Inhaltsverzeichnis für December 2016 in Real Simple

'TWAS A FEW NIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 1882, when Edward Johnson, the vice president of Thomas Edison's Electric Company, had a bright idea. Instead of using precarious and dangerous candles to illuminate his Christmas tree, why not use electric bulbs? Equipped with the know-how and a nearby electric plant, Johnson created a display to remember. People passing by his midtown Manhattan townhouse on December 22 were treated to an eyeful in the parlor window: Johnson's tree stood atop a revolving stand and twinkled with 80 red, white, and blue bulbs. "I need not tell you that the scintillating evergreen was a pretty sight," raved William Augustus Croffut, a reporter for the Detroit Post and Tribune. For those not, um, connected, holiday lights were prohibitively expensive (about $2,000 in today's currency) and…

RUNWAY INSPIRATION Models at the Creatures of the Wind fall 2016 show wore matte sangria lips with a dab of cherry gloss in the center. 1 Prep For a smooth application, exfoliate your lips first with a pinch of sugar and water. Then, using a makeup sponge, like the Beautyblender ($20, sephora.com), dab a thin veil of foundation over your lips. This creates a neutral canvas that will help the lip color pop—plus, it makes your color last longer. 2 Line and fill Trace lips with a matte pencil one or two shades deeper than your natural lip color. Try Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Mulberry Nude ($8, target.com), taking it a little closer to the center of your lips than normal. Then, using a finger, pat on…

3 QUICK IDEAS Zesty crab cakes Combine 1 lb. drained and picked jumbo lump crabmeat; 1 6-oz. jar quartered, marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped; ½ cup bread crumbs; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 1 large egg, beaten; and ½ tsp. kosher salt. Shape into 8 patties. Cook in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until golden brown, about 3 min. per side. Serves 4. Artichoke linguine Toss 12 oz. hot cooked linguine with 3 cups firmly packed fresh baby spinach; 1 6-oz. jar quartered, marinated artichoke hearts, drained; 1 oz. shaved Parmesan cheese; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar; ½ tsp. kosher salt; and ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper. Bacon, leek, and artichoke quiche Whisk together 6 large eggs; 1 6-oz. jar quartered, marinated artichoke hearts; ½…

My neighbor watched our pets while we were on vacation and won't accept any money. I feel terribly guilty about that. I would like her to do it again sometime but now feel as if I would be taking advantage of her if I asked. I'm totally willing to pay! How should I handle this? Should I insist, or is that rude? Should I buy her a gift card or a gift? B. C. I love favors for the way they humble us, for the way they help create a kind world rather than a tit-for-tat, payment-for-service one. Our job, as the person being served, is to accept the favor graciously and to remember that it is probably deeply satisfying for the other person. (Plus, in this case, your neighbor…

BLOWN-BACK BOB LENGTH | SHORT Don't let short hair limit you. You can get that lifted-updo effect without a single elastic or pin. Just blow your bob away from your face to put a chic spin on your everyday style. FOR EASY STEP-BY-STEPS FOR ALL THE STYLES IN THIS STORY, GO TO PAGE 96. STACKED PONYTAIL LENGTH | MEDIUM Edge, drama, and volume: All it takes is two elastics and texturizer. KNOTTED HALF-UP LENGTH | LONG Get the best of both worlds (polished in front, free-flowing in the back) with this superfast hybrid style. HOW-TO STACKED PONYTAIL STEP 1 If you're starting with wet hair, spritz in a salt spray and rough-dry with a blow-dryer for waves. If your hair is already dry, mist a texturizing spray, like 1 Orlando…

Gaming strategy Every Christmas, we get more board games. What's the neatest way to store them? P. J., via Facebook Tattered boxes are an eyesore, so I like to conceal games in a closet, in a hanging sweater shelf (Threshold 6-shelf organizer, $19, target.com). Or, if you have a spare deep drawer, you can insert a pot-lid sorter (Variera organizer, $6, ikea.com). Slot in the games and you'll avoid the avalanche that can happen when you pull one out of a pile. Another option: Toss the boxes and place each board plus pieces in its own stackable, portable drawer (Acrylic Case 5 drawers, $38, muji.com). All dolled up I have over-the-door shoe bags for my kids' massive collection of doll clothes, but they always end up in a heap on…

