In Italy, torrone (tuh-ROE-nay) is a traditional Christmas dessert, and the most popular candy in Italy. In France, it’s known as nougat: a confection made from egg whites, honey, sugar and toasted almonds. There are many regional variations; some are softer, some chewier. If you’re headed to any Italian city—or have friends who are—ask them […]
[1] Pears poached in port and red wine, with a “cloak” of pistachios (photo © Santauri Restaurant | Los Angeles). [2] Make the recipe with Bartlett (above) or Bosc pears (photo © Good Eggs). [3] Bosc pears (photo © Good Eggs). [4] Add some pomegranate arils to the plate for holiday color (photo © Good […]
Pomegranate Mezcal Punch [1] Persephone Punch, made with mulled pomegranate juice (photo © Gem & Bolt). [2] Star anise pods, available from Silk Road Spices (photo © Silk Road Spices. [3] Pomegranate and its arils. The juice is squeezed from the arils (photo © Kelly Cline | iStock Photo). [4] Juniper berries, available from Silk […]
Today’s stocking stuffers are for mint lovers. 1. DANDIES PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOWS Dandies Peppermint Marshmallows are a limited-edition holiday treat. Dandies are all-natural, gelatin-free, vegan marshmallows. There’s no high fructose corn syrup or anything artificial: Cane sugar and tapioca syrup are used. Vegan marshmallows taste just like conventional marshmallows, but tapioca starch is used instead […]
Here’s some news for people who love their butter and products made with it: Not all butter is created equal. In addition to the base milk (organic versus conventional, the breed of cow, grass fed [free range]), different butters are churned to have different butterfat contents. In the U.S., products sold as “butter” must contain […]
[1] Red wine stains: Out! (Photos © Madame Paulette). [2] Coffee stains: Out! (Plus a dozen or more other stain types: all out!) [3] There are five single-use kits in each order. If you have friends like us, here’s a welcome holiday gift. Who are “friends like us?” We are the less-coordinated people who […]
Here’s a luxurious gift for yourself or for a coffee-loving friend or family member. Difference Coffee is a premier delivery program that sells the finest-coffee capsules in the world. The capsules are compatible with Nespresso machines. The company was created after the entrepreneurial founder bought a Nespresso machine. After tasting all the different Nespresso capsules, […]
[1] Original: cheesy with a kick of cayenne (all photos © Southern Straws). [2] Don’t want any heat? Go for Mild. [3] Like lots of heat? Spicy is for you. [4] Want a nice gift? Go for the Holiday Box. Cheese straws are a delectable cocktail snack: cheese crackers raised to their most sophisticated […]
[1] Make a holiday sangria using Ruby Port. The recipe is below (all photos © Sandeman). [2] You can serve sangria from a punch bowl as a Christmas punch, but the easiest way is to pour from a pitcher. [3] Sandeman Founders Reserve, a ruby port, can be used in numerous cocktails, many on the […]
What do you do when your cocktail arrives with a bit of citrus peel? It can be lemon, lime or orange peel, depending on the drink. Do you: Ignore or discard it? Rub it around the rim of the glass? Eat it? It’s a good idea to rub the rim, as is done with […]