Holiday Recipes

Pepper Jack Tomato Soup

Bright tomato flavor is balanced by a hint of creaminess and mild kick in this takeoff of a restaurant favorite. Easy to make and especially tasty with the optional toppings.  Those who live in the South Central, Pennsylvania area may be familiar with the pepper jack tomato soup at Isaac’s, a small chain of restaurants…

Pork & Sauerkraut (with lots of options)

Get ready for a New Year filled with luck and good health with this traditional dish, which can be customized in several ways to keep everyone happy!  (slow cooker and oven method)   There seems to be two distinct camps where pork and sauerkraut is concerned: those who love it and those who…well…tolerate it. Growing…

Mustard Sauce for Crab Claws

With just four ingredients, this speedy dipping sauce is the perfect match for crab claws yet versatile enough to jazz up shrimp, fish, chicken, sandwiches, and more.  This sauce was inspired by summer vacations on the Jersey shore and the appetizer I’ve considered a special treat since I was a little girl. The bite-size yet…

How to Prepare King Crab Legs

Learn the best way to cook tender, juicy king crab legs for fun and festive meals any time of year. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, birthday celebrations, and “just because” special dinners.  If you want to make a statement, king crab legs will do it. The massive crustaceans, which are caught in the…

Fresh & Vibrant Salads for Your Holiday Table

Holiday foods are often rich and heavy, so a crisp, colorful salad can provide welcome balance. This collection showcases my many favorites! Following is a list of my favorite salads, which can easily be scaled to serve to a crowd. The balance of crisp and acidic, fresh, and crunchy, pairs well with richer foods like…

Jeweled Salad

This stunning salad adds fresh flavor and visual appeal to weeknight dinners and holiday meals alike. And while the recipe is delightful as is, there are many ways to customize depending on what you like and have on hand.  Any meal can benefit from the crisp crunch and visual appeal of a good salad. Perhaps…

Jack’s Favorite Bloody Mary

A pitcher-full of outstanding Bloody Marys is easy to make and infinitely tastier than store-bought mixes. Bloody Maria, Dirty Mary, and Virgin Mary variations are included and are customizable by the glass. For added fun, offer a make-your-own garnish station! An olive loaded Bloody Mary with a crisp stalk of celery and a generous amount…

Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes

This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crisp edges, chewy insides, puddles of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a sea salt topping – plus nutty, caramel notes from the browned butter. These chocolate chip cookies are what dreams are made of! When asked why these cookies are Steve Lindsey’s favorite, his answer was short, sweet, and summed up his award-winning recipe quite succinctly:…

Root Beer Float Cookies

Extra points for creativity, root beer fans far and wide will appreciate the addition of this gem to a holiday cookie platter. And don’t forget Christmas in July! As many great recipes start, Tricia Trainer discovered her winning root beer float cookies accidentally. She spied them on a holiday cookie plate, thinking they were molasses…

Swedish Cookies

This classic slice and bake cookie is easy to make and tastes similar to a pecan sandie. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity. When I first baked this recipe for Swedish cookies, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to get. As with many recipes that have endured for generations, the baker…

Slovak Kolache (Cold Doughs)

Think of these cookies as a smaller version of a danish, with a heavenly cream cheese pastry and dollop of your favorite jam. Until recently, I had never heard of a kolache. For those who may be in a similar boat, kolache (pronounced kuh-‘laa-chee) comes from the Czech and Slovak word koláčky, meaning little cake…

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