As part of the dragon dance performed for Lunar New Year, Chef Dennis Chan offers a return of blessings for the dancer for doing the performance. The red envelope has money inside, which is a traditional gift elders give the young, or anyone in an elderly position gives someone to wish them financial luck and success in the coming year. Photo by Brandi Hill. Americans tend to think of the holiday season as the months of November and December, but cultures around the world hav

Originally from the Poon Yu village in Guangdong, China, my grandmother, Ngan Hoi Lee, and the Chinese side of my family later moved to Hong Kong. When I was a child, my grandma used to make these potstickers for our family, and when she lived with us, we would sit around the table and fill potstickers, freezing large batches to cook up later. (Our family would tease each other about who made the prettiest potstickers.) At every visit to my grandmother's home after I was grow

We like to eat shrimp during Lunar New Year because of its symbolic meaning of happiness, laughter and good fortune. The word shrimp in Chinese is “xia,” which sounds similar to the word for laughter, “xiao.” Eating seafood is an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations because seafood symbolizes abundance, prosperity and renewal. Photo by Melissa Marcarelli. Makes 15 Ingredients 1 packet spring roll wrappers ½ pound shrimp, deveined, cleaned ⅛ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon s

Top this gluten-free appetizer with pomegranate arils, goat cheese and pecans. Photo by Cole LoCurto. Serves 12 Ingredients 2 large, narrow sweet potatoes, peeled (about 3” in diameter) 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup finely chopped pecans 4 ounces soft goat cheese ¼ cup pomegranate arils 2 tablespoons raw honey Fresh rosemary leaves and flaky sea salt, for garnish Instructions Preheat oven to 425°. Slice sweet potatoes into ¼

Dark and moist, with chewy currants, these are flavored with cinnamon, clove, ginger and rich molasses. They are so versatile – cut them in bars or triangles. Not too sweet, so you could even eat them for breakfast (we won’t tell!). Photo by Amy Robb. Makes 2 dozen Ingredients 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup lig

This cake, with just a hint of cocoa, makes a spectacular finish to a holiday celebration. Photo by Stefanie Keeler. Serves 12-16 Ingredients 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup brewed coffee 3/4 cup molasses 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3 large eggs 2 tablespoons finely grated fr

Instead of using eggs and oil, this recipe calls for mayonnaise to add moisture to the cake layers. This was a common ingredient in baked goods during the Depression. Reprinted by permission from The Saltwater Table: Recipes from the Coastal South. Serves 10-12 Ingredients For the cake 1-1/2 cups sugar 6 tablespoons cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1-1/2 cups cold water 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups mayonnaise, pref

These bite-sized treats are perfect for a holiday dessert buffet. If you don’t have time for homemade pastry dough, look for frozen mini tart shells at the grocery store. Photo by Maria Conover. Makes 20 tarts Ingredients 1 whole egg 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup pecans, chopped 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Instructions

Gold and silver sparkly sugars make these fruity cookies pop on the holiday dessert buffet table. Photo by Cole LoCurto. Makes 2 dozen Ingredients 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1/3 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped 1/3 cup sugar Zest from 1 medium-sized orange 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut in ½-inch pieces 1 cup jam Instructions Preheat oven to 350°. In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, combine first six ingredients

With just four ingredients, this cookie makes an easy treat for a holiday tea party or a hostess gift. Photo by Amy Robb. Makes 2 dozen Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 2 cups unbleached flour 1/4 teaspoon salt Instructions Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar in large bowl. Combine flour and salt, then add to butter 1/4 cup at a time. Mix until well combined. Roll out dough until 1/4-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes, prick each piece

These twice-baked cookies add a flavorful crunch to a cookie swap, they store well and go great with coffee. Want even more deliciousness? Dip one end in melted white chocolate. Bring these crunchy biscotti as a hostess gift to your next party. Photo by Amy Robb. Makes 3 dozen Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanill

Take advantage of the mint chocolate chips sold during the holiday season and try this easy and delicious treat. The dough freezes well so you can make ahead and bake when it is time for a cookie exchange. Photo by Amy Robb. Makes 3 dozen Ingredients 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 (12-ounce) package mint chocolate

This dessert is a perfect marriage of gingerbread and oatmeal sandwich cookies. For those who don’t want too much spice, omit the black pepper and cayenne pepper. Photo by Cole LoCurto. Makes 15 Ingredients For cookies 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter, softene

This recipe brings sweet and savory fall flavors together in a chewy, cake-like cookie. Enjoy with a warm cup of coffee and good company. Photo by Maria Conover. Makes 3-1/2 dozen Ingredients 3/4 cup flour 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (use whole oats, not instant, for the chewiness they give the cookie) 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon Vietnamese cinnamon (or cinnamon of your choice) 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter 1/2 cup cream cheese 3/4 cup brown su

Ruby red bits of tart cranberries and local pecans add a festive touch to these simple, delicious cookies. Photo by Amy Robb. Makes 3 dozen Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped Instructions Preheat oven to 375°. Sift flour, baking soda and salt together and stir to com

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