Holiday Recipes and Inspiration

Christmas is a special time of year for spending with friends and family. If you are alone at Christmas, however, for whatever reason, this page contains a number of tasty suggested dinner recipes.

The holidays always involve intimate parties, gatherings, and events filled with great food, adult beverages, and flavorful concoctions. Eggnog is simply a must-have at any holiday party. If you are planning on hosting this year, this is my recipe for flavorful eggnog made simple and easy.

Thanksgiving turkey is wonderful on Day 1. Day 2 delights us with sandwiches, but by Day 3 are you getting bored? Be bored no longer. Here are imaginative ways to use those gobbler leftovers.

A fun and festive spin on a traditional breakfast favorite. This recipe yields a delicious treat that looks and tastes like no other French toast you have ever tried. Perfect for Halloween.

Learn about Jamaican Christmas dinner traditions and gather holiday menu ideas.

Easter is a popular celebration in Russia, both for those who are Christian and those who are not. One major aspect of the holiday that is the same for everyone is the love for sweets! In this article, I will show you how to make some delicious Russian Easter biscuits with homemade icing!

You can make an entirely different meal by introducing a few fresh ingredients into your leftovers. Here are 5 delicious recipes to make the most out of your leftover turkey and sides.

A quick and easy Halloween treat that isn't tricky! Made with seasonal monster cereal, each creepy little cupcake is full of flavor and fright. Perfect for parties, and the kids can help with the baking, too!

I have learned much from my Polish American friends about the important of Easter in their culture, friendships, families, and faith. Please enjoy the recipes and information.

Whoa—planning for November in June or July? Yes! This is the time to put away goodies from your summer garden to pull out for your Thanksgiving feast.

Since Christmas is fast approaching, I've put together a short list of key elements to help you make show-stopping drinks that'll no doubt impress.

A selection of non-alcoholic Irish-themed beverages, great for St. Patrick's Day or other celebrations.

Thanksgiving for most people is a time of family celebration and feasting on the seasonal turkey and trimmings. There are some, however, who are forced to spend Thanksgiving alone and may be under the impression that a turkey dinner is not therefore feasible. This page shows how Thanksgiving turkey dinners for one are entirely possible and provides a number of very different preparation options.

Mince pies are an integral part of the British Christmas food culture, but when they are prepared at home, mincemeat will often be left over. The recipes on this page provide ideas for what to do with that leftover mincemeat.

Don't get caught off-guard when asked to bring a snack to the class Halloween party. I've compiled several great ideas that are relatively cheap and easy to make.

For a heartfelt personalized Valentine's Day treat, try making these conversation heart petit fours. They are delicious bite-sized treats that everyone will love!

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love eggnog and those who despise it (or assume they will). Let's join hands, learn some fun history, and share recipes. You might love eggnog.

Shortbread is a buttery and delicious biscuit or cookie that is a traditional Christmas treat. It's a very enjoyable snack at any time of year and is associated with some interesting traditions. Plain biscuits and ones with added fruit, spices, or chocolate can be bought or made at home.

Mulled wine or Bishop's wine is easy to make. The sweet and spicy flavor of homemade mulled wine goes very well with home-baked New Year Eve doughnut balls.

How to make easy and fun deviled eggs to look like baby chicks. A delightful addition for any dinner table, especially for Easter Dinner. I serve these at all our family dinners.

Peppermint—the flavor of Christmas and candy canes. Allow me to share with you a bit of history about this prolific herb, as well as recipes that will last all year long.

Oh so gory, but oh so tasty and sweet. Here's a great little Halloween treat for those that love the taste of white chocolate.

Every Thanksgiving, the great debate arises again: is the famous holiday side dish called "stuffing" or "dressing"? Many cooks swear by one or the other, and they will not deviate from their opinions.

I love stuffing (also called dressing) not only on Thanksgiving but also on Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day! I've found a great way to make a tasty stuffing out of a box by adding just a few extra ingredients. Easy and delicious!

A friend of Romanian descent visited cousins in the old country. French was spoken, and a rich variety of culinary surprises for Easter awaited at the Romanian home.

Homemade eggnog is simple to make, and the results are rich, creamy, and just plain decadent. Treat your family or friends to a favorite holiday treat—and it takes only a few minutes!

Kerstkransjes or Christmas Wreath Cookies are a delicious and decorative treat for the festive season. They are traditionally hung on the branches of the Christmas tree and can be decorated in a variety of ways.

Do you want to know how to set a proper table for a holiday dinner? Proper place setting for special occasions (or any occasion) can be easy and fun if you follow these place setting rules, guidelines, and tips.

Three family fruitcake recipes, fruitcake cookies, plus the best commercial fruitcake I’ve ever found.

The holidays are so much fun, and they give us an amazing chance to express our creativity and our imaginations. What better way to really get into the holidays than with your kids!

Cloves—The spice of mulled cider, cookies, fruitcake is another flavor of Christmas. Allow me to share with you a bit of history about this spice and some recipes that will last all year long.

