By Nicole Hvidsten, The Minnesota Star Tribune For our extended family holiday gatherings, we’ve dispensed with the big meal and go all in on appetizers. Related Articles Feta cheese adds extra oomph to these 3 dishes Cheese balls are back. How to make this classic party dish cool again Recipe: Sweet and spicy Korean fried…
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food. Its salty, sour-sweet sharpness gives a classic Greek salad its signature taste; romaine, olives, cucumbers and red onions would be just another salad without feta’s tart earthiness. Its flavors also add oomph to everything from black beans to pasta to…
By VIVIAN HOWARD, Associated Press The cheese ball is a cliché. I believe, however, that like the pig in a blanket and the baked potato, the cheese ball is so cliched it has actually become cool. Socially acceptable or not, when this dish from my cookbook “Deep Run Roots” is put out at a party…
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…
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…
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…
