In late 2002, Kitchen Parade was brand new, at least to me! That's because my mom started Kitchen Parade back when I was a baby, I took over a few months after she passed away. More than two decades later (as I write now) I love that these three "best" recipes of that first year remain favorites, ones I still make! Best Recipes of 2002 all ~ 2002 Kitchen Parade Recipes ~ THE RECIPE Chicken Cider Stew Another Quick Supper, one skillet perfect for fall. ANOTHER TAKE Chicken with Creamy Cider Gravy Another Quick Supper, moist chicken in a mahogany sauce. THE RECIPE Autumn Pumpkin Bread My forever recipe, forever and ever. ANOTHER TAKE Shhh Banana Bread Delicious, low-fat banana bread. THE RECIPE Frosty Christmas Trees Gingerbread spices with a touch of chocolate, easy to handle. ANOTHER TAKE No-Chill Cutout Sugar Cookies Just mix and roll, no need to wait. "Most Useful" Recipe of All 2002 THE RECIPE Chocolate Chili My long...

My long-time favorite cut-out cookie, with an easy-to-handle dough and lovely gingerbread flavor - with just a touch of chocolate. Plus, how to host a cookie exchange, a favorite tradition at Christmas. COMPLIMENTS! "Totally delicious!" ~ momof3 "This is by far [my] most requested recipe ..." ~ Brooklyn Chick It’s a family tradition: the annual cookie exchange. My mother hosted one for many years. Afterward we would all swarm into the kitchen to sample the goodies. Her friends were good bakers and those cookies didn’t last long! I started hosting my own cookie exchange some years ago. Now my friends count on this annual event to simplify their holiday entertaining and as a source of homemade food gifts for family and neighbors. Think of a cookie exchange as “instant baking”. The premise is simple: each person bakes many of one kind of cookie, then swaps these for many different kinds made by someone else! Here’s how we do it. Invite a doze...

Three recipes for easy, quick make-ahead appetizers. This week’s Kitchen Parade is dedicated to cooks who want quick-to-make and quick-to-serve appetizers on hand when family and friends stop by unexpectedly. With offerings like these, you’ll have regular company! CREAM CHEESE-CHUTNEY SPREAD Mix 8 ounces light cream cheese, 1/2 cup mango (or other) chutney, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or parsley) and 1/2 teaspoon curry powder. Place in covered container and refrigerate 24 hours to meld flavors. Serve on crackers. Makes one cup. CHEDDAR-OLIVE SPREAD Stir together 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 4 ounces sliced canned black olives, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon curry powder and 1/2 bunch chopped green onions (bulbs and green tops). Place in covered container and refrigerate 24 hours to meld flavors. Serve on crackers or baguettes sliced thin on the diagonal. Makes two cups. Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and featu...