YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions

There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.
Bay of Fundy Salmon.

Welcome Home

When Allie’s Beach Street Cafe closed last spring, all of Manchester wondered what might be next for the space in the heart of downtown. The answer is 35 Beach, a completely reimagined eatery with a new, beautiful interior and a fusion menu.

Alex Pineda and Noe Ortega are The New Landing

The Landing in Marblehead has been a mainstay restaurant for decades, but in recent years a new operations team and two chefs with a big Boston pedigree has taken over. Kris McGinn checked it out.

<p>Craterellus ignicolor</p>

Mushroom of the Week: Fungal Fruitings

All of our seemingly endless summer rains have produced some interesting fungal fruitings! Typically, we have a mid-summer drought, or worse, and can only collect fall species, but this year, we …
<p><em>courtesy image</em></p>

The Pink Moment: Mayflour Bakery Shines in Essex

For the past five years, Kris McGinn has been praying that a bakery would open in Essex. Wth Mayflour Bakery opening, her call is answered.
<p>Chicken of the Woods.  Its bright orange colors can shine through the woods</p>

Mushroom of the Week: Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the Woods is one of the “Top 4” easiest edible mushrooms to identify.   It is right up there with Morels, Puffballs, and the Shaggy Mane. Its bright orange colors can shine …

Mushroom of the Week: The White Button Mushroom

<p>Slate plate with cremini mushrooms on table</p>

The common White Button Mushroom is probably the most famous fungal fruiting body of them all.  It is found in virtually every grocery store in the world.   Eaten raw, or cooked, it is an …

The Caprese Fantastica (above) with burrata stracciatella, organic cherry tomatoes, and grilled Virgilios ciabatta is a popular new menu item, but the Cobb Salad (below) is a loved staple.
SPRING IS THE BUFFER SEASON, when daylight savings time brings an extra hour of sunlight, and the cool air starts to warm.  Summer’s coming, and locals start thinking about outdoor dining around …
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Vidalia’s — Hello Again
Melissa is trying to understand what the space should be.  She is standing in the middle of the sun filled room, toggling between produce, baked goods, artisanal groceries, and the insanely good …
Brick Caps, Hypholoma lateritium, (Photo: Bernard Spragg)
The Joys of Winter Mushrooms
It may be surprising, but one can find a few edible wild mushrooms during wintertime.  The good thing is that hunting them gives you something to do while you’re cross-country skiing or walking in …
<p>Black Trumpet Mushroom</p>
Mushroom Of The Week: Black Trumpet Martinis Anyone?
It is a long-standing tradition in Scandinavia, and more recently in North America, to infuse vodkas, aquavit, and other high-test distillates with local mushrooms, particularly Black Trumpets or …

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Food stories from around the web

Less stress. More magic. Holiday hosting made simple.

(BPT) - It's December. And you know what that means. It's time to finish that list and check it twice. Nobody is feeling the holiday bustle quite like the host. From buying the gifts to wrapping the …

Elevate Your Holiday Gatherings with Organic Tequila: Tips, Cocktails, and Cheer

(BPT) - The holiday season is the perfect time to create lasting memories with family and friends, whether at an intimate dinner or a lively gathering. One of the simplest ways to impress your guests …

Ready, Set, Entertain! 5 Must-Have Tools for Holiday Hosting

(BPT) - From big brunches to cozy dinners, get ready for holiday gatherings with kitchen tools that will delight your guests and make hosting easier. Here are five products that will elevate your …
5 easy tips for hosting a festive holiday brunch
(BPT) - The holidays are all about bringing friends and family together, and there's no better way to enjoy company than with a festive holiday brunch. With a bit of planning and some creative …
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with a Better-for-You Swap
(Culinary.net) Baking doesn't have to be hard when you make simple swaps and use ingredients that keep things easy.
Perfect Homemade Holiday Decor with a Pop
(Culinary.net) These Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls join forces for a dashingly decorative and delicious dessert that show off your festive side.
7 delicious ways to add fruits and vegetables to your holiday feast
(BPT) - Holiday gatherings are all about friends, family, and fabulous food — and adding more fruits and veggies to the mix can be a great way to keep the party delicious and nutritious. Only 1 …
Transform Holiday Leftovers into Vibrant, Flavorful Meals
(Family Features) Reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this comforting Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie or spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos.
Recipes, tips & food info

Harvest Sides for Your Holiday Feast

(Family Features) Don't let turkey and ham have all the fun this holiday season. After all, you know your guests are likely to have plates piled high with all their favorite festive side dishes.

Pop Your Way to a Cozy Holiday Party

(Family Features) Holiday celebrations tend to bring out everyone's best and brightest, and this year you can pair the sparkle and magic of the season with the heartwarming comfort of cozy foods like these Festive Popcorn Trees.

Elevated Holiday Entertaining: Fresh sips and apps to celebrate the season

(Family Features) For many, the hallmark of the holiday season is time with cherished loved ones, and there are few better places to spend those special moments together than gathered around a beautiful seasonal spread.

Tips to help prevent holiday kitchen fires (and what to do if you have one)

(BPT) - The holidays are just around the corner and for many people, that means big plans. It's about traditional family recipes, new favorite dishes and your loved ones gathered around the table …

Make your holiday meals pop with pomegranates

(BPT) - Are you planning your menu for an upcoming holiday dinner? There are so many recipes to choose from when deciding on the main dish, sides and desserts.This year, make your holiday dinner pop …

Dark Sweet Cherries Are Key to Secretly Healthy Holiday Sides

(BPT) - The holiday season is here, and that means celebrations and gatherings are in the works. And where celebrations and gatherings are found, so are indulgent dishes to complement and enhance the …
Hassle-Free Holiday Hosting: Registered Dietitian Shares Tips & Recipes
(BPT) - With the holiday season quickly approaching, entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful. Start gatherings with easy, flavorful appetizers like La Panzanella® Croccantini and …
4 cookbooks to inspire your holiday meals
(BPT) - Cooking is so much more than just heating up something for dinner. It's about feeding your family, gathering in the kitchen while sauces are simmering and talking about the day, and showing …
A culinary trip through Italy: 5 delicious destinations
(BPT) - Dreaming about a trip to Italy? Italy is a magical, mystical blend of timeless history and artistic masterpieces, scenery that will take your breath away, warm, friendly people who will make …
Wegovy diet plan: What foods to eat and avoid while taking semaglutide
Ro details dietary choices that may help Wegovy's capacity to regulate appetite and foster a healthier weight as well as potentially alleviate some of the drug's common side effects.
How to design your holidays with love of nature
(BPT) - Do you love everything about the natural world, from the colors and textures to the smells and sounds? Have you considered incorporating your love of nature more in your home design, …

Fall into Cafécore: Your Guide to a Home Café Setup

(BPT) - Feeling nostalgic for the ambiance of neighborhood coffee shops before takeout and apps became the norm? You're not alone. In early 2024, Pinterest predicted a trend called Cafécore, …

Anheuser-Busch Celebrates American Growers

America’s farmers grow top ingredients to the cheers of beer drinkers.

(NAPSI)—Behind every sip of Anheuser-Busch’s industry-leading beers is a farmer who worked hard to grow the high-quality rice, barley, corn, or hops inside that beer. That is why Anheuser-Busch …

Add Fresh Grape Flavor to Holiday Festivities

(Culinary.net) This Lemony Grapes and Greens Salad offers an easy, impressive dish. 

More food ideas

(BPT) - What do you enjoy most during the Holly Days? If you answered "festive eats" you're not alone! Food brings people together and adds good cheer all around when you get to spend extra time with …
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