DEC./JAN. 2021 GIFTS, GOODIES, FUN GALORE! 124 MERRY & BRIGHT IDEAS PRIZEWINNING APPS, SIDES & SWEETS MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFASTS STAR BREAD Plus! FESTIVE FAMILY DINNERS Holiday All Stars So Easy! Prosciutto and Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Crostini Ingredients 1-5 slices prosciutto, coarsely chopped 1 Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese 4 slices nut bread, cut into thirds handful of basil Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400°F 2. Place nut bread on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes. 3. Spread Boursin Cheese on each slice. Top with chopped prosciutto and fresh basil. Serve immediately and refrigerate any leftovers. Take it Outdoors Let’s get spacious and cozy by setting your tablescape outside. Be sure to keep your guests extra warm with heaters & a cozy ire. Get Personal Everyone will be saying thank you after they see their special keepsake to bring home—a personalized ornament as their place card. Perfect Pairings Pair your spread of Boursin cheese with the savory flavors of prosciutto, salami and pepperoni plus drizzle something sweet like honey or a thick chutney. Regardless of the occasion, we want you to make hosting look elevated, yet simple. With these entertaining ideas, your close friends or family may never want to leave! 6 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 TASTEOFHOME.COM Jeanne Sidner, Chief Content Officer Holiday Spirit Starts Here Dear readers, we did it! Here we are in the final weeks of 2020, looking forward to 2021. Before we close the book on this... interesting?...year, let’s put our kitchens to work to pull out all the stops for some memorable meals and treats. We had so much fun selecting recipes for “The Best Christmas Ever!” feature (page 41). Buddy the Elf himself would adore our Test Kitchen’s Crispy Christmas Trees and would not be able to resist digging in to Darlene Brenden’s Christmas Star Twisted Bread (page 48), which is also the shining star on our cover. Our staff share what will grace our holiday tables in “A Few of Our Favorite Things” (page 52), with it all adding up to one solidly stunning holiday menu. If you’re in the mood to bake—and who isn’t at the holidays?—be sure to check out Shauna Sever’s cozy Swedish Flop recipe in Bakeable (page 36) and our plans for six weeks of cookie-baking challenges in the Bakeable Facebook group. We’d love to have you join. Let our newest, yummiest cookie recipes in “The Cookie Exchange” (page 59) inspire you. You won’t want to miss our 2021 “Food Trends” (page 70). We all changed the way we cook and eat this year, and we predict many of those new habits are going to stretch into next year, and even beyond. What new things will you discover in your kitchen in 2021? We can’t wait to see what’s next. We’re sharing our favorite Taste of Home holiday recipes from over the years to make the merriest dinner menu ever! Create your own little edible Christmas tree farm—and a flurry of other holly jolly treats. The tropical drinks and eats in our Pop-Up Party help melt winter’s chill in an instant. 52 41 87 Greetings Discover More! Get free access to even more Taste of Home content with smart codes like this one. Just open your smartphone camera and hover over the code. (No app needed!) Try it out now to find our best ideas and recipes for small-scale holiday celebrations that feel just as festive and fun as big bashes. Because even if you’re sticking close to home this year, you don’t have to miss out on the merriment. ©2020 Kao USA Inc. GIVE YOUR SNOOZY AFTERNOON A Jergens ®mood-enhancing Body Butters help bring you back. Sometimes you just need a little boost. Our perfectly scented Triple Body Butter Blends bring Energizing, Alluring, and Calming essential oils and moisture to your day. Sometimes you just need a little boost. Our perfectly scented Triple Body Butter Blends bring Energizing, Alluring, and Calming essential oils and moisture to your day. NEW! 8 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 TASTEOFHOME.COM FEATURES 41 The Best Christmas Ever! Splurge on all the bells and whistles...and glitter and drizzle, too, with over-the-top sweets. 52 A Few of Our Favorite Things TOH staffers share the reader recipes that earn a spot on their own spreads. 59 The Cookie Exchange These deliciously festive cookies are fit for even your finest platter. ON OUR COVER Christmas Star Twisted Bread, recipe on page 48. Cover by Dan Roberts (Photographer), Melissa Franco (Set Stylist), Shannon Norris (Food Stylist) DECEMBER • JANUARY MIXING BOWL 15 Starters • Our guide provides present inspo for the whole squad. 21 Pet Love • This gift list for furry friends will leave them bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. 22 Inside Out • Ruby red grapefruit is winter’s feel-good citrus fruit. FAMILY KITCHEN 25 Quick Fix • Fuel up for festivities with nutrient-filled power bowls. 30 Meal Planner • Make-ahead breakfasts make mornings merry. 