The stress hangover Your mile-long shopping list has yet to be addressed; houseguests are imminent and you're nowhere near prepared; coordinating the family calendar has been impossible, and you're supposed to be in three places at one time. Whatever the source, a spike in stress can make you feel agitated, angry, drained, weepy, or unable to sleep—or, let's face it, all of the above. This happens when the brain's fear center triggers the stress and fight-or-flight responses, a flood of hormones that revs up breathing, spikes blood sugar, and increases natural steroids so you can fight off an attacker or run for your life. That makes sense from an evolutionary perspective but is an overreaction for most modern-day stress, explains psychologist Marc Schoen, Ph.D., an assistant clinical professor of medicine…

HEATHER JASSY • Senior vice president of values-aligned business at Etsy • Based in Hudson, New York What was your childhood like? I grew up in the South—in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. My father is a minister. We always had people staying at our house who were going through something difficult. My parents started an adult literacy center in our town and ran a community food bank. Right out of college, you owned and ran a bookstore. The owners of this place were ready to retire, but they wanted to keep it open for the community [in Birmingham], and they gifted it to me. It was a dream come true. What was it like jumping into that? It quickly makes you aware of what you're good at and what…

When life has you running around, why not take five minutes before bed to help out the parts of your body that work hardest—your feet? Sit comfortably and take one foot in your hand. Circle your ankle slowly, as if you're turning a crank. This moves the stagnant fluids in your ankle, foot, and calf and can bring instant relief. Notice your breath. Does it change as you gently manipulate your foot? Move slowly and deliberately. Now press both thumbs into your heel and draw little circles. Run your thumbs along the arch of your foot, then squeeze and rotate each toe ("this little piggy"–style). Check in with your breath again. Paying attention to yourself in this calm, small, nurturing way can help lengthen your inhale and exhale. Next, make…

[x] Quick Cooking [x) Healthy Pick [] Freezable [x] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [x] Vegetarian [x] Gluten-Free [] Family-Friendly ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 1½ cups white rice 4 large eggs 2½ Tbsp. olive oil 1 small onion, sliced ¾ tsp. paprika ¾ tsp. kosher salt, plus more for serving 1 medium tomato, chopped 1 15-oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 9-oz. bag baby spinach leaves 2 Tbsp. water 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese COOK the rice according to the package directions. MEANWHILE, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Carefully lower in the eggs and cook 6 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a bowl full of ice water and let cool.…

[x) Quick Cooking [x] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [x] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [x] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [] Gluten-Free [] Family-Friendly ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 medium leek, white part only, thinly sliced 1 small bulb fennel, sliced 3 garlic cloves, sliced ½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. ground turmeric 4 cups vegetable broth ½ cup pearl couscous 16 oz. skinless salmon fillets 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill HEAT the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. ADD the leek and fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, and turmeric and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and…

IT'S AN EGG SLICER! BUTTER HACKS Get a (better) grip with these tricks. MEASURING When you unwrap a new stick, cut the entire thing into tablespoons. That way, you'll know exactly how many tablespoons you have left for cookies and cakes. CUTTING To chop butter into small pieces quickly (for pie dough or dotting on vegetables), place about 4 tablespoons of cold butter in an egg cutter. Slice, rotate a quarter turn, and slice again. SPREADING To make cold butter spreadable for toast, sliver pieces off the stick with a Y-shape vegetable peeler. GREASING For mess-free greased pans, rub a butter wrapper around the inside. (Save your empty wrappers folded in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.) SOFTENING To soften cold butter quickly, place it in a plastic bag and…

DID SOME-ONE SAY "COOKIES"? Pies can be intimidating, cakes take focus, but cookies are a universally loved and easy-to-bake dessert for the season. Lucky for you, we have a calendar with two months' worth of delicious cookies. (That's 61 recipes!) You'll find traditional sweets as well as a few surprising recipes to try, like our Eggnog Bars and Matcha Financiers. Visit realsimple.com/cookiecalendar for all the recipes, and know that you'll be the hit of the cookie swap. DON'T PUT AWAY YOUR COOKIE CUTTERS JUST YET… Visit realsimple.com instead to see a bunch of new ways to put them to work for your holiday. While cookies bake in the oven, their festive stencils can become napkin rings for your holiday table, ornaments for the tree, cake decorators, or a way to…

