By ALBERT STUMM, Associated Press Many consumers feel pride in avoiding the glazed pastries in the supermarket and instead opting for “all natural” granola that comes packed with extra protein. Same goes for low-fat yogurts “made with real fruit,” “organic” plant-based milks and bottled “superfood” smoothies. Buyer beware: Healthy grocery buzzwords like those often cover…
By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Bold, spicy flavors have never been more in demand, especially when they add a global element to a dish. One of my favorite foods these days is Korean fried chicken, which I ate twice on a recent trip to New York City. Celebrated for its crispy exterior and tender interior,…
By Elin McCoy, Bloomberg News It’s that time again. I’ve been paging through my 2025 tasting notebooks, reviewing how many good and great wines I’ve sipped, as well as the number of boring overpriced duds. This year, my total of reds, whites, rosés and sparklers hit 2,874, from 26 countries. Admittedly, I sampled only a…
How about a plan for New Year’s? No, not a plan for 2026 (that can wait until February). How about a drinking plan so you can pair the right moment with the right beverage? From wine to beer to booze, we have a few splurges and smart buys that we think will fit in nicely…
By KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press Perhaps you’re one of those people who are very thoughtful and assiduous about planning the Big Holiday meals. You’re on top of the appetizers, entrée, the sides, the dessert. Maybe you even iron your linen napkins. But then you slap your proverbial forehead when you realize you didn’t think about…
Editor’s note, December 25, 8 am ET: This story is being republished for the holiday season. It was originally published in 2020. It might seem unbelievable given that the “Christmas creep” now begins before Halloween, but the true Christmas season actually starts on Christmas Day itself. That’s right: December 25 marks the official start of…
By Nicole Hvidsten, The Minnesota Star Tribune December seems to fly by at a record pace. In addition to the hustle and bustle of daily life, there are seasonal concerts, parties, and friends who want to connect before year’s end. It’s easy to give up on the dinner routine. Related Articles Make these 3 holiday…
Not long ago, going cashless felt novel. Today, tapping a card—or clicking “Pay now”—barely registers. Expectations have shifted quickly, and by 2025, consumers largely assume payments will run themselves. The commercial pressure is real: merchants lose an estimated $18 billion per year to abandoned carts, and every failed transaction costs roughly $12 in direct and…
Hosting a holiday gathering? Time to break out the punch bowl. Punch is a host’s secret weapon: It can be made in advance, frees you from bartending duty all night and sets the tone with a festive centerpiece. Plus, it’s endlessly adaptable to the season, like an allspice-and-rye blend (see the Sand Dunes Punch recipe…
There’s something undeniably festive about an upside-down dish — the split second of suspense before the flip, followed by the reveal of a caramelized, shimmering top. This savory polenta tart delivers that same sense of drama and makes a gorgeous vegetarian centerpiece for the holidays. A layer of delicata squash and red onion bakes beneath…
