DIY Jambalaya Party Bar With Recipes For Mardi Gras

For Mardi Gras—February 28—try a new take on food bars (a.k.a. buffets): DIY Jambalaya. Jambalaya is a delicious, spicy, main course consisting of rice and practically everything else in the refrigerator! It’s a great way to use favorite meats and veggies (shrimp, peas, carrots, bell peppers). You can start from scratch; for a family night,…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Types Of Meringue, Plus Red Wine Meringue Cookies

All meringue begins the same: with egg whites beaten with some form of sugar. But from there, pastry chefs evolved different preparation techniques to produce different results. You may think of meringue as cookies, or dessert cups that hold fruit or mousse, like vacherins or pavlovas*. It can also be made into a cake layer…
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RECIPE: Valentine Brownies

Want to bring something fun to work or school for Valentine’s Day? These strawberry brownies from Kevin Lynch of Closet Cooking can be made for any occasion. But we especially like the heart-shaped effect of halved strawberries for “love” occasions: Mother’s, Father’s, Valentine’s, anniversaries, etc. You can adapt the idea to your favorite brownie, or…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Your Own Marshmallow Designs

[1] Cut heart shapes for Valentine’s Day (photo courtesy Kavemania | Facebook). [2] Use cookie cutters to create special designs (photo courtesy Martha Stewart and [3] SXC). [4] These artisan marshmallows are delicious, but too tall and pillowy to cut into shapes (photo The Nibble).   If you have an eye out for delicious confections,…
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Jell-O Shots Recipes For Your Valentine(s)

How about gelatin shots as a treat for Valentine’s Day? Use unflavored gelatin and other drink ingredients to turn your favorite cocktails into a solid form. The alcohol-free version, Jell-O Jigglers, uses Jell-O for flavor and color; and engendered the return of a very old recipe—popular among young ladies in the 1860s, popular among all…
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