What's the biggest mistake givers make? They donate impulsively. Charity scams rely on you doing no background check and making a hurried gift. Spend 10 or 15 minutes doing proper research to make sure that a charity is legitimate and reputable. What sort of research? Reputable charities will have an online presence—at the very least, a Facebook page. If a charity does not have a site, that should raise questions. [Go to irs.gov to confirm that a charity is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.] On an organization's website, look for information on their programs and how they use funds. Then search the local media to see what kind of coverage the charity or members of its board have received. How should you deal with unexpected donation requests? Whether it's a…

PRETTY SWEET SNOW TUBE This four-feet-across inflatable peppermint twist is a real treat for kids on snow days. TO BUY: Giant Big Mouth Snow Tube, $30, alwaysfits.com. SPLURGE! 1 SYRUP FOR SOPHISTICATES Treat the Sunday-morning pancake fan to organic maple syrup. Each bottle is wood-smoked, barrel-aged, or infused with exotic fla-vors (lime leaf, cardamom). TO BUY: Maple syrups, $17 to $20 each, runamokmaple.com. 2 CAT-EAR HEADPHONES Purrfect for your tween and her current band crush (Twenty-One Pilots, anyone?), this cushiony, light-up upgrade lets her listen solo or with friends. The "ears" also act as speakers. TO BUY: Brookstone Cat Ear Headphones, $100, macys.com. 3 MONSTER ICE POPS Kids can fill the silicone molds with juice or softened ice cream, then freeze in the included tray to create devilishly good desserts.…

1 KAREN CASSIDAY Ask open-ended questions. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking they have to tell a funny story or make a pithy comment on current events, and that's not true. You just need to ask an open-ended question. A good question, along with eye contact and a smile, conveys "I'm friendly, I'm approachable, and I'm interested in learning about you." I work with clients who suffer from anxiety, and I tell them to write a few questions either in a note on their phone or on an index card. I particularly like TableTopics, which are these small cards with conversation starters that you can get on Amazon. They give you interesting questions that everybody loves to think about. Something like "If you had a million dollars…

1 BEST MAKEUP STICK Jane Iredale In Touch Cream Blush This cream-to-powder blush also triples as eye shadow and lip color. Swipe it on, then blend with a finger (no brush needed). In four perky shades that bring you back to life after a long flight or road trip. TO BUY: $27, janeiredale.com. 2 BEST CLEANSER belif True Tincture Cleansing Stick Swirl this solid cleansing stick onto wet skin. Chamomile, calendula, and oat extracts help kill bacteria and calm redness. "I love that I didn't have to worry about it leaking or spilling," said a tester. TO BUY: $28, sephora.com. 3 BEST MAKEUP REMOVER (AND MORE!) RMS Beauty Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes Don't leave home with-out them. Made with organic coconut oil, these wipes easily and efficiently remove makeup or…

LIGHT IT UP When your item is just too big to cover with paper (a dollhouse, a rocking chair, a bike), "wrap" it with strings of holiday lights. Cover the entire exterior, securing the cords with standard twist ties, ribbon, or fishing line. Don't worry which way the bulbs point—the haphazardness is part of what makes it feel so festive. MAKE A SAMPLER Want a more personal way to give money? Arrange the cash like an assortment of sweets in a tissue paper–lined plain white box. (Find boxes in all sizes at containerstore.com.) Fold or roll the bills and tie with twine or ribbon, then nestle them in cupcake liners in various shapes and shades (a great way to use up any leftovers, btw). Sprinkle in a few random trinkets—candy…

JESSICA & LAUREN LEIBOWITZ ON JESSICA (left): A metallic T-shirt looks sleek tucked into a waist-defining knee-length fringe skirt. Accessories are easy—just go with anything statement-making (here, boho gold jewelry and a beaded clutch). ON LAUREN (right): Floral appliqués and peekaboo lace elevate this quintessential A-line dress. The inverted pleats add volume (without bulk) to flatter hourglass figures. TO BUY ON JESSICA: Zara shirt, $40, zara.com for similar styles. Lauren Ralph Lauren skirt, $40, marshalls.com. ON LAUREN: Topshop dress, $160, topshop.com. KERRY SHAW VLACHOU & KAREN SHAW LORENZO ON KERRY (left): This dress has it all—romantic off-the-shoulder sleeves, a plunging neckline, intricate cutouts at the waist. Pair it with twinkly drop earrings and hit the town. ON KAREN (right): This jewel-tone stunner is buttoned-up enough for the office party. The…

