http://www.sheknows.com/authors/dawn-viola/articles Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850447/homemade-mulling-spice-recipe You'll find festively decorated mulling spice tins in gourmet shops everywhere this time of year, along with their steep price tags. The same mulling spices can easily be made at home with common ingredients you may already have in your pantry and this mulling spice recipe. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850447/homemade-mulling-spice-recipe Dawn Viola Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:52:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850443/edible-gifts-homemade-vanilla-extract-and-sugar-recipe Small batches of vanilla extract and vanilla sugar are easy to prepare at home with these two vanilla recipes, and make perfect edible gifts for those on your list who love to bake. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850443/edible-gifts-homemade-vanilla-extract-and-sugar-recipe Dawn Viola Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:11:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850425/brussels-sprouts-with-pancetta-and-orange-recipe Vegetables not only make the healthiest side dishes, but they can also be the quickest to cook. Does a side dish recipe in under seven minutes work for you? We thought so! Try this tasty Brussels sprouts recipe and try our tips to make quick work of all of your veggie sides! http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850425/brussels-sprouts-with-pancetta-and-orange-recipe Dawn Viola Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:50:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850419/the-30-minute-holiday-meal Whipping up a delicious holiday dinner in 30 minutes or less is easy when you know how long foods take to cook. The possibilities are endless with these five cook-it-quick tips. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850419/the-30-minute-holiday-meal Dawn Viola Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:22:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850415/holiday-drop-ins-impromptu-cocktail-party By keeping a few pantry party essentials within reach at all times, you’ll be the toast of the town when the doorbell rings this holiday season. Whether a casual good tidings drop-in or a last-minute New Year's Eve party, you'll have the necessary ingredients on hand for impromptu appetizers and cocktails for all. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850415/holiday-drop-ins-impromptu-cocktail-party Dawn Viola Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:36:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850359/homemade-granola-recipe Increasing your servings of complex carbohydrates over the holidays may just keep your hands out of the cookie jar. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains and legumes digest slowly meaning you'll feel full longer and prevent blood sugar levels from spiking and rapidly falling. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850359/homemade-granola-recipe Dawn Viola Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:18:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850355/ultimate-hot-cocoa-recipe Single-serve mugs of creamy hot cocoa are just seconds away when they're made to order in the microwave. With the addition of holiday-flavored extracts like peppermint and vanilla, a seemingly simple holiday drink becomes the ultimate treat. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850355/ultimate-hot-cocoa-recipe Dawn Viola Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:56:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850301/heart-healthy-holiday-recipes Holidays are for enjoying, splurging and indulging, which can make sticking to your newly established healthy lifestyle a challenge. We're ending the year on a heart-healthy high note, with recipes high in omega-3 like swordfish, green peppers and blueberries, giving you the green light for a second helping. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850301/heart-healthy-holiday-recipes Dawn Viola Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:34:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850077/apple-cider-latke-recipe For truly crisp latkes, each with a tender, creamy center, we incorporated two unusual ingredients: sparkling apple cider for tang and sweetness, and the potato's own rendered starch. Sound complicated? It couldn't be easier . http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850077/apple-cider-latke-recipe Dawn Viola Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:03:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850063/thyme-and-rosemary-au-gratin-potato-recipe There's something comforting about a creamy, cheesy potato dish in the winter months. And while often thought of as casual fare, au gratin potatoes can go from nonchalant to elegant when special occasions call with a simple change of a few key ingredients. Here we've infused earthy thyme, rosemary and bay into a nutmeg-laced cream sauce. But that's just the beginning. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/850063/thyme-and-rosemary-au-gratin-potato-recipe Dawn Viola Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:03:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849579/perfect-holiday-roast-recipe Slowly braising your holiday roast will leave your day free for friends, family and frolicking, while the oven does all of the hard work producing a memorable dinner. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849579/perfect-holiday-roast-recipe Dawn Viola Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:04:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849577/holiday-fluff-a-gourmet-marshmallow-recipe Sky-high prices of gourmet marshmallows bring out the bah-humbug in all of us. We put the fluff back in this classic holiday confection by turning our test kitchens into a gourmet marshmallow recipe making factory, producing a vanilla-kissed marshmallow worthy of gift-giving. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849577/holiday-fluff-a-gourmet-marshmallow-recipe Dawn Viola Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:27:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849391/stained-glass-cookies-for-the-holidays Simple sugar cookie cutouts transform into jewel-like holiday treats with the addition of crushed hard candies. We've included our favorite sugar cookie recipe below, but for instant yuletide gratification, organic store-bought refrigerator dough works just as well. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849391/stained-glass-cookies-for-the-holidays Dawn Viola Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:25:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849151/christmas-eve-tradition-feast-of-the-seven-fishes-made-easy Let's face it; Christmas Eve is a busy day. Between preparing meals and playing Santa Claus, not everyone has time to labor over a traditional Italian feast. It's the thought that counts with the Feast of Seven Fishes – we've pared it down to three fish recipes to make your life easier. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849151/christmas-eve-tradition-feast-of-the-seven-fishes-made-easy Dawn Viola Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849097/magical-holiday-dessert-coconut-creme-brulee When the crunchy, caramelized sugar melts on your tongue, it reveals a cool, smooth, creamy custard infused with toasted coconut. This creme brulee recipe will make your dinner table seem like a five star restaurant and make your guests think you are a true chef. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/849097/magical-holiday-dessert-coconut-creme-brulee Dawn Viola