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For the longest time, I considered porchetta, the slow-roasted Italian pork dish, an order-at-a-restaurant-only entrée; it seemed too hard to make at home. For a recent holiday dinner party, however, I wanted to serve roast pork, so I threw caution to the wind and wound up making a delicious variation of the flavorful dish.

Porchetta takes a couple of hours to roast, but it's guaranteed to fill the house with a wonderful porky rosemary fragrance. To ensure that you get the correct cut, ask your butcher if he carries it a week before you plan on cooking the pork. With its succulent and well-seasoned meat, the resulting pork is a real crowd-pleaser. Read ahead for the highly-recommended porchetta recipe.

Every year I inevitably buy too many bags of fresh cranberries in an effort to prepare for any potential Thanksgiving problems. I end up with way too many cranberries and nothing to do with them. But just because Thanksgiving is over doesn't mean we can't still appreciate that tart little berry, right? Fresh cranberries typically appear in grocery stores from October through December. That gives us three whole months to enjoy them! So before you toss that poor bag of fresh cranberries, think outside the box a little and use them up! From cranberry vodka to cranberry sorbet (or cranberry sorbet topped with cranberry vodka – how's that for cranberry appreciation?), here are five things to do with cranberries, even when it's not Thanksgiving.

• Keep it simple and whip up a zesty cranberry sauce (like the one you'd serve at Thanksgiving) but instead of serving it with turkey, spread it on toast or crepes!
• Make your own cranberry vodka and serve it at your next cocktail party! Your guests will be beyond impressed.

Keep on reading for more!

Remember when your mom used to tell you that she was Santa’s little helper? Well, sorry Santa, the jig is up. Your mom has been doing Santa’s dirty work for far too long – standing in mile-long lines, waking up at the crack of dawn on Black Friday – and it’s high time she gets credit! How does she do it? With the help of Best Buy, of course! We’re talking free shipping on everything, extended price match guarantee, and free same-day pickup! The best part? Best Buy lets mom skip the milk and cookie calories.

Check out even more deals from Best Buy, here.

Like condiments, french fries are ripe for a makeover.

Just ask the top fast food chains: in the past year, Jack in the Box has overhauled its fries to mimic those at McDonald's, and Wendy's has announced that its new fries are actually better than those from the Golden Arches. The latest chain to jump on the french fry reformulation bandwagon? None other than Burger King.

The number two fast-feeder — who's recently been rumored to be at risk of losing its top spot to Wendy's — is hoping the Dec. 5 debut of its newfangled pommes frites will reclaim a piece of the fried potato market.

According to BK, the new fries will be fluffier and have a better potato flavor on the inside and a "crispy, golden-brown deliciousness" on the outside. Burger King hopes to prove its french fry cred to customers come Dec. 16, when it'll be offering free small fries to everyone, no purchase necessary.

I'll be checking out the new fries, as I'm curious to see whether Burger King's given priority to the quality of its ingredients. In your opinion, do any of these french fry reformulations actually make a difference?

It's a confession that more than a few people are willing to admit: sometimes, the idea of a turkey as the star of the holiday meal doesn't sound all that appealing. So it goes this year for Maryvee, who writes in:

My family does not want turkey this year for Christmas, so I am having spiral ham. What sides would be good?

I've been a longtime fan of the holiday ham myself. If you're serving up a country ham of sorts, I might go the Southern route, seeking out classic Low-Country foods as accompaniment: creamed collard greens, andouille sausage and corn bread on the side, and a classic pecan pie to end the meal. You could also ride the wave of nostalgic, Mad Men-era meals, with 1950s-inspired accoutrements such as simply prepared peas, glazed carrots, and an herbed potato gratin. Of course, don't forget the party dip and martinis!

Pitch in below with your suggestions for the perfect sides to go with this year's holiday ham.

Don't be afraid to ask the YumSugar community any and all of your holiday conundrums.

Source: Flickr User Erik Starck

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Do you know someone who hogs all of the bread at the dinner table (I know I do) or periodically shows up to hang out covered in flour from their latest baking extravaganza? Give them a gift they will truly appreciate this holiday season. Whether you gift a dough hook ($15) for their KitchenAid mixer or a Dualit 4-slice toaster ($320) to toast up all of their baked goods, you will definitely see a smile on any bread lover's face.

December is coming up fast, and you know what that means: time for homemade edible gifts. YumSugar member hayleysf gets a head start.

Simple dessert treat that is perfect for Holiday parties!

Want to share your yuletide specialties? Be sure to join our Savory Sights group!