Holiday/8 recipes

Use the slow-cooker and liquid smoke instead of grilling and wood chips. The result is outstanding, and the pork is packed with flavor.

Classic Viennese Christmas cookie. Soft and buttery with a dusting of snowy sugar.

Easy-peesy! This is the perfect holiday gift for neighbors and friends. It's a never-fail recipe.

This turned out quite nicely, was surprised at how well it held together considering there was no egg to help bind the ingredients together. We made a vegetarian shallot gravy to go along with it. Nice herby flavor throughout.

Easy holiday cranberry sweet and sour meatballs for your slow cooker.

A classic German style potato salad that is served warm. Perfect for Octoberfest.

This one skillet side dish makes for quick and easy cleanup. The crunchy butter and maple toasted pecans dress up everyday green beans for a side worthy of a holiday feast.

Creative presentation and tastes so good! We like to make these for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast to add a bit of Irish green to the plate.

If you are a chocolate fan, this is an excellent recipe for you to try without guilt, it is much lighter than normal chocolate pie. The thick chocolate taste will satisfy you. Also it is a great dessert for holiday.

These cookies are buttery and delicious. By dipping them into melted chocolate gives them another chocolaty layer that make these cookies taste even better. Great treats at your Christmas party.

A classic pumpkin pie spike with rum. Dark, rich and delicious.

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It's the season of Swiss chard and kale. We got lots of these fresh leafy greens from our CSA farm, and I was trying to come out an idea to use them up, surfing the internet, found a recipe in New York Times, it's a chard and feta phyllo tart. Definitely got the inspiration, I used both chard and kale, instead of feta, I used cheddar; and I sauteed some fresh mushrooms and added some toasted pine nuts, which worked very well. Also, I used a pie plate instead of a tart pan, and it was a great success, absolutely flavorful and delicious. The phyllo crust came out flaky and crispy. Have definitely become one of my signature recipes :)

"A tall, impressive cake that showcases the flavors and smells of the holidays. A three-layer extravaganza with a touch of molasses and shredded apple to keep it moist. It fills the house with a fragrance that beats the most expensive holiday-scented candle. It will be talked about long after the party is over." Source: The Pastry Queen Christmas, by Rebecca Rather

These juicy and classic burgers are shaped and decorated like the American flag, perfect for celebrating the 4th of July.

This is a great way to use up some leftover turkey breast. Not to mention after the holidays we all need a little weight watcher help!