1 Buy multiples You know the story: Instead of buying five terrific scarves for five terrific friends from one terrific store, you sprint all over town in search of a special item for each person. This sort of "overindividuation" was looked at in a 2014 study published in Journal of Consumer Research. Focusing on variety, rather than how much the recipient might enjoy the gift, translates into spending more money and expending more time. Research by study coauthor Robyn A. LeBoeuf, a professor of marketing at Washington University, in St. Louis, shows that while people feel that giving different presents is the thoughtful thing to do, recipients are often just as happy (or happier) with less tailored items. 2 Don't get pinned down Temporarily swear off Pinterest when you're shopping…

COZY UP A BENCH That workaday drop zone can turn positively ski-lodgey if you add some layers: Choose a weighty textile or two (blanket, throw) and top that off with a plush sheepskin—folding each layer the width of the bench, then stacking and wrapping with a band of fabric or wide ribbon knotted in back. (We used four-inch-wide faux-suede strips.) Gild a bookshelf with a few delicate wreaths. (The golden ones are from shopterrain.com; you can make the olive-branch one yourself.) To hang, just tuck the ribbon into a stack of books. MODERNIZE YOUR MANTEL Instead of the usual (shedding!) evergreens and pinecones, let long-lasting amaryllises take the lead this year. Surround them with neutral objects of different heights, materials, and shapes (earthy-beautiful), and finish off with a single string…

[] Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [x] Gluten-Free [] Family-Friendly ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 4 slices bacon 1 1¼-lb. pork tenderloin ¾ tsp. garlic powder ¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided ¼ cup olive oil 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar ¼ tsp. black pepper 3 cups very thinly sliced Brussels sprouts (about 6 oz.) 1 small Fuji apple, thinly sliced ¼ cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley PREHEAT oven to 425°F. HEAT a large ovenproof skillet over medium. Add the bacon to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet; crumble and set aside. Reserve the drippings…

[] Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [x] Gluten-Free [] Family-Friendly ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 2 Tbsp. olive oil 8 oz. ground chicken ½ cup chopped yellow onion 2 15-oz. cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped cauliflower florets 1 15.5-oz. can chickpeas, drained ¾ cup pitted green olives ½ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro 2¾ cups chicken broth ⅔ cup coarse cornmeal HEAT the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring until crumbled and browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until just starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 8 2 Tbsp. ground cumin 1 Tbsp. ground ginger 1 Tbsp. ground coriander 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon ½ Tbsp. kosher salt 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-in. pieces 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 medium onions, chopped 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained 2 cups cherry tomatoes 8 halved apricots, or 3 cups halved dried apricots 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth Cooked quinoa, chopped fresh parsley, and roasted, salted pistachios, for serving MIX the cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. HEAT 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium high. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per…

A. A curated book assortment. My best friend is not much of a reader, and I'm a book lover. Last year I created a "book every few months" club for her. I enjoyed using everything I know about my friend to handpick the perfect book, and she was happy to have a selection made just for her! MEGAN SANDHAM, Surrey, British Columbia FOR A QUICK PRIMER ON HOW TO GIVE TO CHARITY, TURN TO PAGE 32. About 20 years ago, a coworker of mine donated diapers and wipes to a local women's shelter in my name. I was not only moved and grateful; it inspired me to be more connected to the world and to be more charitable myself. ANGIE HALL, Prairieville, Louisiana Killer homemade chocolate sauce. @4ROBING Handkerchiefs. They…

DOOR ORGANIZER Keep condiments upright and tidy (and say sayonara to shelf stickiness) by storing bottles in a six-pack carrier. FROZEN-FOODS HOLDER A basic desk sorter allows you to neatly file packages of meat, vegetables, and other frozen foods while freeing up freezer space for clunky items (like bags of ice). JAR SUSPENDER Take advantage of every bit of refrigerator space by adhering a magnetic knife strip to the underside of a shelf with adhesive strips (such as 3M Command picture-hanging strips). Anything with a metal lid will stick to it. CASSEROLE STACKER Can't fit all your holiday leftovers? Go vertical by layering cutting boards (or cookie sheets) between the containers.…

