Sesame Chicken is perhaps the most popular of Chinese and Asian recipes. The sweet taste makes it a favorite of kids and anyone with a sweet tooth. Sesame Chicken is a must for Chinese New Years and other Asian holidays. This sesame chicken recipe is easy to make.

Today’s Quote: “Man who drives like hell, bound to get there.” – – Confucius

This Rocky Road Candy is quick and easy to make. It is a certain hit at any party or event. The only problem with this candy is resisting the temptation to eat too many of them. Make this rocky road squares recipe for parties and events or any day of the year.

Yield: 2 pounds of candy

Today’s Quote: “Cooking is about passion, so it may look slightly temperamental in a way that it’s too assertive to the naked eye.” – – Gordon Ramsay

Note: You absolutely must make this recipe on National Rocky Road Day

Every holiday season, you sing about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But, have you ever actually roasted Chestnuts?  Aha, I thought so. This season plan to fresh roast chestnuts, using this oven roasted chestnuts recipe. They taste great fresh out of the oven and still warm.

Today’s Quote: “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” – – President Harry S. Truman

This pumpkin mint recipe will certainly catch people’s eye. Make these mints for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There is no pumpkin in this mint.  It gets its name as the mint is shaped to look just like a pumpkin. Use your artistic skill when making this mint. Then, pop a couple of mints in your mouth for minty fresh breath.

Yield: 40 Mints

Today’s Quote: “Halloween simply has a special feel about it. School is back, everyone is settled into their routines following summer, and there is pumpkin spice everywhere.” – – NAtalya Neidhart

This holiday and party snack is one that kids and adults will chow down on. It is guaranteed to be a hit. To appear realistic, it must be served in a real dog dish. But please, use a brand new, never used (by a dog) dog dish. Make this puppy chow recipe for parties and holidays. It looks great on the Halloween snack tray.

Today’s Quote: “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” – – Benjamin Franklin

This is a cake that most people will be tasting for the first time. It makes for a nice dessert over the holidays and may bring “visions of sugar plums” dancing in the heads of little tykes. Try this plum cake recipe during the holidays or any tie of the year.

Yield: 1 cake

Today’s Quote: “Life just doesn’t hand you things. You have to get out there and make things happen. that’s the exciting part.” – – Emeril Lagasse

 This is a very old Pineapple Upside Down cake recipe. It is very sweet and very good! It doesn’t take long to put together, either. Using this same recipe, you can easily make mini-pineapple upside down cakes.

To make mini-pineapple upside down cakes, simply use a mini-Bundt cake sheet. If you’ve never seen one before, it’s like a cookie sheet with the impression of a dozen mini-bundt pans. Assemble the same way as instructed below but into the mini-bundt pans on the sheet.  It produces attractive individual servings. See the picture above.

From the Kitchen of: Kim F. from Rochester, NY.

Yield: 1 cake

Today’s Quote: “Doing projects really gives people self-confidence. Nothing is better than taking the pie out of the oven. What it does for you personally, and for your family’s idea of you, is something you can’t buy.” – – Martha Stewart

Here’s a recipe that your grandma probably made, especially if she is of German descent. Nowadays, most people buy Pfeffernusse cookies at a bakery during the holiday season. Won’t people be impressed when you tell them you made it from scratch!? Use this “How to make Pfeffernusse cookie recipe” to really “wow” them.

Many people do not even know what a pfeffernusse cookie is. It is a small, spicy German cookie with a peppery taste. The cookie has a soft and chewy texture. In German, Pfeffernusse means “Pepper Nut”. There is a little black pepper in it. But, there are no nuts. Rather, the cookies look a little like a nut.

From the Kitchen of: Grandma

Yield: 4 to 5 dozen

Today’s Quote: “Once you realize that you have identified a passion, invest in yourself. Figure out what you need to know, what kind of experience and expertise you need to develop to do the things that you feel in your heart you will enjoy and that will sustain you both mentally and economically.” – – Martha Stewart

Pepperoni bread is a party favorite. What party, you ask!? Peole love them at any party. Sure, it may be most popular at holiday and New Year’s parties. But, don’t limit it to just the holidays. It’s too good to be eaten just during this short time period.  Make it for your Superbowl party and for Oscar night parties, or any time of the year. Why wait for a party or event to enjoy pepperoni bread? Make some today!

This bread goes so fast, you may want to make more than one loaf!

From the Kitchen of: Bob Matthews, Rochester, N.Y.

Yield: One Loaf

Today’s Quote: “There is no single recipe for success. But there is one essential ingredient: Passion.” – – Martha Stewart

This is an easy recipe that the kids will enjoy making with you. Our youngest would not even think of a Christmas treat tray that didn’t include these. Try this peppermint candy cane kisses pretzel sandwich recipe today.

From the Kitchen of: Debbie M. of Rochester, N.Y.

Debbie’s Tip: Some people, don’t like peppermint.  Make a few of them with plain Hershey’s Kisses.

Yield: about 4 dozen.

Today’s Quote: “If you’ve got a good idea and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to pursue it, keep your head up and eyes open because you don’t know when opportunity will come knocking.” – – Paula Deen