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Fruit-Studded Gingerbread Stars
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ― Marcus Aurelius The holiday season isn’t complete without a little gingerbread. This year I decided to liven up my version with the delicious candied oranges and lemons I have become quite addicted to this year. Throw some dried cherries into the cookie dough for another twist, and you have these fruit-studded gingerbread stars. Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cardamom ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup unsalted butter ¾ cup dark brown sugar ⅓ cup molasses 1…
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Candied Orange Margarita
Candied fruit slices are delicious and luxe looking, which makes them perfect for the holidays. Glistening in the pan and sparkly under kitchen lights, they always remind me of ornaments. Enjoy them on their own or as an accompaniment to a slice of cake, but make sure to reserve the syrup left in the pan to make a candied orange margarita. Ingredients Candied Orange Slices 1 unwaxed orange 2 cups water 1 cup sugar Candied Orange Margarita 1 ounce reposado tequila ½ ounce Cointreau ½ ounce candied orange syrup Juice of 1 large lime Salt for rim optional Rows of candied fruit slices drying on racks are quite a sight.…
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Vanilla Cider Poached Pears
A poached pear dripping in syrup with stem intact makes an incredible presentation. Serve this version made with white wine, apple cider, and vanilla bean as an unexpected and festive dessert. Since the pears can be prepared ahead of time and left chilled, you enjoy the cooking process without feeling rushed. The syrup is so delicious that any extra can be drizzled over a slice of pound cake later that night or over crepes the next morning. When selecting pears to poach, Bosc are my preferred variety for their slightly sweet, crisp flavor. They generally sit taller on the plate than other pears, but I like to mix it up…
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Honey Rum Apple Crumble
Sticky honey, a touch of warm butter, and dark rum are the key to the delicious filling in this crumble that lets the natural flavor of Honeycrisp apples shine. When things start cooking, promise yourself to only take a taste. While crumbs are usually the best, and most picked off, part of any dessert they top, these apples are so good that you might need to stop yourself from eating them all right out of the pan. Ingredients Apple Filling 2 pounds Honeycrisp apples 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons dark rum Crumb Topping 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ⅓ cup light brown…
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Pork Meatballs with Basil and Brioche
Small plates are great for tapas-style entertaining, appetizers, or a lively midweek meal. A menu of savory bites usually includes at least one meat option, and these pork meatballs with basil and brioche pack incredible flavor. With a slight sweetness from the tiny pieces of bread, they also have a freshness that lightens up the pork, thanks to the abundance of basil that is laced throughout each piece. Passing around dishes can break up the dinner routine, turning it into a time to unwind, slow down and share. Whether you are in the mood to relax and cozy up or to spark some conversation, the act of sharing small plates…
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