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Crave-Worthy Recipes

17 Thanksgiving recipes you don’t want to miss

Thanksgiving recipes you don't want to miss

This year, make Turkey Day more delicious than ever. Even if you’ve hosted the holiday for decades and think your menu is as good-as-it-gets, it could be time for a refresher. For the ultimate holiday feast, try a few recipes from this Thanksgiving recipe roundup. Stuffing in the crock pot Who has oven space for all of those side dishes? Plus, cooking stuffing in the bird might not be the best idea anyway. http://craves.everybodyshops.com/crock-pot-stuffing-saves-time-on-thanksgiving-day/ Roasted butternut squash It’s delicious and healthy. Plus is will ad a splash of color to your table. What more could you want? http://craves.everybodyshops.com/roasted-butternut-squash-with-cranberries-and-goat-cheese/ Cheesy broccoli casserole Make room for a new tradition at the table. These cheesy broccoli casserole is a win with kids and adults alike. http://craves.everybodyshops.com/thanksgiving-day-broccoli-cheese-casserole/ Baked brie with cranberries and jalapeños How fast can an appetizer disappear? Just don’t blink! This cranberry brie will be gone in seconds. http://craves.everybodyshops.com/baked-brie-with-cranberry-jalapeno-jam/ Layered pumpkin delight…

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The 6 biggest mistakes you can make when baking pumpkin pie

The 6 biggest mistakes you can make when baking pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie, with its thick, pumpkin-y custard, fragrant spices, and flaky pastry crust, is about as delicious as Thanksgiving gets. Served with a dollop of homemade whipped cream, there is no Thanksgiving dish that arrives with such anticipation. Yet, even the most seasoned bakers know a truly perfect pumpkin pie is no easy task to pull off. Here are a few mistakes you need to avoid in order to make your best pumpkin pie ever: 1. You use fresh pumpkin I can hear you now, “But such-and-such variety of pumpkin makes a delicious pie, just like my grandma made!” Well, if you have a tried-and-true family recipe that you’re used to, then nothing is going to change your mind — nostalgia looms large on Thanksgiving. But for those who want to make a truly perfect pie every time, it’s important to practice consistency. Fresh pumpkins can vary wildly in size…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Onion ring and fresh green bean casserole

Green_bean_casserole_thanksgiving_onion_rings_4

I know, I know. You’re saying to yourself, “Don’t mess with the classics.” But hear me out. Green bean casserole isn’t all that great. There. I said it. Under all of those oily little french fried onion bits is nothing more than a mess of hacked up rubbery green bean pieces swimming in a sea of grayish liquid. I’ve never been a fan, mostly because it means we take one of the only Thanksgiving side dishes that has a chance to be healthy and we smother it with loads of greasy ingredients. Also see our Handy guide to planning a Thanksgiving feast. A delicious green bean casserole doesn’t have to include unhealthy cans of slop. You can make it fresher, healthier, and tastier with just a few ingredients. So why not make the switch? This green bean casserole uses fresh green beans, mushrooms and onions, along with fresh thyme, whole…

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Seasonal

Why we give candy to kids on Halloween

Why we give candy to kids on Halloween

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend approximately $2.6 billion on Halloween candy this year — that’s a lot of Skittles, Starbursts, and snack-sized candy bars. But as you’re buying bags of goodies to giveaway, you may wonder how this sweet tradition got its start. Well, the answer isn’t totally clear, but let’s shed a little bit of light on this dark holiday. Many scholars think that Halloween can be traced back about 2,000 years to its roots as a pre-Christian Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), which means “summer’s end.” The festivities, usually held around Nov. 1, were a celebration of the end of harvest season and the beginning of darkest days of the year. Because the ancient records surviving to this day are largely incomplete, our understanding of the holiday isn’t fully understood. But Samhain is also thought to have been a time for the spirits…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

How to pick the best butternut squash

How to pick a perfect butternut squash-2

Fall has finally arrived and winter squash are stocked on the shelves — acorn, spaghetti, and of course, butternut. Butternut squash a must-have fall vegetable that dates back nearly 10,000 years ago.  It’s true. Archaeological evidence suggests that squash was first cultivated in what is now known as the Isthmus of Panama. Squash was one of the three main crops (known as the “Three Sisters” — maize, beans, and squash) planted by Native Americans. If you’re looking for authentic North American fall foods for your Thanksgiving feast, squash certainly qualifies. (Read more at: How Americans Became so Obsess with Pumpkins) The most noticeable difference between winter squash and summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, is the exterior skin. Summer squash have thin, flavorful skin you leave on and eat, while winter squash have a tough, inedible outer shell. It’s because of this shell, however, that winter squash can be…

