Homestead is on track to become an ice cream production hub — and the site of new residential development | Small Hard Ice Cream Machine

With Christmas only two days away, I wanted to share a recipe of mine which is a wonderful way to use up the extra fruit and nuts in your kitchen at this time of year. Combining three of my favourite festive ingredients – cranberries, clementines and pistachios – these Christmas cookies are at their best served warm with a generous scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce. This is a dessert that will impress at the dinner table, but is just as delicious enjoyed on the sofa in front of a Christmas film.

Nutrition information per serving (for 12 servings): 409 calories, 17 g fat, 10 g saturated fat, 80 mg cholesterol, 60 g carbohydrates, 26 g sugar, 7 g protein, 120 mg sodium, 2 g fiber

If you’re thinking that a portable ice maker might make your life a little easier, check out three of the best that we’re recommending.

These snazzy ice cubes will turn any drink into something special. They also help keep your drinks colder longer thanks to their big size. Just like with your typical ice cubes, you simply fill the mold with your desired liquid and freeze. To release, you just push on the bottom of the mold. There’s no banging or frustration involved, like with your typical ice tray.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Sale price: $500 Discount: 14 percent Retailer: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Target CR’s take: If you’re curious about the Cyclone V10 Absolute, we’ve got a full write-up on how it performs. It’s at the top of Dyson’s newest line, and it’s unusual that Dyson is discounting it given that it’s only been out for half a year. It earns an Excellent rating in both our carpet and bare floors tests. However, it’s noticably louder than its predecessor, the Dyson V8 Absolute, and it’s very expenisve for a stick vac, which is typically a secondary machine to a full-size vacuum. You can buy a better cordless stick vacuum, such as the Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean HV380, which, even when it’s not on sale, still costs less than what the Cyclone V10 Absolute. The V10 weighs 5.5 pounds.

There are two different types of bacteria that impact refrigerated foods. Pathogenic bacteria is the kind that causes foodborne illness, and unfortunately it does not affect the taste, smell, or appearance of food, which makes it difficult for someone to tell that it is present. Spoilage bacteria can grow at low temperatures, and it eventually causes food to develop an off smell or bad taste. Many people know not to eat spoiled food.

The type and quality of your ice can make a big difference in how your cocktail tastes, and much of that comes down to science.

Cause: A refrigerator that isn’t level may cause the ice cube mold to fill unevenly. If some of the molds aren’t fully filling, it can cause cubes to come out small or hollow.

There’s a "day" for everything these days when it comes to food and drink, but some things are so good they get multiple days. Hot chocolate, for example, is so universally loved that we get two chances to formally honor and enjoy it. If you missed the first, National Cocoa Day on Dec. 12, fear not because National Hot Chocolate Day is coming Jan. 31.

This luxurious, Italian four-door fridge freezer more than justifies its premium price thanks to great cooling, versatile storage and sumptuous style.

Interestingly, Lauren studied oil painting and art history with a concentration in museum studies, so for her, the factory has really allowed her to come full circle. For her massive, 15-feet-high, 22-foot-wide, 3-D Brooklyn map, she wanted to create a tribute to both present-day and historic Brooklyn, including landmarks such as Ebbets Field and Kentile Floors. There’s a model trolley car that moves with the push of a button and a climb-through “Battery Tunnel” that’s hiding a sunken treasure chest inside.

Refrigerators with built-in ice makers and water dispensers, don’t need to be rigorously sanitized. Still, it’s a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning every month or so. To do this, unplug the fridge, and empty both freezer and fresh food sections. Next, wipe down or hand wash all interior surfaces. Use mild soap and warm water, not harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. Also be sure every item is dry before your return it.