, the holidays look a little—or a whole lot—different depending on the people we celebrate with, traditions old and new, and of course the kind of food we gather around each year. We thought about those varied traditions when planning this issue and brought to life a few of our favorite merry menus in “Holiday Your Way” (page 43). With a cozy brunch, a down-home southern dinner and a streamlined take on the Feast of the Seven Fishes, these menus may be familiar to your family or you may find a new tradition to try—that’s the beauty of the season!…

Bring Joy Home You’re invited to our online holiday open house! Join Taste of Home editors, stylists and Test Kitchen experts as they share their favorite ways to bring extra holiday cheer. They’ll show you how to mix a festive cocktail, create a picture-perfect cheese board, set up a stunning dessert platter and more. Feel free to swing by whenever! Just hover your camera here, or visit tasteofhome.com/bringjoyhome. Even More to Celebrate! In the new 2021 edition of Taste of Home Holiday & Celebrations, find 25 fun party themes and more than 300 delicious recipes, plus decor ideas and hosting tips for everything from Christmas dinner to a doggone adorable puppy birthday paw-ty. Buy yours today! tasteofhomebooks.com/HAC21 COMMUNITY COOK’S RECIPE REVIEW Amish Sugar Cookies Courtney Stultz, Weir, KS USERNAME: @LPHJkitchen…

Small Bites Snackers, mixologists and hosts simply can’t pass up these party-starting products. The Main Event Cook up something special for the head chef in your life with 10 can’t-miss gifts. Sweet Treats Your beloved baker deserves a present as delightful as their confections. Look no further! Are you looking for the Hidden Object? Find details on page 7.…

Gift Guides Galore Hover your camera here for the rest of our 2021 present picks.…

Nourishes Hair Thinning hair? Reach for products with ginger in the ingredients list. The plant can help stimulate hair follicles while nourishing and moisturizing your locks. But this root’s healthy hair benefits don’t stop there. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, ginger is also a terrific remedy for dandruff. Ginger-filled products can help you ditch those flakes. You can also create a DIY hair mask with fresh ginger juice mixed with coconut oil. Improves Skin Ginger is nature’s gift to skin. Filled with antioxidants that encourage collagen production, ginger can help give your skin a soft, smooth appearance and can even help prevent signs of aging like wrinkles. Another bonus: This ingredient can also reduce the appearance of hypopigmented scars—those that appear lighter than your natural skin tone. Dab a bit…

Easy Chicken Creole While I was growing up, my family spent time in Haiti, where we enjoyed eating many dishes just like this. —Maxine Weaver, Petersburg, WV Prep: 15 min. • Cook: 20 min. Makes: 10 servings 1 cup sliced celery1 cup chopped green pepper1 cup chopped onion¼ cup canola oil2 garlic cloves, minced¼ cup all-purpose flour5 cups chicken broth6 cups cubed cooked chicken2 cans (6 oz. each) tomato paste¼ cup chopped fresh parsley4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce2 tsp. lemon juice1 tsp. salt½ tsp. each pepper, sugar and dried thyme12 to 16 drops hot pepper sauce Hot cooked rice 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the celery, green pepper and onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add flour; cook and stir until browned,…