TIMELESS TRADITIONS

When I was growing up, my family had a number of holiday traditions we always observed.

Many were started by my great-grandparents, while others were added over the years. One year, after learning how to make ravioli, my mother decided we’d make hundreds of them on Christmas Eve day. We’d gorge on them for dinner and freeze the rest to enjoy all year long. This tradition lasted almost 20 years.

One tradition I try to observe every year is to make fruitcake —one that people won’t turn their noses up at. I’ve been pretty successful with it so far, but this year, I think I’ve come up with the best one yet. I combined fruitcake with my favorite upsidedown cake recipe to create a delicious mashup, and everyone who’s tried it has loved it (page 48).

Our visual production director, Stephanie Marchese, couldn’t imagine a Christmas without a giant pan of her family’s lasagna (page 50). With its intensely flavored sauce, oodles of noodles and melty blanket of cheese, it’s hands down the best lasagna we’ve ever tried. We think your family will agree.

I’d love to hear what some of your holiday traditions are.

note—or, better yet, tag me in a photo of your tradition. Maybe I’ll add it to my list this year, too.