A new year is always celebrated — maybe even revered — for its boundless possibilities.

Seeing those empty 365 days on the calendar as a blank slate, we can't help but feel optimistic when January rolls around. We resolve to improve our relationships, exercise more, stop smoking, curtail drinking and generally just live life to the fullest....Read more

Christmas cookie exchanges and cocoa with Santa notwithstanding, here's a culinary tradition worth trying during the month of December: the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Traditionally celebrated by Italian-American families and fans of Italian food on Dec. 24, the meatless Italian meal features seven courses (and sometimes many more), each with a ...Read more

Friendsgiving, usually celebrated around Thanksgiving, and white elephant exchanges, typically held around the winter holidays, both involve the gathering of family, friends and/or coworkers. Perhaps not as commonly celebrated — at least by a proper name — but equally fun and easy to implement this time of year is “The Great Holiday Swap ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Cheese boards are the ultimate party platter during the holidays, including on New Year's Eve, because who among us doesn't like to nibble a little of this and nosh a bit of that while sipping on a flute of Champagne?

Yet for the person in charge of assembling said board, especially one who can't tell a sharp English cheddar from...Read more

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and for those hosting a family dinner, there can be a lot of pressure when it comes to preparing the perfect meal.

Luckily, there’s alcohol.

Besides the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, there are also drinks to be served. Why not step it up an ounce or two with some fancy...Read more

PITTSBURGH — During the pandemic, Bill Semins was happy to have a lot more free time on his hands. However, because all his favorite restaurants and bars were forced to close during the lockdown, he had nowhere to go for a great adult beverage.

So the Pittsburgh lawyer took on a task he normally would have left to the professionals: creating ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — There was some extra octane in the snifters this year when the research began on my annual holiday whiskey list. As my trusty panel of neighbors, friends, and spirits geeks gathered to sip and sift through the candidates, we were looking at a surprising number of new labels boasting triple-digit proofs. That’s because American...Read more

New Year’s Eve may traditionally include a glass of champagne and/or a kiss with a special someone, but come New Year’s Day, the traditions all encompass what’s on the menu.

Specifically in the South, eating a bowl of black-eyed peas and collard greens has become the standard on New Year’s Day. Many celebrating the new year might just ...Read more

Hanukkah, a.k.a. major brisket season, is here. A classic Jewish holiday food, brisket is a cinch to prepare and a great accompaniment to latkes, which require much more hands-on attention. One large brisket can feed many and last for several meals (it's better the next day and improves every day thereafter), easing the cooking pressure for the ...Read more

We have dipped back into our archives and to republish some of our top cookie recipes.

Happy baking!

Brickle

60 or more saltine crackers

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 (12-ounce) package chocolate chips

Chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cover large jelly roll pan (about 13 by 15 inches) with foil. Coat ...Read more

We all love our turkey and many of us would find it hard to turn down a piece of homemade pumpkin pie, especially if it's served with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. But we also know the truth about America's favorite food-focused holiday: Thanksgiving would be nothing more than a boring turkey dinner if not for the cornucopia of side dishes...Read more

For many, deciding what to make with any leftover Thanksgiving turkey is as simple as grabbing two slices of white bread and a jar of mayo.

Others prefer to toss the roasted meat with noodles, mushrooms and cheese in a creamy casserole such as tetrazzini or tuck it into a golden pastry crust in a scrumptious pot pie. My family's personal ...Read more