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Testers' Choice is our way of pointing up recipes that have been cooked, poked, and prodded to perfection by our crackerjack team of nearly 100 testers. These dishes deliver above and beyond expectation. Eat with confidence.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Dec 08, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under gluten-free | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegetarian | weeknight winners™

Silken, garlicky mashed potatoes manifest in mere minutes thanks to a super simple technique–perfect for when you’re entertaining, impatient, just plain hungry, or all of the above.

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.

Roasted Carrots with Allspice

Roasted Carrots with Allspice

Dec 08, 2011 8 Comments by  
Filed under gluten-free | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegan | vegetarian

Sweet. Spicy. Earthy. Puckery. Since when did anything–or anyone–at your table ever boast such character? Certain to compensate for lulls in the conversation among your duller dinner invitees.

Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël

Dec 08, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cakes | chocolate | desserts | gluten-free | testers choice | vegetarian

We’ve no clue why the French felt compelled to roll chocolate cake with ganache in the likeness of a log. But with a taste like this, who the heck cares?

Duck Prosciutto

Duck Prosciutto

Dec 07, 2011 6 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | chicken | turkey | poultry | gluten-free | testers choice

Pig-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, this home-cured prosciutto tastes beguilingly, deceptively complex and beguiling–who’d have thunk it’s as easy as heck to make?!

Sauteed Chicken Liver on Toast

Sauteed Chicken Liver on Toast

Dec 07, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | chicken | turkey | poultry | testers choice

Tuscan through and through, this classic first course snazzes up chicken livers with capers, butter, onion, anchovies, and a splash of that other Tuscan tradition.

Jewish Hanukkah Doughnuts

Jewish Hanukkah Doughnuts

Dec 07, 2011 1 Comment by  
Filed under desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

Don’t let the name mislead you. These doughnuts are cause for celebration in and of themselves, regardless of one’s occasion or denomination.

Braised Saffron Carrots

Braised Saffron Carrots

Dec 07, 2011 5 Comments by  
Filed under gluten-free | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegetarian

Carrots of any hue–or many hues–take a turn for the better when braised in olive oil with a pinch of saffron and a splash of sherry vinegar. ’tis a sweet-tart side dish sensation.

Nach Waxman’s Brisket

Nach Waxman’s Brisket

Dec 07, 2011 13 Comments by  
Filed under beef | veal | meats ›› | testers choice

Tender, juicy slices of brisket lean into one another in perfect symmetry here, just like a chorus line of Rockettes. You can achieve the same. Nach Waxman explains.

Sugar Christmas Snow Cookies

Sugar Christmas Snow Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 12 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

What exactly is a snow cookie? It’s a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth moment of loveliness, and it’s as easy to roll and bake and decorate as it is to admire–and devour.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 1 Comment by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

The cutest, sweetest, happiest gingerbread people ever, right? They also happen to be the fastest, cheapest, unfussiest gingerbread cookies we’ve encountered.

Quentin’s Grandma’s Rugelach

Quentin’s Grandma’s Rugelach

Dec 06, 2011 13 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

“Transcendent” is how the author describes these rugelach. We’d like to add “flaky,” “tender,” and “perfect” to the list of apt adjectives.

Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Meringues

Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Meringues

Dec 06, 2011 4 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | gluten-free | testers choice | vegetarian

Whoever first thought to beat sugar and egg whites into pillowy peaks has our gratitude. So does author Annie Rigg for swirling in cocoa and cinnamon.

Chocolate-Dipped Molasses Cookies

Chocolate-Dipped Molasses Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 3 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | testers choice | vegan | vegetarian

Though the name doesn’t give it away, these subtly spiced cookies are vegan-friendly, though we sure as heck couldn’t tell it from their I’ll-have-just-one-more appeal. Shhhh.

Black Pepper Cookies

Black Pepper Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 8 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | testers choice | vegetarian

It’s no surprise that a traditional Scandinavian cookie would be warming. Chalk it up to an inspired melding of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and cocoa.

Onion Thyme Tart

Onion Thyme Tart

Dec 05, 2011 18 Comments by  
Filed under entrees | pies | tarts | testers choice | vegetarian

“Delicate.” “Flaky.” “Perfect.” “I could not stop eating this tart!” That’s what folks are saying about this recipe that’s a cinch to make–and even easier to devour.

Warm Pear and Blue Cheese Tart

Warm Pear and Blue Cheese Tart

Dec 02, 2011 14 Comments by  
Filed under desserts | pies | tarts | testers choice | vegetarian

No savory cheese plate, this tart sits squarely on the sweet side of things. It’s lovely as a last course–and even lovelier alongside a generous pour of port.

Pastina Stars with Butter and Milk

Pastina Stars with Butter and Milk

Nov 29, 2011 31 Comments by  
Filed under pasta and grains | testers choice | vegetarian | weeknight winners™

We’ve got stars in our eyes! And our bowls, and our spoons, thanks to pastina, a teensy star-shaped pasta that just may be the cutest supper in the solar system.

Pan-Roasted Mushrooms

Pan-Roasted Mushrooms

Nov 28, 2011 16 Comments by  
Filed under gluten-free | sides | veggies | testers choice | vegetarian

Mushrooms and butter and garlic, oh my! Think you’ve been there, done that? Trust us, you haven’t. Not like this. Read on to understand this recipe’s brilliance.