Hi Reader,

The annual holiday party is coming up...and remember last year's incident with the mysterious brown dip?
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Let's make sure you're not THAT person this year.

Holiday Party & Potluck Appetizers

Walking into a party carrying these snacks?
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You'll have the same swagger as a mall Santa who knows he's rocking that velvet suit.

​Hot Artichoke Dip​

Artichoke hearts are an essential store-cupboard ingredient for me. This recipe is one of my favorites—delicious, quick, and simple to make, it's inspired by my mother. I always serve this at Christmastime, with toasted rosemary focaccia. It is rich, comforting, and everyone always wants the recipe.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Slow Cooker Cassoulet​

This easy slow cooker cassoulet calls for beans, garlic, store-bought duck confit, and sausage, just like the traditional cassoulet recipe from France.

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​Butternut Squash Gratin​

This butternut squash gratin is a lot like like a scalloped potato casserole except it's made with winter squash instead of spuds along with onions, garlic, butter, heavy cream, cheese, and bread crumbs. A simple--and simply elegant--side for Thanksgiving as well as a random weeknight.

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​Lasagne Bolognese​

This lasagne bolognese from Giuliano Hazan is as authentic as it gets.

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​Chewy Hermit Bars​

Think of the most delicious hermit bar you ever ate, the moistest, chewiest, nicely spiced bar, with a crisp shiny top and dense center. Okay? This bar beats that one, we guarantee it. If you count molasses cookies, spice cake, or gingerbread—​any of the old-​fashioned, dark and spicy baked goods with their long international history—​among your favorites, you’ll love these bars.

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​Twice-Baked Potatoes With Bacon and Cheddar​

Think of these twice-baked potatoes as an easy mashed potato casserole loaded with bacon, Cheddar, sour cream, and chives. Talk about awesome game day grub or meals kids—heck, any of us—can't resist.

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​Wild Rice, Roasted Chestnuts, and Cranberries​

This wild rice with roasted chestnuts and cranberries is a healthy Thanksgiving side dish that also happens to be gluten-free. Made with dried fruits and chestnuts, it's ideal for holiday entertaining as it can be made in advance.

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​Jamie Oliver’s Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls​

Who doesn’t love garlic bread? And this tear-and-share style is always a winner. I’ve written the recipe for 12 because it’s an easier quantity of dough to work with. What I like to do is make up both pans of bread, then whack one in the freezer, ready to bake another day—you won’t regret it.

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​Mac and Cheese Canapés​

These mac and cheese canapes, essentially baked mac and cheese bites, are made from macaroni and sharp Cheddar cheese and baked in mini-muffin tins. Perfect finger food for kids and adults. Cocktail party, anyone?

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​Homemade IKEA Swedish Meatballs​

These IKEA Swedish meatballs, made with ground beef and pork, and served in a Dijon cream sauce, are the real deal, except you don't have to leave the house or walk through the store to enjoy them. Here's how to cook them.

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