Why Do Onions Make You Cry?

Plus, recipes and tips for stress-free holiday entertaining. Gift Digital All Access, Cookbooks, Top-Rated Gear, and more! Shop smart, avoid the last-minute rush, and get the absolute perfect gifts for all the cooks on your list. [Browse our editors’ picks of the gifts they’re giving this year. →]( [START FREE TRIAL]( or [LOG IN]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen]( [FIND RECIPES ›]( December 8, 2023 [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( What’s New at ATK [Chopping a red onion]( Why Do Onions Make You Cry? Read about the real chemistry behind the tear-inducing nature of chopping onions, [and what you can do to cut onions without crying. →]( No, You Shouldn’t Microwave Plastic Many containers say they’re “microwave-safe.” But what does that really mean?[Here’s why you shouldn’t microwave plastic. →]( A Note From Our Test Cooks [Keeping a mulled drink hot in a slow cooker; Sam Block's Headshot]( Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Sam Block, Digital Test Cook There’s a lot of things I love about holiday entertaining. Catching up with friends and loved ones. The cozy sweaters. The festive playlist. What I don’t love is the inevitable stress that comes with hosting said friends and loved ones. Which is why I always take the make-ahead entertaining route. For starters, cocktails! Rather than playing bartender all night, I’ll make a big batch of libations ahead of time. My go-to is our [Holiday Punch for a Crowd](. The [berry]( and orange liqueurs and bubbly prosecco are well balanced with white grape juice without tasting overly sweet. You can’t beat its holiday-red hue. Sometimes I’ll even throw some frozen berries in the punch bowl to keep it chilled. [Mulled red wine]( is another crowd-pleaser. I’ll make it before the party and keep it [warm right in my slow-cooker](. Zero stovetop monitoring required! Rather than stress over a fully executed meal, I opt for small bites. [Charcuterie boards]( are always a hit. This time of year, I’ll decorate mine with a rosemary and parsley “[charcuter-wreath]( Dips served with crudité and olive oil–toasted bread are on my menu too. [Whipped Feta]( [Smoked Salmon]( or [Beet Dip with Yogurt and Tahini]( can all be made up to 3 days ahead! The longer they hang out in the fridge, the better they taste. That’s an easy entertaining win-win. Using the oven can also be make-ahead friendly. [Pizza Monkey Bread]( or [Sausage-and-Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms]( can both be fully assembled and refrigerated the day before, allowing me to clean and tidy up on party day. Once my guests arrive, I’ll just pop those dishes in the oven while we snack on our charcuter-wreath. Happily engaged. And stress-free. Because ’tis the season to be jolly, right? Members get every recipe, review, and video. Get instant access to everything from the most trusted cooking experts. [Start your 2-week free trial](. Something to Sip On [Holiday Punch for a Crowd →]( [Mulled Red Wine →]( [Holiday Mocktail Recipes That Taste Even Better than They Look →]( Make-Ahead Heroes [Whipped Feta Dip →]( [Pizza Monkey Bread →]( [Sausage-and-Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms →]( [For layout only] Fresh Picks for You [All-Purpose Gravy →]( [One-Pot Weeknight Pasta Bolognese →]( [Roasted Carrots →]( [Entertain All Season]( Entertain All Season They are happiest when their place is hopping and the “OMG” food and “one more, please” cocktails are flowing. Gift cookbooks and gear that will surprise and delight. [Shop Gifts]( [Mixing a cocktail in a Boston Shaker]( From Our Online Cooking School How to Use a Cocktail Shaker Elle Simone Scott shows you the proper technique for using a cocktail shaker. [view course]( Try Another Newsletter [How to Bake Newsletter Preview]( [Sign up for How to Bake →]( Your introduction to all things baking, with recipes and how-tos plus exclusive discounts on our baking books. 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