Stay updated with breaking news from Holiday editors. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have) If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here! ....
Wrapping a beautiful gift doesn t have to be hard. We ll show you how to create your own lovely, full bows to help you get the department store look in just a few minutes. Whether you make your own wrapping paper or wrap your gifts with fabric, a classic pom-pom bow makes a fabulous topper for every gift-giving occasion. Making your own allows you to customize your bow with your favorite colors and patterns. You don t have to be a regular at Santa s workshop to master this bow. Our technique is easy enough for any beginner and works for all kinds of ribbons. If this is your first time making an intricate bow, we recommend starting with a wire-edged ribbon, like the one we used (Plaid Check Wired Ribbon, $14.99, Walmart). The wiring will allow you to style the bow s loops, which will easily hide any imperfections. ....
Like many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has several different legacies and meanings, which can be accentuated or played down, depending on one s religious convictions. First and foremost, Hanukkah is a historical, nationalist holiday. It commemorates the successful rebellion, in the second century B.C.E., of a clan of Jewish freedom fighters called the Maccabees. These warriors rose up against Antiochus, a Greco-Syrian monarch who ruled Israel with a hard hand, banning Jews from practicing their faith and pressuring them to convert to a Hellenic way of life. (It is told that his soldiers would even force-feed Jews pork, a kosher no-no.) Despite being greatly outnumbered, the Maccabees managed to recapture the Holy Temple, the premier site of ancient Judaism, from their oppressors. Hanukkah means dedication in Hebrew the holiday pays tribute to the dedication of a group of Jews who believed fervently in their right to religious and nationalist freedom. ....
Credit: Blaine Moats Coconut-Halva Macaroons Halva is a Middle Eastern confection generally made from either flour or sesame-seeds. As the halva melts, it forms a crackly edge around the cookie base. Skip the halva and use coconut milk to make these dairy- and seed-free. Test Kitchen Tip: For picture-perfect macaroons, bake 10 minutes. Dip a 3-inch circle cookie cutter in water, then place it over a cookie and roll it around the edges to smooth and reshape cookies into tighter mounds. Return to oven for the remaining 10 minutes; repeat with wet cookie cutter after baking.Get the Recipe Snickerdoodle Croissant Cookies ....