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From Wordle to sweets, holiday gift ideas for the grown-ups

Lifestyles

The Associated Press From sweet treats to things with wheels, some ideas for pleasing a child at heart this holiday season: Board games The Shakespeare Game: This bard-in-a-box extravaganza has players collecting characters and racing around London’s theaters. The idea is to put on as many plays as possible before others “steal your ideas, burn down your theaters or spread the plague!” The winner rakes in the most box office bucks and is the fastest to fame and glory. $35. Wordle: The Party Game. Did you see it coming? Hasbro and The New York Times have made the get-it-in-six ...

An easy appetizer to add holiday cheer

Lifestyles

Family Features Before the big meal, gifts and cherished moments at the family table, almost every holiday party starts with an important tradition: breaking the ice. This year, you can serve up a smile and start the party with this crave-inducing appetizer to get everyone talking. The sweet touch of Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Crostini from Milk Means More can be your delightful way to brighten the season of gifts and gatherings. With its creamy cheesiness from a homemade whipped topping boasting the richness of feta and whole milk, it’s an easy and tasty way to invite friends, ...

A sweet sauce to add to any holiday meal

Lifestyles

Culinary.net There are few things better than festive holiday celebrations. Everyone is gathered around the table, ready to eat and enjoy the company. The atmosphere is joyful, the decorations are beautiful and the food is absolute perfection. From warm casseroles to hearty proteins, most spreads are made of an array of colors with mouthwatering sides and desserts. However, there are some dishes the holidays just can’t happen without. One is a classic, traditional Sweet Cranberry Sauce. It’s popping with color and texture. Plus, it makes everything it tops taste just a little ...

For better chicken, slather spices under the skin

Lifestyles

By CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Slathering sauces or seasonings over a chicken before roasting may produce a beautiful bird. But it can deliver lackluster flavor. That’s why the cooks at Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street prefer to season a chicken under the skin. Sliding spices and aromatic seasonings under the skin boosts flavor by putting the ingredients in direct contact with the meat. They make a tangy spiced seasoning paste by using two powerhouse pantry shortcuts. The first is garam masala, an Indian spice blend that includes cumin, bay, fennel, cinnamon, dried chilies and black ...

Kick winter’s chill with chowder

Lifestyles

Family Features Avoid venturing into the cold for a trip to the store by turning to a pantry staple like sweetpotatoes. As one of the most versatile veggies, they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing both flavor and nutrition. Perfectly suitable for both simple and elevated dishes, they can be baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or prepared on the stove so their sweet taste never goes out of style. When your family needs a warm-up on those frosty days, put sweetpotatoes at the center of mealtime (with an added kick) in this Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder. Loaded ...

Master the art of Italian comfort cuisine dishes

Lifestyles

Family Features Cool, crisp days call for comfort foods, like the classic flavors of traditional Italian cooking. Whether you’re Italian by heritage or simply by heart, learning the art of Italian cuisine may be easier than you may think. Perfect your pasta game. Limp, mushy, overcooked pasta can ruin an otherwise delicious Italian dish. Aim for al dente pasta, which is soft but still firm. It’s important to note variables like the type of pasta, size of your pot and amount of water can all affect cooking time. Treat the package instructions as a guide and start taste testing 1-2 ...