Friday, February 1, 2019

Celebrate the Year of the Pig with These Chinese Pork Recipes

Chinese dim sum dumplings in bamboo steamer basket

The kickoff of the Chinese New Year is only days away, which means the year of the pig is nearly upon us. The porcine zodiac sign comes but once every 12 years, so it only makes sense to celebrate this special occasion by pigging out on some hog. It just so happens that pork and Chinese cuisine go hand-in-hand and these recipes represent prime examples of pig-focused eats that will make you squeal with delight.

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Twice-Cooked Pork (Red-Braised Pork Belly)

Chinese Twice Cooked Pork recipe

Clare Barboza

It’s the pork so nice they cooked it twice.  The two-step process for this Sichuan favorite starts with a preparation of red-braised pork belly. The fatty, skin-on pork is braised in a fragrant mixture of star anise, ginger, garlic, and rice wine. The dish is good enough to eat on its own but reaches new heights when the pork is cooked again, this time getting the wok treatment. Get the Twice-Cooked Pork recipe.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Chowhound

Though it’s not traditionally prepared in China, sweet and sour pork has become a standard of American Chinese cuisine. This rendition, highlighted by chunks of deep-fried tenderloin, lives up to its name thanks to a ketchup-heavy sauce and the addition of fresh pineapple chunks. Get our Sweet and Sour Pork recipe.

Stir-Fried Garlic Eggplant with Ground Pork

Chinese Eggplant with Ground Pork

Clare Barboza

This simple yet flavorful stir-fry pairs ground pork with tender sticks of Chinese eggplant, which is longer, thinner, and paler than the more familiar bulky, dark purple variety common in U.S. supermarkets. If you want to shake things up while keeping it in the pig family, Chinese sausage and bacon are worthy substitutes to the ground pork. Get the Stir-Fried Garlic Eggplant with Ground Pork recipe.

Char Siu Chinese BBQ Pork

China Sichuan Food

Sweet and sticky char siu with its signature red hue is a staple of Cantonese BBQ. This version, modified for the home, uses pork butt (a.k.a. shoulder), which is marinated for at least 24 hours and then roasted until tender. Get the Char Siu Chinese BBQ Pork recipe.

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

The Woks of Life

Take advantage of your leftover char siu with this dim sum staple. Known in China as char siu bao, these filling buns stuffed with chopped BBQ pork are steamed to fluffy perfection. If you don’t own a bamboo steamer, here’s an excuse to buy one. Get the Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) recipe.

Pork Shiu Mai Dumplings

Fine Cooking

If you’ve got a big party on the horizon (perhaps an Oscars celebration?), these mouthwatering steamed pork dumplings will come in handy. This particular recipe utilizes premade shu mai or wonton wrappers so you can sidestep all the aggravation of making the dough from scratch. The filling is simple to prepare, anchored by a delectable mix of ground pork, cabbage, scallions, and cilantro. If you end up with some extra dumplings, no worries. They can easily be frozen and stored for up to a month. Get the Pork Dumplings recipe.

Minced Pork Noodles

Grits and Chopsticks

Also known as zha jiang mian, minced pork noodles showcase a rich, earthy flavor thanks to the addition of sweet bean paste (tianmianjang) and shiro miso. A topping of fresh, crunchy vegetables helps round out the noodles, which take less than 40 minutes to prepare, making this an ideal weeknight meal. Get the Minced Pork Noodles recipe.   

Lion’s Head Pork Meatballs

Omnivore’s Cookbook

Lion’s head meatballs—so named because they resemble the head of a Chinese guardian lion—are a popular snack across China. While there are several variations of the dish, this particular version is steamed, providing a healthier option without sacrificing flavor. The secret is blending a hearty dose of breadcrumbs and chestnuts with the ground pork. The finished meatballs are ample in size but moist and tender. Serve over rice and with a side of greens. Get the Lion’s Head Pork Meatballs recipe.

‘1-2-3-4-5-6’ One-Pot Chinese Ribs

One-Pot Chinese Pork Ribs recipe

Tasty

It takes only six ingredients and a single pot to pull off these addictive pork ribs. A 90-minute simmer yields tender, fall-off-the-bone meat bathed in a luscious sweet-and-savory sauce. Make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand. Get the One-Pot Chinese Ribs recipe.

