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Cran Apple Butter Recipe6
Food & Recipes

Cran-Apple Butter

If you’re looking to put a twist on traditional cranberry sauce, try a cran-apple butter instead! Think of the sweet and warm cinnamon flavor of a classic apple butter combined with deliciously tart cranberries and you yourself a totally fresh, perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving turkey!

Cran-Apple Butter

3 lb. of a soft variety of apple (I use McIntosh)
I package (12oz) of fresh cranberries
2 cups sweet apple cider
Juice of 1 orange
1 teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Peel and core …

Cranhattan Cocktail Recipe 5 copy copy
Food & Recipes

The Cranhattan (Plus Details on a Fab Giveaway!)

When planning a holiday celebration, I always have a signature drink on-deck that I can serve up at a moment’s notice. I love a warm and oaky bourbon during the cold weather months and since ’tis the season for cranberries, I decided to put a cranberry twist on my favorite bourbon cocktail. Dubbed “The Cranhattan,” this drink adds a seasonal touch to a classic Manhattan cocktail with a splash of sweetened cranberry puree. Before we get to the recipe I should let you know that I’ve teamed up with Pottery Barn for a fabulous giveaway so be sure to read …

Thanksgiving Wine
Entertaining Essentials

Thanksgiving Wine Picks from a Master Sommelier

During the holidays we spend so much time obsessing over menus and food prep but let’s be real people, the holidays are also an excuse for indulgent alcohol consumption! Aside from good food, I look forward to wine, wine and more wine on Thanksgiving! If you’re stumped on what wine to pair with your Thanksgiving meal, I’ve asked Alpana Singh, Master Sommelier and owner of Chicago’s Boarding House, to share her expert advice and go-to wine picks, all of which are widely available and almost all are under $20!

When considering what wines to serve on Thanksgiving, Alpana …

Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas Intro
Entertaining Essentials

Holiday Table Inspiration

When you’re spending hours in the kitchen preparing a huge holiday meal, my philosophy is to simplify your table setting as much as possible. I prefer a more casually elegant setting when I’m entertaining at home which to me feels much more inviting and unstuffy. I put this table setting together last year for an editorial and thought I’d revisit it with these never-seen-before outtakes to illustrate some useful tips and and inspiration for setting your holiday table. (Photos by Marietta Leung)

Don’t spend a fortune on fancy dinnerware!
I don’t believe in the idea of having extra-fancy china …

Thanksgiving-Etiquette-Tips-Myka-Meier11
Entertaining

Thanksgiving Etiquette Tips

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones to feast and celebrate the spirit of gratitude but whether you’re hosting a dinner or attending as a guest, it can be a lot of pressure. I wanted to share some useful tips to help you have a stress-free Thanksgiving, so I turned to my friend Myka Meier, etiquette expert and founder of Beaumont Etiquette – a distinguished consultancy offering a fresh, modern and unpretentious perspective on business and social etiquette. Myka has studied at etiquette schools throughout Europe and also trained in London under a former member of The …

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Food & Recipes

Holiday Kitchen Essentials

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year. It’s all about fun gatherings with family and friends, lots and lots of food and plenty of excuses to go shopping! One of the things I love most is cooking during the holidays and over the years I’ve hosted many family gatherings so my kitchen is well stocked with all the necessary tools for prepping a a huge meal.  Since the Thanksgiving countdown has officially begun and you’re likely in the midst of planning your Turkey Day menu, I thought I’d share some of my favorite kitchen essentials that …