Leftovers from all the get-togethers this week? Here's a few ideas for using up leftover ham, roast beef, and other holiday foods. Ham: Quiche Lorraine: A classic recipe, and with good reason. Eggs Benedict: Another classic breakfast food.  Ham and Cheese Bread: Bread flecked with ham and cheese that's hearty enough for breakfast. Croque-monsieurs: A croque-monsieur is a hot, grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Spread some mustard and butter on your favorite sliced bread, add ham and Swiss cheese, then place under the broiler until cheese begins to melt and bread begins turning golden …

For the last installment of Patch's 12 Days of Christmas series, we bring you a recipe for sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting. These cookies, another recipe adapted from Martha Stewart, are not-too-soft, not-too-crisp, and easily cut into shapes. The cream cheese frosting adds just a hint of tang and is easy to pipe or spread. Sugar Cookies (via Martha Stewart) Makes about 2 dozen 2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. baking powder1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter1 cup sugar1 large egg, lightly beaten2 tbsp. milk, or optional flavorings: 2 tbsp. rum or brandy, ½ tsp. rum extract…

These sweet and spicy nuts are a fun change-of-pace in a season full of baked goods. This recipe—a lightly sweet, mildly spicy blend of toasted pecans, cashews and almonds—is adapted, slightly, from Martha Stewart. The benefit of her recipe is that instead of using high calorie oil to make the spices stick to the nuts, an egg white provides the sticky factor. I packaged mine in a pint-sized mason jar. Cut a square piece of fabric or paper that's about four inches larger in length and width than the jar top (you can cut it later if it's too large). Screw the lid on, place fabric over top, …

Harry & David Moose Munch (a gourmet caramel popcorn with nuts and chocolate) was a favorite but rare treat of mine growing up. Each year, I'd get a Moose Munch bar from a family friend for Christmas, which I would try to ration but inevitably end up gobbling down. The combination of flavors—sweet caramel, salty popcorn and nuts, creamy chocolate—always reminds me of the holidays. This homemade version is an easy-to-make treat that's sure to impress gift recipients (or taste testers). For small servings, portion into treat bags and tie with a ribbon. For larger portions, pack the caramel …

For something a little different from the baked goods often gifted at this time of year, consider giving an easy-to-make spiced drink mix. The mix contains brown sugar and a bunch of wintry spices (which you can adapt to what's on hand). Stir a tablespoon or so of the mix into a cup of tea, cider, cocoa etc. to make it more festive and warm! I packaged the mix in 1-cup mason jars. Cut a square piece of fabric or paper that's about two inches larger in length and width than the jar top. Screw the lid on, place fabric over top, and secure with ribbon or twine. Add a gift label with instructions…

Chocolate and mint is, of course, a classic Christmas combination. This recipe for chocolate mint cookies consists of a chewy chocolate cookie and mint chips, though the ingredients are easily adapted: Mix it up by adding peppermint extract to the dough and white chocolate chips in place of the mint chips (or chocolate chunks, as per the original recipe). Stack some cookies, wrap in cellophane and tie with a festive bow for gift-giving, or leave by the tree for Santa... we hear he's a fan. Chocolate Mint Cookies (adapted from Foodess) Makes two dozen cookies 1 cup butter (two sticks), …

It doesn't get much better than chocolate, toffee and almonds, the combination of flavors in these easy-to-make Almond Roca-style cookies. The cookies only require a few ingredients—ones which you probably already have at home—and pack the perfect amount of toffee and chocolate flavor into each bite. Don't be scared off by the saltines! I've found that crackers are often a surprisingly good edition to sweets, and this time is no exception. Chocolate Toffee Brittle Makes about 40 pieces 1 sleeve of saltine crackers (40 saltines) 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 cups …

Have you ever heard of hot chocolate on a stick? It's basically a fudge-like block that you stir into hot milk to create a sweet, cocoa-y hot chocolate without the powdered mix. (And, of course, the fudge tastes great on its own, too.) The recipe comes originally from King Arthur Flour and can be adapted to make mint hot chocolate (replace some or all semisweet chips with mint chocolate chips), dark chocolate (replace some or all of the semisweet chips with dark chocolate chips, or use more unsweetened baking chocolate), or white hot chocolate (replace half or more of the semisweet chips …

Biscotti is a great holiday gift idea, because it is very easy to make and keeps for at least a week, and often much longer. This recipe is made with almonds, almond extract for a bit more almond flavor, and lemon extract for zing (but feel free to adjust the flavorings to your own tastes). Pair a batch of homemade biscotti with a coffee mug and homemade hot chocolate mix for a fun and yummy holiday gift. Lemon-Almond Biscotti (Adapted from Bon Appétit, December 1999)Makes about 3 dozen 3 1/4 c. flour 1 tbs. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 1.5 c. sugar 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter…

This crispy, chewy, buttery shortbread is paired with raspberry jam to create the perfect winter bar cookie. The secret lies in grating your dough so the shortbread is lighter: a process that does take a bit more time than pressing the dough into the pan, but one that is completely worth it. This cookie is a hit with everyone I know who's tried it, and is great for cookie swaps. Freezing and then grating your dough is what makes this shortbread light, fluffy and crispy rather than dense, but if you're running short on time, the bars are still good if the shortbread is pressed into the pan …

