Get your Thanksgiving requests in!
112 comments » 
I am totally astonished that it’s already November. Where did fall go? Heck, where did the SUMMER go?! Well, whether we are ready or not, Thanksgiving will be here in a few short weeks. Ahh, the day of eating copious amounts of food, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and football, and then getting up super early the next day to start Christmas shopping. Brace yourself – the holidays are just about here!
With Thanksgiving first up, I want to share recipes with you that YOU are interested in. There are a number that I’m already planning, but for the remainder of the month, it’s readers’ choice. YOU tell ME what you need recipes for. And I will do my best to help out the majority with their turkey day menu. Sound good? Just leave me a comment letting me know what recipe(s) you’d like to see featured here leading up to Thanksgiving.
And while we’re at it, do you have any Thanksgiving holiday traditions? I’d love to hear about them!
pumpkin pie? :]
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Would love to see a pumpkin cheesecake recipe!
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TheBaker on November 3rd, 2010 at 9:12 am
Perhaps you missed Michelle’s post just prior to this one – a beautiful (and tasty, I’m sure!) Pumpkin Cheesecake. Just what you ordered!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Hi! I actually just posted a pumpkin cheesecake, here you go:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/11/01/pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe/
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The thing that always stumps me every year is a side dish both kids and adults will like. Any help with this would definitely be appreciated!
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This might just surprise you a bit but should tell you how much I love your blog! You have just been conferred with an award
please check my blog post for rules.
Thanks
Cardamom hills
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Hi Michelle! Just wanted to tell you I made your Cowboy Cookies this afternoon and they turned out fantastic! Thanks again for the recipe~~
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Yay! You are welcome!
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I would like a good “dressing” or “stuffing” recipe. Also other fun side dishes. LOVE YOUR BLOG!
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Cranberry recipes, especially cookie, bread or muffin recipes!
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Michelle on November 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Yes, I agree…cranberry recipes would be great.
Thank you for the pumpkin cheesecake recipe, every year I make pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, I will be trying your recipe this year!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I’m honored! Enjoy the cheesecake!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Hi Carole, I will work on these! In the meantime, here a couple cranberry recipes already on the site:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/02/03/cranberry-white-chocolate-almond-biscotti/
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/07/15/cranberry-orange-scones/
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A recipe for the best “outside of the turkey” stuffing!
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Michelle,
Anything you come up with will be amazing for sure…but if you have any ideas for turkey leftovers that would be great.
Lori
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I second the idea about turkey leftovers, and I would also like to see a rice-based stuffing recipe. My mom made one years ago, and she doesn’t remember what she did, but it was delicious. I suspect that my mom used a rice-a-roni base or something boxed like that, but you can surely do far better than that!
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We always have the same standard Thanksgiving fare for dinner. Since he was a little kid, my husbands family has always made teddy bear shaped pancakes to decorate with M&Ms and sprinkles. We participated the whole time we were dating and the early years of of marriage but since we are hosting for my family’s dinner this year we won’t be able to go. Since my son is old enough to participate now we will just have to do it at home instead.
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This isn’t particularly traditional Thanksgiving fare, but I would love to see a talented food blogger take on the inside-out german chocolate cake from epicurious.com.
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Pillsbury’s flaky crescent rolls are a staple at my holiday table, but I would love to find a way to bake something as good (or better) from scratch … can you help?
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How about an interesting salad with salad greens/lettuce? Something using “fall” ingredients…it may be the only healthy thing on our plates! As for tradition – the day after Thanksgiving, if there is turkey left over, we make Hot Brown sandwiches. Great sandwich and a great way to use up turkey.
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How about a whole Thanksgiving menu?
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I would like to know how to make rolls without kneeding by hand. I have NO counter space, and a small table. I do have a stand mixer.
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Stuffing definitely. I’ve never put it INSIDE the turkey (where it really does taste best) — what is your opinion about that??
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
My family never did the stuffing inside the turkey either, so I’m all about the “outside the turkey” stuffing!
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Cranberry fruit-type salad (not the kind with lettuce though).
