Table of contents for December 2019 in Real Simple

WHEN I WAS growing up, my schoolteacher father spent his spare time helping people new to this country learn English, and often he would bring me along. I went begrudgingly, unclear about why we were spending our Saturday with, say, a Vietnamese family our church had sponsored. “Are we done? I’m bored,” I would whisper, but he genuinely enjoyed these visits. You see, my father knew how it felt to be a stranger in a strange land. My parents lived in American Samoa in the 1960s, when he was principal of a school there, and he spoke vividly about the people who had welcomed them and helped them negotiate island life, which was so different from the life they knew in Iowa. So later, when he was back in…

For the flakiest bread crumbs, always reach for Japanese-style panko. The delicate texture comes from bread dough that’s been cooked by electrical current to create a crustless loaf, then ground into shardlike crumbs. Panko adds lightness when used as a binder for foods like meatloaf and crab cakes, and it delivers long-lasting crispiness to fried cutlets, baked gratins, and quickly broiled seafood. You can even pan-toast it to top salads, pizza, pasta, or ice cream for an extra dose of crunch. Quick Ideas 1 CRUNCHY SKILLET EGGS WITH HERBS Combine ½ cup panko and 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet; cook over medium, stirring, until golden, 3 minutes. Reserve 2 Tbsp. panko; spread remaining panko in skillet and crack in 4 eggs. Season with salt and pepper…

START WITH THE DRESS… TO BUY: The Greenlay Dress, $295; mmlafleur.com. …ADD A JACKET AND SCARF Smart layering keeps you comfy and professional. A silk scarf adds polish, but if the office heat is blasting, tie it around the handle of your carry-all tote. TO BUY: Regent Blazer, $198; jcrew.com. Natural Swirl Silk Square Scarf, $99; echonewyork.com. James Avery Cascading Circles Ear Statement Hooks, $160; dillards.com. The Longitude Tote, $245; awaytravel.com. Hanes Hosiery Micro Rib Tight, $10; jcp.com. The Lizzy Boot, $268; loyalfootwear.com. …ADD A SHEER TOP AND A BELT Your basic LBD goes semiformal when you wear a sheer blouse underneath and incorporate sparkly details, like a feathery belt and glitter-laden shoes. TO BUY: Blouse K021, $48; oakandfort.com. Wide Feather Belt, $119; whbm.com. Nina Zayna Earrings, $48; nordstrom.com. Elizabeth…

1 Set it and forget it. Having a straightforward process you don’t have to think about can help you avoid getting caught off guard. Start by giving your home a thorough seasonal clean. Then, for quick tidy-ups, reserve room in a closet for a mad stash of out-of-place items. Also, identify a go-to outfit you’ll keep at the ready to jump into before the doorbell rings. Bottom line: A little stress-free prep means you can relax and have a good time anytime. Your guests will do the same. MONIQUE GREENWOOD IS THE OWNER AND CEO OF AKWAABA BED & BREAKFAST INNS, WITH LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK; WASHINGTON, D.C.; NEW JERSEY; AND PENNSYLVANIA. SHE LIVES IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. 2 Remember the ambience—and the wine. I’m in the interiors world,…

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MEET MAGGIE SEAVER ASSOCIATE EDITOR AT REALSIMPLE.COM Everyday uniform: Madewell jeans, a loose sweater, and flats. Favorite seasonal dish: Christmas rice made from wild rice tossed with sausage, prosciutto, garlic, and herbs. It’s to die for. Ideal weekend plans: Read a book I love so much that I miss itwhen I put it down. Tree Alternatives Deck the halls with everything but an actual Christmas tree. We’ve got ideas for unexpected holiday decor. Get inspired at realsimple.com/xmastrees. White Elephant Gift Guide 2019 Make gift exchanges a breeze with our definitive guide to this year’s best white elephant presents. Shop our list at realsimple.com/whiteelephant. Open and tap for holiday desserts. 40 FESTIVE DINNER RECIPES Are you the host this year? These recipes will make Christmas dinner a highlight…

ROCK SOLID This recyclable paper is made from stone rather than trees, making it water-resistant and reusable. TO BUY: Stone Wrapping Paper, $10 per roll; papersource.com. 1 ALL THE STRINGS With two dozen rolls of colored twine in this set, you’ll have plenty left for gifts throughout the year. TO BUY: Jute Twine Pack, $38; shopterrain.com. 2 MINI MEMOS This booklet includes 75 tiny note cards that can be folded up and used as tags. TO BUY: Little Letters of Good Cheer by Lea Redmond, $10; chroniclebooks.com. 3 RULE IT OUT No need for scissors—just measure your paper and pull it along the edge of this tool for a clean, straight cut. TO BUY: WrapMaster Wrapping Paper Cutter, $16; containerstore.com. 4 SWEET SHEETS The scalloped borders of this festive…

