Where it all began...
Holiday Entertaining, some wine suggestions, a few cheeses, a Game Day snack and an appetizer.
Two years ago, our first Taste Buds With Stephanie pilot aired during the Jason Show. The episode aired while the team was at their annual holiday party. The episode was two back-to-back that focused on Cookies and Holiday Entertaining.
Filming, shopping, and preparing for these episodes took about 40 hours. It’s crazy how long everything takes on TV to get just the right shots and the lighting. The cooking segments in my kitchen were filled with lights and cameras and multiple versions of the dishes we were cooking. Sean and Michelle from Fox, the camera folks on the episode, were so patient and funny (even getting the shot of my dirty oven that I forgot to clean). Stanley (my dog) and Kurt were cloistered in Kurt’s office for the days of shooting, coming out to get coffee when we gave the all-clear.
Here is the episode to watch if you have not seen it, as it's buried in the archives!
I have included links to my recipes from the show including the Baked Brie with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Balsamic, the Cheesy Crab Dip, The Cranberry Shrub, and the bonus cocktail and mocktail to make with it. Also on the list was my Easy Roll Out Sugar Cookie recipe that is great to make with kids, grandkids, or yourself and requires no time for the dough to set up to chill. It’s a game-changer for rolled-out cookies.



Also here are the links for the wines I had with Leslie from Sip Better Wines that were so delicious
Cavas Masachs 'Mas Fi' Brut Cava Rosé
Cavas Masachs 'Mas Fi' Brut Cava
her “crushable” Henry Varnay Rosé Sec
and the big daddy, the fried chicken and birthday champagne, the Champagne Billecart Salmon Rosé



The cheese we had a Kowalski’s Market was the incredible Rush Creek Reserve from Uplands Cheese, but also the Little Lucy Brie was the cheese they Brûléed on the show from Red Head Creamery.
Here are a few Bloopers that aired from the show
As we make plans for the 2027 Taste Buds Episodes - Are there businesses you would like us to visit?
Recipes you would like us to make?
Feel free to comment or chat with your thoughts.
Here is a bonus holiday entertaining recipe for the Cranberry Goat Cheese Ball that I make. This recipe was not on the show to thank you for subscribing to this newsletter and for all your support:
Ingredients
4 oz Humble Goat Cheese, softened
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
2 whole green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pinches cayenne pepper
2 pinches garlic powder
½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
Mix goat cheese and cream cheese in a bowl with a hand mixer. Mix in green onions, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder and mix until just combined.
Refrigerate for at least an hour.
Roll 1.5 Tablespoon mixture into balls
Place sliced almonds and cranberries on a plate and combine.
Roll the cheese ball in almonds and cranberries to cover all sides, pressing as needed.
Serve the finished cheese ball with crackers.
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On Sunday - Ill have Main dish and Brunch recipes for your holiday gatherings including a dill popcorn snack!
Here are some Chopped Italian Sliders for a fun Game Day






Love all that you share and I’ve learned so many tips and tricks from you! Merry Christmas to you, Kurt, Ellie and Stanley! 🎄
There's a place at the indoor market at the St Paul Farmer's Market called Galvan Foods. They have homemade tortillas both flour and heirloom corn. They serve breakfast tacos and posole. My granddaughter said the posole is as good as her Dad's which is saying something.