‘Giada’s Holiday Handbook’ helps make Christmas magic easy

By Andrew Warren TV Media

Everyone has a favorite Christmas tradition, from building gingerbread houses to going out caroling around the neighborhood. There are probably as many traditions out there as there are families celebrating the holiday, and new ones are established each and every year.

Food Network personality Giada De Laurentiis has spent the last few years sharing her best tips and tricks in the weeks leading up to the big day in “Giada’s Holiday Handbook,” giving advice on how to make those festive traditions go off without a hitch in every episode. Currently airing Sundays on Food Network, each episode features advice on hosting memora- ble get-togethers, fun and festive games and, of course, some showstopping food that’s guaranteed to elicit oohs and aahs from even the pickiest of guests.

In this week’s episode, airing Sunday, Dec. 9, Giada transforms her house into a beautiful winter wonderland when she hosts a party for kids. While the children busy themselves with making their very own handcrafted snow globes, the host shares some warming recipes for pint-sized palates with those of us watching at home. On the menu is homemade tomato soup and crispy chicken sandwiches washed down with steaming triple-chocolate hot cocoa. And in case that isn’t enough, there are even Italian flag cookies for dessert. Yum!

Next week’s episode is the season finale, and Giada pulls out all the stops for the big day. With her whole family over for Christmas dinner, she comes up with a fun gift exchange that gets everyone excited, and a show-stopping meal that includes a standing rib roast, blistered baby pepper salad, cavatelli with Gorgonzola and tomatoes, with a stunning panettone trifle for dessert.

Whether it’s foods, games or gifts, every family has Christmas traditions that are brought out year after year. Whatever your own traditions may be, “Giada’s Holiday Handbook” is packed full of tips and tricks to help the holidays run smoothly — and maybe even some suggestions for a new tradition or two. The next episode airs Sunday, Dec. 9.

Sunday, Dec. 9

Noon (8) WDSE Around the Farm Table Inga gathers ingredients for a ploughman’s lunch with a world champion sheep herder.

Monday, Dec. 10

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Tuesday, Dec. 11

11:30 a.m. (9) KAWE Sara’s Weeknight Meals Sara joins local chef Franck Garanger for a market tour to gather ingredients for paella.

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Thursday, Dec. 13

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

8:00 p.m. (5) KSTP The Great American Baking Show Contestants showcase their cookies. (N)

9:00 p.m. (5) KSTP The Great American Baking Show The competitors are tasked with baking bread. (N)

Friday, Dec. 14

12:30 p.m. (9) KAWE Food Over 50 Included: parsley potatoes; whole wheat fusilli vongole; vegetable rice pilaf.

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Saturday, Dec. 15

6:00 a.m. TRAV Food Paradise Check out America’s hot spots for the best in sausage from coast to coast.

7:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Wisconsin Foodie TRAV Food Paradise Road trip across American to discover the best stuffed foods in the nation.

7:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Taste of Malaysia

With Martin Yan

8:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Simply Ming (N)

A&E Scraps: Parts Uneaten Joel meets Jacques Pepin in Connecticut. They use often-wasted food to create a menu. (N)

8:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Moveable Feast

With Fine Cooking (N)

9:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Martha Bakes

TRAV The Zimmern List Andrew travels to Birmingham, AL, home to one of the fastest growing food scenes. (N)

9:30 a.m. (2) KTCA How to Cook Well

With Rory O’Connell Salsify in filo, beetroot puree, and more are served.

10:00 a.m. (2) KTCA New Scandinavian Cooking Andreas makes a Scandinavian Christmas feast and shares favorite Norwegian recipes.

TRAV Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations Andrew highlights the culinary treasures of Venice, Italy.

10:30 a.m. (2) KTCA New Orleans

Cooking With Kevin Belton

Buttermilk Pancakes with Praline Bacon Sprinkles; New Orleans Glazed Ham Po-boys.

11:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Jacques Pépin: More Fast Food My Way Jaques discovers a new bread at a local restaurant and decides to develop his own version.

11:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Lidia’s Kitchen Recipes include tomato and onion salad alla Calabrese and a leftover meatball panini. (N)

Noon (2) KTCA Sara’s Weeknight Meals Root vegetable soup with pita crisps and shredded butternut squash with dates are served.

(9) KAWE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Julia and Bridget pan-sera boneless pork chops.

12:30 p.m. (2) KTCA America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Ginger frozen yogurt is prepared and Tim Chin makes perfect lemon posset with berries.

1:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Nigella: At My Table

2:30 p.m. (8) WDSE Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Lynn Clark shows how to bake a rich and moist cake without an oven.

3:00 p.m. (2) KTCA America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated The cast share great tips for planning a stress-free gathering.

(8) WDSE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Test cook Dan Souza makes Julia perfect grillsmoked and herb-rubbed flat iron steaks.

Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Food Dec 9, 2018 to Dec 15, 2018

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