Category: From My Kitchen

Posted in From My Kitchen

52 Best New Year’s Eve Appetizers for Your Party

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Need help deciding which New Year’s Eve appetizers to make for your party? These one-bite apps, hand-held snacks and mini desserts will stand out on any table, no matter where you are when the clock strikes midnight.

With a countdown ending the night, there’s a lot on the line when hosting a New Year’s Eve party. Did you choose the right New Year’s Eve traditions? Do you have your resolutions ready? Will you get kissed when the clock strikes midnight? And—most importantly—how are your New Year’s Eve appetizers holding up?

Food sets the stage for any party, but we find ourselves exhausted with sit-down holiday dinners by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around. Leaning on New Year’s Eve appetizers is a fantastic way to combat this. Think light bites, decadent but portable finger foods (like quick and easy puff pastry appetizers) or anything on a skewer or toothpick. Or go the sweet route and create a table lined with mini desserts.

These foods will lay the foundation for a party that you’ll actually get to enjoy. We’ve hand-selected the best New Year’s Eve appetizers that work whether you’re attending a sparkly soiree or just hanging out in your jammies while you watch the ball drop. Just be sure there’s a bottle of bubbly to pop right before midnight—even the best cheap Champagne will feel extra celebratory.

Taste of Home

Posted in From My Kitchen

52 Best New Year’s Day Brunch Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Kick off a brand new year with a festive brunch. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet day at home with family, make these New Year’s Day brunch ideas to wind down after the holidays.

You had an incredible New Year’s Eve party spread last night, the ball dropped and everyone sang whatever lines they knew of Auld Lang Syne. Now the Champagne bottles are in the recycle bin, the party favors are put away and you’ve had a good night’s sleep. It’s time to eat! Start the day with a fab New Year’s Day brunch of waffles, breakfast tacos, mimosas, French toast and more. And don’t forget New Year’s Day good luck foods for later.

Taste of Home

Posted in From My Kitchen

25 Top Newsletter Recipes of 2024

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our email newsletter subscribers have named these recipes the best of the best.

Every day, Taste of Home sends loyal readers email newsletters covering a wide range of topics, from quick dinners to easy desserts to healthy meals. No matter what topic you’re interested in, you’ll find a newsletter that suits your palate.

Over time, our readers have discovered favorite recipes that they keep coming back to time and time again. And no matter how many times we share those recipes, they continue to be re-shared and rated highly.

From delightful desserts, like the fan-favorite cowboy cookies, to comforting dishes like chicken pasta casserole, these recipes will never go out style.

If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletters yet, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today!

Taste of Home

Posted in From My Kitchen

30 Best Mocktail Recipes and Creative Nonalcoholic Cocktails

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Versatility is the name of the game with these mocktail recipes. Our collection of nonalcoholic cocktails includes everything from summery sippers to mocktails fit for holiday parties.

Whenever I throw a party, I always make an effort to offer nonalcoholic cocktails. Preparing mocktail recipes is a wonderful way to ensure that sober friends and non-drinkers feel welcomed and fully included in the festivities. I never want anyone to feel like their only option is a glass of water or a can of soda from the kid’s cooler!

This list has something for everyone, including spritzer recipes and “virgin” versions of classic cocktails. The booze-free drinks will be appreciated by designated drivers, dry January participants and anyone who just can’t deal with a morning hangover anymore (ahem, me). Made with creative ingredients and sophisticated garnishes, these mocktails are so interesting that your cocktail-loving friends may even request a glass.

If you’re wondering where start, try making alcohol-free margaritas or slushy nojitos. If you’re running short on time after prepping your party food, try making a big-batch recipe like punch and pairing it with store-bought nonalcoholic canned cocktails.

Taste of Home

Posted in #allrecipes

The Best and Worst Fruits and Vegetables to Buy Pre-Cut

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

You might think that buying pre-cut foods — like diced, spiralized, or perfectly shredded fruits and vegetables — is all upside. But there are a few downsides to purchasing pre-cut items: additional grocery cost, a more limited shelf-life, the loss of nutritional value, and even the potential for cross-contamination.

What Are the Benefits to Buying Pre-Cut Foods 

But let’s be honest, sometimes saving time in the kitchen is worth a little extra expense. Besides, if purchasing pre-cuts helps you eat more fruits and vegetables, it’ll probably be a good habit, on balance, for the time being at least. Also, there are just some fruits and veggies that are worth getting pre-cut because they’re so tedious to prep — looking at you fresh coconut and butternut squash.

Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook and The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club puts things into perspective for us. “We all wish there were more hours in the day. So buying pre-prepped veggies can be a huge advantage, especially when you are in a hurry or making a recipe with a lot of ingredients,” she says. “For example, pre-packed stir-fry veggies can save SO much time over buying each item individually and washing and trimming them and this can even save you money since you are only buying the amount you need.”

So if you are buying pre-cut foods, these are the best and worst ones to choose.

Allrecipes