RECIPE: No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Stars

A patriotic dessert doesn’t have to be red, white and blue. And a cookie doesn’t have to be baked. This recipe from McCormick makes chocolate chip cookie dough stars. Since there’s no oven and no knives, you can delegate the task to a fledgling cook. Prep time is 20 minutes. RECIPE: CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH…
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FOOD FUN: Hand Pies Grow Up

[1] Hand pies plated as a gourmet dessert at Sirena Cocina Latina in San Diego (alas, now closed). [2] Use cutters to make prettier pies, and crimp the edges with a fork (here’s the recipe from Driscoll’s Berries). [3] A ham, brie and fig jam hand pie with grainy mustard sauce (here’s the recipe from…
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RECIPE: Mini Cheese Balls For The Cheese Course

[1] Mini cheese balls in phyllo cups. Here’s the recipe from A Spicy Perspective. [2] Stick a pretzel in it—or a carrot stick. Here’s the recipe from Five Heart Home. [3] Some like it hot. Here’s the recipe from Young Austinian. [4] Serve cheese balls with a green salad, combining the cheese course and the…
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PRODUCT: Scotch-Infused Chocolates For Burns Night

Chocolate for Burns Night. If you need something more simple, grab a quality dark chocolate bar (photos #1 and #2 courtesy Burdick Chocolate, photo #3 courtesy Laphroaig).   Luke Scotch? Like chocolate? Combine both on January 25th. On that day, the birthday of the great Scottish romantic poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) is celebrated. Family and…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Struffoli, An Italian Christmas Tradition

[1] A mound of struffoli, the traditional shape, from Linda’s Italian Table. It can be cut into slices, or for a party, put on the buffet so everyone can pick off what they like. [2] A loose wreath style from Il Cuori In Pentola. [3] A cornucopia shape, called Cornucopia di Sfoglia in Italian. It’s…
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