Recipes:

Whether planning a casual gathering or stylish event to ring in 2011, small plates are an easy and elegant way to please a crowd. Beef is ideal for entertaining, so serve a variety of simple, yet sophisticated beef bites that are a snap to put together. Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution to spend more time with family and friends by putting less time in the kitchen. 

Each beef starter can be prepared in three or four easy steps using a handful of readily available ingredients that showcase a variety of tastes and textures.  

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Nothing says special celebration like elegant, delicious American Lamb. Whether it's a holiday feast or an intimate family dinner, American Lamb is elegant yet easy to prepare. From the traditional leg roast to the quintessential rack, there's a lamb dish for every holiday occasion. American Lamb's unique, rich flavor can make any meal seem special and will make your family and friends feel especially appreciated.

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Recipes:

While turkey is in the spotlight at most holiday meals, the prize for best supporting dish definitely goes to stuffing. People often reach for the stuffing before any other side dish on the table.This season, why not serve more than one variety? In addition to a traditional favorite, try something new.

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Recipes:

(Jenny Harper) One of the first things I learned to bake was a pan of brownies. Since they're easier to make, I still rely on brownies when I need to quickly bake something sweet.

This fudgy treat is a rich reward for everyday occasions-and a great beginners' baking project. Moist, chewy brownies are suitable for potlucks, brown bag lunches, or for that "I forgot I was supposed to bring cookies!" occasion-anytime something sweet is called for.

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Old-Fashioned Italian Meatballs

Serve meatballs with pizza sauce, Alfredo sauce, classic red sauce or pesto sauce. Or, wrap the meatballs in bacon and serve on a toothpick. Consider topping meatballs with Italian cheeses such as provolone, mozzarella or Gorgonzola. Or, serve meatballs on a petite roll, as a “mini-meatball slider.”

There is nothing quite like home-made soup to help warm you up. Many of our soup recipes begin with a good basic stock.  Stocks form the backbone for most soups and sauces. A good stock is the difference between an ordinary soup and a fabulous soup. Today you can get pretty decent stock from the grocery store, but home-made is always preferrable. Commercial stocks are sometimes high in sodium and MSG, read the label. Below are the four basic stocks, beef, chicken, vegetable and fish. These stocks can be frozen until ready to use. Read More for easy stock recipes

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