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I would love a good main-dish Thanksgiving idea for a vegetarian dating a non-vegetarian. Please, no fake meat involved!
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I would like a fun, out of the box, side dish to take to my future in-laws in order to wow them! Nothing too hard, though! Thanks.
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I make tons of food! Thanksgiving is my husband’s favorite holiday. Our family tradition is to eat too much and then take a long walk around our neighborhood together calling our relatives that couldn’t celebrate with us.
I need a great appetizer recipe!
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A good sweet potato recipe! I do pretty traditional stuff but the old sweet potato with marshmallow or just sliced and baked with butter and brown sugar don’t excite me anymore.
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I would love to see a good tutorial on how to make real homemade fudge without any sweetened condensed milk or corn syrup.
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I have a set of adorable individual trifle dishes that I’m eager to use, and I would LOVE to see your ideas for some kind of decadent pumpkin (or other seasonally appropriate) trifle that I could serve.
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I would love recipes for appetizers particularly ones that can be premade and served more or less room temperature. We will be traveling a couple of hours to my husband’s family and would like to bring something to share, but the oven is in high demand once we get there. Thanks for your help!
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Okay, we’re doing a very non-traditional Thanksgiving by putting on a seafood spread…so maybe something from the sea?
BTW, the newsletter link to the pan equivalencies chart saved my butt last night! I’m converting a triple layer cake recipe into bite-sized mini cakes for a chocolate contest. So…how many 10″ round cake pans equal a half sheet?
BINGO! Thanks!!!!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Yay so glad that site helped you out! I love it!
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I love all of your recipes, so I know whatever you make will be fabulous!
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I absolutely adore your blog. You are so talented and creative. You make food that I want to eat and want to try. Thanks you!
My thanksgiving menu is missing an easy appetizer or festive cocktail that won’t fill you up before the big event. I love yams but, don’t want them dripping in sugar. Is there a way to make the yam flavor more prominent then the sugar? Some type of pudding side … corn or sweet potato?
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Since it’s the first time that I’m making Thanksgiving dinner, I would love some tips on how to cook a great turkey!
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Brussels Sprouts! They’re my favorite Thanksgiving side dish. I try to find a new and creative recipe every year.
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I would love to have something new and savory that features beets or radishes.
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Gayle on November 3rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
And I forgot to add, like Kat’s our dinner consists of assorted seafood/coast dishes, and we let it be a day that we don’t turn away from food singly because it’s too expensive (In Illinois fresh seafood can get pretty expensive) or too hard to cook right .
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I would love your caramel sauce recipe for the pumpkin cheesecake.
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Hi Suz, I used this caramel sauce, just omitted the salt!
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/16/salted-caramel-brownies/
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I would like to see stuffing from scratch. Thank you!!
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i’d also love ideas for turkey leftovers!
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A cranberry dessert would be awesome!
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Three things that have already been mentioned get my vote(s):
1. How to cook a perfect turkey!
2. Mmm! Sweet Potatoes!
3. Brussell Sprouts are also my favorite veggie… Love ‘em with lots of salty butter :-d
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Hi! How about marinating and then deep frying a turkey?
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Hi Clohee, I had the pleasure of eating a deep fried turkey last year (pure heaven) but I didn’t prepare it so I would be way out of my league providing instruction. Maybe someone else here has though?!
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I would also like some good vegeatrian options – I am sick of just having the baked vegetables!
Also any dessert/baked product with pumpkin or cinnamon!
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I would love to see a timeline guide. When you’re cooking for 10 and only have 1 oven it can be SO hard trying to figure out when to start baking what so that things don’t overlap and you don’t have 40 dirty dishes all of the sudden. What can be prepped before hand?
ps LOVE your blog!
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This year, I am bringing a green salad. I need an innovative way to make a green salad.
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How about an interesting pumpkin pie? I have friends coming over, aside from my MIL (who has stomach problems and is picky and just wants the usual). My friend asked me to bake a pumpkin pie, aside from all the other stuff I am making. I intend to anyway. I made a new one from King Arthur with an oatmeal crust a couple of weeks ago and found the crust to be too thick but the filling was wonderful. Very plain but really good. My friends are adventurous, like I am so I want to make something interesting. Any suggestions would be great.