Crispy Pork Belly

RecipeTin Eats

The trick to perfecting this classic Chinese specialty highlighted by a layer of crispy, crackling skin is in two simple steps. The first involves poking several holes in the skin to ensure it puffs up while cooking. The second requires roasting the pork belly under a layer of rock salt. The result is pure porky perfection—the combination of the unctuous flesh and crunchy skin simply can’t be beat. Get the Crispy Pork Belly recipe.

Related Video: Chinese New Year Cooking with Grandma Ruby

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11 Luscious Chocolate Cakes for Valentine’s Day

best Valentine's Day chocolate cake recipes

Valentine’s Day is prime time for chocolate of all kinds, but it’s not like it’s ever not a welcome treat. And chocolate cake is almost always number one on everyone’s list of favorite desserts, let alone comfort foods. So try one of these irresistible 11 chocolate cake recipes for any occasion, from the official day of love to that most special of birthdays. Or on a Sunday because it’s miserably cold and you need a little something sweet.

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1. Chocolate-Honey Ganache Layer Cake

Chocolate-Honey Ganache Layer Cake recipe

Fine Cooking

A whole cup of honey makes this chocolate cake mildly sweet and incredibly moist. Butter, in addition to vegetable oil, also helps keep the crumb soft and spongy. The chocolate-honey ganache is as tasty as it looks; try using a local honey or one with a strong flower flavor that complements the chocolate (like clover, alfalfa, wildflower, or tupelo). Get the Chocolate-Honey Ganache Layer Cake recipe.

2. Desert Island Chocolate Cake

Desert Island Chocolate Cake recipe

Nellie Bellie

This is a classic, simple cake recipe that’s incredibly consistent. Cocoa powder lends a subtle chocolate flavor and the one and a half cups of milk make for a delicate crumb. You can use a rectangular pan or make it a double layer cake for a more impressive presentation. Get the Desert Island Chocolate Cake recipe.

3. Chocolate Cake with Whipped Fudge Filling

Chocolate Cake with Whipped Fudge Filling recipe

Chowhound

Our recipe for chocolate cake with whipped fudge filling and a rich chocolate buttercream is a labor of love. This cake is a process: Don’t try to make it all at once unless you have a serious block of time. You can bake the cake layers up to a day in advance and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to keep them fresh. And don’t skimp on the whipped fudge filling—it’s worth your while to make it yourself. Get our Chocolate Cake with Whipped Fudge Filling recipe.

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4. Chocolate Cherry Black Forest Cake

Chocolate Cherry Black Forest Cake recipe

Chowhound

Garnished with chocolate shavings, clouds of whipped cream, and dark cherries, this cake is a masterpiece. The cherry flavor is multidimensional, with canned cherries in syrup, kirsch, and fresh or fancy candied cherries commingling with the rich chocolate flavor. (For something with similar flavors that’s less involved, try this easy Black Forest Poke Cake recipe.) Get the Chocolate Cherry Black Forest Cake recipe.

5. Chocolate Pound Cake

Rich Chocolate Pound Cake recipe

Chowhound

Our recipe for chocolate pound cake is a classic, perfect for afternoon tea and easy to whip up. The glaze is what makes it really special: The combination of semisweet chocolate, heavy cream, and just a touch of light corn syrup makes for a smooth, shiny glaze that looks beautiful drizzled on top of the cake. Get our Chocolate Pound Cake recipe.

6. Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Ina Garten Beatty’s Chocolate Cake recipe

Food Network

This is my favorite tried-and-true recipe for chocolate cake, created by the infamous Ina Garten. This cake is a star: I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t blown away by the rich chocolate flavor, and you can change the flavors of the frosting to suit the occasion. (Ed Note: That was written in 2015, but this cake ended up on our list of Best Dessert Recipes of 2018 for good reason!) Buttermilk and vegetable oil contribute to the moist texture, and a whole cup of freshly brewed coffee really brings out the chocolate flavor. Don’t worry if it looks a little soupy when you’re mixing the dry and wet ingredients together—it’ll turn out just fine. Get the Beatty’s Chocolate Cake recipe.

7. Chocolate Lava Cake

individual molten chocolate lava cakes recipe

Chowhound

One of the most common (and consistently delicious) restaurant desserts is the chocolate lava cake, which is actually really easy to make at home. Our recipe for molten chocolate cake is made in tiny soufflé ramekins, and is easy to scale up for a party. Be careful to cook the cakes until the tops are no longer wet but still jiggle when you shake them. Get our Chocolate Lava Cake recipe.

