It feels like we spent last month entirely in the kitchen -- not that we're complaining. We whisked, mixed, dolloped, and sprinkled our way into holiday entertaining heaven. We found new go-to recipes and dug up old favorites to share with family and friends as we celebrated the season and the coming of a new year.
It's no surprise that our most beloved dishes were the ones that were slow-cooked, gratinated, and laced with warm spices; after all, December is a month dedicated to all things warm, fuzzy, and delightfully fattening. This month, as the bitter cold forces us inside and under our blankets, we'll most likely crave comfort of the same kind -- well after we've put away our holiday decorations and party dresses.
Bowery Punch by Food52
![](https://images.food52.com/p0laFbjvooS9U4M_ZEP42j8zNIo=/bf040b8b-0602-4510-8fca-2f58ed3ca5f7--gin-aperol-punch_food52_mark_weinberg_14-11-04_0510.jpg)
Lynne Curry's Prime Rib with Mustard and Herb Butter by Genius Recipes
![](https://images.food52.com/yZQpryia2EBUyNThjc0Ty4onV6A=/ee81d438-a3a8-44b7-a604-e20671653781--16035787121_2e8503f2cf_o.jpg)
Whole Slow Cooker-Poached Chicken by Nicholas Day
![](https://images.food52.com/eZJIb0x7m2p2Fc_Op_0yzVPq1h4=/1afd235a-5a2e-42f0-9652-5155671cbc48--15421000683_727f67d981_b.jpg)
Lacinato Kale Gratin by Marian Bull
![](https://images.food52.com/_2cSRhpiHCNXwHmJA_zBAeL14JY=/91abc9db-2200-43a8-8409-07a7f7c9f91e--lacinato-kale-gratin_food52_mark_weinberg_14-11-21_0526.jpg)
Thomas Keller's Butternut Squash Soup with Brown Butter, Sage, and Nutmeg Crème Fraîche by Genius Recipes
![](https://images.food52.com/dBifCcbBKwCYo9teYGTsdOPcwcQ=/db582b23-f0f9-4be2-b750-7d5f1fb41545--15687126808_84f14ab4d7_b.jpg)
Spicy, Peanutty Udon with Kale by Laura
![](https://images.food52.com/wh5esahpcymL2XnYFARU-s6_8TU=/cc6d3ba4-fca3-406b-887a-ed4d38c2308d--2014-0819_5-minute-spicy-peanut-udon-with-kale-017.jpg)
Southern Slow Cooker Choucroute by Nicholas Day
![](https://images.food52.com/4DhrIMq5dl_wMSU5-CZGLtKEBI4=/307ea135-6373-4286-8a34-5ac7b2d8e1e1--2014-1124_slow-cooker-choucroute-008.jpg)
Todd Coleman's Potato Gratin by Genius Recipes
![](https://images.food52.com/v503ZRxDe2J1MvdhNlEwebrMzsE=/15ca2c4f-2245-4ab7-b38c-81e0cdf83d65--2014-1209_genius-potato-gratin-048.jpg)
Smoky Cardamom Ginger-Molasses Cookies by Carey Nershi
![](https://images.food52.com/eeNsr-MZrTEF2Y_C-Y82CaVhr2c=/7dfa5986-8f2e-4126-9c70-26f18ba9d590--IMG_7276.jpg)
Cinnamon Scone Bread by mrslarkin
![](https://images.food52.com/2tEQa0rDEE0CB4d6lOOjVCbREe8=/ed77ec7b-bf6d-460a-8447-806d8823dad4--2014_1202_F52edit_CinnSconeBread2124.jpg)
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