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I would love to have a great stuffing side dish recipe. Wish I could find one my husband would eat, but he’s so picky I think that’s a lost cause! lol
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Oops! Posted my comment in the wrong place. I’d love to see you post recipes on ‘recycling’ Thanksgiving leftovers (turkey, starches, veggies, dessert).
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I am looking for a great Brussels Sprout recipe.
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We do lots of ribs for Thanksgiving, we cook them for 8 hour slow in the oven, people like ribs better than Turkey. We end up doing a turkey too but the ribs go first. So i am curious what other do instead of turkey.
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I’m echoing Melissa C.’s first suggestion for how to cook a turkey. I find the idea of roasting a chicken or turkey sadly intimidating, so a post on how to go from the bird you’ve bought to the bird you’ve roasted to perfection would be terrific!
I made the pumpkin cream cheese muffins with streusel last week, and they were a big hit at work. My boss has already put in a request for more!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
So glad you loved the muffins! And woo for impressing the boss!
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Looking for a fabulous pumpkin flan recipe and a new stuffing recipe! Help
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hi Holly, I am admittedly not a huge flan fan, but this one looks incredible!
http://www.bitchincamero.com/2010/10/pumpkin-flan/
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Something with figs. Fresh or dried. I’ve always wanted to bake and cook with figs, but I’ve attempted to for fear it won’t taste great….But if you’ve made it and tested I’m sure to be a believer!
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Cooking the bird is the easy part for me. I brine it OR salt rub it and refrigerate for 24 hours. Set the oven to 375. Wash the brine or salt off. Dry. Rub with a turkey rub that i got from Bon Appetit in 1994. I think the recipe for the bird with the rub is still on Epicurious’ website. Anyway, brush with butter or olive oil. Place on roasting rack, drizzle in 1 container of broth in the bottom, and bake for 1/2 hour. Lower heat to 325. Cover and cook for another 2-1/2 to 3 hours (for a 12 pound bird).
Perfect every single time. Sometimes I also use the Cajun Injector and inject the bird all over with the Garlic Butter marinade. I do that after I rub the bird.
Also Alton Brown’s Good Eats Turkey recipe works really well too.
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I’d love to see some sides or desserts that travel well. We’re driving six hours to my in-law’s and I’d love to bring something delicious!
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Maybe a delicious bundt cake! or some type of neutral cake/dessert to bring to a potluck luncheon. thanks!
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I’d love to see a Sweet Potato Souffle that’s not so sugary sweet (possibly healthier?), or a Green Bean Casserole that uses fresh ingredients instead of condensed soup.
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I’m looking for an interesting twist on the pumpkin pie, any ideas?
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I would love to see a good basic stuffing recipe. I’ve tried making stuffing and it’s hit and miss for me because I don’t really know what should go in it and in what quantities. I’m excited to see what you post whatever you chose! Your photos and your posts are absolutely gorgeous. You are brave to go out on the day after Thanksgiving. I don’t really like going out during the wee morning hours since most people are so rude and pushy that would make me grumpy until New Years! Hahaha.
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I would be interested in getting a different twist on a pumpkin pie and also intereted in stuffing recipes, something simple but delicious. Thanks so much!
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Just bought an antique punch bowl. Would love to have a recipe for a festive punch that could be served to and enjoyed by both kids and adults. Love, love, love your blog. I am making your pumpkin and pecan granola bars right now (pretty crazy of me considering that Southern California is facing record-breaking heat for the month of November. What happened to autumn weather?
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It’s my first thanksgiving away from home and my first with my boyfriend. He loves Giblet Stuffing/ dressing. A great giblet Stuffing / Dressing recipe would make our first thanksgiving together perfect. Thanks! Jeni Rae
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Well being a southern girl through and through, we have to have cornbread dressing with pecans, sweet potatoes with pecans, pecan pie ( is anyone seeing a theme here ), and our fried turkey. We use Alton Brown’s recipe for a brine and them we fry it in peanut oil.
