Filed under: Restaurants, Recipes, Trends, Newspapers, On the Blogs, Stores & Shopping, Lists, How To, Spirit of Christmas, Comfort Food

• For many families, Christmas Eve means the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
• Some people don't drink alcohol with their meals.
• A quick guide to the many cookbooks released in 2006.
• How to pick the best knives for your kitchen needs.
• The history of Vanilla Caramels.
• Make some mac 'n cheese, but with a twist.
• The Globe taste tests several light microwave popcorn brands.
• This week's recipes: Onion Jam on Toast; Potato Gratin; Hazelnut Macaroon Domes; Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Sticks; and the Lavender Splash.