stuffing

Thanksgiving is exactly one week from today, and I'm getting into the spirit of this food-centered holiday by testing out a couple of healthy side dishes before serving them on the actual day. This vegetarian cranberry-pear wild rice stuffing is made with whole grain bread instead of the usual white or sourdough, and does not call for even a dab of butter. While I followed the recipe exactly on my first attempt, it is easily adaptable and I could picture substituting apples for the pears or dried apricots for the dried cranberries.

My home was filled with smells of the season when this was in the oven, and while it would complement a Thanksgiving table perfectly, it was a satisfying warm side to a crisp green salad on a cold Fall evening. This would also make a yummy main dish when served inside Winter squashes. I'll be making this dish again, though next time I'll leave out the pepper because it was a to bit too prevalent in the aftertaste.

To get the recipe, read more

With rich flavors, luxe ingredients, and complex cooking techniques, this delicious Thanksgiving menu is sure to wow your foodie friends. Start with brioche toasts topped with foie gras, date purée, and pomegranate seeds. Caviar with cream cheese on peppered crackers is another hors d'oeuvres option that comes together easily with elements from a gourmet grocery store. A slow-smoked turkey with cane syrup-coffee glaze is a showstopping centerpiece to the main event. Before being smoked, the bird is braised in a mixture of coffee, apple cider vinegar, and cane syrup, so make sure you have a pot large enough to hold a whole turkey.

A decadent stuffing with bacon, sage, and fresh-shucked oysters is a delightful accompaniment to the smoked bird. Sweet potatoes reach new heights when served in souffle form stuffed inside a phyllo dough. To get these recipes for the more advanced home cook, read more

During his Thanksgiving demonstration at the Food Network NYC Wine and Food Festival, Bobby Flay made a scrumptious-sounding stuffing. I've been looking for an exciting new recipe to include on my Thanksgiving day menu, so I decided to give his recipe for wild rice and goat cheese stuffing a try. The rich stuffing is packed with delicious flavors: fragrant chorizo, milky cheese, and fresh herbs that combine to create a dish full of contrasts. It's moist yet crunchy, spicy yet creamy, and incredibly addictive. I'm contemplating doing a Southwestern-themed dinner, so I can make this stuffing, it's that good. To look at Bobby's recipe, read more

There are few things that can top stuffing as my comfort food of choice around this time of year. Is there anything more blissful than eating the chewy, savory goodness, warm and right out of the oven?

Dressing made with chestnuts is a tradition that remains popular in certain parts of New England, as the nuts impart rich, roasted flavor and starchy body. Chestnuts are also in season during the Fall, so they make the perfect accent to this timely side dish. To see both a basic and a slightly more challenging recipe, read more

Why not mix things up this Thanksgiving? Instead of serving traditional stuffing made out of bread, why not use quinoa? It's a whole grain that is similar to rice but has a slightly firmer texture. Plus 1/4 cup of quinoa contains six grams of protein, so after eating it you'll feel energized. I like to add cooked sweet potatoes to give it a touch of Thanksgiving warmth.

This quinoa stuffing is really easy to whip up and will be ready to eat in about 30 minutes. To see the recipe, read more

Dressings and stuffings made with cornbread have become increasingly popular for Thanksgiving. Last year I jumped on the bandwagon and created my own version of cornbread dressing. I was worried because the cornbread alone was beyond bland and horribly dry. However, when mixed with vegetables and herbs and soaked with chicken broth, the dressing ended up being fantastically delicious and surprisingly moist. I recommend you experiment with cornbread dressing — if you haven't already — and have found two recipes to help you do so. One is easy and one is a little more difficult, so take a look at both and decide which one best suits your skills as a cook. To take a look please read more

I don't know about you, but I am very excited about Thanksgiving! This week I'm pulling out all the stops to help you create the perfect traditional Thanksgiving. When planning a large scale meal always start by finding a recipe for the main dish. In this case it is the turkey. While you could go crazy with brines, glazes, and rubs, keep the turkey simple and season it with a generous herb butter spread. A classic bread, bacon, and leek stuffing is delicious cooked inside or alongside the bird. Take a peek at these recipes and stay tuned for the rest of the meal — just read more