I'm cooking a big dinner tomorrow for a bunch of folks. I'm having turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, deviled eggs, etc.

Does anyone have a fantastic, perferably easy special recipe for something else?

Probably not what you're looking for, B. This pumpkin roll cake is a little work, but it's a real crowd pleaser:

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/17...auce41119.shtml

GC

Hi B. I have a recipe for the BEST absolute BEST Chocolate Pecan Tart with a Caramel Sauce in the entire world. I make this up ahead of time. Cut it inot teeny slivers as it is aobut a million calories per bite. Freeze the individual slices and take it out as the mood hits me. OMG I think I am going to bake it now!

Ganache Tart with Pecan Crust & Caramel Sauce

Caramel Sauce:
1/2 c unsalted butter
1 c sugar
1 c whip cream

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over med-low heat. Stir in sugar.
Cook until spotted brown on surface and golden brown on bottom,
swirling pan occasionally, 15-18 min, do not stir. Meanwhile, bring
cream to simmer in saucepan. Remove caramel mixture from heat and
gradually whisk in hot cream. Mixture will bubble vigorously. Return
caramel to heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Transfer to
a bowl and Cool.

Crust:
7 oz. pecans, finely chopped
1/2 c + 2 T sugar
3 1/2 T butter, melted

Combine pecans and sugar in medium bowl. Drizzle butter over and
stir to blend. Firmly press into bottom and up the sides of 10 inch tart
pan. Place on sheet and bake in 325 degree oven until light brown, about 20
min.

Ganache:
1 lb bittersweet chocolate or semisweet, chopped
2 c whip cream
1 egg yolk
12 whole pecans

Melt chocolate. Stir until smooth.
Bring cream to a simmer in heavy saucepan over med heat.
Whisk yolk into warm chocolate.
Gradually whisk in cream just until smooth.
Strain into pecan crust.
Refrigerate until set, about 4 hr.
Re-warm sauce if desired. Remove sides and arrange
pecan halves around the edge of tart.

Edited to Add: this is served at a fancy restaurant chain at 6-7 dollars a peice. I usually use Semi-sweet chocolate chips and it is still fantastic!

believer -

I admire your ability to compartmentalize your actions. (Save marriage / cook dinner)....mutually exclusive events.

FGG's recipe for dinner rolls:

Buy frozen yeast rolls at Bi-Lo.
Follow directions on wrapper.
Serve.

There you go. My contribution.

Have a good Thanksgiving.

Georgia

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have a little something I do to the turkey...after the obligatory clean and dance around the kitchen with turkey.

Make a paste with softened butter, minced garlic, fresh basil, salt & pepper. Slit turkey skin at the shoulder, DO NOT remove skin but separate it from the meat. Spoon in butter paste and spread it around. Cook turkey as you normally would. I don't measure anything, just add more garlic if you like garlic and don't go crazy with the basil unless of course you love it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Geeze, Believer! Where's the Jello? You simply cannot have a holiday dinner without Jello!

Hey Believer,

What is a Thanksgiving dinner w/o stuffing/dressing, I prefer to doctor up Stove Top Stuffing myself. And don't forget the homemade Mac-N-Cheese.

Happy Thanksgiving,
La Shell

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> confused you don't even want to know the picture I have in my mind of you dancing with your turkey! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

How about apple pie? Just buy the ready to use pie crusts. or how about an ice crema pie, choc crust (buy it), add ice cream top with choc sauce or carmel sauce add whipped cream and freeze. Yum and a crowd pleaser.

Dance with a turkey. My H won't dance !!

Confused - I spent over 10 years dancing with a turkey!!!!

This is the best silkiest chocolate cream pie you will ever have. Simple and quick to put together too!

Silky Cocoa Cream Pie

8" baked pastry shell
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Hersheys cocoa
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks beaten
1 Tbls. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Prepare pastry shell; then let cool

Mix sugar cocoa cornstarch and salt in saucepan. Gradually
stir in milk.

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Boil 1 minute: remove. Gradually stir about half of hot filling into yolks. Return all to saucepan; heat to gentle boil. Cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat stir in butter and vanilla.

Pour into crust. Press plastic wrap directly onto pie surface. Cool. Refrigerate until set. Garnish with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Believer, just wanted to say hi from LINY and his W. THey said to tell you that they still think/pray of you.

Before I dance with a 'turkey', I soak 'em in red wine and garlic for at least 24 hours. Remember to turn it over a few times (u know, like dip it - LOL!!! ). Don't swing it too hard 'round the kitchen, it may splatter. LOL!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You can put this 'drunken turkey' into a roasting bag or use a paper grocery bag (as plain as possible), cover inside and out outside of the paperbag with crisco and bake. The meat turns slightly pink and stays moist.

If you put butter, seasonings and garlic as suggested above, the wine just adds more flavor.

Of course, you might not want the neighbors to see you dancing with a drunken turkey ....... so wear a disguise. LOL!!! Just kidding. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

L.

Orchid, you cook your turkey in a paper grocery bag?

The mental picture......wow.

Oh, just FYI, the recipe for mini lemon cheesecakes on the side of the Betty Crocker lemon dessert bar box is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! Very yummy, especially when topped with a dollop of lemon pie filling!

Yes, I did. I would use a paper (not plastic) grocery bag big enough and one with a little print as possible. It sounds yucky but when u r on a budget or forgot to get a roasting bag, this method works and the turkey browns evenly.

Thanks for all of the recipes and tips. It seems most of my guests have recipes too. Dinner was going to be at noon, turkey is done. But it seems we have a slight change of menu. My guests are all making their favorite dish. Right now we are waiting on the Mexican potatoes.

We have turkey, dressing, candied yams, shrimp cocktail, mexican bean dip, black beans, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, some kind of mashed potatoes with peppers, carrots, sour cream, green beans, and cilantro, lime jello with horseradish and cottage cheese and pineapple.

Right now I am enjoying the jello shooters. Keep in mind that my kitchen is small - maybe 5 ft by 8 ft, and there are 7 people cooking in it. It may take several hours to clean it up. But everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Even my sons are helping.