In the realm of drink flavors, Starbucks isn’t known for its subtlety. Think back to the green and purple Witch’s Brew Frappuccino the company unleashed for Halloween to get an idea of what I mean. Even the Peppermint Mocha, my favorite among the Starbucks’ holiday drink lineup, is a bit heavy-handed on the peppermint syrup.

So when Starbucks announced that the juniper latte would be available nationwide this year, I had my reservations. Would it taste like a handful of pine needles blended up with some steamed milk? After trying it for myself, I can honestly say that Starbucks nailed the Christmas-flavored coffee drink this time.

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In my opinion, cheesecake is better in miniature form. A dense, rich slice is more than I can handle after a meal — but a muffin cup-sized portion is just right. These mini cheesecakes are ridiculously creamy, and feature that buttery graham cracker crust everyone agrees on. They’re equal parts celebratory and homey, which is really the best kind of dessert.

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Don’t be embarrassed. You can admit it: You’ve indulged in a little drunk online shopping. I know I have. The perfect time to shop is actually after a couple cocktails. Your inhibitions are lower, and it’s easier to convince yourself that you deserve the expensive appliance you’ve had your eye on for months. Plus, you can find anything your heart desires from the comfort of your couch, now that the internet is just one big shopping mall. A recent survey, however, claims that there are some drinkers who are prone to spending more money online shopping than others.

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Costco is a reliable go-to for just about everything in life, including fabulous things like Wagyu beef, diamonds, and caviar. In fact, for a little while now Costco has been stocking serrano ham (prosciutto’s Spanish cousin), and based on how quickly it flies off the shelf, it would be the jewel of any holiday table.

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Do you have a bonus fridge or freezer? My family was just gifted a standing freezer for our garage, and I have daydreams of it stacked with organized bins of grab-and-go breakfasts, homemade ice cream, and prepared slow cooker meals.

I’m starting to fill it with casseroles that I can prep on Sunday afternoon and that can be halved — one portion being eaten that evening and the other frozen for future eating. After a few short weeks I’ll have a stash of casseroles that can save me on busy weeknights. Here are 10 casseroles that I’m starting with — all of them freeze well and can be easily split for eating now and on a busy weeknight.

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When it comes to top-notch restaurants, head chefs often rack up the attention and acclaim. But ask anyone who has worked behind the scenes in restaurants and they’ll tell you: The cooks are the ones who make the kitchen run.

They know how to peel 100 potatoes while simultaneously boiling perfectly al dente pasta. They’re hyper-organized and efficient, and their demanding workload combined with their desire to prepare perfect food means they have some seriously valuable cooking tricks up their sleeves.

I know this because I was lucky enough to spend several years working in professional kitchens — and learned some of my best, ultra-practical cooking tricks from the mentors and coworkers I met in them. They taught me how to work smarter (not necessarily harder!) and many of the tips and techniques they taught me I still use today in my home kitchen. Here are 12 of them.

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Dutch ovens can get pretty pricey — especially the ones from iconic brands like Le Creuset and Staub. While many people dream about having a complete set that’ll rival a display at Williams Sonoma, it’s just not practical without a bottomless bank account. And that’s okay! Because you really can get by with just one — as long as you’re smart when you shop for it.

If you’re only going to have one Dutch oven, here’s how big (and what shape) it should be.

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While you can make your own pumpkin purée, most of us turn to the canned variety at least a few times during this season. And inevitably, it always seems like no matter what you make, there’s always going to be leftovers. Here are some ideas for using up that last half cup (or less!) of pumpkin purée.

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As we make the transition from fall into winter, the desire for extra-comforting soups that warm us up from the inside out is stronger than ever. Consider this your playbook for the season. These 10 soup recipes are a mix of classics, like French onion and broccoli cheddar, and new favorites, like cheesy lasagna. They’re all well worth being added to your dinner roster in the chilly months ahead.

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I’ve always seen breakfast as just an excuse to eat more potatoes. I’ll skip sweets, like pancakes and waffles, and dive straight into the savory section of a restaurant menu, usually ordering a dish because it’s served with potatoes. If you’re a breakfast potato fiend like me, these dishes are sure to help start your morning right.

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