LANCÔME L’ABSOLU ROUGE RUBY LIPSTICK Inspired by—you guessed it—rubies, this long-lasting, one-swipe lipstick wears comfortably, thanks to rose flower extracts, and has a satin finish. Its faceted, crystal-like bullet helps you stay in the lines. Plus, the festive cases make it giftable. In 12 shades. TO BUY: $32; lancome-usa.com. PATTERN BY TRACEE ELLIS ROSS MEDIUM CONDITIONER AND INTENSIVE CONDITIONER Ten years in the making, this line contains products that give curl types 3B to 4C the right slip and definition. TO BUY: From $25; patternbeauty.com. STRIVECTIN BLURFECTOR FOR EYES LID & UNDEREYE BRIGHTENING PRIMER Brightens dark circles and smooths fine lines. Apply after eye cream; wear alone or under makeup (wait 30 seconds). TO BUY: $29; strivectin.com. FLORENCE BY MILLS CHEEK ME LATER CREAM BLUSH IN GORGEOUS GIA Dab onto…

Vegetarian Tacos With Sweet Potatoes and Corn ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 42 Tbsp. olive oil2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-in. chunks1 14-oz. package extra-firm tofu, drained, patted dry, and crumbled2 tsp. chili powder1 tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper1 10-oz. package frozen corn, thawed2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)8 small flour tortillas, warmed¾ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese¾ cup store-bought refrigerated salsaLime wedges, for serving HEAT oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add sweet potatoes and cook until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ⅓ cup water, cover, and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. UNCOVER and add tofu, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tofu is browned, about…

REALSIMPLE ROAD TEST BEST NAIL POLISH Essie Nail Polish in Let It Bow, Making Spirits Bright, and Caught on Tape For an easy way to feel festive and dress up any outfit, swipe on one of these glittery shades. You can also brush one on top of chipped polish to fake a fresh manicure in a pinch—no one will know. One coat delivers a sheer sheen, while three result in an opaque finish. TO BUY: $9 each; essie.com. BEST BODY OIL Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Oil in A Vision You won’t look like a disco ball, but your skin will take on a rosy glisten in the light. Vitamin E keeps décolletage, arms, and legs smooth. TO BUY: $52; sephora.com. BEST HIGHLIGHTER Rituel de Fille Metamorphic Highlighter…

IT WAS SO FUN TO FIND OUT your nonna—she of the world-famous pasta with pignoli—is not, in fact, even uno percento Italian. But what about the next level of findings from a genetic testing kit, the kind that focus more on health risks than on ancestry? Those results can be decidedly less delightful to get back. But at-home genetic tests (like 23andMe and also more detailed, medical-focused ones, like Color) spike in sales during the holiday season. Before you send off your vial of saliva, you should decide what you’ll do with the information (what if it’s bad news?) and what the privacy implications are. Granted, your genetic risk isn’t your health destiny—your age, gender, family history, and lifestyle all play roles too. “Genetics can’t tell you whether you…

When you’re ready for bed but haven’t had time to unwind from the day, use this breathing technique to tuck yourself in. Get into bed and find a comfortable position. Close your eyes and feel the delightfulness of the mattress under you. Feel the embrace of the sheets and blankets on top of you. Then place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Notice how your hands move up and down, like a boat on a gentle tide. If your mind begins replaying what happened during the day or starts to plan tomorrow, come back to the breath and use it to find calm for the night.…

Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 6 1 lb. mezzi rigatoni or other short pasta1 cup heavy cream2 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 Tbsp. olive oil5 large shallots, sliced (2 ½ cups)1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for cooking pasta4 cloves garlic, sliced1 6-oz. can tomato paste¼ to ½ tsp. crushed red pepper½ cup vodkaFreshly ground black pepper, for serving COOK pasta in a large pot of generously salted water according to package directions for al dente; before draining, ladle 1 cup pasta water into a large, heatproof bowl. Drain cooked pasta. Whisk cream into re-served pasta water. Set aside. MELT butter with oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium. Add shallots and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until…

