Good morning! Today we have for you:
We wish you a merry Christmas (and a handful of snacks)
Hello, friends! I hope that, wherever you are and whatever you celebrate, your day is heartwarming and smile-inducing, full of moments of rest and joy. Foodwise — and maybe this is the same for you — my Christmas is usually book-ended by two robust meals, breakfast and dinner, with lots of snacking in between. In years past, that snacking has usually taken the form of potato chips (to be clear: there is nothing wrong with potato chips), but this year, I’m going to make Yewande Komolafe’s gúgúrú àti epà (sweet-salty popcorn and peanuts). Sugar, salt and smoked paprika bring the perfect sweet-salty-smoky mix to freshly popped popcorn and salted peanuts, creating the perfect snack for eating by the handful in your holiday pajamas. And if you need a last-minute gift for neighbors or friends, a bag of this would make a very welcome treat. Featured Recipe Gúgúrú àti Epà (Sweet-Salty Popcorn and Peanuts)What else would be nice for today? Certainly a cocktail. Mulled wine is a very appropriate pick, as are cranberry martinis or bright red Negronis. My crew usually does whiskey sours, but I’m thinking a coconut-creamy coquito would be a perfect match for those salty peanuts. Maybe today is a day of prep for Kwanzaa tomorrow? We have lots of recipes for a Kwanzaa celebration, like smoky jollof rice, spicy molasses-stewed winter squash and peanut fish stew. Speaking of gifts, a jar of pineapple chow chow would be a thoughtful present for anyone with a sweet-and-sour tooth. To go back to snacks for a moment, perhaps you want something a bit more substantial but still very, very easy to put together? Here’s our collection of 17 appetizers and snacks that require only three ingredients to keep hungry people happy during a holiday movie marathon (or if the rib roast needs more time). I’m afraid of how many blue cheese-stuffed dates I could put away, and I’ve never said no to a dish of blistered shishito peppers. And if you want a last-minute sweet, I think a batch of peanut butter blossoms would be really nice. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is pretty unbeatable, but today is the one day where unwrapping those chocolate kisses will feel completely natural — it’s a day for opening gifts and treats, after all. From all of us here at New York Times Cooking: happy holidays!
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