Tag: #Holiday

Posted in Curated Recipes

30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

While I love making a special meal on Valentine’s Day, my real food love language is snacks. But I don’t mean a handful of baby carrots or a half-stale granola bar. Whether sweet or savory, the little nibbles that carry us through the day until that romantic date-night dinner can be just as thoughtful as the main course. That’s what this collection of Valentine’s Day snacks celebrates.

Here, you will find a mix of sweet and savory festive treats, so you can still enjoy a pink cupcake, a few chocolate-covered tuxedo strawberries or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day dessert without feeling as if you’ve gone overboard on sugar all day. For something that you can graze on all afternoon, try a snack board loaded with a combination of cheese, crackers and cured meats.

You can even turn these snacks into a meal by making a variety of dishes. Pair shrimp skewers or crab-stuffed mushrooms with steak bites for surf-and-turf vibes, along with a few different types of bruschetta for color and texture. The best part about these Valentine’s Day snacks is that they’re elegant and delicious yet easy enough to prepare so you still have time to spend with your Valentine.

Taste of Home

Posted in Curated Recipes

52 New Year’s Brunch Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Cheers to fresh starts and second helpings! Whether you’re rolling out of bed or rolling out the welcome mat for guests, these easy New Year’s brunch ideas bring the fun without the fuss.

This may be a surprising opinion, but I think New Year’s Day brunch almost always outshines New Year’s Eve. Between loading up on the best cheap champagne and curating a list of quick New Year’s Eve food ideas, there’s too much going on for anyone to properly focus on eating. New Year’s Day morning is a different, calmer story. These New Year’s Day recipes are the perfect way to start the year. Plus, they’re easy enough to make even if you’re a little (or a lot) hungover.

This collection is packed with sweet and savory brunch dishes, from fluffy waffle ideas and breakfast tacos to French toast recipes. We’ve also included plenty of make-ahead winners, like casseroles and quiche, so you can spend less time cooking and more time making memories. And don’t forget to include a few traditional New Year’s Day good-luck foods in your spread. Break out the extra champagne for mimosas and bellinis and dig in. Happy New Year!

Taste of Home

Posted in Curated Recipes

42 Recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition, means lots and lots of seafood dishes. Celebrate with friends and family with these all-seafood apps and mains. And don’t forget the wine. Salute!

Taste of Home

Posted in Curated Recipes

37 No-Bake Christmas Cookies and Treats

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Baking isn’t everyone’s forte—we get it! But just because you’re oven-averse doesn’t mean you can’t make great desserts at home, especially during the holiday season when every hour is sweets-o’clock. Here’s proof: This list has our best no-bake Christmas cookies and treats that are still indulgent and super festive.

There’s a range of Christmas desserts in this list, so there’s a little something for everyone. Of course, Christmas no-bake cookie recipes dominate the list, with cute reindeer, thumbprints, Christmas wreath cookies and even a no-bake version of the iconic peanut butter blossoms. But there are lots of other treats in store, too, like peppermint pies, fudge and frozen desserts, all sorts of chocolate-covered bites and balls, no-bake bars and even a glorious Christmas trifle that feeds a crowd.

While these are easy no-bake holiday cookies, some require a stovetop or microwave and a few require baking tools like a food processor or mixer. Others are truly no-heat with zero baking tools involved, so read through the recipes that catch your eye before claiming them for Christmas dinner.

Taste of Home

Posted in Curated Recipes

30 Best Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food: decadent Christmas mains and sides, festive appetizers and cocktails, and, of course, Christmas cookies. But if you have a gluten allergy, at times it can feel as if your options are limited or nonexistent.

Our gluten-free Christmas cookies are here to save the day because no one should miss out on the fun of making and decorating cookies because of an allergy! In this collection, you’ll find gluten-free holiday cookies like snowballs, pumpkin cookies and crinkle cookies to bake and enjoy worry-free. You’ll even find allergy-friendly recipes for classic Christmas cookies, including gingerbread men, spritz and shortbread.

These gluten-free festive cookies will be welcome additions to your gluten-free dessert spread and will have even your non-allergic family members coming back for more.

Taste of Home

Posted in Curated Recipes

45 Christmas Lunch Ideas to Keep Things Merry and Bright

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Christmas is a time of wonder and whimsy, from trees laden with ornaments to lovingly made cookies and intricate gingerbread houses. And while you may already be planning overnight holiday breakfast recipes and Christmas dinner ideas, we wouldn’t blame you if lunch is the last thing on your mind between opening gifts and getting ready for supper. But that doesn’t have to be the case! These Christmas lunch ideas prove that even quick and easy recipes can be tasty (and pretty!) enough for this special day.

Each of these easy Christmas lunch ideas is family-friendly and features seasonal produce, including pomegranate seeds, juicy blood oranges, pears and cranberries. There is a range of options from crisp salads and veggie sides to warming winter soups and sandwiches, so you’re sure to find something that fits your family’s tastes and appetites. Plus, these holiday lunch dishes come together quickly or can be made ahead of time, so mealtime is as easy as reheating.

Whichever recipe you go with, serve lunch with a holiday-ready blood orange punch or cranberry mimosa for the adults, and sparkling cider for the kids. Sneak a Christmas cookie, too, we won’t tell!

Taste of Home