The comfort that comes from a big bowl of macaroni and cheese can’t be beat. So forget granola and chocolate bark and give the gift of mac and cheese this holiday season. But don’t simply wrap up a box of Annie’s and call it a day — it’s the holidays, after all. This DIY kit is not only more festive, but it also cooks up to be a way better version of the usual boxed mixes.
If you haven’t already noticed, Mason jars continue to be everywhere, whether they’re used as a water glass or to transport your lunch salad. They also make for a rustic, practical, and affordable vessel for food gifts. Load them with granola, or pancake mix and consider that long list of gifts you need for family and friends taken care of. But while it’s really what’s on the inside that counts, it’s the holidays, so spend a few extra minutes dressing up the outside as well. Here are five easy ways to make your Mason jar food gifts feel extra-festive this time of year.
When it comes to making an ultra-creamy pot of mac and cheese from scratch, the easiest solution lies not in the fridge, but in your pantry. Instead of stocking the fridge with blocks of cheddar and its ilk, consider adding powdered cheddar cheese to the pantry. It cooks into the same rich, cheesy sauce you expect, with the satisfying nostalgia of the boxed stuff of your youth (and none of the worry about what’s exactly in the box). Plus, having your own stash of powdered cheese means you can amp up the cheese factor or mellow it out to your liking.
Despite the restrictions that come with a Paleo diet, you can still enjoy baked goods. The key to cooking up successful sweets is knowing how to make the right ingredients work for you. Here are five important tips all Paleo bakers need to know.
Imagine making butter taste better without adding anything to it. Imagine butter cooked slowly over low heat, its milk solids caramelizing, giving it a nutty sweetness. You get all this from brown butter.
Browning butter is a rather simple kitchen task, but it produces stunning results. So grab a few sticks of butter and a small saucepan and let’s upgrade our beloved butter to fragrant, nutty brown butter ready to be used in a batch of fast and fancy sugar cookies, the sauce for pasta, or an elegant dip and spread for your roasted vegetables.
An exceptionally well-wrapped gift is a double present. You are giving the gift of whatever your gift is, but you are also giving the gift of beauty; the gift of pleasure; the gift of joy. All presents are fun, but a beautifully packaged present is even more fun. Isn’t it nice, in a warm, sappy way, to let someone know that you care enough not only to give them something, but also to wrap it with little jingle bells on top? That is thoughtfulness; that is love.
And (on a less warm, sappy note), while it is true that gift-giving is not technically “a competition” (I mean, I guess), there is no denying that all else being equal, the prettier package wins.
As we head into the deep throes of the holiday season — which is full of pies, hot chocolate, and other baking delights — the country suddenly faces a canned whipped cream shortage.
Chicago Tribune reports that the shortage is linked to an explosion at a Florida nitrous oxide plant in August. Nitrous oxide fuels the ejection of whipped cream from cans, and the explosion in Florida means that there is a pause of production of this essential component.
Gluten-free baked goods can be as crave-worthy as their gluten-containing counterparts — you just have to know some of the more important rules when it comes to baking in this style. Familiarize yourself with these tips and tricks, then grab a recipe you trust and head to the kitchen to whip up some treats you can be proud of.
If you count the days based on what you’re eating (Thursday is Wine Day, Friday is Cheese Day, and so on), it’s probably a good thing you don’t make calendars. No offense! But you might like one of these fun food-themed calendars for next year.