This dish is a wintry showstopper. Duck breasts are an elegant main course any time; however, I would also urge you to consider this recipe as a time-saving alternative to a traditional Christmas dinner if you are celebrating in a small round.

A Yule log cake, mincemeat, and mince pies are delicious Christmas treats with an interesting history. A Yule log was once a real log and mince pies used to contain meat.

This is a real, traditional English Christmas cake recipe passed down to me from my Great Aunt. It is a wonderfully moist, heavy fruit cake that we used to cover in marzipan and ice. We also gave it to first footers at New Year.

A delicious and refreshing cranberry and rum drink that was created many years ago by my grand-aunt. I'm giving away a family secret recipe here...

Christmas pudding is a rich, fruity, seasonal British dessert. This page looks at some delicious and often unusual recipes for using up Christmas pudding leftovers in the days after the main event.

Looking for decorating ideas for your St. Patrick's Day cupcakes? Try these kid-friendly design ideas with step-by-step instructions to make your own cupcake wrappers.

Boilo, also known as "coal cracker" champagne and Schuylkill moonshine, is a warm homemade beverage that originated in northeastern Pennsylvania. It's made of wassail-style grain alcohol and fruit.

Discover some of the best spooktacular spirit and cocktail recipes that will make your Halloween celebration positively wicked.

Some people have traditional foods they eat on New Year's Day for good luck throughout the year. See if your lucky foods are listed.

Thanksgiving leftovers are wonderful because they can be used to create so many delicious quick and easy meals. Here are some hints and recipes to inspire you.

Avoid awkward situations at your St. Patrick's Day party with these wonderful non-alcoholic drinks for your nondrinking friends. In fact, everyone will likely be pleased by a few of them. Add alcohol if you like.

Fifteen recipe suggestions for your Easter Brunch--everything from appetizers to dessert. There are even some vegetarian options.

A St. Patrick's Day staple, corned beef is an Irish-American tradition. It is often eaten with cabbage, but it also comes in the form of reuben sandwiches, hash, and canned corned beef.

Learn how to make a traditional Christmas pudding recipe with helpful step-by-step instructions and photos. This is my best plum pudding recipe that I make every year before the holidays.

The following Mexican recipes for an full menu are enjoyed during the Easter Season, but they are good the rest of the year. Roasted lamb and goat are specialties.

Authentic recipes dating to the colonial days will make your Thanksgiving truly traditional.

This article tells you exactly how to make a good old-fashioned fruitcake. These will make your mouth water, for they are complete with pictures. Have fun!

Make tasty cereal bars with your favorite limited edition monster cereals. Sure to be a hit with the younger ones and those who are young at heart. Perfect for Halloween parties and ready in 15 minutes!

A step-by-step guide to making bread for a traditional Polish Easter Basket - or to enjoy any time!

An old Irish recipe for a delicious any-time-of-day snack or a perfect dessert. It can be served with custard, cream, or ice cream. In my view, it’s best eaten on its own with a nice cup of tea.

Pumpkin pie—did it begin with the Pilgrims? Let's learn the background of this sweet treat, try a "from scratch" recipe, and then explore some fun spin-offs.

A simple, yet delicious treat for the holidays!

Make smooth chocolate fudge the old-fashioned way! Perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas parties, and birthday gifts.

Looking for easy decorating ideas for your Halloween cupcakes? Learn how to decorate pumpkin, ghost, and cat cupcakes with these fun design ideas.

The gingerbread house is a whimsical bit of Christmas tradition in many American and European homes. Here's what you need to make one for your family.

Looking for a fun and creepy Halloween party food? These deviled brains (eggs) make a delicious and gory treat for zombies, monsters, and ghouls!

Easy, adorable, and fun! Turn two round cakes into an impressive Easter Bunny cake.

Need to make a Halloween treat, but don't want to spend your entire afternoon or evening in the kitchen? Whip up one of these deliciously simple Halloween treats!

Such controversy! Is the turkey stuffed, or do you eat your "dressing" on the side? Wheat bread only, cornbread, or wild rice? Oysters: yes or no. Let's put our differences aside and have fun cooking.

Ghouls and goblins, the witching hour is here! Don your baking hats and dust off that cauldron to whip up creeptastic treats for all.

Now you're cooking! Tis the season to not be thrifty, fa-la-la la-laaa-la-la-la-la. Before you know it, Christmas will be here. I like to use my prime rib recipe on Christmas day. However, you can eat this delicious dish any time of the year.

Need food ideas for a Canada-themed party? Make these creative, delicious, and cute Inukshuk appetizers that are inspired by the stone monuments built by the Inuit people!

A fabulous rum fruit cake recipe for Christmas and red Valentine's Day heart-shaped desserts. I was not a fruit cake fan, but now I am! Rum and brandy make a difference. Enjoyable desserts by all.

A dump cake is a quick and easy dessert made by, quite literally, dumping things in a pan. Step-by-step photos and directions are included. Easy dessert for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other day!

