Food & Wine December/January 2025

2019 RAMÓN BILBAO EDICIÓN LIMITADA GARNACHA ($20) This versatile, medium-bodied Spanish red from Rioja popped up in our tasting room (wines have a way of doing that) and more than held its own against several more expensive bottles. Full of dark strawberry-raspberry flavors and sleek tannins, it’s juicy and eminently drinkable. 2021 FEUDI DI SAN GREGORIO RUBRATO AGLIANICO ($24) I recently wrote about the remarkable hospitality program at Feudi for Food & Wine Italia— the winery is architecturally stunning, and its restaurant is stellar. That reminded me how fond I am of this elegant, ruby-hued red; the Aglianico grape is often a bruiser, but not in this case. 2022 CHATEAU ST. JEAN CINQ CÉPAGES ($125) I poured the current vintage along with the 1996 vintage of this wine at the…

Gather Together ONE THING I’VE COME TO REALIZE as I enter my 46th holiday season on earth is that no matter what else might be going on in the world, and no matter how many forces seem hell-bent on pulling us apart, we share a powerful, universal urge to gather and celebrate—especially during this time of year. Gathering illuminates our spirits during darker days and longer nights. That’s one reason why we created this double issue and the 64 recipes in it—to support your holiday cooking, hosting, and gift-giving endeavors for the season ahead when time seems to speed up and your talents are most needed at the stove and behind the bar. I’ve included some highlights at right to help you navigate all the good stuff in the pages…

To shop these pages online, tap here. Be a Pasta Prepper ALL-CLAD STAINLESS STEEL MULTI-POT WITH STEAMER INSERT This set’s thoughtful features include an easy-to-grab handle on the strainer as well as ergonomic handles on the pot and insert. While the pot is tall, it’s easy to reach into and stir, and food doesn’t stick to the bottom. ($180, all-clad.com) GREAT JONES HOT DISH This ceramic casserole dish is oven-safe up to 500°F and maintains heat throughout, ensuring an even cooking experience. With four color options, it’s an affordable piece that is built to last and a joyful addition to any kitchen. ($90, greatjonesgoods.com) VIVAANT CHEESE GRATER This highly effective rotary grater comes with a fine blade that can shave mozzarella into thin strands and a coarse blade better suited to…

PIEROGIES ARE EASIER to make than most people think, and the filling options are endlessly customizable. Potato and cheese is one classic choice, though I’m especially partial to this recipe for cabbage and feta pierogies, which hail from the Tatra Mountains of Poland. I spent many Christmases in those picturesque mountains, skiing on the gentle slopes. The skiing isn’t very demanding there, and we would take frequent breaks to drink mulled beer and snack on pierogies. These southernmost parts of the country are known for their sheep-milk cheeses—Bryndza, a white cheese with a salty, slightly sour flavor, is usually the cheese of choice for cabbage pierogies. However, I find that feta works just as well and is more readily available in the U.S. Feta also balances the sweetness of the…

DURING THE HOLIDAYS, I tend to overindulge. I don’t think twice about having a second slice of pie, collecting too many stocking stuffers, or paying for pricier ingredients to impress my party guests. But this year, I’m returning to the basics and making use of what’s already in my fridge and pantry for both simple weeknight meals and extravagant gatherings. Why? Because my fridge is the first place I forage for inspiration—and my pantry is a treasure trove of building blocks for a great meal. Both are always stocked with handy staple ingredients, perhaps none more valuable to me than pasta. Pasta is perfect for almost any occasion. Try tangles of linguine in Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Garlic-Miso Butter (recipe below) for an umami-packed dish for a cozy date night…

WHEN IT COMES TO COLD-WEATHER MEALS, soups reign supreme. They have everything going for them—short active cooking times, big yields, and minimal cleanup—and they’re even easier to make if you keep high-quality store-bought stock on hand in your pantry or refrigerator. These recipes walk you through how to build on store-bought chicken, beef, or vegetable stock or broth to make fast, flavorful soups that’ll keep you satisfied all season long. Sopa De Fideos TOTAL 20 MIN; SERVES 6 This quick-cooking Mexican noodle soup from chef Claudette Zepeda features short, thin strands of pasta, called fideos, cooked in a flavorful tomato broth. Zepeda leans on chicken bouillon to boost the umami in the soup. Toast the fideos before simmering for an added layer of nuttiness. 3 plum tomatoes, cored and quartered1…