Easy Persimmon Appetizer (recipe) Persimmons are one of those out-of-the-ordinary fruits that pop up in grocery stores this time of year, but usually get overlooked by those of us in the bananas-apples-oranges crowd. It's like telling your spouse, "Hey, would you pick up some milk, bread, and star fruit on your way home from work?" Persimmons aren't really on the radar. I have always been intrigued by these glossy bright fruits, though, and the holidays are the perfect time to let them shine. My sister served this beautiful persimmon salad last year during the holidays, and I was hooked. While they look like orange tomatoes, persimmons taste like a Keep Reading

Christmas Cookie Recipes Here's a round up of our favorite Christmas Cookie recipes: Monster Cookies Homemade Chocolate Bark Homemade Almond Roca Mocha Cookies Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Peanut Butter Cups Whole Wheat Shortbread Cookies Homemade Whoopie Pies The Best Sugar Cookies Homemade Gingerbread Cookies Gingersnap Cookies For more inspiration check out our Christmas Pinterest board. Keep Reading

Homemade Chocolate Bark Looking for a simple holiday treat you could serve at a party or give as a gift without spending a ton of time or money? Look no further. Homemade chocolate bark is the perfect solution, other than the name, which leaves something to be desired. Here's the basic idea: melt chocolate and stick dried fruit and nuts on it. See? I told you it was simple. To melt the chocolate you don't need a single piece of special equipment. No double boilers or candy thermometers. If you own a microwave, you are in business. On Tuesday, I made three different combinations of chocolate bark during the last 20 minutes of my kids' naptime, Keep Reading