1 CROSS-BODY BAG Small enough for running last-minute holiday errands unencumbered—but roomy enough for all your essentials (phone, keys, wallet). $70, talbots.com. 2 REVERSIBLE WRAP This cozy oversize cape is multicolored plaid on one side, houndstooth on the other, and a versatile layer any way you look at it. Look By M, $40, modcloth.com. 3 DROP-WAIST SKIRT In a dark Black Watch tartan, this chic mini works nearly anywhere a solid black or navy version would. Cynthia Rowley, $25, tjmaxx.com. 4 SLEEVELESS SHIFT The festive palette and the ruffled collar make this great for a casual holiday party. $198, vineyardvines.com. 5 STATEMENT STILETTOS Kick your jeans-and-sweater combo up a notch—these printed pumps give basics a serious boost. $40, amiclubwear.com.…

HOME + ASK THE ORGANIZER 108 + HOW TO WRAP ALL THOSE ODDLY SHAPED GIFTS 112 + THE VETS WILL SEE YOU NOW 120 HEALTH + FIXES FOR ALL OF LIFE'S LITTLE HANGOVERS 123 FASHION + COCKTAIL ATTIRE FOR REAL BODIES 133 BEAUTY + EASY HOLIDAY STYLES FOR EVERY LENGTH OF HAIR 91 + PRETTY SMART 102 + PACKING MADE EASY: 6 MUST-HAVE TRAVEL-SIZE PRODUCTS 100 WORK & MONEY + AMERICAN VOICES: HEATHER JASSY 155 + ASK BUCKY 156 + YOUR BRAIN ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING 158 + MASTERING THE JOURNEY: HOW ONE COUPLE IS CONFRONTING ALZHEIMER'S 162 FAMILY + DEALING WITH PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PEOPLE—DIRECTLY 143…

Sweeten the pot The 12 easy-to-wear colors, the buildable consistency, and the waterproof formula all intrigued us. But it's the built-in angled brush housed in the cap of each Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow ($8 each, walmart.com) that makes this a must-have. TOWEL OFF STREAMLINE YOUR NIGHTLY ROUTINE WITH THE ORIGINAL MAKEUP ERASER ($20, SEPHORA.COM). DRENCH IN WARM WATER (THAT'S IT), THEN RUB IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS. THE 100 PERCENT POLYESTER FIBERS REMOVE EVEN WATERPROOF MASCARA. MACHINE WASH WEEKLY. JUST PLAIN FUN. French kiss In eight shades, from tart pink to deep plum, Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour ($37 each, chanel.com) glides on like a gloss yet sets to a matte finish. Unlike other liquid lipsticks, it's not drying, thanks to jojoba oil. THIS FORMULA WON'T TRANSFER TO…

Q. Catitude adjustment Our kitten is skittish, especially around new people. How can we help her relax? L. L., via Facebook A. You can't always transform a taciturn cat into a social butterfly, but you can ease her anxiety. Give her a cat tree or another perch in the living room (or wherever guests gather), and offer an item that soothes her—a pinch of catnip, a motorized toy—when visitors stop by. "You're not asking her to interact with people—just to comfortably coexist," says veterinary behaviorist Lisa Radosta. If she scampers off, don't chase her, says veterinarian Andy Roark: "You won't make progress unless she can be social on her own terms." Some cats do turn out to be unwavering introverts, notes Roark, but most will become calmer around company within…

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: Your friend texts you a question and, after you answer, writes, "Thanks for texting me back. I know how busy you are." Your coworker apologizes for forgetting to invite you to a meeting. Your mother-in-law says, "Great job on that turkey!" All good, right? So why do you feel punched in the gut? Because maybe those seemingly nice comments weren't nice at all. Maybe you've been hit with a passive-aggressive jab—a hurtful action (or, in some more complicated cases, an inaction) in disguise. Feeling off about an exchange may be a sign that your friend's text was dusted in sarcasm, your coworker purposefully left you off the meeting invite, and your mother-in-law thinks that you have the turkey-roasting skills of an eight-year-old. "Passive-aggressive behavior is sugarcoated hostility,"…

