Food

We're in the thick of the "holiday season." Prepare for an all-out assault of "Frosty the Snowman" over the loudspeakers, jewelry and sweater commercials on T.V., and The Grinch around every corner (go classic or go home).

Which brings us to the theme of this dinner tonight: Green is Good. We're not talking the bright, refreshing arugula salad of July's heatwave; rather a hearty meal of warm, filling broccoli soup and a sweet-tart kale salad. Check off all your vitamins and minerals in one fell swoop and feel good while doing it.

Because gnawing on a candy cane in front of 25 Days of Christmas does not constitute dinner. Though it certainly counts as dessert.

The Menu

Broccoli Apple Soup by BlueKaleRoad

Serves 6

1 large head of broccoli 3 large apples (Golden Delicious or McIntosh are good
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, diced
6 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
plain yogurt to garnish (optional)

1. Cut the broccoli florets off the stalk and set aside. Cut the st

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By Food & Wine

Adding cardamom to these crispy cookies gives them a subtle spiced flavor. You can fill the thumb print with other jams or with chocolate. More Christmas Cookies

Cardamom Thumbprints
INGREDIENTS
1 cup fine almond flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 10-ounce jar apricot, seedless raspberry or strawberry jam

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk the flours with the cardamom and salt. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. At low speed, beat in the dry ingredients. Gather up the dough and knead a few times to form it into a ball.
2. Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon measure, portion the

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Looking for something other than cookies to serve at your holiday bash? Try cake pops! Red and green sprinkles can transform a standard confection into a bite-sized Christmas dessert.

Ingredients

Baked cake (your favorite box mix)
1 can of frosting
Red and green candy sprinkles
White candy coating (2-3 bags)
Lollipop sticks
Brick of Styrofoam
Parchment lined baking sheet

Related: 16 incredible Disney cake pops you won't find anywhere else

Directions

1. Bake your cake according to the box instructions and set aside to cool completely. Prep your sprinkles by putting them into a small bowl or plate.

2. Crumble the cake finely into a bowl. Discard any hard edging of the cake that does not crumble neatly. Spoon in 1/2 - 3/4 the can of frosting and use your hands to mix the frosting thoroughly into the cake.

3. Using your hands, scoop out a small portion of cake and roll it into a ball and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once all the cake is

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Feeling a bit frazzled as Christmas approaches? Take a dessert break! Amp-up your brownies with a drizzle of dulce de leche and a dash of sea salt. Pair them with a glass of cold milk and you've got something really special. Perfectly suited for holiday gatherings, these also work for magic or astronomy-themed parties.

Ingredients

4 large eggs
1/2 cup flour, sifted (and some more for dusting)
1 cup sugar, sifted
1 cup brown sugar
8 ounces butter, melted
1 1/4 cups cocoa, sifted
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dulce de leche
sea salt for sprinkling
butter for greasing pan
star-shaped cookie cutter (optional)

Related: 45 Disney character cupcakes featuring all your faves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Butter and flour an 8-inch baking dish.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until fluffy. Add sugars, melted butter, cocoa, vanilla, flour, chocolate chips and salt. Mix to combine.

3. Pour the batter into the

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"Sometimes, the best dinners are also the easiest to prepare. Not only does today's recipe fall right into that category, but it's also incredibly good for you! It's a steamed salmon that cooks directly on top of a bed of sauteed white beans. This bright meal gets an extra pop of flavor from fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley. What does that mean for you? It means that the healthiest dinner around is also one of the most delicious! Bon appetit!"

-Everyday Food's Sarah Carey

Related: 20 Classic Comfort Food Recipes from Martha Stewart

Steamed Salmon with White Beans

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon), plus wedges for serving
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 skinless salmon fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley

Related: Quick, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family

1. In a large sk...Read More »