Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Rod Washington

Holiday Desserts Just Got a Dairy-Forward Upgrade

Santa 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

• 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

• 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.

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Usher in Cool Weather with Easy Pumpkin Soup

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

• 1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• coconut rice, for serving (optional)
• bread, for serving (optional)

1. In saucepan over medium heat, combine pumpkin, coconut cream, vegetable stock, garlic, ginger and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir until well incorporated, cook 10 minutes.
2. Serve over coconut rice or with bread, if desired.

The fate of Lucky Supermarkets in SoCal

Last Updated on December 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Grilled Chicken teriyaki rice (Adobe Sock)

When you need a fast, flavorful meal without the fuss, a teriyaki chicken bowl is one of the easiest dishes you can throw together. Using Foster Farms precooked chicken breast strips, store-bought teriyaki sauce, and ready-to-heat rice, you can have dinner on the table in about ten minutes — no chopping, marinating, or complicated prep required.

A Weeknight Staple

This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, work-from-home lunches, or those moments when you want something warm and satisfying without relying on takeout. With precooked chicken, most of the work is already done for you. All you’re really doing is heating, mixing, and assembling.

“A complete teriyaki bowl in ten minutes — no takeout required.”

Ingredients

1–2 cups cooked rice (microwaveable rice packets work great) 1 cup Foster Farms precooked chicken breast strips ¼–½ cup teriyaki sauce, depending on how saucy you like it 1 cup of vegetables (fresh, steamed, or frozen) Optional toppings: sesame seeds, green onion, pineapple chunks, spicy mayo, red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prep the Base

Start with your rice. If you’re using microwave rice, it heats up in about 60–90 seconds. Leftover rice works just as well — just warm it in a bowl before assembling the dish.

2. Heat the Chicken

Foster Farms precooked chicken strips make this step incredibly simple. Just heat them in a skillet for a couple of minutes or microwave them for under a minute. Add a few tablespoons of teriyaki sauce and stir to coat the chicken evenly.

3. Add the Vegetables

This bowl works with almost any vegetable you enjoy. Frozen stir-fry mixes are quick and convenient, while steamed broccoli or carrots add color and crunch. Toss the veggies into the pan with the chicken so they absorb the teriyaki flavor.

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4. Build Your Bowl

Add your rice to a serving bowl and top it with the teriyaki chicken and vegetables. If you want a richer flavor, drizzle on a little extra teriyaki sauce.

5. Customize With Toppings

Finish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a drizzle of spicy mayo. Pineapple adds a sweet touch that pairs perfectly with teriyaki, giving your bowl a subtle Hawaiian twist.

👉 Download the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe PDF

Why This Recipe Works

What makes this meal so appealing is its flexibility. Use whatever rice you have on hand, swap in your favorite veggies, and adjust the sauce level to your own taste. It’s fast, affordable, and customizable — ideal for anyone looking to simplify their cooking without sacrificing flavor.

Do you have your own fast weeknight recipes or kitchen shortcuts? Share them with us in the comments or tag @STM Daily News on social media. We love spotlighting great ideas from our readers!

The fate of Lucky Supermarkets in SoCal