8. Mexican Devil’s Food Cake

Mexican Devil's Food Cake recipe

Chowhound

If you’re tired of sweet chocolate cakes, this recipe for Mexican devil’s food cake will come as a delightful change of pace. It looks incredible when the ancho chile-infused layers are piled on top of each other interspersed with whipped cream, strawberries, and toasted almonds, and it tastes amazing—but add a little cayenne for more of a kick. (If you’re into the idea, see our Mexican Chocolate Menu for more sweet and spicy chocolate combinations.) Get our Mexican Devil’s Food Cake recipe.

9. Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake

Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake recipe

The Answer Is Cake

Every baker needs a flourless chocolate cake recipe that they can whip up at a moment’s notice. This cake has an entire 18 ounces of chocolate packed in, not including the ganache glaze, made from heavy whipping cream and more chocolate. With only a handful of ingredients that you normally have in the pantry (butter, sugar, eggs, heavy cream) you can easily make this recipe last minute for an impressive end to a meal. Get the Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake recipe. (And for a vegan version, try the stunning Vegan Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe featured in the header image of this post.)

10. Chocolate Fudge Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe

For the Love of Dessert

This is a dense, deeply chocolaty cake that is absolutely over the top when you add the fudge frosting—a real chocoholic recipe. Sour cream and a whole cup of buttermilk in the batter make for a soft, spongy crumb that begs for a glass of milk. Try this recipe with a vanilla, mocha, or coffee frosting to tone down the rich chocolate flavors; but then again, why would you want to do that? Get the Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe.

11. Triple Malt Chocolate Cake

Triple Malt Chocolate Cake recipe

Chowhound

If you like malted milk balls, you’ll love our recipe for triple malt chocolate cake. Malted milk powder is easy to find at your local grocery store, normally in the baking aisle. That combined with vanilla malt frosting and a garnish of a whole cup of chopped-up malted milk balls makes this a malt-lover’s dream. Use up any leftover malted milk powder in malted milkshakes to serve alongside a slice of this cake for an old-fashioned soda fountain experience you’ll never forget. Get our Triple Malt Chocolate Cake recipe.

Related Video: How to Make Triple Chocolate Coffee Cake

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This post was originally published on January 7, 2015 and was updated with new images, links, and text on February 1, 2019.



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12 Super Bowl Cocktails That Are a Total Score

gin Super Bowl cocktail recipe

Regardless of whether or not your team is playing in the Super Bowl, football’s biggest day is still the perfect occasion for chowing down on your favorite snacks and kicking back with a delicious cocktail. While I won’t be rooting for my team (go Falcons!), I’ll still be standing by to watch the game (read: the Super Bowl halftime show). Believe me, I will certainly have a delicious drink in hand. Whether you’re a whiskey aficionado or a sucker for anything containing gin, we’ve created a couple original Super Bowl drinks, and rounded up some mixologists’ creations that will help get you to the end zone…no matter how your team is doing.

Los Angeles Rams-Inspired Blue Margarita

Try a slushy margarita with a true blue twist.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces tequila
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce agave nectar
  • 1 1/2 cups ice
  • 1 ounce blue curaçao
  • salt for rimming glass
  • lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  • Combine tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice in a blender. Blend on high until slushy.
  • Rim a glass with salt, and pour in the blended mixture.
  • Top with blue curaçao and stir.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!

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New England Patriots-Inspired Berry Beer Punch

A beer cocktail with red and blue berries to chug (or sip) while you cheer on the Pats.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 ounce grenadine
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh sliced strawberries
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • 12 ounces pilsner

Instructions:

  • Build your cocktail right in the glass—just add each ingredient in the order listed above, and you can get down to drinking (and watching the game) ASAP.

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Thirst Down

vodka Super Bowl cocktail recipe

HelloFresh

This fruity concoction will have you more than ready to cheer on your team. Created by Claudia Sidoti, Head Chef at HelloFresh, the Thirst Down cocktail is super fresh and packs a fruity punch.

Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ ounces lemon juice
  • 4 teaspoons sugar syrup
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces pomegranate juice
  • Tonic water
  • Ice

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients except tonic and ice into a jug and stir.
  • Pour over ice.
  • Top with tonic water.

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Red Zone

gin Super Bowl cocktail recipe

Todd English’s Tuscany at Mohegan Sun

Get your game face on with this fresh, citrusy cocktail from Todd English’s Tuscany, which is located at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Connecticut.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces of blood orange gin
  • Pink grapefruit juice (to taste)
  • Lime juice (to taste)
  • Grenadine (to taste)

Instructions:

  • In a shaker, combine the ingredients with ice and shake well.
  • Strain into a glass over fresh ice.

