Food Network Magazine December 2020

MOLASSES BREAD ACTIVE: 50 min l TOTAL: 4 hr 10 min l MAKES: 1 loaf 1 cup water, plus ½ cup lukewarm water (105° to 110°)⅔ cup yellow cornmeal½ cup molasses (not blackstrap)4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus melted butter for brushing1 ¼-ounce packet active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading⅓ cup nonfat dry milk1¼ teaspoons kosher saltVegetable oil, for brushing 1. Combine 1 cup water, the cornmeal, molasses and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer and let cool until lukewarm (105° to 110°), stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. 2. Sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm water in…

POINSETTIA CUPCAKES ACTIVE: 35 min l TOTAL: 1½ hr l MAKES: 12 FOR THE CUPCAKES 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup granulated sugar2 large eggs2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract½ cup whole milk FOR THE FROSTING 1½ sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature3 cups confectioners’ sugarPinch of salt2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract2 tablespoons whole milkMarshmallow flowers, for topping (see right) 1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. 2. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat until creamy, about 4…

CHOCOLATE FUDGE ACTIVE: 1 hr l TOTAL: 3 hr l MAKES: about 1½ pounds 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and softened, plus more for brushing3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, very finely chopped1 teaspoon pure vanilla, peppermint or almond extract⅛ teaspoon kosher salt1 cup half-and-half2¼ cups sugar2 tablespoons light corn syrup Nonpareils, for topping 1. Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Lightly brush the foil with butter. 2. Lightly brush the bowl of a stand mixer or another large metal bowl with butter. Add 2 tablespoons cut-up butter, the chocolate, extract and salt; set the bowl aside. 3. Heat the half-and-half in a medium pot over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. Stir in the sugar and corn syrup and…

Looking Good Eating better could help your skin: A new study published by JAMA Dermatology found a link between eating habits and adult acne, and other studies have indicated that fatty foods, dairy and sugary drinks may be to blame. Get your diet on the right track with one of the healthy meals above. In Season: Clementines Brighten those gray winter days with sunny clementines! They’re a great source of vitamin C (just one has 60 percent of the daily recommended value), plus they give your immune system a boost. Toss a few in your bag—or use them as stocking stuffers! We ❤ Seltzer Ditch the sweet drinks and switch to seltzer: A new study from the American Heart Association looked at two decades of data and found that women…

We asked the stars: What’s the best food gift for the holidays? Rescuing Restaurants Guy Fieri has made it his mission during the pandemic to help save restaurants. So when many across the country had to close earlier this year, he wanted to know how chefs and their employees were dealing. His new documentary Restaurant Hustle follows fellow Food Network stars Marcus Samuelsson (right), Antonia Lofaso, Christian Petroni and Maneet Chauhan as they try to save their businesses—and help their communities. Find out what happens on December 27 at 9 p.m. ET.…

my 18-year-old nephew walked up to me at a family cookout a while back and asked where we’d be for Christmas. I wanted to hug him, not for his suggestion that we all get together—although that was sweet. I wanted to hug him because it was September 27, and his ability to think that far ahead was the most hopeful thing I’d heard in months. Most of us haven’t been able to plan for the next day in 2020, let alone figure out Christmas three months in advance. On September 27, I didn’t even know where we’d be living in December, so I brushed off the question and changed the subject. But the crazy thing is, I actually had been thinking about Christmas—along with everyone else at this magazine. We…