A ADVENT CALENDAR Let the countdown to Christmas begin with one of these DIY ideas from Penelope Dullaghan, an Indianapolis-based illustrator and crafter. BROWN-PAPER PACKAGES (Tied up with string: optional.) Stamp or handwrite numbers on brown-paper lunch bags (or mini-size versions, available in bulk at amazon.com). Fill with sweet notes, chocolates, or tiny trinkets—ornaments, card games, a bouncy ball. On a blank wall, tack up two lines of heavy twine and use small clothespins to attach each bag. TREE BRANCH Find a pretty branch outside, let it dry, and spray-paint it white for a snowy feel. Then place in a tall vase weighed down with colorful glass stones or sand. Use ribbon to tie on notes with numbers on one side and Advent activities on the other. AS FOR THE…

Quick Cooking (200, 204, 206, 212) Healthy Pick (200, 206, 212, 216) Freezable (216) Make Ahead (192, 196, 200, 204, 206, 212, 216) Big Batch (192, 196, 212, 216) One Pot (206, 212, 216) Whole-Grain (216) Vegetarian (192, 196, 200, 212) Gluten-Free (200, 202, 204, 209, 212, 216) 7 HOW MANY DAYS CAULIFLOWER LASTS STORED IN A PLASTIC BAG IN THE REFRIGERATOR. Orange alert A relative of ginger, turmeric is a staple in curries. But its pungent, peppery flavor adds earthiness to soups, too (page 206). PRECIOUS PEARLS Israeli couscous (a.k.a. pearl couscous) is really a tiny, toasted pasta. Toss it raw into soups; it cooks in 10 minutes flat. DAILY TASTE Go to realsimple.com/dailyrecipe to have new favorite recipes delivered to your in-box every day.…

[x] Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [x] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [x] Gluten-Free [] Family-Friendly ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 8 oz. wide rice noodles 1¼ lb. ground chuck 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. olive oil 6 oz. shiitake mushroom caps, sliced (about 4 cups) 12 baby bok choy, halved 2 cups beef broth 3½ Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger 1 Tbsp. honey 4 scallions, thinly sliced COOK the noodles according to the package directions. MEANWHILE, combine the beef and garlic in a medium bowl. Shape the mixture into 20 meatballs (about 1½ inches in diameter). Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add…

Simple swap The spoon-shaped leaves shown here are Belgian endive; they come in red or pale yellow. Can't find that kind? Use another member of the chicory family, such as radicchio, for similar bitterness and vibrant color. Buying tips Look for tightly wrapped heads with snow white stems free of browning. Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The leaves brown quickly after they're cut, so be sure to slice just before using. 1 Caramelized endive and bacon dip Cook 3 slices BACON in a skillet until crisp. Remove and crumble; reserve the drippings in the skillet. Add 2 cups sliced BELGIAN ENDIVE and cook until browned, 12 to 15 min. Add 2 cups chopped SPINACH and toss until wilted; transfer to a bowl.…

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT Page 91: Top by Beaufille. Choker by Lady Grey. Page 92: Turtleneck by Tibi. Coat by M. Martin. Page 94: Pajama jumpsuit by M. Martin. Earrings by Lady Grey. THAT'S A WRAP! Page 112: Step-through frame bicycle in matte black, $449, prioritybicycles.com. DECKED OUT Page 133: Noir earrings, $136, noirnyc.com. Sarah Magid cuff, $298, sarahmagid.com. From St Xavier clutch, $135, revolve.com. Page 134: On Kerry, R.J. Graziano earrings, $75, rjgraziano.com; Swarovski ring, $299, swarovski.com. On Karen, R.J. Graziano earrings, $65, rjgraziano.com. Page 136: On Courtney, Stella & Dot necklace, $159, stelladot.com; Daya by Zendaya pumps, $100, nordstrom.com. On Brandi, Stephanie Kantis earrings, $345, stephaniekantis.com; Sarah Magid cuff, $248, sarahmagid.com; From St Xavier clutch, $112, revolve.com; Stuart Weitzman heels, $311, zappos.com. Page 138: On Dawn,…