Look for fresh blueberries that are firm, dry, plump and smooth-skinned and relatively free from leaves and stems. Berries should be deep purple-blue to blue-black; reddish berries aren’t ripe, but may be used in cooking.

For every day in December through Christmas, we’re sharing a cookie recipe. Because we believe that a cookie a day keeps the Grinch away. 
(Credit: Ashley Rodriguez)With some cookies, the dough is the main attraction, but for others, it’s best to …

NBCNews.comSweet! Giada's festive French toast with berriesNBCNews.comAdvertise | AdChoices. Sweet! Giada's festive French toast with berries. This holiday season, whip up a delicious and comforting breakfast feast. Below: x. Jump to text Need …

[Photographs: Joshua Bousel]

Sauce, gravy—call it what you will, it can take a cut of meat from delicious to oh, my god! with just a few minutes more in the kitchen. You’re spending hours on that perfect roast, so why not accompany it with som…

(Credit: Christopher Griffith)Oh, do you remember what things were like just three, four months back? The wind was warm, the sun was high, the trees all still had leaves that made that leaves-in-the-wind sound whenever the wind blew through them. If yo…

Dotted with raspberries and pecans, these moist loaves make lovely Christmas treats. The recipe yields six, so you’ll have plenty to share. —Kathleen Showalter, Shoreline, Washington

[Photo: Jennifer Segal]

Tender greens, juicy pears, crimson cranberries, and toasted hazelnuts make a festive salad to start all those special holiday meals. Be sure to soak the onions in cold water as directed—it takes away the unpleasant raw…

Whenever I entertain, especially when I host large parties, I try to keep things simple.  That may not be how it appears to many of you, since so often I receive questions about how I pull these parties off.  The truth is, it’s all in the plann…

I’ve got a quick little how-to post for you today, to show you how fast and easy it is to make those pretty little sugared cranberries you see all over the place this time of year.  I never knew quite how they were made but they looked so lovely…

Since having kids, it has been wonderful re-experience the magic of the holiday season through their eyes.  Seeing their excitement and wonder at every twinkling light and Christmas tree is just precious.  And seeing the season with this perspective …