First up - my mom's German Drop Cookies. Made with 4 simple ingredients - butter, sugar, pecans and flour. They're my kids' favorites.
Recipe: German Drop Cookies
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Swedish Almond Butter Cookies
Next, Mandel Kakor, Swedish butter cookies made with what seems like an ungodly amount of almond extract. I'm always tempted to toss in some ground almonds too—maybe this will be the year. Sweet and buttery, I just adore these cookies.
Recipe:Swedish Almond Butter Cookies
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Cheddar Lasagna
Alas, man cannot live on cookies alone. So to feed a crowd, I'll bake this lasagna made with a bechamel sauce and plenty of sharp Cheddar cheese.
Recipe:Cheddar Lasagna
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Mississippi Caviar
When I read this recipe, it did nothing for me. But then I tasted it. Fresh and bright, it's perfect on chips, alongside a steak, rolled up in fajitas or simply spooned out of a bowl.
Recipe:Mississippi Caviar
This recipe is a lil' burst of sunshine in December. It's great for brunch, with a strata or for dessert. And the fresh citrus makes it a refreshing respite from all the season's rich foods.
Recipe:Six-Fruit Compote
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Cheese Gougeres
Who can balance a plate, a fork and a glass of wine? Not me. That's why I love these cheese puffs. They're super easy to pop in your mouth at parties while holding a glass of wine and talking. Who says I can't multitask?
Recipe:Cheese Gougeres
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Lemon Frozen Yogurt With Blackberries
Creamy, sweet, light and perfect for lemon lovers, this is my go-to dessert.
Recipe:Lemon Frozen Yogurt
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Rosa di Parma
Simply put, this recipe is the bomb. I make it for most special occasions. It's not cheap, the beef tenderloin will set you back about $75 alone. But stuffed with cheese, spinach and proscuitto, it's worth every penny.
Recipe:Rosa di Parma
Mark Boughton/styling: Teresa Blackburn
Red Apple Salad with Oranges and Feta
My go-to salad. Again, this recipe makes use of the season's great citrus. Use tangerines, clementines or oranges. Combined with feta, sweet apples and peppery arugula it rocks the house.
Recipe:Red Apple Salad with Oranges and Feta
Mark Boughton/ styling: Teresa Blackburn
Jill Melton, Editor-in-Chief
In December it will be tough to find me; I'll be living in a perpetual cloud of flour and sugar, baking up goodies for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, family and friends.