New Year's Day arrives on different dates around the world, according to the culture in which it is celebrated. You might like to celebrate more than one!

Certain foods are traditionally eaten at New Year in the hope that they will bring good luck in the year ahead. This page looks at some of these foods and delicious ways in which to cook and serve them.

A convenient collection of 20 wassail recipes. Most use apple juice or cider as a base. Unusual recipes use Red Hot candies or black pepper. Some include wine, rum, sherry, brandy, and whiskey.

A delicious, moist and easy to make fruitcake. Perfect for Christmas or any other time of year!

If you're looking to celebrate St Patrick's Day in style then you should try a few of these Irish-inspired St Paddy's Day Shots and Shooters, from the classic Irish Flag to an Irish Cowboy and more!

Quick and easy recipe for turning a store-bought cake mix into delicious Pizzelle cookie batter. Perfect for Christmas and Valentine's Day celebrations.

This collection of 13 clean eating Thanksgiving treats to make with your kids is packed full of yummy, healthy treats that you and your kids will enjoy creating together. This is such a fun time of year—get your kids involved in helping now, and you'll have an excited, involved kid for life.

These pretty and buttery cookies are thick and soft. Top with colored sugar or what ever you want to decorate them with. They will be delicious and popular with your friends and family.

This mango peanut butter Valentine's heart dessert is a no-bake, easy, and delicious fruity mango treat for two people. It has only five ingredients.

Add some hubble and bubble to your Halloween with these bewitching brews. Eleven spooky drink suggestions that will really get your party going!

Are you overwhelmed by the prospect of a formal Christmas dinner? My family has adopted the tradition of a less-formal Christmas brunch, which can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed in leisure.

A sweet spin on an old favorite. These apple latkes are perfect for breakfast, dessert, and any time in between. Made with fresh granny smith apples and simple ingredients.

Discover non-alcoholic drink ideas perfect for children, family, designated drivers, and anyone else wanting to have a little fun on St. Patrick's Day.

The origins of figgy pudding date back to medieval England. At that time it was not a dessert, but a method of preserving meats for the winter months.

Need an idea for a fun and easy Halloween dessert to serve at a party or school function? This pull-apart pumpkin cupcake cake is super cute and very easy to make!

This no-bake mint cheesecake has a texture similar to a baked version and a delicious, light minty flavor. The cookie crust, along with the thick and rich filling, helps make this cake a real stand out among no-bake cheesecakes.

Looking for green cocktail drink recipes for St. Patrick's Day or another occasion? Find recipes for green beer, Midori Sours, Emerald Isles, and other favorite green alcoholic drinks.

Need Christmas party cookies? Try these adorable red and green gingerbread men with fast and easy cookie dough recipes and ideas.

Everyone loves to get and give homemade baked goods. Here's how to assemble the perfect cookie tray to show off all those yummy treats you make.

Here you'll find step-by-step directions for three different designs. Includes pictures for a simple spider web cupcake design, pull-apart spider web cupcakes, and spooky-looking spider cupcakes.

This cake is so light and moist, you simply can't get enough of it. Easy to make and a hit with whoever you are serving it to.

Wassail is a traditional British-Isles holiday punch made with apple cider, oranges, lemon, and winter spices. Redolent with cloves, cinnamon, and allspice, it's festive and warming—and easy!

Nutmeg--Once upon a time 1 pound of this rare spice was valued more than 7 oxen, was worthy of employing 10,000 soldiers and a 200-ship armada, and was "justification" for the slaughter of thousands.

This is a traditional fruitcake recipe that is made for the Christmas holidays. How do you make a moist Christmas fruitcake from scratch? This is an easy-to-follow recipe with step-by-step instructions, photos and videos.

Five ways to cook turkey without using your oven. Includes videos.

Nothing is more delectable than the smell of yeast bread baking. Here are two great sweet bread recipes: Russian Easter bread is finer grained with the traditional candied fruit, and Polish babka is a lighter raisin bread.

Where I'm from, we take Thanksgiving seriously! Here are my personal best recipes: sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, cranberry relish, pumpkin pies, stuffing, even whoopie pies!

Learn how to make a custom, heart-shaped ice-cream cake that looks a bit like a Valentine's Day conversation heart candy.

A modern slant on the classic British mince pie - mincemeat muffins are easy to make and fun to eat. The recipe includes step-by step instructions with photographs to guide you.

What do merchants and monarchs, sages, and sheep have in common? All played a part in the history of ginger. Join me for a story about this treasured spice and I'll also share my favorite recipes.

From non-vegan relatives to navigating traditional holiday foods as a vegan, here are some helpful tips for Christmas, Thanksgiving and other major food holidays.

How to make three different flavors of fudge candy for holiday gifts. Includes eggnog, Irish cream, and lemon flavors. These are my favorite recipes and most helpful tips.

Easter or Resurrection is the biggest holiday of the year among my Polish friends. Their traditions and recipes for traditional foods vary by region of the country they or their ancestors called home, but all are good.