Around-the-World Holiday Cocktail Party

Recipes:

• Bite-Size Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche
  Traditionally served at Hanukkah, a latke is a pancake made from grated potatoes, onions and seasonings. Chag Sameach - that’s Yiddish for Happy Holidays! More.
• Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
  In this celebratory dish, spicy peanut sauce creates the perfect foil for sweet crispy coconut shrimp. Also wonderful on raw or grilled vegetables and roasted or grilled chicken, the peanut sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance.More.
• Mini-Peking Duck Rolls with Scallion Brushes and Plum Sauce
  Traditional Peking Duck is quite an involved process! While not traditional, this easy to-prepare recipe will bring the flavors of Peking duck to your kitchen.More.
• Meringue Mushrooms
  These delectable little mushrooms are usually found "growing" around the base of a bûche de Noël or yule log - a traditional French Christmas cake that is shaped and decorated to look like a log.More.
• Blue Cheese and Toasted Walnut Canapés with Caramelized Onion and Apple Relish
  This delightful little canapé is a twist on that classic pairing. Crowned with caramelized apples and onions spiked with Ruby Port, it delivers a beautiful blend of these traditional English flavors in a single bite. Cheers!More.
• World's Best-Ever Eggnog
  Passed down through generations, this eggnog has been hailed by countless holiday revelers as the best-ever.More.
• Bite-Size Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraîche (Hanukkah)
  
• Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce (Kwanzaa)
  
• Mini Peking Duck Rolls with Scallion Brushes and Asian Plum Sauce (Chinese New Year)
  
• Meringue Mushrooms (adorable mushroom-shaped chocolate almond meringue cookies - Christmas in France)
  
• Blue Cheese, Roasted Walnut and Caramelized Onion Canapés with Apple Relish (Christmas in England)
  
• World's Best-Ever Eggnog (Christmas in America)
  
• Sample Recipe:
  
• Bonus Recipe:
  

Tips & Techniques:

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  Making a Nut Meringue

  Add flavor to meringues with nuts such as almonds or hazlenuts. More.

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  Whipping Egg Whites

  Whipping egg whites to just the right consistency can be tricky.  View our tips for egg whites success. More.

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  Types of Blue Cheese

  Blue cheeses, such as Stilton and Saga, vary in color, flavor and aroma. More.

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  Folding

  Proper folding, to maintain a mixture's light consistency, requires the right equipment and touch. Learn more. More.

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  Using a Pastry Bag

  Learn how to properly hold a pastry bag for easy and perfect piping. More.

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  Hanukkah

  Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights.  Learn more. More.

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  Christmas in France

  Many Christmas celebrations in France include “Le Reveillon” [lah rev- ay –YOHN], a culinary feast.  More.

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  Plum Sauce

  About plum sauce. More.

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  Chinese Five-Spice Powder

  Uses for Chinese Five-Spice power include marinating meats and poultry.  Learn more. More.

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  Bûche de Noël

  Bûche de Noël is a traditional French Christmas cake.  Learn more. More.

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  Date Nut Bread

  A holiday favorite. More.

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  Latke

  Latke is a traditional food of Hanukkah.  Learn more. More.

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  Port

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  Crème Fraîche

  Learn why this velvety cream is ideal for sauces, soups, pudding and more. More.

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  Cheesecakes

  Tips for cheesecake success. More.

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  Kwanzaa

  Kwanzaa, a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. Learn more. More.

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  Matzo Meal

  Uses for matzo meal. More.

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  Russet Potatoes

  Learn why russet potatoes are excellent for baking. More.

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  Shrimp

  Tips for selecting the right type of shrimp for your dish. More.

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  Farm-Raised v. Wild-Caught Shrimp

  While shrimp farming has helped to lower the price to the consumer, you may want to consider wild-caught shrimp for your dish and for the environment too. More.

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  Panko

  Uses for panko, Japanese breadcrumbs. More.

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  Curry Paste

  What is curry paste? More.

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  Fish Sauce

  Learn more about fish sauce, an ingredient used in many Southeast Asian dishes. More.

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  Coconut Milk

  If your recipe calls for coconut milk review these suggestions for its best use. More.

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  Sesame Oil

  Tips on ideal uses for light and dark sesame oil. More.

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  Tamarind

  Tamarind is used in Eastern dishes much like lemon juice is in Western dishes.  Learn more. More.

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  Peking Duck

  Peking duck is an elaborately prepared Chinese dish.  Learn more. More.

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  Chinese New Year

  Chinese New Year is a celebration in which traditional foods play a large part.  More.

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  Shrimp Deep-Frying Tips

  Important tips for deep-frying including the proper oil temperature. More.