Food and Beverage
Make Homemade Pizza the Centerpiece of Holiday Parties
Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Make Homemade Pizza the Centerpiece of Holiday Parties
(Family Features) During a season of turkey dinners and festive cocktails, those rich holiday staples may start feeling heavy. When it’s time to reset with a lighter, delicious homemade dinner, try a seasonally appropriate pizza as a simple solution for returning to routine. In fact, regardless of season, pizza remains one of the most popular food choices in the country. According to Current’s “Pizza Wars” survey, which explored preferences and habits among 6,500 respondents in America’s most populous metropolitan areas, the average respondent ordered nearly five pizzas per month. With New York-style rating as the top preference and pepperoni as the favorite topping, the survey found Americans would have to be paid an average of more than $14 million to give up pizza for life. Additionally, 45% of respondents identified undercooked pizza dough as the worst “pizza crime.” To help avoid that fate, experienced pizzaioli and everyday home cooks alike are turning more often to electric pizza ovens, which deliver restaurant-quality pies without gas or open flames. Energy efficient with capabilities for both indoor and outdoor use, they’re a versatile solution for apartment dwellers and those crafting homemade pizzas any time of year. Building on a mission to reimagine cooking with electric technology that’s smarter, cleaner and more sustainable, the Current Model P Smart Oven Pizza reaches 850 F, perfect for Neapolitan-style pizzas ready in just 2 minutes, such as this Truffle Mushroom Pizza that’s an ideal fit for complementing all those heavy holiday meals with a lighter weeknight bite. Its design combined with a cordierite 12-inch cooking stone ensures uniform heat for authentic, crispy crusts with multiple cooking modes, giving you the versatility to cook any way you like. Controlling through a smartphone app offers digital temperature monitoring along with chef-curated recipes or a “pizza build calculator,” which takes the guesswork out of pizza-making – you can personalize a 12-inch pizza with your chosen amount of sauce, cheese, toppings and even dough thickness, and the app will compute a customized time and temperature for perfect cooking. A thoughtful gift for foodies and gadget fanatics alike, you can bring the joy of pizza to the holiday season with these topping ideas and celebration inspiration:- Bring comfort to winter with toppings like sausage, roasted squash, mushrooms, caramelized onions and smoked gouda.
- Take advantage of leftovers from holiday gatherings with a pizza that includes brie, cranberry drizzle, roasted turkey and spiced butternut squash.
- For a sweet treat, top with hazelnut spread and marshmallows – perfect for capping off holiday parties.
- To get loved ones involved, host a pizza party swap where friends and family create pies with favorite seasonal toppings.
- Host a DIY pizza bar allowing guests to personalize their own pizza creations, a delicious way to wind down the festivities.
Truffle Mushroom Pizza
Recipe courtesy of Chef Trimmell Hawkins, Current Cream Sauce:- Oil or butter, for sauteeing
- 1/4 cup onions, small diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms (such as baby portobello, button or shiitake), minced
- 1 tablespoon picked thyme
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons truffle oil
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 pizza dough
- grated or fresh mozzarella cheese
- mushrooms
- spinach (optional)
- cooked sausage (optional)
- To make cream sauce: In saucepan over medium heat, add oil or butter. Saute onions until translucent then add garlic and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms release moisture and begin to caramelize.
- Stir in picked thyme and cook 1 minute to release oils.
- Add heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer. Let it reduce slightly, 5-7 minutes.
- In small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make slurry. Slowly whisk into simmering cream sauce until it reaches desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in truffle oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- To prepare pizza: Preheat Current Model P Smart Pizza Oven to 850 F. While oven heats up, roll dough out to 8-12 inches and add desired amount of cream sauce.
- Top with mozzarella, mushrooms, spinach and sausage, as desired. Once oven is hot, cook pizza 2 minutes until bubbly.
