Hi Reader,

Some people collect ornaments. I collect cuisines. Each December, while everyone else is debating turkey versus ham, I’m in the kitchen hopping time zones. One minute I’m dusting off the stand mixer for Italian panettone, the next I’m whisking egg yolks for French sabayon like a man possessed. By the time the table’s set, my apron looks like it’s cleared customs.

It’s a habit I blame on wanderlust—and butter. For several years, The One and I have spent part of December in Paris. This year, we’re in Florence and Bologna, yet I still chase that same feeling: warm bread, strong coffee, and the hum of languages.

Usually, I have to recreate it from home, music on, wine poured, pretending my kitchen window looks out over the Seine, Arno, or Tagus instead of Connecticut snow (if we're lucky to get snow). But this year, I'm lucky enough to be soaking it up in person.
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If, you, too, are traveling during the holidays, bravo! If not, this newsletter will help to make you feel as if you are.

Host Like a Well-Traveled Cook

1. Pick One Country, Not Five. Choose a theme—Italian, French, Portuguese—and let it shine through from cocktails to dessert.
2. Steal the Small Touches. Linen napkins, candles, or a bit of music in the right language make the night feel special.
3. Serve Family-Style. Big platters, passed around the table, create instant warmth (and fewer serving dishes).
4. Mix Local with Global. Use regional ingredients to give international dishes a personal twist—think maple syrup in tiramisu or local wine with tapas.
5. Toast Generously. A global table deserves a global cheer—saúde, santé, prost, cheers. They all mean the same thing: joy.

A Guide to Toasting Around the World

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WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce​
• ​Beef Wellington​
• ​Homemade Pasta Dough​
• ​Swedish Christmas Glögg​
• ​Lebkuchen​
• ​Red Chile Pork Tamales​
• ​Orange Curd Tartlets​

​Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.79 from 300 votes

Marcella Hazan's Bolognese sauce recipe is as authentic as can be. Simple, everyday ingredients—beef, onions, carrot, celery, milk, wine, and cheese—come together in a pot, simmering for hours, for what can only be described as heaven on a plate.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Beef Wellington​

A favorite holiday dish, Beef Wellington is beef fillet slathered with pate, covered in diced mushrooms and puff pastry, and baked.

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​Homemade Pasta Dough​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.83 from 78 votes

This homemade pasta dough is foolproof and easy to make by hand or with your stand mixer with just eggs, flour, olive oil, and salt. Italian through and through. Here's how.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Swedish Christmas Glögg​

Glögg is Scandinavian mulled wine served at Christmas. This version combines port wine, brandy, whiskey, raisins, almonds, orange zest, cinnamon, and cardamom.

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​Lebkuchen​

Lebkuchen are traditional German Christmas cookies that are subtly reminiscent of gingerbread. Although actually we prefer to refer to them as "moments of perfectly spiced cut-out cookie deliciousness."

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​Red Chile Pork Tamales​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.94 from 16 votes

These red chile pork tamales are the real authentic Mexican deal. And they taste as though they were lovingly crafted by the loveliest abuela imaginable, crafted to be slightly spicy with pulled pork. Here's how to make them at home, step by step.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Orange Curd Tartlets​

These orange curd tartlets are classic French comfort food. A riff on the lemon tart that's ubiquitous in pâtisseries all across France.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​