Vanilla Peppermint Pattitini

Sweet potatoes and vanilla are a perfect pairing, as demonstrated by: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Sweet Potato Pie Smoothies Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples with Pecan Streusel Topping Sweet Potato Bundt Cake In each recipe, vanilla enhances the orange veggie’s inherent sweetness. I’m adding a new recipe to the oeuvre: a smooth, creamy...

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Many chefs combine sweet and spicy ingredients, such as chocolate and cayenne pepper, to create inventive palate pleasers. Those who specialize in international cuisine have done so for years, and Americans are first discovering this mouth-watering culinary trend. Our end-of-the-week recipe will warm up our East Coast friends, who are experiencing...

Read: Mexican Hot Chocolate Shots with Spicy Foam

It simply isn’t Christmas without warm, freshly baked cookies. Here’s a twist on a traditional recipe, melding the exotic flavors of fresh ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate, plus a twist of peppermint. All of the ingredients should be available at your local natural and organic food store.    Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies  Makes 2 dozen   1½ cups...

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I have a large collection of cookbooks, and the ones I rely on for baking impart a critical piece of advice: Use only the best ingredients, including spices and extracts. Many authors are quite specific about the brand of vanilla extract they use: Nielsen-Massey. I’ve come to rely on it, too,...

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As the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals prep for Super Bowl XLIII, you can score a touchdown with a special Sunday brunch—or breakfast for dinner. Using white athletic tape, add yard lines to snack tables. They’re a great backdrop for today’s Super Bowl Pancakes, which get a flavorful kick from baking...

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