Easy Sweet Potato Gems are Perfect for KWANZAA

Just in time for Kwanzaa, I asked Special Fork Food Editor Charla Draper to share her thoughts about the African-American observance that begins December 26. Here’s her interesting and informative story.

Sandy

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Christmas Past and Present

By Marilyn Hunter

“Tell me about Christmas,” Nicky says to me with a twinkle in his eye. “Tell me your favorite thing when you were a little girl.” I tell him about how much I loved baking cookies with my brother to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve and how we would fight to stay awake to hear the sound of reindeer hooves on the roof. It seems like yesterday, those sleepless Christmas Eves. My brother and I could hardly wait until sunrise.

After all these years, I now understand the work that went into making those Christmas mornings so magical. They’re as sleepless for the parents as they are for the kids. We work to assemble and arrange toys, wrap presents and set the table for breakfast. Round about midnight, I appreciate my parents’ efforts and now understand why Dad was so droopy eyed at dawn when we came rushing from our rooms.

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‘Tis the Season for a Simple Pot Roast

By Lori Powell

With the first snowfall of the season just a couple of weeks before Christmas, what could be cozier than a roaring fire and a pot roast in the oven while decorating the Christmas tree?

Pot roast is one of the easiest of dishes to make as long as you allow time, 2 to 3 hours’ worth, and resist the temptation of trying to quicken the cooking since it smells so darned good!!

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Holiday Rolls Two Ways

By Katie Barreira

As if the holiday season wasn’t daunting enough, it seems that every special occasion revolves around a feast. I mean, it’s festive and communal and I totally get it, but even a seasoned foodie can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of significant meals that take place in the month of December.

Just as the latke parties are winding down, it’s time to gear up for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day…the chow-fests come fast and furious.

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