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Restaurants offering deals and freebies on Labor Day

Restaurants offering deals and freebies on Labor Day

Cooking not your idea of a vacation? Not to worry. Many restaurants are offering discounts and freebies over Labor Day weekend, so if you don’t feel like spending time in the kitchen, you can still enjoy delicious grub. Here are a handful of the offers I’ve come across so far. baja fresh Use this coupon to get $5 off any $20 purchase. Deal ends Sept. 2. Baskin Robbins Not quite a Labor Day deal, but who doesn’t want ice cream over a long, summer weekend? Baskin Robbins will honor its original 31 flavors on August 31 by offering scoops for $1.70. Call ahead to make sure your local shop is participating in the deal. Chuck E. Cheese Weather not looking great? Take the kids for a day of fun and take advantage of this deal: 1-topping pizza and four drinks for $24.99. Print this coupon. Domino’s Get any Domino’s pizza for…

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Where you can find deals and special menus for Mother’s Day 2019

Where you can find deals and special menus for Mother's Day 2019

No material thing can repay Mom for all she’s done for you over the years, but the least you can do on Mother’s Day is pick up the check. Mother’s Day is the single most popular day for dining out (followed by Valentine’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day and New Year’s Eve). This year, the National Retail Federation estimates we’ll spend more than $4.6 billion at restaurants for Mom on May 12, 2019. It’s the second largest gift category after jewelry ($5.2 billion). Your relationship with your mom is priceless, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save a little coin — after all, she always taught you to be smart with your money. Whether you decide on brunch, lunch, or dinner, here are some restaurants offering discounts or special menus for Mother’s Day this year. (And check back soon! We’ll add more freebies and deals for 2019 as they are revealed. Here were…

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Seasonal

Odd foods that are dropped on New Year’s Eve instead of a ball

13 odd foods that are dropped on New Years Eve instead of a disco ballExpress-Times Photo | MATT SMITH

Every city has its own way of celebrating the turn of a new year. There’s no shortage of alcohol, parties and dazzling, dropping disco balls dangling from towers. But for some towns, this all seems just a bit too boring. Here are 13 towns that celebrate New Year’s Eve by dropping something a little more flavorful than a sparkly ball. https://www.instagram.com/p/BOme7KmDegD/?taken-by=rosaduartetv 1. A Peep (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)  Peeps usually make their only appearance during Easter, but in Bethlehem, the town where the famous candy was invented, New Years Eve brings the annual “PeepFest.” Every year on the 31st of December, a gigantic 400-pound Peep is dropped at precisely 5:15 p.m., followed by a colorful fireworks display. The massive Peep is made out of fiberglass and therefore, unfortunately, it is inedible. However, the big yellow icon is still a joy to see and something locals look forward to at the end of every year. https://www.instagram.com/p/xFFif8vEEj/?tagged=moonpieovermobile 2. A Moonpie (Mobile, Alabama)…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Loaded ranch snowman cheeseball

Loaded ranch snowman cheeseball_2

You’ll win at Christmas Eve when you set this ranch snowman cheeseball on the table. Seriously, cocktail shrimp, who? Everyone will be talking about the cute — and delicious — snowman dip! Plus it’s loaded with turkey bacon, green onions, and tons of flavor, so you know everyone is going to love it! Ranch Snowman Cheeseball Ingredients 2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce) 2 cups shredded white cheese (I like white sharp cheddar, but mozzarella works too), divided in 2 4 strips turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and then crumbled 3 green onions, chopped 1/4 tsp finely ground fresh black pepper 1 small carrot 10 whole black peppercorns Cooking spray or oil (for greasing hands) Serve with: crackers, carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, bell pepper strips or anything else you like to dip in delicious ranch cheese! Directions In a…

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18 restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day

18 restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day

When you think of Christmas, you probably think of digging fork first into a massive spread of home cooked feast. But, if you’d rather spend your time with loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen, or if you don’t find yourself at home for the holiday, we’ve listed 20 chain restaurants that will be open Christmas Day. Regardless of where you end up dining out, remember that these employees are stuck working away from their own families on the biggest holiday of the year. So don’t be a Scrooge. Tip well! Applebee’s Many Applebee’s locations will be open on Christmas Day, but it is best to call you local Applebee’s ahead of time since individual franchisees may opt out. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmmKp37n4wP/ Boston Market Boston Market locations will be open on Christmas so you can enjoy a traditional holiday meal for just $12.99. Also, if you’re going to be home,…

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