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I would love a homemade cranberry sauce with lots of yummy flavors!
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I am looking for a really really good sweet potato recipe…..please!!!!!!!
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Meagan on November 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I forgot the PIE part….a sweet potato pie recipe! Sorry!
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I agree with some other comments – a cranberry recipe! Cranberry something as a side dish. My grandma always makes a cranberry jell-o mold but there has to be something better out there, right?!? Thank you
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My vote is in for something cranberry, too – Maybe a nice cranberry relish for the Thanksgiving turkey? Whatever you come up with will be grand, as usual!
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Thanksgiving menu ideas for Pescetarians, ovo-lacto ?
thanks, JAG
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Well I bake all the time and I’m 15 so this Thanksgiving I really want to impress my family so I would love some kind of desert that incorporates some kind of squash like a mix of pumpkin, acorn and butternut squash Thank you!
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I would love a different side! We do the potato filling, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole every year. But I like to try something new each year. Any suggestions?
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I would like to get festive with some beverages like butter beer or something like eggnog
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Wow. Somebody asking me for a recipe request at this time of the year-surely GOD send!
I would like a recipe for pumpkin cake . I am having a gettogether in 2 weeks . I appreciate your help
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I have always struggled to make a good herb stuffing…I would love to have a fool proof recipe. Thanks!
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I would like to learn how to bake a really moist turkey . Would it help baking in a bag??
Thanks so much!
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How to cut up a fresh turkey! I saw that Tyler Florence will cut his up for a quicker roast…I would have NO clue how to do that!
The Butcher can do it for me! Can’t wait to see what you come up with after all these great suggestions!
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I agree anything you post will be great,youv’e haven’t failed me yet ! But I’m looking for some new side dishes,I already make the ones most of us make,like mashed potatoes ,sweet potatoes with a orange glaze,broccoli cheese and rice cassarole,stuffing,cranberries ,you get the picture……….Please some new side dishes.Cann’t wait to see what you come up with!
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HI! I’m going to be trying out a sausage and sage cornbead dressing. My mother in law makes a great one — she poaches chicken breast, then pulls/shreds it, puts it in with cornbread, sage, pepper, and onion. I’d like to add sausage this year and have an idea how much sage to use. I’d love for you to find your fave cornbread dressing recipe so I can maybe add another twist!!! it’s practically a meal in itself…
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I would love a new twist on a sweet potato casserole, maybe with a little less sugar? Also a really good (detailed!) outside of the bird stuffing (please, not cornbread stuffing)
I’ll be looking forward to your blog even more than usual this month!
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All these suggestions sound great! I’d like to see a muffin/ bread recipe with orange and cranberries. I have yet to find a recipe that stays moist and has a strong orange flavor.
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Hi Harriette, You might like these Orange Cranberry Scones:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/07/15/cranberry-orange-scones/
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This isn’t a request as much as it is something I feel I need to share: try making pita bread. It isn’t too much of a process, and it is incredibly delicious. Deb at SmittenKitchen has a really easy recipe (and follow her water-spritzing technique, it really works). You won’t be sorry. I don’t know why I haven’t made this before.
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I second green bean casserole! Any pumpkin baked treat. By the way, I love the Weekend Dish! Looking forward to seeing all your Thanksgiving recipes.
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I am with a few other people that mentioned dinner rolls. I usually just make Pillsbury crescent rolls but would like to make something from scratch.
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Sweet Potato’s, love them. Thanks for sharing.
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I would love to see a recipe for sweet potato souffle. I had it a few years ago at a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, and it was amazing. I’d love to try to replicate it!
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Pumkin empenada.
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A fruit pie, but something different! We will have 2 pecan, 2 apple, 2 pumpkin… and we’d like a couple new and exciting options too!
Love your blog. Your recipes are amazing!
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I am from a large family and am used to a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner. I have moved away from home and this year it will only be my husband and I for Thanksgiving. I would be interested in some ideas for Thanksgiving for two without sacrificing all my favorite side dishes (mashed potatoes, cornbread sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie, cheesy potato casserole, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin tartlets, cheese ball…ok so maybe I will have to sacrifice a few!)
