Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Not all treats are created equal. Tell us what you love and loathe.
Taste is highly personal, particularly when that taste is literally on the tip of the tongue. So it's no surprise that when it comes to the sugary, colorful indulgences served this week, one person's delight may be another's disgust. Fortunately, abundant choices at office parties, family gatherings and neighborhood visits let us grab what we savor and skip what's out of favor. In these polls, tell what you crave and what makes you cringe. Pick one on each list. Then feel free to tell us in comments what we've missed.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Learn more about the history and meaning behind this Jewish holiday, which starts tomorrow at sundown.
While Christmas is among the top two Christian holidays in terms of importance, Hanukkah is considered a minor holiday for the Jewish people. Nevertheless, it has become one of the more widely celebrated Jewish holidays and is certainly a favorite among children. Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE (Before Common Era) and is celebrated by lighting one additional candle in a candelabrum, called a hanukkiah (or menorah) for eight days. The holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah means rededication and refers to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE (or BC). As the website MyJewishLearning.com notes, "Beginning in 167 BCE…
Certain December music makes us pause, sing along and feel nostalgic.
Holiday voices sing, are you listening? Songs of the season are inescapable this week – whether they bring comfort and joy or lyrics and beats that annoy. Amid the jingling and roasting, most people cherish at least a few Christmas songs – perhaps because they've been sung many times, many ways since we were young. Though it may be tough to single out a favorite, here's a chance to click on one that invariably makes you pause, turn up the volume and feel nostalgic. So come and vote, faithful celebrants, and let's see which is triumphant. Write-in votes for unlisted tunes can go in the comments.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Local markets, hotels and caterers serve up a cornucopia of pick-up options for the big feast.
Follow along with Megan Swoyer as she prepares for Thanksgiving, with daily tips to keep you on track. Day 7 offers tips for takeout, from sides to the whole meal. One of my friends is a bit freaked about hosting Thanksgiving at her boyfriend’s home. “I’m a little crazed,” she told me. “His kids will be there and all of that (he’s divorced and has children who live out East). While she was sharing this with me, I was simultaneously reading email and had serendipitously received a note from the owners of Canapé Cart in Ferndale. “Hey,” I told my friend. “You can order all of your sides from this great place. It won’t be like you’re not cooking; you’re just making it easier and you can get to know his family better, etc. by not being a …
42.2039
-83.16728
Jerry's Food Market
1168 Oak St, Wyandotte, MI
/articles/countdown-to-thanksgiving-day-7-let-someone-else-do-the-work-58487d27
1535169
/locations/5835737
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Have you made your decision on what type of bird you’re after? Frozen, fresh, organic or free-range, here’s the lowdown.
To catch up on the first four steps of the turkey planning process, read the full series. It's time to plan, purchase or order a turkey for the big day. Whether you like your bird freshly processed or frozen, there are several options and sizes from which to choose. Some turkeys can go from frozen right to the oven. Over the weekend, I tried out a Jennie-O Oven Ready Bone-In Turkey. I was skeptical and so was my family. No thawing? It seemed too good to be true. It goes directly from freezer to oven and, because it cooks in a bag, the cleanup is a breeze. I just placed it (in its bag) into a foil pan with 2-inch sides, cut three small slits into the top of the bag and let ‘er roast for a couple hours. The pros: It’s gluten-free, …
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Follow along with Patch Home & Gardens writer Megan Swoyer as she prepares for Thanksgiving, with daily tips to keep readers on track. Today: Get out a pen and start The List.
Thanksgiving 2011 – and once again my husband and I are hosting! Things we work around to make the day special: health issues range from a teen with Crohn’s disease (sensitive to too many fat grams, digestive issues) to an adult who requires a gluten-free diet. With that, fat grams and wheat and gluten factors are top-of-mind (Example: there’s no way I can open a jar of, say, Spartan-brand gravy and call it a day … most mainstream canned and jarred gravy has wheat and gluten ingredients, not to mention fat grams aplenty). Other challenges: Between family members attending or volunteering at America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit and Lions football fans (especially this year!) glued to the television, it’s not always easy to have an ETD (…
42.56144
-83.18406
The Somerset Collection
2800 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI
/articles/the-12-days-of-thanksgiving-day-one-the-write-stuff
1542789
/locations/6483538
42.56144
-83.18406
Papyrus
2800 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI
/articles/the-12-days-of-thanksgiving-day-one-the-write-stuff
1544058
/locations/6483539
Alan Stamm
1:27 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Vienetta makes me smile, Geri, as does panettone from your people. I assume you modestly omitted other skillfully rendered selections in your repertoire such as struffoli, pizzelle, panforte and perhaps -- be still, my stomach -- Zuppa Inglese. Thanks for commenting. Mangia bene and Buon Natale to you and The Commissioner! more ›