Taste of Home December/January 2024

I get more and more nostalgic during the holiday season as the years pass by. When I was young, my parents, siblings and I would pile in the station wagon and drive all over town, stopping in to visit our grandparents, aunts and uncles. (We kids got pretty fidgety as the day dragged on, knowing that Santa made his stop at our house when we were away.) Christmas Day started with church and ended with a big feast made with love by Mom. I cherish those recollections of family, fun and, of course, food! Thoughts of those treasured events came flooding back while working on our “Memories of Grandma” feature (page 42). Each recipe holds a special place in the heart of each contributor and will take you back in…

Hot & Hearty If the weather outside is frightful where you live, it’s time to get cozy and fire up the stove. Simmer up one of these satisfying winter soups packed with comfy ingredients. With 100 options to choose from, like Pasta Fagioli Soup, Cheesy Chili and Potato Clam Chowder, you’ll find more than one recipe to please your family. One bowlful, and you’ll feel as if you’ve wrapped yourself in a big hug! Best Shared Recipes Whether you’re creating a special menu or simply looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this cookbook is the ideal solution. Learn the secrets behind the 240+ go-to classics that today’s home cooks rely on, then get ready to share the recipes yourself. Order yours for only $10 plus free shipping. tasteofhomebooks.com/SHR3 COMMUNITY COOK’S…

[We Tried It] Chill Out cont’d. Winter may be the perfect time to curl up with a cup of steaming hot cocoa. But if you like your drinks cold, you’re in for a treat! Now you can combine your appreciation for hot chocolate with a love of things chilly. You’re probably thinking, Can you even make cold hot chocolate? Great question … it’s definitely an oxymoron! But it is possible to turn one of winter’s favorite drinks into an icy treat worth enjoying no matter the weather. Frozen Hot Cocoa Have fun with this iced hot chocolate recipe and experiment with your family’s favorite toppings! Some options include chocolate shavings and caramel sauce. For the holidays, you can substitute a half-teaspoon of peppermint extract for the vanilla. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa…

WINE DIVINE No matter the season, keeping your guests’ glasses of white wine chilled can be a challenge. That’s why we love these triple-insulated tumblers. Plus, the lid and silicone coaster mean more sips and less spills! SWEETS IN SECONDS Craving ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes or a smoothie bowl? With the touch of a button, you can transform frozen solid bases into an indulgent or healthy treat! DISPOSABLE DRESS-UP Foil pans are convenient for taking to holiday potlucks but aren’t the most attractive. Next time, pop your pan into one of these reusable, stylish containers. Each container comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and includes a foil pan and serving spoon. CHOP, CHOP! Make prep easy with this multiuse chopper. Use it to chop, slice and julienne all…

Lisa Kaminski shares her expert tips and tricks for December’s Bakeable Challenge: Pesto Tree Bread! STEP 1: BUILD THE BASE The first step of assembly is layering on the flavors. This means a generous spread of pesto and sprinkling of Parm between 2 sheets of dough. STEP 2: CREATE A BASIC TREE SHAPE Once the ingredients are layered, use a ruler and a sharp knife (a pastry wheel also works) to cut a large triangle shape. STEP 3: CUT OUT SOME ORNAMENTS Use small cookie cutters to cut out decorative shapes from the leftover dough. You can bake them while the dough for the tree rises, and use them to garnish and dip. STEP 4: BRANCH OUT Use a large sharp knife to make clean horizontal cuts up and down…

Dough Whisk Want to mix by hand? A dough whisk helps incorporate the flour more easily than a spatula. Mini Cookie Cutters Create decorations to garnish your tear-and-share tree with tiny cookie cutters. Sharp Knife Get precise slices for this twisty tree recipe with a large knife. A sharp blade will give you clean cuts.…