Menus

From setting the table to serving the meal, we've got all the bases covered. Check out the articles in this section for tips and tricks to help you create the perfect menu for any occasion.

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Chicken and dumplings is a classic Southern comfort food dish, and fits the bill as a great home-cooked meal or fashionable menu item du jour.

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you're a holiday traditionalist at the dinner table, you're likely to have a turkey and a ham for the meat lovers. You could go the easy route and buy a pre-cooked ham, but where's the fun in that? Make your holiday ham your own.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Cooking a turkey is a huge job for any chef. Just the size of the bird itself can be intimidating, not to mention all of the horror stories associated with the ghosts of ruined turkeys past. But it's easier than ever to cook the perfect bird.

By Sara Elliott

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Sugar plums bring to mind memories of "The Nutcracker" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." While they are pretty labor-intensive to make, they easily can become a family tradition in your home year after year.

By Sara Elliott

One of the most highly anticipated holiday traditions in many households is the making and baking of Christmas cookies. From holiday-themed sugar cookies, to other goodies like seven-layer bars, these decadent treats are consumed gleefully.

By Emilie Sennebogen

The most important meal of the day deserves to be savored -- why not do it in beneath the sheets? Barring any rogue crumbs in your linens, breakfast in bed is a luxurious treat. We've got 10 themed menus that will start off the day deliciously.

By Cristen Conger & Emilie Sennebogen

The pressure of an economic slump might make even the most sophisticated diner crave tuna casserole. Choosing comfort food isn't just about reverting back to the worry-free days of childhood -- it's got a lot to do with tight budgets.

By Cristen Conger

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Ginger, cinnamon, cloves and molasses are what give gingerbread its unique flavor. And the fact that it hardens to the consistency of a graham cracker makes it ideal for crafty projects for the family, like building a gingerbread house.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Each culture has its own holidays, traditions and celebrations. And with each of these comes a unique menu to ward off spirits, pay homage to ancestors or bring good luck.

By Kathy Price-Robinson

For cooks, winter is often a time to resurrect favorite seasonal recipes that warm and comfort. These 10 meals will chase away the chill, taste amazing and keep the calorie count down, too.

By Echo Surina

School lunches used to be notoriously unhealthy, but recent concerns about childhood obesity have encouraged cafeterias to offer healthier menu items. Discover new food preparation techniques schools are implementing.

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Fast food is easy, convenient and perfect for the person on the go. Who doesn't love getting a hot, tasty meal delivered right to their door? Check out these mouth-watering fast food pictures.

Some dishes we only eat once a year on the appropriate holiday, which makes then even more dear to our hearts. How did these foods become tied to certain occasions?

By Debra Ronca

Unless you entertain all the time, hosting a get-together can be intimidating. But because there's no specific time for dining and other activities, an open house is a casual approach to having people over.

By Sara Elliott

When the weather is frigid and you've got a million holiday parties to attend, who has time to go to the gym? You'll have to find other ways to get moving and burning up those holiday calories.

By Sarah Winkler

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For over a generation, school children have been taught that the tongue could distinguish four tastes: salty, sweet, bitter and sour. But can kids taste one of these more than adults can?

By Sara Elliott

Pumpkin pie is so much a part of our American heritage that other uses for this nutrient-rich fruit tend to get overlooked. But canned pumpkin can be enjoyed in many other recipes, from smoothies and cakes soups to cocktails.

By Alison Cooper & Kathy Price-Robinson

Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends and to express gratitude for the year's accomplishments. Don't let the after-dinner dishes put a damper on your holiday.

By Heather Kolich

Bring the holiday down to their size with familiar favorites and kid-sized versions of traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

By Heather Kolich

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Instead of simply reheating your leftovers for a second Thanksgiving dinner, getting creative can turn your leftovers into new family favorites.

By Jessica Brown

As you sit post-holiday meal, slumped in your chair all bloated and listless, the only words running through your head are, "Why did I eat so much?" But food comas are just another in the long list of holiday traditions.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Food prices have been steadily rising and it can be a challenge to find food for less than five dollars. Do you know where to look? Explore our gallery and discover where you can find some cheap treats!

Apple cider conjures up images of hayrides through colorful leaves and the scent of wood-burning stoves. And while it's readily available year-round in stores, you can whip up your own batch, too.

By Emilie Sennebogen

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Harvest rituals can be found around the world, in almost every culture. They're used to give thanks and appease the gods for a bountiful growing season. But how do they vary from place to place?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Your child may not like to eat spinach but loves gulping down smoothies. So why not puree the dark greens with blueberries for a covert nutrition operation? That's not the only sneaky idea we've got.

By Gallagher Flinn