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Design a holiday table with foraged finds from the garden. Photos by Jenna Alexander. Gathering at the table during the holidays is about community and the love of family and friends. One of my favorite traditions of the season is when my mother, sister and I set the table together; this ritual has become a moment of joyful creativity in what can otherwise be hectic days. Our tabletop design is based on foraging for what is readily available in the yard, along with some seaso

Include locally grown flowers, fruit and greenery for a seasonal tablescape. Seasonal fruit and other produce add unique accents to a floral arrangement. Photos by Sara Schober. When planning your holiday meals around seasonal produce, an easy way to add colorful elements toyour table is to let nature’s bounty also be a centerpiece. Just like fruits and vegetables have specificharvest times throughout the year, so too do locally grown flowers. To get you started on creatinga

These crafts use supplies that are easy to find around the house and in the kitchen. Photos by Shannon Rose Greene. Seed Paper Gift Tags This project is perfect for eco-conscious gift-givers who want to add a personal touch. These seed paper gift tags are beautiful and plantable – once the tag has served its purpose, the recipient canplant it in the garden and watch the seeds grow. This recipe makes approximately 12-14 tags, depending on size. You’ll need: Blender Flat, recta

The art of wrapping goods and gifts using fabric has gained in popularity over the years Tea towels or other fabric create a custom look and become a usable present for the recipient. Photos by Julie Christman. For a fun and creative way to adorn a gift without using paper that just gets tossed away, try wrapping presents in tea towels à la the furoshiki method. Added bonus of using this no-waste technique? You’re giving a gift within a gift. In Japanese culture, furoshiki re

This easy-to-make plant-based and gluten-free treat is perfect for holiday cookie tins. Decorate with natural sprinkles using unsweetened coconut. Photo by Melissa Marcarelli. Makes 12-16 Ingredients For cookies 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted ¼ cup pure maple syrup 1-½ cups almond flour ¼ cup tapioca flour ⅛ tsp salt ¼ tsp baking soda F or icing (makes approximately 2 cups) 1-½ cups raw cashews (soak in boiling water for 1 hour minimum) ¼ cup pure maple syrup ¼ tsp salt 1

This was the winning recipe at the Omni Amelia Island Resort Plantation’s 2019 Holiday Cookie Competition. Photo by Cole LoCurto. Makes 12 macarons Ingredients For macarons 1-½ cups granulated sugar 3 tablespoons plus 1-½ teaspoons water 8 egg whites, divided 2 cups almond flour 2-2/3 cups powdered sugar 1/2 tablespoon brown gel color For buttercream filling 2 cups (4 sticks) butter, unsalted, room temperature 2 cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or another flavo

Whether you bake these for the holidays or in the middle of summer, these cookies are a crowd-pleasing treat. Photo by Cole LoCurto. Makes 2 dozen Ingredients 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons cream of tartar 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 eggs 1 egg yolk 3 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup toffee bits 1-1/2 cups butterscotch chips 1 cup milk chocolate chip

Salt dough ornaments are a fun and eco-friendly way to decorate for the holidays. Photo by Elise Crigar. The holidays don’t have to come with a mountain of trash bags. If you want to have a more eco-friendly season, choose reusable first, compostable second and recyclable last. That hierarchy keeps the focus on materials that flow back into everyday life instead of into the landfill.  Decorate plain paper with potato stencil stamps for a kid-friendly DIY. Photo by Shannon Ros

When it comes time to find a special gift, think local! Supporting small businesses is an opportunity to purchase gifts while ensuring your hard-earned dollars stay in your local community. Here's a selection of gifts to get you started from some of our favorite #officialediblepartners. Gifts Beyond the Ordinary BLACK FIG + CO.  Black Fig & Co. specializes in elevated charcuterie boards, boxes, grazing tables and event styling. Inclusive catering, creative, qual­ity and thou

Add these little gnocchi pillows to your favorite soup or on a salad. Leftover turkey or vegetable soups work great. These also work well with grilled shrimp or lobster topped with a citrus butter sauce. Photo by Nick Hogan. Serves 6 - 8 Ingredients 1 cup leftover sweet potatoes, mashed 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes 1 egg ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter Instructions Mix together the sweet potat

