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Red Chili and Cheddar Crackers

Red Chili and Cheddar Crackers

Jan 30, 2012 10 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | entertaining | testers choice

A made-from-scratch riff on Cheez-Its, these crackers boast actual Cheddar cheesiness, not stain-your-fingers fake cheeziness.

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Jan 27, 2012 17 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | testers choice

What could be classier–or sassier–than a Manhattan? Rye whiskey, vermouth, Grand Marnier, and bitters all work their devil’s magic here.

Potato Ruffles

Potato Ruffles

Dec 26, 2011 9 Comments by  
Filed under entertaining | gluten-free | hors d'oeuvre | testers choice | vegan | vegetarian

These undeniably sophisticated, shatteringly crisp potato chips–ruffles, if you will–have no ridges. Nor do they need them. They’re intoxicatingly, satiatingly lovely just as they are.

Black Velvet Cocktail

Black Velvet Cocktail

Dec 26, 2011 3 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | testers choice

There’s a reason this effervescent comingling of stout and champagne has the word “velvet” in the title. It’s sooooo smooth and subtly sophisticated. Sip for yourself.

Hot Spiced Wine

Hot Spiced Wine

Dec 09, 2011 7 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

Your mother-in-law may frown upon you teetering around with a martini in hand. But strolling about with a cup of spiced wine? Soooo much more socially acceptable.

Standing Rib Roast with Jus

Standing Rib Roast with Jus

Dec 08, 2011 3 Comments by  
Filed under beef | veal | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

A sublime yet simple approach to cooking this most impressive roast. Certain to win friends and influence people–not to mention make phenomenal sandwiches the day after.

Fennel Baked in Cream

Fennel Baked in Cream

Dec 08, 2011 17 Comments by  
Filed under entertaining | featured multimedia | gluten-free | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegetarian

Fennel turns meltingly tender and oh so sweet when slowly, slowly, slowly braised in cream, cheese, and butter. One more reason to be enamored with the holidays.

Stilton and Walnut Crackers

Stilton and Walnut Crackers

Nov 23, 2011 6 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | baking | entertaining | hors d'oeuvre | testers choice | vegetarian

Perhaps the simplest precursor to a dinner party ever. Just make the savory shortbread dough, freeze it, slice it, and bake it at the very last second. You’re welcome.

Poached Pears with Warm Coffee Sauce

Poached Pears with Warm Coffee Sauce

Nov 04, 2011 4 Comments by  
Filed under desserts | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice | vegetarian

Simply stunning and stunningly simple, these fancy pants pears are steeped in a cinnamon-y syrup & napped with a caramel-y coffee sauce. Grab your spoon.

Glow in the Dark Jello

Glow in the Dark Jello

Oct 28, 2011 17 Comments by  
Filed under desserts | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

In case you’re curious, the spirits summoned for this ghostly and ghastly gin and tonic gelatin hail from a bottle, not the supernatural. Whew.

Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin

Oct 26, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under baking | desserts | entertaining | pies | tarts | testers choice

French for “caramely apple goodness atop a buttery crust,” a tarte Tatin is nothing more than a tart turned upside down, nothing less than pastry perfection.

The Foolproof Daiquiri Recipe

The Foolproof Daiquiri Recipe

Sep 23, 2011 17 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

That froufrou blender drink dolloped with whipped cream? Imposter. This is what you really want. Rum, lime juice, and just a touch of something sweet.

Rhubarb and Tequila Cocktail

Rhubarb and Tequila Cocktail

Jul 23, 2011 8 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

Stunning and sophisticated, this cocktail relies on rhubarb for tartness, orange for intrigue, a sugar rim for sweetness, and tequila for an afternoon nap.

Pimm’s Cup for Wimbledon

Pimm’s Cup for Wimbledon

Jun 19, 2011 14 Comments by  
Filed under drinks | entertaining | gluten-free | testers choice

Are you a tennis freak? Meet your drink. Pimm’s Cup is a wham bam of Pimm’s, orange, lemon, cucumber, mint, and lemon-lime soda.

Chocolate-Coconut Macaroon Pies

Chocolate-Coconut Macaroon Pies

Apr 21, 2011 16 Comments by  
Filed under baking | chocolate | custards | puddings | entertaining | gluten-free | pies | tarts | testers choice | vegetarian

These little cups of toasted coconut, full of creamy dark chocolate, are like chocolate-dipped macaroons in reverse: lots of chocolate and a little coconut.

A Trio of Deviled Eggs

A Trio of Deviled Eggs

Apr 18, 2011 4 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | entertaining | gluten-free | hors d'oeuvre | testers choice

Lovely is all we can think to say of this bevy of deviled eggs: classic, smoked salmon, and lightly truffled. Our favorite? Nope, we’re not going there.

Herbed Ricotta Dip with Vegetables

Herbed Ricotta Dip with Vegetables

Apr 18, 2011 6 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | entertaining | gluten-free | hors d'oeuvre | leite's lite™ | testers choice | vegetarian

True story: This recipe inspired a kid to dip an entire bag–an entire bag–of carrots, one after the other, into this luscious little number. Behold, the power of the dipper!

Asparagus Tart

Asparagus Tart

Apr 18, 2011 2 Comments by  
Filed under entertaining | entrees | hors d'oeuvre | lunch | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegetarian

Asparagus spears line up oh-so-perfectly while resting atop an eggy, cheesy filling and a shatteringly crisp buttered phyllo crust. Hello, weeknight indulgence.

Salt-Baked Red Snapper | <em>Lubina a la Sel</em>

Salt-Baked Red Snapper | Lubina a la Sel

Mar 08, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under entertaining | entrees | fish | seafood | gluten-free | leite's lite™ | testers choice | weeknight winners™

Just bury a whole snapper in a heap of wet salt, shove it in the oven, and forget about it for a while. Your reward for such little effort? One of the moistest fish ever.

Crepes for Crepe Day

Crepes for Crepe Day

Feb 01, 2011 34 Comments by  
Filed under desserts | entertaining

Crepe are all the rage on La Chandeleur, the annual French celebration of the humble-noble treat. Festivities, games, and, of course, much crepe eating ensue.