Deck the halls and dress up your dinner—at this festive time of year, a little extra richness makes a whole lot of sense. Wintry mushroom soup becomes even more comforting with some heavy cream (page 136), and generous layers of ham and Swiss turn a weeknight chicken bake into something special (page 138). Jewel-toned root vegetables make latkes more flavorful (page 142), while lazy holiday mornings with family get a dose of luxury when you add brown butter to a big batch of waffles (page 144). Joy!…

REALSIMPLE ROAD TEST BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE Sur La Table Ultimate Chocolate Chunk Cookies Hefty chunks of high-quality Valrhona chocolate and a touch of sea salt make these treats a special experience. Finish them with some more flaky sea salt and no one will believe they came from a box. TO BUY: $12; at Sur La Table. BEST OATMEAL COOKIE Bouchon Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix Loaded with Indonesian cinnamon and three kinds of raisins, this mix brings the taste of the award-winning Bouchon Bakery home. TO BUY: $20; at Williams Sonoma. BEST GLUTEN-FREE Sweet Loren’s Chocolate Chunk Edible Cookie Dough Eat it raw (yes, raw!) or scoop and bake for crunchy yet chewy treats. Testers couldn’t believe this cookie dough was both vegan and gluten-free. TO BUY: $7;…

ACTIVE TIME 50 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES MAKES 16 LATKES 3 large carrots (¾ lb.), peeled4 medium parsnips (¾ lb.), peeled1 small red beet, peeled1 small yellow onion½ cup cornstarch3 scallions, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)2 large eggs, lightly beaten2 ¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided¼ cup olive oil, divided1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt¼ cup chopped fresh dill½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper PREHEAT oven to 300°F. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet. Grate carrots, parsnips, and beet on the largest holes of a box grater. Grate onion to measure ⅓ cup (reserve remaining onion for another use). Stir grated vegetables, cornstarch, scallions, eggs, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until fully combined. (Do not let sit; mixture will become watery.) HEAT 1 tablespoon…

ACTIVE TIME 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES MAKES 12 TO 14 WAFFLES ¾ cup (1½sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for serving4 large eggs, separated¼ cup sugar2½ cups all-purpose flour2 tsp. baking powder1½ tsp. kosher salt2¼ cups whole milk1½ tsp. pure vanilla extractMelted butter or nonstick spray, for waffle ironMaple syrup, for serving PREHEAT a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Preheat oven to 250°F. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and place in oven. MELT butter in a medium skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until it browns and smells nutty, 4 to 6 minutes. Pour into a bowl; let cool for 5 minutes. MEANWHILE, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on high until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.…

Should you sign the card “Love, the Claus’s”? Or is it Clauses? Or Claus’? Addressing loved ones with the correct pluralized version of their last name—even signing your own!—can feel like a grammar pop quiz. Here are two easy rules for doing it right: A last name is always written out in its entirety, and you never need an apostrophe when signing or addressing cards, says Mignon Fogarty, host of the podcast Grammar Girl. That means write out Williams or Garcia and simply tack something onto the end. Usually you just have to add s, even if the last letter is y. Exceptions: If the name ends in s, z, ch, or sh, add es. If it ends in x, add es unless the x is silent. So the…

SNOW-DUSTED PINECONES Start with a whitewashed pinecone wreath, then give it a little extra dimension by attaching unpainted cones (use hot glue or floral wire). Sprigs of red berries provide a burst of color. GOLD LEAF A can of metallic spray paint is all it takes to transform a classic magnolia-leaf wreath into a showstopper. Pluck out a few leaves, coat them in shimmery copper, and—once they’re dry—disperse them throughout. Add a long bow for more impact. FAUX SHOW Decorate a eucalyptus wreath with paper flowers (they will never die…or even wilt). Stick with one color palette to keep it cohesive. TO BUY: Paper Flowers; shop.thegreenvase.com for info. STAR GAZER Attach shiny celestial cutouts to a boxwood wreath. A small-to-large arrangement across the lower two-thirds gives the impression of…

Easy Dinner 1 Roast Pork With Carrots and Tarragon-mustard Sauce ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Make Ahead ✓ Gluten-Free 1 lb. carrots, cut into 2-in. pieces1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges¼ cup olive oil, divided1 ½ tsp. kosher salt, divided1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided1 1-lb. pork tenderloin1 cup low-sodium chicken broth1 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon2 tsp. Dijon mustard PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Toss carrots and onion with 3 tablespoons oil and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until beginning to soften, 12 to 14 minutes. MEANWHILE, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season pork with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until…