CHRISTMAS: Avocado Salad Tree

A delightful Christmas salad. Photo courtesy AvocadoCentral.com.   Holiday buffets will look even more inviting when this pretty Christmas tree-shaped salad is on display. It’s served with a zesty chile vinaigrette dressing for a fiesta of flavor. Prep time is 30 minutes. Use ripe avocados that are a little on the firm side for best…
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FOOD FUN: Popcorn Trees

Fun for decoration, party favors or festive snacks, these Popcorn Trees are easy to make. The recipe is from the National Popcorn Board, which advises that it’s important to use unflavored white popcorn for the best color and flavor. RECIPE: POPCORN TREES Ingredients For 10 Trees 10 cups air-popped white popcorn 1 10-ounce bag miniature…
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RECIPE: Marinated Cod

If you’re looking to put together a Feast Of The Seven Fishes, or simply would like a new way to prepare cod, here’s a recipe from Landana Cheese. The company uses its Landana 1000 Days, an aged Gouda, in the recipe. Serve the cod with a Chablis or other dry white wine. Find more recipes…
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RECIPE: Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer

Deck the appetizer plate with cream cheese and pepper jelly. Photo: Pinterest.   The block of cream cheese topped with pepper jelly takes on a special shape for the holidays. We originally thought that this photo was from Bertha at Indulgy.com, but so many people have posted it on Pinterest and elsewhere that the original…
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RECIPE: Smoked Salmon Gougères

Gougères are the perfect hors d’ouevre to serve with white wine and sparkling wine. Photo and recipe courtesy Chef Aida Mollenkamp.   Gougères (goo-ZHAIR) are airy French cheese puffs, savory choux pastry that is mixed with grated cheese and baked into savory bites. In France, the cheese is most often a hearty Swiss mountain cheese:…
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