Taste of Home February/March 2021

By now, you’re likely familiar with the Danish tradition of hygge (pronounced HOO-ga), the celebration of all things cozy: sitting by the fireplace, fuzzy socks, warm scarves, oodles of glowing candles, and, of course, comfort foods that warm you from the inside out. In creating this issue, we infused it with recipes and fun ideas to help you achieve that snuggle-in, satisfied state of mind. Who wouldn’t want that this time of year? If you’re looking to jump-start your cozy journey, turn to page 48 and dig in to “All Grown Up,” our adult spin on childhood classics. You can’t help but be cheered by Beer & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese and decadent Peanut Butter & Jelly Cheesecake. Our recipe for The Best French Toast (page 53) may inspire your family to…

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR TASTE OF HOME’S RECIPE OF THE YEAR! Near the end of 2020, we looked at all the recipes we published over the year and—based on web traffic, social shares, online reviews and our own taste tests—we chose 10 finalists to duke it out for the title of Recipe of the Year. We turned it over to readers to cast their votes online, and we’re happy to announce that Field Editor Joan Hallford’s Loaded Huevos Rancheros with Roasted Poblano Peppers is Taste of Home’s 2020 Recipe of the Year! Congratulations to Joan and to all our contenders. To see the winning recipe, plus all the finalists, visit tasteofhome.com/2020recipeoftheyear. Taste of Home 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet $35 shoptasteofhome.com Teri Rasey, Cadillac, MI Teri became a Volunteer Field Editor 27 years ago and has…

Chimichangas Like so many iconic regional foods, chimichangas as we know them may have come to be by accident. Though the exact origin of the chimichanga is disputed, the most widely accepted tale begins in the kitchen of Tucson, Arizona’s El Charro Cafe in the 1950s. Chef Monica Flin was holding a bean burrito in her hand when she was bumped by her niece. The burrito went flying into a vat of hot oil and sizzled up on the spot. Flin cried “chimichanga!” during the ensuing chaos, and the rest is deep-fried history. Chimichangas In a skillet, melt ¼ cup bacon grease over medium heat. Saute 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked beef, pork or chicken, 1 diced medium onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 chopped tomatoes, 2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped…

STORE HUMAN FOOD OUT OF REACH. Any human food, especially toxic foods such as chocolate and grapes/raisins, should be kept in airtight containers far away from your crafty kitty or canine. SECURELY SHUT GARBAGE AND COMPOST BINS. It’s no secret that animals, especially mutts, like to rummage through trash. Already-toxic foods continue to pose a risk after they’ve been tossed, and any food can become unsafe once it develops mold. Keep your pet out of harm’s way by making scraps inaccessible. LOCK UP MEDICATIONS. That goes for both human and animal varieties! Prescription pills and even over-the-counter stuff, such as painkillers and nutritional supplements, may cause harm to household creatures. And your pets can overdose on their own meds, too. Guarantee everyone’s safety with a medicine box that has a lock or at least a…

They protect your ticker. Almonds’ anti-inflammatory properties boost heart health by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), which contributes to plaque buildup in blood vessels. What’s more, one serving of almonds (1 ounce, roughly 23 almonds) boasts 13 grams of unsaturated fat and just 1 gram of saturated fat. These healthy fats—plus fiber and antioxidants—help lower the risk of heart disease. They can help you sleep better. Almonds contain melatonin (a hormone that regulates sleep), tryptophan (an amino acid that regulates mood and sleep) and magnesium (a mineral that calms the nervous system). Spread almond butter on a banana (also magnesium-rich) for a sleep-inducing bedtime snack. They fit special dietary needs. Dairy-sensitive? Opt for almond milk and almond yogurt—two dairy-free alternatives. Vegetarian? Almonds serve as a terrific meatless protein source, with 6 grams per serving. Diabetic? With…