the hearty boys

Thanksgiving

Come Party With Me: Potluck Thanksgiving — Menu

Cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal is quite a hefty task.

Cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal is quite a hefty task. Not only does it require culinary expertise, but it also involves lots of planning. To help shoulder part of the burden and cut the budget, many people like to throw or attend a potluck Thanksgiving.

Usually the person hosting is in charge of the turkey. They should also assign side dishes — that way you won't end up with seven sweet potato casseroles and no cranberry sauce — and coordinate a cooking schedule.

If you're a guest at a potluck on Thanksgiving, be sure to ask the hostess what you should bring.

Select a side dish that can be made almost entirely in advance and put it together the morning of the big day. Communicate with the hostess and explain that your dish needs a certain amount of time in the oven or microwave. To see my recipe suggestions — like herb-roasted turkey, fennel and potato puree, sausage and apple stuffing, and cranberry ginger relish — for hosting and attending a potluck Thanksgiving, read more

recipes

The World's Easiest and Most Delicious Brownies. Ever.

OK, so that title might be an exaggeration, but it got your attention, right?

OK, so that title might be an exaggeration, but it got your attention, right? If you're looking for a delicious brownie recipe, I highly recommend you use this one. I've made it a million times and it always gets rave reviews.

Don't believe me? Well, 172 people praise it over on the Food Network's website. It's decadent, rich, and insanely chocolaty. Thanks to the help of a hand mixer and microwave, it takes about 15 minutes to make and another 15 to bake.

Since everything is more appealing mini, I like to slice them into small squares and serve as brownie bites. When paired with vanilla ice cream, they also make one mean brownie sundae. If you're a fan of fudgy brownies, you should stop reading this and make these — now! Get the recipe.

Thanksgiving

Green Bean Casserole Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

I mentioned last week that I've noticed casseroles making a comeback.

I mentioned last week that I've noticed casseroles making a comeback. What better time to bring them back than during the holidays? If you've got a lot to plan this Thanksgiving, stick with a no-muss, no-fuss recipe that'll be ready in around half an hour. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious, however, we've got just the expert green bean casserole for you, complete with homemade fried leek chips on top. To scope out both recipes, read more

Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Tailgate — Menu (Part II)

I'm cheering on my alma mater by hosting a huge pre-game party.

I'm cheering on my alma mater by hosting a huge pre-game party. I host this tailgate every other year when the game takes place at Stanford. While the menu for the majority of the dishes changes — this year it consists of a variety of tasty football foods complete with chips, dips, and chicken wings — the desserts are always the same two classics. Since we will be enjoying the desserts next to the field, it's important to make something that is transportable and easy to eat.

Chocolate truffle brownies and zesty lemon bars are two crowd pleasing treats that score big points year after year. For these delicious dessert recipes, read more