Peppermint bark and chocolate bark are favorite treats for many at this time of year. Making "bark" is simple, quick, and something that can easily be personalized for the tastes of each person on your list. Essentially, bark consists of chocolate chips or discs that are melted, then spread thin on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. To the melted chocolate, you add whatever mix-ins you want—crushed candy canes, nuts, pretzels, cookie pieces, cranberries— and then freeze the chocolate until hard, at which point it is broken into chunks or cut into pieces. Since chocolate bark is easy to …

For the second day of Patch's 12 Days of Christmas, we're bringing you a recipe for Peanut Butter Biebers. Peanut butter blossoms are a popular treat this time of year, particularly for cookie swaps and party trays, and this recipe is similar: but instead of a Hershey's Kiss, each cookie's center contains a mini Reeses cup. These cookies not only stack better than peanut butter blossoms, but pack more peanut buttery punch, making them a surefire hit for any peanut butter lover. Most recipes for peanut butter cup cookies call for baking the cookies in a mini-muffin tin. You will get more …

Welcome to Patch's 12 Days of Christmas series! For the twelve days leading up to Christmas, we'll be posting festive holiday recipes that are simple to make and easy to give as gifts or serve at holiday parties.  Upcoming recipes include fudge, peppermint bark, spiced mix nuts, toffee brittle and more. Today's recipe is a four-ingredient recipe adapted from Alton Brown for peanut butter fudge. This one-bowl recipe is quick and easy to whip up and can be made well in advance and frozen until ready for gift-giving or serving. Easy Peanut Butter Fudge (From Alton Brown) 1 cup (2 sticks) butter…

Even if you didn't cook, you will probably end up with leftovers from this Thanksgiving somehow. For the leftovers you don't freeze or send home with guests, here's a few recipes to mix things up a bit.  The Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich -  Easy, quick, no fuss, delicious. Place leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a roll, warm it up, and dip in warm leftover gravy.  Turkey a la King - For a no-fuss version, simply serve turkey and gravy over leftover biscuits. Or, try this recipe, subbing in turkey for the chicken. Turkey Cranchiladas - Enchiladas made with turkey and a …

Nothing compliments turkey like rich and creamy mashed potatoes. Here's a recipe adopted from Ina Garten for mashed potatoes spiked with parmesan and sour cream, which are excellent with yesterday's make-ahead gravy. Parmesan Mashed Potatoes (adapted from Ina Garten) For 6 to 8 servings, you'll need: 3 lbs. potatoes (Ina suggests white boiling potatoes, though gold or red potatoes will work just as well) 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus 2 teaspoons 1 ½ c. half and half (or sub whole milk) 1 stick unsalted butter ½ c. sour cream ½ c. freshly grated Parmesan ½ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. garlic …

Whipping up gravy from drippings is one of those many small tasks that seem to add up, making your Thanksgiving more stressful than it needs to be. Here's an easy, make-ahead, no drippings required gravy recipe that's still sure to please. Make-ahead gravy For about 12 servings, ¼ c. each, you'll need: 1/3 c. butter 1/3 c. flour 3 cups chicken stock, or 3 cups water and 1 tbsp. chicken flavored Better Than Bouillon 3 tbsp. white wine (optional) 1 tsp. dried thyme, or 1 tbsp. fresh thyme Salt and pepper to taste Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, whisking for about one …

Butternut squash: a beautiful and flavorful fall food. Some people like it sweet with maple and brown sugar; others prefer it in savory dishes. Why not provide both options for your guests? Today, Patch brings you recipes for maple roasted butternut squash and savory butternut squash with goat cheese. Maple roasted butternut squash This recipe is lightly sweet, allowing the flavor of the butternut squash to come through amid the cinnamon, maple, vanilla and brown sugar flavorings. For 8 ¾-cup servings, you'll need: 1 medium butternut squash ¼ c. maple syrup ½ tsp. vanilla ¾ tsp. cinnamon 3 …

As much as we love mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, stuffing is the quintessential Thanksgiving dish, and everyone seems to have a slightly different take on what makes it great. For some recipes, including Stove Top's stuffing mix, the secret is butter—and lots of it. In this recipe, the savoryness comes from sausage, mushrooms, onions and white wine, and is cut with the slight sweetness of brown sugar and Granny Smiths. Convinced yet? Make the dish vegetarian by omitting the sausage and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Sausage and Apple Stuffing (via The Pioneer Woman) For …

Looking for something a little different than the traditional pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving? Patch brings you two other options for getting your dose of pumpkin-flavored sweets this year: pumpkin cake with apple cider glaze and pralined pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust. For beginning bakers—and those of us with less time on our hands—this two-ingredient pumpkin cake is a quick, easy and tasty option. For cooks looking to impress, the pumpkin cheesecake is absolutely decadent, especially topped with a roasted pecan glaze. Pumpkin Cake with Apple Cider Glaze (Via The Noble Pig) This …

Thanksgiving is a week away, and many of us are busy planning our menus. Let Patch help! All this week, we'll be posting a recipe-a-day for different parts of the Thanksgiving meal. Leave the appetizers, sides and desserts to us, and we'll let you handle the turkey. Today, Patch brings you two quick and easy appetizers: spanakopita tarts and crab and goat cheese flatbread. If you're hosting the extended family next Thursday, chances are you'll need something to fend off the hoards until the full meal is served. Spanakopita tarts and crab and goat cheese flatbread are two quick and easy but …