Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a Christmas tradition in Japan, with families ordering large buckets of chicken -- often referred to as Christmas Party Barrels -- for the holiday. The unique custom began in 1974 with the slogan "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky is Christmas), inspired by Takeshi Okayama, the manager of Japan's first KFC, who noticed American customers missing turkey during the holidays, and is so popular that KFC introduced online pre-ordering to manage overwhelming demand, with most customers picking up their orders between December 24 and 26. Despite Christmas not being widely celebrated for religious reasons, KFC's festive meals have become a central part of the season for many Japanese households.

Pastry chef Laurent Jeannin helped revive the centuries-old French tradition of trompe l'oeil desserts with his realistic citron de Menton creation at Le Bristol in 2007. Modern pastry chefs now use silicone molds and social media to perfect and popularize these hyperreal confections, where visual deception meets refined flavor and texture.

Frog eye salad holds a special place in the cultural traditions of Utah, the Rocky Mountain West, and especially in Mormon communities, where it is a familiar presence at family reunions, church potlucks and community gatherings, symbolizing togetherness, comfort and a sense of belonging. The dish is made from acini di pepe pasta, canned fruit, marshmallows and Cool Whip, and likely originated from a Creamette pasta box recipe in the late 1960s and gained popularity through community cookbooks in the 1990s, writes Hannah Howard.

Turkey, a staple of the holiday season in the US, is celebrated for its nutritional benefits, offering a lean source of protein with essential vitamins and minerals, including niacin, vitamins B6 and B2, phosphorus and selenium. Registered dietitian nutritionist Yasi Ansari and RD Jen Messer highlight its low calorie and fat content, particularly in white meat, making it a heart-healthy choice. However, caution is advised with dark meat and processed turkey products due to higher fat and sodium levels. Turkey is also a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids.

Experts are divided on how to define ultra-processed foods as public health efforts intensify to reduce their consumption. While the NOVA classification system identifies these foods based on additives and processing methods, some nutritionists argue that not all ultra-processed foods are unhealthy. Julia Wolfson of Johns Hopkins University notes that items like whole grain bread and plant-based milks can be beneficial, while others, such as Dr. David Ludwig of Harvard University, suggest focusing on nutritional quality rather than processing.

Kaiseki is quickly emerging as the next sought-after luxury dining experience in New York City, as diners look beyond the saturated omakase scene. This centuries-old Japanese tradition, characterized by its multi-course format — typically seven to fourteen courses — each highlighting a distinct Japanese cooking style such as raw, grilled, simmered, steamed and fried. Muku in Tribeca features chef Manabu Asanuma's personal touch, including soba made from his family's Yamagata farm; Yoshoku at the Waldorf Astoria, led by chef Ry Nitzkowski, offers an eight-course menu blending tradition with innovation; Yamada in Chinatown, helmed by chef Isao Yamada, pays homage to classic kaiseki roots; Ikigai in Fort Greene brings chef Rafal Maslankiewicz's Polish-Japanese fusion to the table; while Odo, Hirohisa, Tsukimi, Kappo Sono, and Hakubai round out the city's growing roster of notable kaiseki destinations.

Tick off all of the rationales for chili right now -- cold weather, tailgating, campfires. The list is endless. This white chicken chili can fulfill any desire you have to a) spatchcock your bird and/or b) grill it, because both are involved. Top the savory dish with Fritos and you're good to go. Grillin With Dad

The word "amigos" means "friends" in Spanish, and it's hard to see these chocolate/hazelnut creations, also known as gianduja, as anything but personable. Praline paste provides the sweet foundation, and the deliciousness keeps coming with hazelnuts and melted chocolate. These treats will be worth the labor involved. CIA Foodies

These muffins include so many things that make a hearty breakfast so satisfying -- sausage, cheese, crispy biscuits -- without having to fumble with a knife and fork. Everything is included, even the gravy! There are lots of options for what to include as well. They're a perfect way to kick off a busy day, and we all have many of those ahead with the holidays right around the corner. Southern Living