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Beverages
Grazing and Gifting: Sweet Solutions for the Holiday Rush
Grazing and Gifting: hMake holiday entertaining and gifting easy with Florida Citrus. Discover delightful recipes—like Scallops with Grapefruit Butter and Citrus Salad with Burrata—and send sweet, healthy citrus gift baskets to loved ones for a memorable, stress-free season.
Grazing and Gifting: Sweet Solutions for the Holiday Rush
(Family Features) If you feel yourself slipping into the last-minute rush of the holiday season, still searching for dazzling recipes and abundant gifts, rest assured – you’re not alone. Light, refreshing ingredients for spectacular meals are just a click away, and they can make for the perfect presents, too.
Abundantly sweet and simple, Florida Citrus Gifts are a simple way to share holiday cheer with family, friends and loved ones. From cheerful boxes to beautiful baskets and more, they offer options in all shapes and sizes, loaded with freshly picked tangerines, grapefruits, oranges and mandarins. They’re easy to send and even easier to enjoy, providing a one-of-a-kind (and healthy) way to share holiday cheer in memorable meals like Scallops with Florida Grapefruit Butter, sure to become a household favorite for years to come. Pair it with a light and refreshing Florida Citrus Salad with Burrata featuring fresh grapefruit and oranges mingling with peppery arugula and creamy burrata to bring a bit of balance to holiday dining. No festivity is complete without libations, and this Florida Grapefruit Brandy Sour can be a staple at your beverage station. Just mix freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit juice with brandy, simple syrup, bitters and egg white (for froth) then finish with sparkling water. Find deliciously thoughtful ways to share the sweetness of the season with loved ones by visiting PickFLA.com, which features an interactive map to find a range of gift options that fit your holiday needs. 
Florida Grapefruit Brandy Sour
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 1- 1 3/4 ounces brandy
- 2 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit Juice
- 1/3 ounce simple syrup, or to taste
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 egg white
- ice cubes
- 1 ounce sparkling water
- Florida Grapefruit twist, for garnish
- In cocktail shaker, add brandy, Florida Grapefruit juice, simple syrup, bitters and egg white. Shake vigorously 15-20 seconds to create frothy texture.
- Add ice cubes to shaker and shake 15 seconds to chill drink.
- Strain into chilled coupe or rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Pour light splash of sparkling water over top to enhance effervescence.
- Garnish with grapefruit twist.
Scallops with Florida Grapefruit Butter
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 3 minutes Servings: 4- 2 Florida Grapefruit
- 1 fennel bulb
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for searing, divided
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon, plus 1 pinch, salt, divided, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon, plus 1 pinch, pepper, divided, to taste
- 1 small bunch fresh cilantro
- 12 scallops with empty shells
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Peel and cut one Florida Grapefruit into segments. Squeeze remaining grapefruit and reserve juice.
- Wash and finely chop fennel. In bowl, mix fennel with olive oil, sherry vinegar and 1 pinch salt and pepper.
- Mix and add fresh cilantro. Keep a few leaves for garnish.
- In hot frying pan, drizzle with olive oil then sear scallops 1 minute on each side.
- Remove scallops from pan then deglaze with reserved Florida Grapefruit juice. Let it simmer slightly and add butter to make sauce. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Place 1 tablespoon fennel salad in washed shell, top with three scallops and coat with grapefruit butter.
- Finish with reserved cilantro leaves and fresh grapefruit segments.
Florida Citrus Salad with Burrata
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus Florida Citrus Vinaigrette:- 1/3 cup Florida Grapefruit Juice
- 1/3 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shallots
- sea salt, to taste
- fresh pepper, to taste
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 Florida Grapefruit, peeled and cut into segments
- 3 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
- 1 bunch radishes, sliced thin and cut into sticks
- 1/3 cup pistachios, grilled and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup arugula
- 2 tablespoons dill, chopped
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces burrata
- To make vinaigrette: In small bowl, mix Florida Grapefruit Juice, Florida Orange Juice, orange zest, cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, olive oil and shallots until dressing is emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. Vinaigrette will keep 7 days in refrigerator.
