We’re all about decorating for the holidays in as many places as possible. Garland in the bathroom? Sure! Mistletoe in the coat closet? Yes, please! That’s why we’re totally obsessed with the idea of hanging wreaths in front of kitchen windows — especially windows that happen to be over the sink.
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It’s hard to beat the smell of gingerbread cookies wafting through the air as they bake. In fact, it’s arguably a solid reason to bake them in the first place (although it definitely doesn’t hurt if they taste great, too). Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, these cookies have just the right balance of sweet and spice.
Here are a few tricks of the trade to make the best gingerbread cookies yet — and the mistakes that can lead to subpar results.
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How hard can assembling a successful cookie platter really be? Aren’t you just putting cookies onto a plate and calling it a day? Well, there are more things to consider than you might think.
Luckily, these tricks and tips will help you create the perfect, most stunning and well-thought-out cookie platter. And with the holidays right around the corner, there is no better time to learn and be inspired than now!
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Mostly because I have little interest in telling you how to part with your hard-earned money, this isn’t a gift guide. However, ahem, I do purchase a few kitchen-related items each year and thought I’d mention some of the standouts from 2016. [Here’s 2015’s list, all still in heavy rotation.] Most are remarkably basic, either because I had necessities to replace (coughclumsy) but a lot are simple just because I’m incredibly stubborn and it really has taken me this long to buy a second set of measuring cups and spoons, some aprons and a coffee-making apparatus. Not all of these may pack up well in boxes with ribbon — well, except that deliciousness at the end, of course — but I can promise you that they’re getting a lot of mileage in a heavy-use kitchen, and as always, I bought them myself.
Kitchen Things I’ve Bought That I Loved, 2016 Edition
I love the pop of sweet, tart juice you get from biting into a handful of pomegranate seeds, but I rarely get the pleasure since de-seeding the red orbs can be a bit of a chore. Luckily, there are a handful of tips and tricks to accomplish it with ease. I’ve tried almost all of them, but I’ve found this one to be the best.
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Don’t you love the smell of a baked potato right out of the oven? Nowadays, you can go beyond just salt and butter and stuff one with an abundance of ingredients. You can try hummus, pulled pork, apples, and even sauerkraut.
Read more: How To Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
With our recipe roulette, the possibilities for how to stuff your baked potato are endless. All you have to do is hit pause whenever you like on the video and let the universe decide your ingredients. See the recipes below for exact amounts. You’ll likely never eat a baked potato the same way again.
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(Image credit: Elle Decor Sweden)
From Apartment Therapy → Out-of-the-Box Table Setting Ideas for the Holidays
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(Image credit: Lauren Volo)
With Dijon mustard, thinly sliced ham, and creamy Gruyère, it seems the classic croque-monsieur was made for the casserole dish. If it’s a brunch stunner you’re after, or a dinner option with breakfast undertones, then this all-in-one baked take on the croque-monsieur should shoot to the top of your must-make list.
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If you’re already an oatmeal-lover, then you’ll need little convincing that this baked oatmeal, reminiscent of a soufflé and verging on dessert, is a must-try recipe. And if you’re hesitant about oatmeal’s texture or feeling less than enthused about your regular ol’ heat-and-stir routine, then you’re in luck. This baked oatmeal, studded with raspberries and flavored with warm, sweet cookie butter (aka speculoos), has arrived to take everything you love about oatmeal to the next level.
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From Apartment Therapy → No Dining Room, No Problem: How To Host a Dinner Party in a Small Space
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