By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 26, 2011 at 09:00PM

Good-luck charms from all over the world join forces in this comforting noodle dish.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 26, 2011 at 09:00PM

Earthy and savory, this is a simplified version of a traditional French combination.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 26, 2011 at 09:00PM

Saffron is optional in this dish, but it adds a Provençal flourish to the tomato and onion sauce that keeps the fish moist as it roasts.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 19, 2011 at 09:00PM

This filling turns a typical Mexican condiment into the piquant star of the meal.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 19, 2011 at 09:00PM

This easy do-ahead dish can feed a holiday crowd.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 19, 2011 at 09:00PM

Two nutrient-dense vegetables combine forces in this delicious filling.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 18, 2011 at 09:00PM

Corn tortillas and a spread of flavorful fillings make for festive do-it-yourself meals perfect for a busy week.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 11, 2011 at 09:00PM

Thickened with a little potato or rice, these puréed soups are comforting and filling without the creamy finish typical of French veloutés.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN, NYT > Recipes for Health – December 04, 2011 at 09:00PM

This North African chili paste tastes much fresher when it’s homemade, and it keeps for a long time.

Michelle, The Sweet Beet – December 11, 2011 at 07:10AM

From someone who writes a food blog, this might come as a surprise, but I really hate baking – or baking sweets I should say. Even in December. Even for the holidays.  But I sometimes do it because what comes out of the oven is never for me but is always a gift for others, and there is nothing more special than homemade sweets as gifts. So that’s a good enough reason for me to do something I don’t love to do. But if I am going to bake, give me simple with no sacrifice in taste, and I might almost enjoy the whole process.

So what is this winning “low time/high taste” recipe, that is also gluten-free, largely naturally sweetened and takes under 30 minutes from pulling the ingredients to giving them their chocolate bath? Coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate.  I have no idea where I even got this recipe since I’ve been making it, tweaking it and giving it away for so long.

Egg whites bind the macaroons.

The finished product.

What I also love about them is all the leeway they give you in terms of altering the basic recipe — make them gluten-free by using rice flour (an easy substitute for the wheat flour since there is so little flour used) and add a shot of cinnamon, almond or vanilla to compliment the coconut flavor.  The only way you can screw them up is to over-cook them, which will make them dry. But if you do, just dip the whole thing a little deeper in the chocolate and no one will notice the dryness.

Get the recipe for Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons 

Any fave super quick and painless baking recipes or tips to share?

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Related Posts
Lemon Bread/cake: A really light, sweet bread that I sometimes make in a tiny loaf pan and give as a holiday gift.
Gingerbread Cookies: A little more time consuming, but says “holidays” like no other