TIP OF THE DAY: Curly Beets Christmas Salad

Make your holiday salad more Christmasy with beet ribbons, stars, dice or julienne strips. You can curl beets (as well as carrots, turnips and other root vegetables) by cutting a continuous ribbon from the raw vegetable; then steam lightly. Add baby lettuces, toasted walnuts, and your choice of blue cheese, feta or goat cheese for…
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RECIPE: Oreo Peppermint Truffles

No baking required! (photo © Bella Baker)   For someone whose favorite ice cream flavor is Mint Cookie, these peppermint Oreo truffles were calling our name. This no-bake recipe produces a ball similar to a cake pop. No sticks are needed, but you can add them if you like (if you want to make pops,…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Christmas Ale & Beer

Still looking something special for Christmas? Whether for your own guests, as Christmas gifts or host/hostess gifts, pick up some Christmas beers. Anchor Christmas Ale and Samuel Adams have good national distribution for their holiday brews, and your regional microbrewer no doubt has a seasonal special ale, beer, porter or stout. Here’s a list of…
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NEW YEAR’S EVE: Dinner Menu

We were about to cook a New Year’s Eve feast until we came across a seductive menu from Triomphe, a restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Executive Chef Jason Tilmann has assembled stunning flavors and visual excitement, making this the menu we want to eat on New Year’s Eve. Normally, we eschew words like “decadent” and “sinful”…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Decorate Christmas Cupcakes

Deck the cupcakes! Photo of Perfect Endings cupcakes courtesy Williams-Sonoma.   Today’s tip is inspired by these delicious cupcakes from Perfect Endings, a Napa Valley bakery that sells them online via WilliamsSonoma.com. You can buy or bake and frost your own cupcakes, then decorate them with festive elements. It’s a fun family activity. Consider: Chocolate…
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