Still hunting high and low for that perfect gift? Try a cookbook tailor-made to your special someone's personality type, proclivities, and lifestyle. The minutes may be ticking away till Christmas morning, but many of these inspiring reads can be found at a local bookshop and can also be delivered to the recipient's door via Amazon, provided you shell out for its reasonably priced one-day shipping by 3 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 21).
Brace yourself for the merriest Christmas of all this year, thanks to our eggnog martini. It's creamy, rich, and sings of spices from cinnamon to nutmeg — and it's all topped off with a crunchy, boozy graham-cracker-crust rim. Watch the video, then download an eggnog martini recipe to add even more spring to your holiday step!
If you're not a fan of overly sweet cocktails, this sparkler's for you. Grapefruit provides a tangy base without the accompanying fructose, and Rosé bubbly deepens the drink's blush-colored hue. Round out any of the fruit's bitterness with elderflower liqueur, which adds a dreamy, floral flavor. Top it off with a grapefruit twist garnish to perfume the cocktail with the Winter fruit's essential oils. Learn how to make a grapefruit mimosa.
It may be holiday-shopping crunch time, but that doesn't mean your selections should suffer. Instead, work smarter, not harder, and give them a gift that will brighten their day for months to come: a subscription to a monthly or quarterly food or drink club. From artisanal coffee to a taste of international cuisine and beyond, we've got your last-minute Christmas shopping covered.
Sweet-tart and lush in texture, lemon curd (or any curd for that matter) is one of my all time favorite foods. Thankfully, it's extremely easy and surprisingly quick to make at home, particularly if you have a slight taste for danger.
Many recipes dictate that lemon curd should be slowly simmered in the bowl of a double boiler, and while this certainly works and is a good alternative for the cautious, it can be a time-consuming process. Instead, I cut the prep time in half by cooking it all in a heavy-bottomed saucepan set over direct heat. Now I know what you're thinking — eggs cooked over direct heat are bound to scramble — but if you set fear aside and implicitly trust that science is on your side*, you'll be left with lemon curd to spare in record time.
Move over, eggnog: there's a new holiday cocktail in town. At your next holiday fete, we urge you to get into the yuletide spirit with a candy cane cocktail that calls for only three ingredients. To get everyone in the Christmas spirit, we'll show you how to create a candy garnish two ways: a superspeedy method and another that's sure to be the talk of the party. Watch the video to see how it's done, then print out the candy cane cocktail recipe for easy reference.
A bowl of whole shell-on walnut can be a beautiful part of a holiday spread, but the question arises: how to get at the nutmeats nestled inside? A nutcracker may be the most efficient way to go about this task, but there is another less conventional way to do it without tools, and it's a great party trick to boot.
Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Place two walnuts in your palm. Find a ridge on one of the nuts and line it up with an indentation on the other, as if putting together two puzzle pieces (this keeps them locked together). Curl fingertips inward using firm pressure, as if trying to make a fist, until the ridged nut cracks open the other.
The Mayans may not have been correct about today being the end of the world, but this year, Dec. 21 does mark the shortest, darkest day of the year. It's the Winter solstice, which signifies a turning point in the year. From here on out, the nights will grow shorter and the days longer. We think this is as good a reason as any to celebrate and host a party.
The theme of the party: a cozy Winter night. Invite your friends over for an evening of fun. String fairy lights everywhere and light as many candles as you can (safely). After all, the Winter solstice marks the rebirth of the sun and the reemergence of daylight, so it's only appropriate to celebrate with lights! Play calming folk music like The Wailin' Jennys in the background and bring out the playing cards and dominoes for entertainment.
For scene-setting recipe ideas for your Winter solstice party, keep reading.
GraceDickinson adds holiday twist to brussels sprouts with the addition of pecans and cranberries.
A splash of health and holiday color to add to this season's table.
For the recipe, check out her blog, then be sure to share your food photos through our Savory Sights community group or by starting your own blog. If you're on Instagram, then chime in on the conversation with the hashtag #savorysight.