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I love your blog! I’d like to see any dessert that could be made for Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t have pumpkin in it.
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I lllooovvvveee stuffing, but have never found a dressing recipe I like. Please help! The dressing recipes I’ve tried just don’t seem as moist and/or tastey as the stuffing. I’ve tried adding stock to the dressing to moisten it, but it doesn’t seem to work. We have about 10 – 12 people over so even with a hhhuuugggeee bird, there’s just not enough cavity to stuff for all the stuffing lovers. I’d love to have a great dressing recipe so that my husband and I can have some leftovers.
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I just wanna see more ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers
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I would LOVE to see some great vegetable side dish recipes…not involving green beans or brussel sprouts. I’m good with the potato recipes. Bring on some NEW veggie ideas!
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I would love to see a recipe for a savory carrot pudding one could use as a side dish. I had a recipe I used to make most years but seem to have lost it. I would very much appreciate your help.Thnx
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Corn pudding or casserole and after thanksgiving turkey ideas
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Well, since Kraft took the Garlic Cheese Roll off the shelf, it’s been a hard time trying to make the delicious Garlic cheese roll grits that was a regular dish at our home during the holidays.
Is there anyway, you could help us out on this???????
We would love to hear from you!!!!!!
Thanks so much and by the way, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!
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Michelle on November 16th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Hi Bettye, I’ve actually never heard of garlic cheese roll grits. What’s the recipe like?
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!
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Bettye Norsworthy on November 16th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Michelle,
Thought you might like to see my “Garlic Grits Casserole” recipe
2 cups grits
1/2 milk
2 rolls Kraft Garlic Cheese
1 1/2 qts. water
1/4 lb. butter
4 beaten eggs
salt & pepper to taste
Cook grits in water until done. Add milk, butter, cheese, eggs, salt & pepper.
Pour into buttered casserole. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and paprika.
Bake at 300 degrees at 30 minutes. Let set before eating.
This is delicious and a very southern dish.
The only thing now, is that Kraft cheese quit making their garlic cheese into rolls !!!! And several recipes called specifically for Kraft Garlic Cheese Roll.
Thanks so much Michelle, for just listening to me!!!!!!!!
I love your recipes and I do try them. You always make me SMILE and also like those Hockey Players pictures too!!!!!!!!!! Keep it up!
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Michelle on November 18th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
That sounds great, but I’ve never seen a roll of Kraft cheese?? Is it where the shredded cheese is sold?
Glad you like the hockey pics
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Bettye Norsworthy on November 18th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Michelle,
Here’s the recipe:
Garlic Cheese Roll Substitute
1-1/2 pounds sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 pound of Velveeta
3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
Warm ingredients over a double boiler or low heat, until cheeses have
melted and ingredients are well combined. Put into storage container
to cool and set. Portion as needed.
As, I remember last year, I cut mine into 3 pieces. I only used 1. This year, I’m going to try and use 1-1/2 and see how that works.
It was so much easier buying the garlic cheese at the grocery, this is good, just a little more time comsuming.
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Would love some ideas on thanksgiving appetizers, something for the crew to snack on while watching football and hanging out prior to the big meal! Any ideas?
Thanks!
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Michelle on November 16th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Hi Kellyn, Here are all of my appetizer/snack recipes. Appetizers are my 2nd favorite food group, behind dessert
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/category/appetizer-recipes/
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Since losing my mother this past March it is up to me to prepare Thanksgiving. I have watched/helped so many times but never had the opportunity to prepare the turkey myself. I am an avid reader of your blog and was wondering if you could help me with preparing the turkey itself. I think I have a good idea but still feel a little lot unfortunately. I know it sounds silly but just thought I could reach out for a little help. Thank you.
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Michelle on November 15th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Hi Jennifer, First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. Last year I did a post with tips for cooking the turkey, you can check it out here: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/11/17/thanksgiving-cooking-turkey-tips/
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