36 Bakeable • Midwestern cookbook author Shauna Sever pays homage to the country’s heartland. TEST KITCHEN INSIDER 67 The Best • Homemade hummus brings a taste of the Mediterranean straight to your table. 70 Food Trends • Discover next year’s edible obsessions today. 72 Ask Sarah • Overwhelmed by wine? Read our speedy explainer! 75 Contest • Bring good tidings of great grub to holiday gatherings. 85 Cooks Who Care• Special cookie deliveries lift a community’s spirit. GATHER 87 Pop-Up Party • Cold temps can’t stop this tropi-cool party. 92 Make It & Take It • Candy-coated kernels pop as a hostess present. 93 Food for Good • Community fridges help fight food insecurity. IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Greetings 11 More TOH 12 Recipe Index 34 Tasty 10 94 Field Editor List 96 Contact Us 98 Why I Cook 41 75 36 75 30 59 What is Rybelsus®? Rybelsus® (semaglutide) tablets 7 mg or 14 mg is a prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes that along with diet and exercise may improve blood sugar (glucose). • Rybelsus® is not recommended as the fi rst choice of medicine for treating diabetes • It is not known if Rybelsus® can be used in people who have had pancreatitis • Rybelsus® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes and people with diabetic ketoacidosis • It is not known if Rybelsus® is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age Important Safety Information What is the most important information I should know about Rybelsus®? Rybelsus® may cause serious side effects, including: • Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Rybelsus® and medicines that work like Rybelsus® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Rybelsus® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people Do not use Rybelsus® if: • you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) • you are allergic to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Rybelsus® Before using Rybelsus®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys • have a history of vision problems related to your diabetes • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rybelsus® will harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Rybelsus® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar if you plan to become pregnant or while you are pregnant • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Rybelsus® Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rybelsus® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Rybelsus® works. What are the possible side effects of Rybelsus®? Rybelsus® may cause serious side effects, including: • infl ammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Rybelsus® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back • changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Rybelsus® • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Rybelsus® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery • kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fl uids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fl uids to help reduce your chance of dehydration • serious allergic reactions. Stop using Rybelsus® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including itching, rash, or diffi culty breathing The most common side effects of Rybelsus® may include nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, and constipation. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are most common when you fi rst start Rybelsus®. Please see Brief Summary of Prescribing Information on adjacent page. c Commercially insured patients only. Offer valid for up to six 30-day fi lls. Eligibility and other restrictions apply. d Message and data rates may apply. Check with your mobile service provider. Message frequency will be based on your selections. Text HELP to 44535 for help. Text STOP to 44535 to quit. See Terms and Conditions of Use at RYBELSUS.com. For adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), along with diet and exercise, once-daily RYBELSUS® can help lower blood sugar Wake Up to the Possibilities of Reaching Your A1C Goal RYBELSUS® is proven to lower blood sugar and A1C In a 6-month study of people with an average starting A1C of 8%, the majority of people taking RYBELSUS® reached an A1C of less than 7%a: • Nearly 7 out of 10 people on 7 mg of RYBELSUS® • Nearly 8 out of 10 people on 14 mg of RYBELSUS® • About 3 out of 10 people on a sugar pill RYBELSUS® may help you lose some weight While not for weight loss, in the same 6-month study, people with an average starting weight of 195 pounds lost up to 8 poundsa: • 5 pounds on 7 mg of RYBELSUS® • 8 pounds on 14 mg of RYBELSUS® • 3 pounds on a sugar pill While many people in medical studies lost weight, some did gain weight. RYBELSUS® does not increase the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events such as heart attack, stroke, or deathb a In a 6-month study looking at A1C with 703 adults with T2D comparing 7 mg RYBELSUS® and 14 mg RYBELSUS® with a sugar pill when both were added to diet and exercise. b In a cardiovascular safety study, 3183 adults with T2D and a high risk of CV events were treated with either 14 mg RYBELSUS® or a sugar pill in addition to their usual diabetes and CV medications. Textd RESULTS to 44535 to learn more about RYBELSUS® If eligible, you may pay as little as $10 for a 30-day prescriptionc RYBELSUS® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. © 2020 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US20RYB00495 September 2020 See cost and savings info at RYBELSUS.com, and ask your healthcare provider about RYBELSUS® today. Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark RYBELSUS® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. © 2020 Novo Nordisk US20RYB00078 2/2020 Brief Summary of information about RYBELSUS® (semaglutide) tablets Rx Only This information is not comprehensive. • Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist • Visit www.novo-pi.com/rybelsus.pdf to obtain the FDA-approved product labeling • Call 1-833-GLP-PILL Read this Medication Guide before you start using RYBELSUS® and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. What is the most important information I should know about RYBELSUS®? RYBELSUS® may cause serious side effects, including: • Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, RYBELSUS® and medicines that work like RYBELSUS® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if RYBELSUS® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. • Do not use RYBELSUS® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). What is RYBELSUS®? RYBELSUS® is a prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. • RYBELSUS® is not recommended as the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes. • It is not known if RYBELSUS® can be used in people who have had pancreatitis. • RYBELSUS® is not for use in patients with type 1 diabetes and people with diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not known if RYBELSUS® is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age. Do not use RYBELSUS® if: • you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). • you are allergic to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in RYBELSUS®. Before using RYBELSUS®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys. • have a history of vision problems related to your diabetes. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RYBELSUS® will harm your unborn baby. You should stop using RYBELSUS® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar if you plan to become pregnant or while you are pregnant. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with RYBELSUS®. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RYBELSUS® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way RYBELSUS® works. Before using RYBELSUS®, talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How should I take RYBELSUS®? • Take RYBELSUS® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. • Take RYBELSUS® by mouth on an empty stomach when you first wake up. • Take RYBELSUS® with a sip of water (no more than 4 ounces). • Do not split, crush or chew. Swallow RYBELSUS® whole. • After 30 minutes, you can eat, drink, or take other oral medications. RYBELSUS® works best if you eat 30 to 60 minutes after taking RYBELSUS®. • If you miss a dose of RYBELSUS®, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. • Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and problems you have because of your diabetes. What are the possible side effects of RYBELSUS®? RYBELSUS® may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about RYBELSUS®?” • inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using RYBELSUS® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back. • changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with RYBELSUS®. • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use RYBELSUS® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or light-headedness blurred vision anxiety, irritability, or mood changes sweating slurred speech hunger confusion or drowsiness shakiness weakness headache fast heartbeat feeling jittery • kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration) which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. • serious allergic reactions. Stop using RYBELSUS® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including itching, rash, or difficulty breathing. The most common side effects of RYBELSUS® may include nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting and constipation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are most common when you first start RYBELSUS®. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of RYBELSUS®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should I store RYBELSUS®? • Store RYBELSUS® at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). • Store in a dry place away from moisture. • Store tablet in the original pack. • Keep the tablet in the pack until you are ready to take it. • Keep RYBELSUS® and all medicines out of the reach of children. Revised: 01/2020