Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Easy, Elegant Charcuterie Boards for Effortless Holiday Hosting

(Family Features) When holiday occasions call for you to don your hosting cap, skip complicated appetizers and hors d’oeuvres to instead serve sustainable charcuterie with sommelier-approved wine pairings. After all, simplicity can still equal premium flavor with the right meats, cheeses and libations. It doesn’t take a hosting expert or pairing professional to create a spread that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Charcuterie boards made with just a few ingredients can start the festivities on a high note by wowing loved ones with your pairing prowess. Amaze your guests (and even yourself) by starting with heritage breed pork in small-batch artisanal production from Niman Ranch, whose independent family farmers and ranchers raise all animals with no antibiotics or added hormones ever. Their commitment to humane practices and sustainability leads to the exceptional flavor and tenderness your crowd craves and can taste in every bite. Match the selection of meats – like prosciutto, genoa salame or capocollo in these recipes – with complementary cheeses and accents such as crostini, olives or even thyme-infused honey for an extra special touch. Finally, find the perfect bottle of wine for each board to round out a palate-pleasing spread that suits each guest’s preferred pairing profile. With flavor, sustainability and a personal touch, charcuterie can bring holiday occasions to life for you and your loved ones. Visit NimanRanch.com to find more seasonal inspiration and charcuterie solutions.

Prosciutto, Sottocenere and Aligote

• Niman Ranch Prosciutto
• Firm cheese, such as Sottocenere
• Toasted crostini
• Aligote wine

On a cheese board or platter, arrange buttery, silky prosciutto with Sottocenere, a firm cheese speckled with black truffle, or any firm cheese striped with dill or paprika or washed in ale. To round out these savory flavors, pair with Aligote, a white burgundy from France that’s citrusy but refined with hints of green apple and honeydew.  

Genoa Salame, Vintage Grand Ewe and Syrah

• Niman Ranch Genoa Salame
• Aged, firm sheep’s cheese, such as Vintage Grand Ewe
• Olives
• Syrah wine

On a cheese board or platter, arrange genoa salame, featuring the rich flavors pulled from the spices and wine used in its making. Pair with an aged, firm sheep’s cheese such as Vintage Grand Ewe, with notes of toasted almond, maple syrup and cultured butter. The sweetness of the cheese gives way to the genoa salame to be the star. Finish the board with skewered olives and serve with an unfussy red wine low in tannins like Syrah.  

Capocollo, Aged Cheddar, Thyme Honey and Txakoli

• Niman Ranch Capocollo
• Aged sharp cheddar cheese
• Thyme-infused honey
• Txakoli wine

Start your cheese board or platter with savory capocollo laced with pockets of cured fat that balance out the meat. Its mild smokiness works well with an aged sharp cheddar for a salty, intriguing but complementary match. Serve with a side of thyme-infused honey for herbaceous sweetness. Pair with Txakoli, a dry Spanish wine that’s easy to drink with hints of salt and pinesap. SOURCE: Niman Ranch

A Sweet, Seasonal Spice Cake

(Family Features) Pumpkin spice may be all the rage this time of year, but don’t forget another fruit that’s sure to please: sweet, delicious apples. For an ooey-gooey breakfast, office snack or potluck dessert, turn to this Apple Spice Cake that looks and tastes like it’s made for the season. Visit Culinary.net to discover more recipe inspiration.

Apple Spice Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 2          apples
• 3          tablespoons brown sugar
• 1          tablespoon cinnamon
• 1          tablespoon flour (optional)
• 1          box spice cake mix
• 1          stick butter, melted
• 4          eggs
• 1          cup milk

Glaze:

• 1 1/2    cups powdered sugar
• 2-3       tablespoons milk
• 1          cup chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Peel, core and chop apples into bite-sized pieces. In bowl, mix apples with brown sugar, cinnamon and flour, if desired, which helps keep apples from sinking to bottom. Set aside.
3. In large mixing bowl, mix spice cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Mix in apples and pour into 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4. Let cool.
5. To make glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk; pour over cooled cake.
6. Top with pecans.

SOURCE: Culinary.net

The fate of Lucky Supermarkets in SoCal

Link: https://stmdailynews.com/the-fate-of-lucky-supermarkets-in-socal/

Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Rod Washington

Holiday Desserts Just Got a Dairy-Forward Upgrade

(Family Features) Holiday desserts set the stage for seasonal delight and add a touch of joy to gatherings. From festive cookies to indulgent dips, these delicious desserts bring people together to create memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking to impress guests, Santa Cookies are the ultimate treat. Made with Maple Hill Salted Butter, they’re rich, soft and full of festive spirit. For a unique twist, try Gingerbread Dip, featuring vanilla Greek yogurt made with 100% grass-fed organic milk. Whether you’re hosting or deciding what to bring to the potluck, Maple Hill’s 100% grass-fed organic dairy makes it easy to whip up desserts that are as wholesome as they are delicious. Rich in nutrients and free from GMOs, hormones and antibiotics, each product comes from farms that prioritize regenerative practices as nature intended. With a 40% healthier ratio of omega 3:6 and 40% higher levels of CLA fatty acids compared to traditional organic dairy, you can feel good about sweet treats at the holiday table. To find more recipes, visit MapleHill.com.

Santa Cookies

Yield: 14 cookies

• 1          cup (2 sticks) Maple Hill Salted Butter, at room temperature
• 1/2       cup brown sugar
• 1          tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1          large egg, at room temperature
• 2 1/4    cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1          teaspoon red food coloring
• mini chocolate chips
• mini red chocolate-coated candies

Frosting:

• 1/2       cup (1 stick) Maple Hill Salted Butter, at room temperature
• 4          ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2    cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat until combined. Add flour and salt; mix until dough begins to form ball.
3. Remove 1 cup dough and set aside. Add red food coloring to remaining dough.
4. From red cookie dough, make one 1-inch ball and five 1/2-inch balls. From plain cookie dough, make one 3/4-inch ball and five 1/4-inch balls.
5. On prepared baking sheet, place red 1-inch ball and gently flatten until 1/2-inch thick. Attach four red 1/2-inch balls for arms and legs. Attach plain 3/4-inch ball for head and gently flatten until 1/2-inch thick. Attach plain 1/4-inch balls for hands and feet. Shape remaining red 1/2-inch ball into triangle for hat and attach. Repeat with remaining dough, arranging cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Add chocolate candies for eyes and buttons.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. To make frosting: In medium bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar; mix until combined.
8. To decorate: Place half of frosting in piping bag with small tip to line Santa’s arms and legs. Place other half in second piping bag with small star tip to add Santa’s beard, hat and hands. Put small dot of icing between eyes and beard and place red mini chocolate-coated candy on face for nose.

Gingerbread Dip

Servings: 8-12

• 4          ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
• 1/4       cup powdered sugar
• 3          tablespoons molasses
• 1          container (16 ounces) Maple Hill Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 1          teaspoon ground ginger
• 1          teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1          teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2          cups whipped cream
• graham crackers
• fruit

1. In medium bowl using electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and sugars about 1 minute. Add molasses and mix until combined.
2. Add Greek yogurt, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat until combined. Fold in whipped cream and mix until fully incorporated. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving or overnight.
3. Serve with graham crackers and fruit.

SOURCE: Maple Hill

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