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The Spicy Underdog Margarita

jalapeno tequila Super Bowl cocktail recipe

The 10th Restaurant

Everyone loves an underdog, and there’s no better way to root them on than with this margarita created for game day by The 10th Restaurant at Vail Mountain.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces jalapeno-infused tequila
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce agave nectar syrup
  • 1/2 ounce water
  • Lime wheel
  • Jalapeno slice
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Sugar
  • Salt

Instructions:

  • Infuse one liter of tequila with two large jalapenos for up to 5 days.
  • Mix 1 part cayenne pepper, 1 part sugar, and 2 parts salt to create the fuego salt.
  • Wet the rim of the glass and dip in the fuego salt.
  • In a shaker, combine the ingredients with ice and shake well.
  • Strain over fresh ice.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel and a slice of jalapeno.

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Let Rye-Gones be Rye-Gones

rye Super Bowl cocktail recipe

Justin Driscoll (@jdphotoman)

Well, someone has to lose—and if this cocktail is your consolation, you’re doing pretty well. Bob Peters, a mixologist at The Queen & Glass in Charlotte, North Carolina, shared the perfect drink for those moments when the game gets extra rough.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Combine the ingredients in a mixing tin.
  • Stir the ingredients.
  • Strain the drink into a glass with a large ice cube.
  • Garnish with a lemon rind.

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Fantastic Voyage

tequila Super Bowl cocktail recipe

James Letendre

Even though the Falcons aren’t playing this year, Atlanta is still hosting the big game and the city’s mixologists are more than ready. James Letendre, the beverage manager of The Optimist and JCT. Kitchen, is certain that the game will be a voyage worth remembering. He shared this drink, which is a favorite at JCT. Kitchen.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce tequila
  • 3/4 ounce vermouth
  • 1/2 ounce ginger liqueur
  • 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 ounce pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon toasted coriander tincture

Instructions:

  • Pour the ingredients into mixing tin with ice.
  • Shake and double strain into martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lime twist for the perfect kick.

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The Double Lion

rum Super Bowl cocktail recipe

James Letendre

Letendre’s Double Lion is the perfect sweet treat to kick back with when your team is pulling ahead in the game. Served at The Optimist in Atlanta, this drink features Calvados, a delicious crème de cacao, and honey syrup–so you’ll be feeling sweet regardless of the game’s outcome.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce Calvados
  • 1 ounce white rum
  • 1/4 ounce vermouth
  • 1/4 ounce white crème de cacao
  • 1/4 ounce honey syrup
  • Fresh tarragon to garnish

Instructions:

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing tin with ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Double strain into footed rocks glass.
  • Garnish with a tarragon leaf.

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Robe & Crown

gin Super Bowl cocktail recipe

James Letendre

Congratulations on the big win (or your thorough enjoyment of the halftime show)! Reward yourself with a robe and crown–in cocktail form, that is.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 ounces dry gin
  • 1 ounce apricot-infused dry vermouth
  • 1/2 ounce pisco acholado
  • 1/4 ounce brown sugar orgeat

Instructions:

  • Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing tin.
  • Stir and strain into a glass.

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The Southern Belle

Since the Super Bowl is being hosted in Atlanta, there’s no better time to embrace your inner southern belle. This citrus-infused drink, created by Clarke Anderson, the beverage manager of Atlanta’s King + Duke and BeetleCat, features Earl Grey bitters for a truly unique, delicious cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce rum
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce pimento syrup
  • 1 dropper Earl Grey bitters
  • Belgian ale
  • Lemon peel garnish

Instructions:

  • Combine all of the ingredients except ale in a mixing tin with ice.
  • Gently shake.
  • Strain over ice into a beer mug.
  • Top with Belgian ale.
  • Garnish with a lemon peel.

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Unfinished Business

bourbon Super Bowl cocktail recipe

Marlow’s Tavern

When your team heads back into the second half, they’ll have some unfinished business to attend to. This drink from Marlow’s Tavern in Atlanta will help you cheer them on as they work for the win. The amounts are up to you (just think of it as the Alan Cumming style of bartending).

Ingredients:

  • Bourbon
  • Ginger liqueur
  • Peach nectar
  • Lemon juice
  • Lavender bitters

Instructions:

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker.
  • Pour over ice.