- To make pickled onion: Place sliced onion in airtight canning jar.
- In small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Bring to boil and pour over sliced onion in jar. Add small amount of water to completely cover onion. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Pickled onions will keep 15 days in refrigerator.
- To make burrata salad: In bowl, combine Florida Grapefruit and Orange segments; add radish sticks, toasted pistachios, arugula and dill. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place salad on large plate, top with coarsely chopped burrata and drizzle generously with citrus vinaigrette and pickled onion.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Last Updated on December 12, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Balance Fall Comfort Foods with a Lighter Bite
(Family Features) Before turning your attention to the comfort of filling soups and slow-cooked meals, give warmer weather one last hurrah. If you have any garden veggies leftover, this Cucumber and Tomato Salad offers a light, tasty dish that’s perfect for packing to the office. Discover more recipe ideas for any season at Culinary.net.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 3 medium or large cucumbers
- 2-3 vine tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion (optional)
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced dill
- 1 tablespoon mayo
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Peel and slice cucumbers. Deseed, if desired. Coarsely chop into bite-size pieces. Slice and chop tomatoes. Place cucumbers and tomatoes in large bowl with chopped onions, if desired.
- To make dressing: In separate bowl, mix apple cider vinegar, olive oil, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, dill and mayo. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over cucumber mixture and mix well.
- Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and serve.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food
Fresh Del Monte Honored at Rabobank Leadership Summit: Shaping the Future of Food
Fresh Del Monte was honored at the Rabobank Leadership Summit for its commitment to responsible growth, innovation, and sustainability in the global food industry. Discover how this visionary company is shaping the future of food.
Heap of fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh Del Monte Honored at Rabobank Leadership Summit: Shaping the Future of Food
Celebrating Responsible Growth and Visionary Leadership in the Food Industry
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has been recognized as a trailblazer in the food and agribusiness sector, receiving the prestigious Rabobank North America Leadership Award at this year’s Rabobank Leadership Summit in New York City. The event, attended by over 400 industry leaders, celebrated Fresh Del Monte’s commitment to driving responsible growth and innovation across the global food supply chain.
Fresh Del Monte was honored among 400 distinguished guests during Rabobank’s annual Leadership Summit held in New York City on Thursday, December 4.
A Legacy of Innovation and Sustainability
For nearly 140 years, Fresh Del Monte has nourished families worldwide with high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. Today, their influence spans more than 80 countries, where they continue to advance new products, technologies, and farming practices that set industry standards for quality, resilience, and responsibility. Their sustainability efforts go well beyond the farm—protecting biodiversity, investing in regenerative agriculture, and supporting essential services in the communities they serve.
Recognition for Visionary Leadership
David Bassett, Head of Wholesale Banking North America at Rabobank, praised Fresh Del Monte for exemplifying true leadership in a rapidly evolving industry:
“Through bold innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, they are not only stewarding responsible growth but also shaping the future of food for generations to come.”
Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and CEO, Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, credited the global team for this achievement, emphasizing their focus on responsible growth and operational discipline. “This recognition reflects the hard work of our global team, whose focus on responsible growth and operational discipline has strengthened our company and supported our mission to deliver healthy, high-quality food to millions around the world.”
Leading with Innovation and Trust
Fresh Del Monte’s drive for innovation has led to unique offerings such as the Rubyglow® red-shelled pineapple and the Pinkglow® pink-fleshed pineapple, responding to evolving consumer tastes and trends. The company is also a pioneer in setting science-based sustainability targets and has earned repeated recognition as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies.”
About Rabobank and Fresh Del Monte
Rabobank is a global leader in food, agribusiness, and energy financing, supporting clients across the value chain with advisory and investment solutions. Fresh Del Monte, listed on the NYSE as FDP, remains at the forefront of food production, sustainability, and community impact, building a brighter world for tomorrow.
Source: Rabobank and PR Newswire Read the full press release
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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