GIFT OF THE DAY: White Chocolate Polar Bears

Mom, dad and the kids are adorable…but not too adorable to eat! Photos courtesy Woodhouse Chocolate.   They may be too old for Teddy bears and Winnie The Pooh, but no one is too old for these chocolate polar bears from Woodhouse Chocolate of Napa Valley, one of our favorite chocolate artisans. Give just one…
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FOOD FUN: Green Bean Wreath

Deck the halls with…green beans! You can serve this green bean wreath in several ways: Crudités, with raw or blanched fresh green beans and a bowl of dip in the center. Salad, raw or blanched, tossed in vinaigrette. Steamed, and tossed with salted butter and fresh herbs (basil, dill, parsley).   RECIPE: GREEN BEAN SALAD…
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TIP OF THE DAY: 12 Ways To Serve Christmas Hot Chocolate

[1] Topped with whipped cream that anchors a gingerbread man; photo courtesy The Hopeless Housewife. [2] A pile of mini marshmallow “snowballs” with a caramel drizzle; photo courtesy Damn Delicious. [3] Snowman marshmallows; photo courtesy Williams-Sonoma.   There are special ways to serve hot chocolate during the holiday season. Some of the ones we’ve enjoyed:…
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TIP OF THE DAY: A Perfect Christmas Cocktail (& A Chanukah Cocktail, Too)

For your holiday celebrations, we propose a perfect Christmas cocktail: It’s sparkling. I can be red and green. It’s easy to make. There’s a mocktail variation.   A conventional Mimosa combines sparkling wine and orange juice (see the Mimosa history, below). Substitute cranberry juice and you’ve got the holiday version. (For a Chanukah version, use…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Feast Of The Seven Fishes, Anchovies With Bread & Butter

[1] Nonna Menna’s buttered bread with anchovies (photo courtesy Giulia Scarpaleggia). [2] We substitute pimiento for the capers (photo courtesy La Tienda). [3] You can use anchovy filets in olive oil or boquerones, marinated filets turned white by the vinegar (photo courtesy La Tienda). [4] Stirato is the closed Italian bread to the French baguette…
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