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If you’re looking for something a little more basic, check out our favorite beer and pizza pairings—or for something that bridges both worlds, try these Super Bowl beer cocktail recipes. (Super Bowl wine pairings are also a thing, in case you prefer vino!) Our Super Bowl headquarters is home to lots more delicious ideas, and the Chowhound community always has great Big Game plans too.

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Related Video: How to Make the Perfect Dip for Your Super Bowl Party

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Pressure Cooker Ground Beef Chili

Here's a pressure cooker beef chili recipe that's ready in 30 minutes! It's made with green peppers, onions, celery, ground beef, and tomatoes. Top with shredded cheese and sliced green onions, and serve some cornbread on the side!

Continue reading "Pressure Cooker Ground Beef Chili" »



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The Best Buffets in Las Vegas

If it’s been a few years (or decades) since you’ve been to Las Vegas, the word “buffet” may evoke images of sad-looking food sitting listlessly in steam-table trays for hours, there to satisfy your hunger rather than inspire your tastebuds. Thankfully, things have drastically changed for the better in the desert oasis. In fact, Sin City’s food scene is so good, it’s become a global destination for food tourism and home to some of the most lavish chef-driven cuisine you can imagine—and buffets are no exception.

Whether you’re craving classic weekend brunch dishes, sushi made fresh right in front of you, or decadent desserts, you’re likely to find it (and so much more) at a Vegas buffet. And while it’s true you get what you pay for—the most expensive Las Vegas buffets tend to be the most highly-rated—you can still find great deals here and there.

Since there are dozens of options to choose from, we asked local experts to weigh in on the best buffets in Las Vegas to help you narrow it down.

The Top Three Las Vegas Buffets

Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

“My general advice is to go to the better hotels to get the better buffets,” says John Curtas, long-time local food critic and author of “Eating Las Vegas 2019: The 52 Essential Restaurants”. “‘You get what you pay for’ is never more accurate than when you’re talking about food. Bellagio, Wynn, and The Cosmopolitan are known as foodie-centric hotels.”

“I personally like The Wicked Spoon at the Cosmo quite a bit,” Curtas adds. “They have lots of small plates you might find at a fancy gastropub.” Perhaps it’s a sign of how the Vegas food scene—including buffets—has evolved. “We’ve become a food-savvy society, everyone is much more educated about good and fresh food,” explains Curtas. “Everything from tacos to sushi, food to order, being made in front of your eyes…you get a lot of handmade food that was never there 20 years ago.”

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Lindsay Stewart, who goes by the handle @thelasvegasfoodie on Instagram, describes the buffet at Wynn Las Vegas as exquisite and pristine. “Everything is to the nines,” she states. “It’s top-notch, very white glove.” And of course, she says, the food is incredible. “Nothing is discounted, it’s not that kind of place,” she adds, “but it’s worth the price.”

Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas

Stewart’s top pick is Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. “It has everything,” she enthuses. “When you think of a Vegas buffet, this is what it should be. I love dessert, and it has a chocolate fountain, homemade cupcakes…they have fresh lobster, crab—the seafood is insane. It’s everything a gourmet restaurant would have, but made almost right in front of you. As far as quality, presentation, cleanliness, and just the overall wow factor, it’s Bacchanal. That’s definitely number one for me.”

Know Before You Go

Wondering what the most popular item at a Vegas buffet might be? “King crab legs, baby, king crab legs!” says Curtas with a laugh.

Stewart agrees that seafood is a huge draw for buffet-goers. ”It’s crazy to think we’re in the middle of nowhere and foods are flown in the hour before to be on our plates,” she says. “It’s remarkable.”

Bacchanal Buffet, Caesars Palace

When you’re in the buffet line, don’t be surprised to find dishes from around the world, many of which are made to order. The nicest hotels on the Strip make it a point to cater to the taste of their foreign clientele. According to Curtas, in addition to the cassoulet, the Asian food at Wynn is definitely worth seeking out. The best buffets are also more likely to have a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free offerings.

While you may be able to make a reservation at some places, you’ll have to wait in line at others, including Bacchanal. However, insists Stewart, it’s well worth it. “People have caught on that buffets don’t mean bad food,” she explains. “They’re a nice place to go if you have a big group or a family gathering, especially for the holidays.”

Of course, the most important piece of advice to enjoy the best buffets in Vegas is perhaps the most obvious: go on an empty stomach!

Related Video: How to Set Up a Buffet Table

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