Transform the morsels of your holiday meal into a savory bread pudding using an assortment of rolls, croissants, Pullman loaf, dense white sandwich bread or any combination of leftover bread. Photo by Nick Hogan. Serves 8-12 Ingredients ⅓ cup canola oil 5 tablespoons butter 3 cups sliced mushrooms Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons leftover white or red wine 2 carrots, diced 3 celery sticks, diced 1 sweet onion, diced 16 cups bread cubes 5-6 cups turkey or chicken

Some of the baked goodies sell out, like buttery croissants, muffins and brownies, so you might want to make those types of vendors your first stop. Photo by Michelle Calloway. Remember the advice to never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry because you will grab the wrong things? You can forget that suggestion the next time you head to the farmers’ market. Bring your appetite along with your shopping list, because our local markets offer a wide range of dining options. If

Nourishing your way through the holidays This season is one of abundance, with good food, great company and a busy pace that can easily disrupt our regular routine. Meals will get skipped in a rush, and our arrival at a destination might coincide with hunger and hasty food choices. Grazing with intention offers an alternative to this holiday hustling. Balanced and mindful snacking can help maintain steady energy levels, encourage mindful eating and allow for enjoyment of fes

This updated take on a traditional dish, featuring a smoky Cheddar mornay sauce and crunchy topping, is not your grandma’s creamed spinach! Photo by Sara Schober. Serves 10-12 Ingredients For the creamed kale 7 ounces uncooked bacon, cut crossways in ½-inch pieces 4 tablespoons butter 1 medium yellow onion, diced small 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin 1/2 cup flour 1-1/2 ounces white wine 3 cups milk 1-1/2 tablespoons salt 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper, ground 1/8 teaspoon c

Around Down to Earth farm they get overwhelmed with sweet potatoes in the fall and are always looking for unique ways to use them. Farmer Brian's friend Donna Fritsche introduced him to this savory method for dealing with their tuber abundance. Photo by Sara Schober. Serves 6-8 Ingredients 6 medium sweet potatoes (similar-sized for even roasting) 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature Zest and juice of 1 lime Juice of 1 tangerine 1-2 teaspoons chipotle peppers in adobo, ch

The bitter flavor of turnips mellows in this creamy side dish, a great alternative to scalloped potatoes. Photo by Wesley Parsons. Serves 6 Ingredients 1 large head garlic 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 turnips, peeled 1-1/2 cups grated Muenster cheese 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened 3/4 cup vegetable stock 3/4 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon ground coriander Rosemary, for garnish Instructions Preheat oven to 325°. Drizzle vegetable oil all over he

Roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa ) is a relative of okra. After flowers bloom on the plants, calyces form, which are composed of tart sepals (petals) surrounding seed pods. The sepals can be used as an alternative to cranberries. Photo by Sara Schober. Makes 2 Half-Pints Ingredients 2 quarts whole roselle calyces, including seed pods 1 cup filtered water 3/4 cup sugar, approximately Juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon grated orange zest Instructions Tear off th

Try this savory alcohol-free beverage for a seasonal sipper. Photo by Amanda Rosenblatt. Serves 4 Ingredients 3 cups pomegranate juice (unsweetened) 1 cup red grape juice 1 cup cranberry juice (optional) 1 orange, sliced into rounds 2-3 fresh sage leaves 2 cinnamon sticks 3 whole cloves 1 star anise pod 4 thin slices fresh ginger 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar Rosemary sprigs or orange wheels, for garnish Instructions Combine juices, fruit, sage and spices in a large saucepan

Photos by Amanda Rosenblatt. When it comes to creating a beautiful grazing board, my rule of thumb is simple: be intentional, not fussy. The key to a successful grazing board is thoughtful planning and arrangement that allows your ingredients to shine while presenting an inviting display for your guests. PLANNING Portion Guidelines: • Appetizer: 2 ounces cheese + 1-½ ounces cured meats per person • Main course: 3-½-4 ounces cheese + 3½-4 ounces cured meats per person Consid

In the bleak midwinter – or what passes for it here in Northeast Florida – perhaps nothing signifies a southern Christmas more than the vibrant seasonal plants we bring into our homes. Poinsettias, in all shapes and colors; the heraldic trumpets of amaryllis; paperwhite narcissus's stalks of pure white stars; and the equally festive Christmas cactus in all shades of pink, red, purple, orange and white. One benefit of living in the northern subtropics is the fact that these pl