My Favorite Italian Chard Stuffing

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Stuffing at its finest.

Stuffing at its finest.

 

Over the years, I’ve made my share of stuffing recipes. But hands down, this one remains my favorite.

It’s not necessarily unusual. It’s not cutting-edge. It doesn’t feature rare ingredients.

Instead, it’s the quintessential Thanksgiving stuffing recipe that takes simple French bread, Italian sausage, Swiss chard, and herbs, and turns it all into a savory, satisfying amalgamation that never ceases to be a crowd pleasure.

I, for one, look forward to it every year.

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Festive Sweet Potato Orange Cups

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Wouldn't these be perfect on your Thanksgiving table?

Wouldn’t these be perfect on your Thanksgiving table?

 

Are you already planning your menu, and checking it twice?

Then, make room on it this Thanksgiving for “Sweet Potato Orange Cups.”

How adorable and special are these hallowed-out orange halves, filled with coconut-scented mashed sweet potatoes and crunchy pecans?

Sure, you can make a big bowl of sweet potato puree and call it a day. But serving the creamy sweet potatoes mounded in individual orange cups like this just makes it all more fun and distinctive.

The recipe is from the new cookbook, “Celebrations: A Year of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes for Every Occasion” (Ten Speed Press), of which I received a review copy. It’s by Bay Area food writer Danielle Walker, founder of the grain-free blog, againstallgrain.com.

celebrations

The 125 recipes all eschew gluten, dairy and grain. They are arranged by occasion, such as “Game Day Buffet,” “Birthday Party,” and “Christmas Breakfast.”

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match. For instance, the recipe for “Sweet Potato Orange Cups” is actually listed in the “Easter Brunch” chapter. But I think it’s also ideal for Thanksgiving.

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From Roy’s — Or The Story of the $50 Panettone

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From Roy's dark chocolate panettone -- fit for a king or queen.

From Roy’s dark chocolate panettone — fit for a king or queen. (Photo by Carolyn Jung)

 

When I told my husband, who is notoriously frugal (he’d call himself, “cheap”), that I was writing a story about a pastry chef who makes a $50 panettone, he was beside himself.

He rolled his eyes, completely flabbergasted. Who in their right minds, he thought, would pay that much for an Italian Christmas bread that you can get for a song on the shelves at Cost Plus?

Then, I cut him a thick slab of the handmade dark chocolate panettone made by From Roy’s of Richmond. He put a forkful in his mouth. He let out a sigh. Then, he actually said, “OK, I can see paying $50 for this.”

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Eating on Maui’s Kaanapali Coast

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Hula Grill's poke tacos.

Hula Grill’s poke tacos.

 

MAUI, HAWAII — Imagine three miles of sand and water so entrancing that it was once the retreat for Hawaiian royalty. That’s what Kaanapali beach on Maui’s west side is all about.

I had a chance to check out some of the food in the area when I was a guest on the island last month, courtesy of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau.

There’s almost always a line outside Hula Grill — for good reason. It has a coveted place right on the beach. In fact, the outdoor tables and chairs are planted right in the sand with a stunning view of the ocean.

There’s often live music, too, including the likes of Derick Sebastian, an award-winning ukulele player and singer.

A popular place to dine where you can dig your toes into the sand.

A popular place to dine where you can dig your toes into the sand.

It’s a perfect place for a casual, no-nonsense lunch. The Hula Caesar ($9) features local upcountry romaine, garlic focaccia croutons and shredded parmesan. I added seared ahi for another $10. I missed having anchovies, but I appreciated that the salad was lightly dressed.

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Basking in Luxury at the Four Seasons Oahu

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Brunch -- local fruit, banana bread and honeycomb -- is served at the Four Seasons Oahu.

Brunch — local fruit, banana bread and honeycomb — is served at the Four Seasons Oahu.

 

OAHU, HAWAII — Staying at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is every bit as posh as it sounds.

When my husband told a co-worker that we’d be staying there complimentary, as guests of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, she gasped, “Do you have the right clothes for that?”

My husband and I also quickly calculated that the total price of our room for two nights nearly approached the cost of one month of our mortgage.

But if you possess the means, wow, what a way to relax in paradise.

A former Marriott, the property was completely renovated a year ago. Its 17 floors sport 371 rooms, the majority of them ocean front.

Our room with a view.

Our room with a view.

The resort will deliver cold beverages to you by the pool or beach via these babies.

The resort will deliver cold beverages to you by the pool or beach via these babies.

A wedding chapel on the grounds.

A wedding chapel on the grounds.

The lobby decor.

The lobby decor.

Take a load off in one of the airy sitting areas.

Take a load off in one of the airy sitting areas.

An especially nice touch is an iPad in the room, which among other things, allows you to order room service from any of the property’s five restaurants and lounges.

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