Vegetarian
Spiced Pear Hand Pies
Tami Hardeman, blogger (Running with Tweezers) and creator of these delightful desserts, says of her recipe, "I have to be honest - it's really all about the compote filling that gets folded up into these little pockets. It's chock full of the Indian-inspired spices that I crave with baked fruit: ginger, cardamom, cinnamon. The recipe makes more of this fruit filling than you'll need - save the rest of it in a mason jar for stuffed french toast, some melted brie on toast or stirred into yogurt."
Pear and Spinach Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
Tender spinach is tossed with sliced fennel bulb and sweet pears in this simple salad that delivers complex flavor. Make it an entree salad by adding 4 ounces of grilled chicken per person.
Crunchy Vegetable Salad with Pears and Creamy Cheddar Dressing
From the kitchen of food blogger Hilary Finch Hutler of tummyrumblr.com comes beautiful and fresh take on a classic salad combination: fruit, nuts, and cheese. Toasted hazelnuts are the perfect match for sweet, ripe pears, and finely grated vintage cheddar cheese adds plenty of interest to the classic buttermilk dressing.
Caramelized Bosc Pears with Hazelnut Butter
Nationally renowned Chef Matthew Lightner of Atera in New York City is known for his special flair with seasonal ingredients. In this elegant-yet-approachable dish, Bosc pears are basted in caramel and served with homemade hazelnut butter and crunchy roasted hazelnuts. A scoop of good vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to this fragrant and flavorful dessert.
Braised Pears with a Soy-Ginger Glaze
This delightful side dish can be made 1 to 2 days before serving. Refrigerate in a covered container. Serve this dish with grilled pork tenderloin or chops. It would also be delicious with roast or grilled chicken.
Balsamic-Glazed Pear and Goat Cheese Crostini
A new favorite recipe for pear lovers, this appetizer is incredibly delicious...and can be prepared in a snap! The balsamic glaze is the perfect complement to the sweet pear and salty goat cheese.
Trail Mix Porridge
EFFORT: NOT MUCH
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 6 HOURS
KEEPS ON WARM: 1 HOUR The ingredient list is designed for use in a medium (4- to 5 1/2-quart) slow cooker. See the cook's notes for ingredient lists for small (2- to 3 1/2-quart) and large (6- to 8-quart) models.
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 6 HOURS
KEEPS ON WARM: 1 HOUR The ingredient list is designed for use in a medium (4- to 5 1/2-quart) slow cooker. See the cook's notes for ingredient lists for small (2- to 3 1/2-quart) and large (6- to 8-quart) models.
By Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough
Challah
Sweetened with honey and made with either milk or water, this simply braided, sesame-crusted challah recipe makes four loaves, so you’ll have plenty for your Rosh Hashanah celebration and the days following.
By Einat Admony
Lime-Soy-Ginger Sauce
This simple sauce goes well with spring rolls as a dipping sauce. Also, it makes a good marinade for seafood. I once served grilled trout marinated in this sauce to a friend who disliked fish—it completely changed his mind!
By Ying Chang Compestine
How to Toast Nuts
You can toast nuts in the oven or in a skillet. The toasting time will vary depending on the size of the nuts. Larger nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds take longer than smaller nuts such as peanuts, pine nuts, or macadamia nuts. Once cool, store them in an airtight container.
By Ying Chang Compestine
Happy Family
There's a dish in China called "Happy Family," which consists of various ingredients. Growing up, my mother's version of "Happy Family" was stir-fried colorful, seasonal fresh vegetables. She would encourage my brothers and me to eat more of it so we would be in harmony.
Fresh vegetables are quickly stir-fried to retain their snap and color for a vibrant presentation. Any leftovers can be served with warm pasta.
By Ying Chang Compestine
Crispy Spring Rolls with Spicy Tofu, Vegetables, and Toasted Nuts
I love visiting Buddhist temples in Asia, not for religious reasons but because I enjoy the food served in their restaurants. This recipe was inspired by the fried vegetarian spring rolls I ate at the Shaolin Temple.
While I enjoy crispy fried spring rolls, I dislike their high calorie count and the mess from deep-frying them. I found that by brushing a little olive oil on these rolls and broiling them in the oven, they came out just as crispy and delicious.
By Ying Chang Compestine
Pies-N-Thighs Biscuits
To make ahead, freeze the cutout biscuits in plastic bags. Bake frozen, increasing cooking time to 45–55 minutes.
Green Peanut Butter Smoothie
A vegan green smoothie with some depth: I love the subtle savory quality the kale adds to the classic PB–banana combo.
By Dawn Perry
Spicy Spiked Hot Chocolate
The addition of an anise-flavored liqueur turns this hot cocoa into the liquid version of chocolate-covered licorice.
Peanut Butter–Sriracha Toast
The fresh herbs and scallion might seem strange, but they work. And the hot sauce? Makes anything better.
By Carla Lalli Music
Macaroni and Cheese
Garrett McCord, coauthor with Stephanie Stiavetti of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese, created this recipe exclusively for Epicurious. A completely traditional take on the ultimate comfort food casserole, we think this is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, it's a flexible recipe that can easily be tinkered with to suit your family's mac 'n' cheese preferences.
If you really like the crunchy topping, go ahead and add more—use an additional 1/2 cup of panko, an extra 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter, and a slightly larger handful of shredded cheese. Want more assertive cheesiness? Experiment with different Cheddars, including aged versions. And of course, feel free to add your favorite extras like raw or roasted broccoli or cauliflower, or crisp cooked bacon.
For more on mac 'n' cheese, including tips from McCord and more mix-in ideas, see Classic Recipes: Macaroni and Cheese.
By Garrett McCord
Matcha Panna Cotta
Matcha, made by grinding up dried green tea leaves to a powdery consistency, has a distinct earthy, sweet flavor that carries through in this creamy panna cotta. And since you consume the leaf directly in this dessert, instead of brewing it, the antioxidant levels are even higher.
By Frances Largeman-Roth