These gingerbread houses look like they could be from a holiday episode of Food Network Challenge, but they’re not the creations of a pro baker or sugar artist — they’re the handiwork of 11-year-old Lydia Gentry, who has snagged first place in her age group at the National Gingerbread Competition in Asheville, N.C., for three years running. Lydia’s mother, Michelle, credits her daughter’s gingerbread skills to the family’s ongoing remodeling projects: Lydia helped put an addition onto their real house. “After that, constructing a gingerbread house isn’t hard,” Michelle says. The only catch is that entries have to be 100 percent edible, so Lydia has to get creative with her supplies. This year, she won her fourth title with a holiday-themed cuckoo clock. Check out the winners at nationalgingerbreadhousecompetition.com, or see them in person at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville (290 Macon Ave.; groveparkinn.com) through January 1.
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Broccoli isn’t just an easy summer side: This versatile ingredient is the perfect addition to a hearty winter meal. The holiday season calls for hours in the kitchen cooking up elaborate dishes for family and friends. Understandably, sometimes you just need a break.
Instead of reaching for the nearest takeout menu, try Food Network Magazine‘s Chinese Beef With Broccoli. Stir-frying in sections allows each ingredient to really shine without muddling the flavors. Flank steak will boost your energy, while broccoli brings both color and fresh flavor. In 30 minutes you’ll have a tasty meal and guaranteed smiles all around.
Talk to us: What’s your favorite way to eat broccoli? Tell us in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter at #cookingwith.
More broccoli recipes from family and friends:
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Broccoli Salad Recipe
What’s Gaby Cooking: Spicy Broccolini Pizza
Cooking With Elise: Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
FN Dish: Chinese Beef With Broccoli
‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving and the cook was stressing. How am I going to cook a 20-pound turkey and warm up four casseroles with one oven and promise to eat at a reasonable hour? Should I stuff the bird or not? How will I know when the potatoes are done? Don’t forget to make sure that Aunt Sally doesn’t sit near Aunt Mary — there’s tension.
Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet and there is still so much to think about. So it’s no wonder that for many families, the dinner before Thanksgiving involves one thing: ordering takeout. In fact, USA Today reports that the day before Thanksgiving is among the five most popular days of the year for pizza delivery. But there’s no need to spend extra money in the name of convenience. With our five pre-Turkey Day dinner recipes below, you can have a meal on the table in 20 minutes or fewer, less than the amount of time it would take to order and deliver takeout.
Simple recipes, delicious results »
Thanksgiving is all about pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, but make sure there’s something for chocolate lovers, too.
Try making: Deepest, Darkest Chocolate Cheesecake
Browse more of Food Network’s Thanksgiving recipes and tips.
The turkey: It’s the star of almost every Thanksgiving dinner table. Whether you prefer dark or white meat, legs, breasts or thighs, the Thanksgiving bird is a family-favorite tradition that can be brined, fried, seasoned, stuffed, glazed, roasted and more. Our top five turkey recipes below encompass a unique mixture of classic and creative takes on this holiday classic that are fit for any Thanksgiving feast.
5. Bobby’s Black Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey — For a crispy skin that is both sweet and savory, Tyler brushes the turkey with a tangy glaze featuring pomegranate molasses, Dijon mustard and horseradish.
4. Apricot and Tequila Glazed Turkey — Marcela uses a flavor injector to add a mixture of chicken broth, melted butter and tequila directly into the turkey breasts, thighs and legs to ensure a moist, succulent bird.
Get the top three turkey recipes »
An adaptable, budget-friendly meatless pick, pasta is a kid-approved meal that grownups can appreciate as well. Ellie Krieger’s light yet satisfying pasta dish is made with protein-packed cannellini beans and sweet, roasted tomatoes and is topped with creamy Parmesan cheese. Add extra roasted vegetables — onions, eggplant or in-season squash are great options — to beef up this vegetarian plate.
Finish the meal with Tyler’s cool and refreshing Pomegranate and Arugula Salad, featuring peppery arugula, juicy pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts for added crunch.
Get the recipe: Ellie’s Penne With Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic, and White Beans
Meatless Monday, an international movement, encourages people everywhere to cut meat one day a week for personal and planetary health. Browse more Meatless Monday recipes.
On weeknights, getting dinner on the table is more a matter of survival than it is an act of creativity. Monday through Friday, I rely on the same 10 or so meals to keep us fed. These are the things I know by heart and can make without consulting books or a website for measurements or cook times.
When the weekend rolls around, I’m ready to stretch my culinary legs a little bit and try something beyond my standard turkey burgers and roasted broccoli, delicious though they may be. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not cooking up 10-course gourmet meals, but I do try to pick at least one recipe per weekend that requires a bit more time and energy. Around these parts, we call that dish The Weekender.
This last Sunday, we had plans to gather with friends for dinner. My promised main dish needed to be portable, made with poultry and outrageously delicious. The recipe that fit the bill? Ina Garten’s glorious Chicken Pot Pie.
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Looking for a chance to meet the newest Food Network Star Jeff Mauro and fan favorites like Vic “Vegas” Moea and Susie Jimenez? You can meet them and get their autographs on the Food Network Star: The Official Insider’s Guide Book Tour happening right now:
- August 22: Denver, Colorado with Jeff Mauro & Susie Jimenez
- August 23: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with Jeff Mauro and Vic “Vegas” Moea
- August 27: Chicago, Illinois with Jeff Mauro and Vic “Vegas” Moea
For details on the book tour including time and locations, visit HarperCollins or Food Network’s Facebook page.
During this past Wednesday’s “Ask the Editor” feature on Food Network’s Facebook page, we received numerous questions about putting together a vegetarian menu for Father’s Day — ask and you shall receive.
Start the meal off with Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps: juicy pineapple is infused with classic Thai flavors like lime, chili paste, cilantro and peanuts. Next, knock the pescatarian dad off his feet with these Jumbo Shrimp stuffed with a flavorful mixture of garlic, jalapeno, scallions and cilantro, which adds vibrant color to this two-bite appetizer.
Bring the steakhouse home (vegetarian style) with these Grilled Portobello Burgers topped with a sweet onion jam flavored with thyme, honey and red wine. Anyone can serve a side of fries, so shake things up and try Giada’s Fried Zucchini sticks coated with Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs. For a foolproof side dish, Rachael Ray rubs this Mexican-Style Grilled Corn with a spicy jalapeno, lime, garlic and paprika butter.
Make dad this nostalgic dessert »
