annkingman's Reviews
4 recipe(s) reviewed. Showing 1 to 4Sort by: Title 
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Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert
By Rick Rodgers
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2007
These are incredible, and so easy! Rodgers trick about cleaning the gills out of the portobello caps made this recipe company-worthy. An added bonus is that it's easy to make ahead, and just heat through 5 minutes before serving.
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Homemade Turkey Stock 101 : page 34
While turkey stock is a simple thing, Rodgers recipe and accompanying hint has made this book worth the cover price. His suggestion: buy turkey parts (wings, back, neck) a few days before Thanksgiving, brown them up and throw them in a crock pot with some veggies and water to cook overnight.
It's the easiest stock ever, and because we can do it a few days ahead, we are prepared with great stock on Thanksgiving to be used in the gravy, the stuffing, and for basting the turkey.
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Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole : page 101
We host Thanksgiving every year, for about 15 people. Things go fairly smoothly, but the "crisis point" always comes in the last 20 minutes, when it's a fight for the stovetop. Husband needs 2 burners to make the gravy, and I had a pot of potatoes boiling over, almost (but not quite) ready to be mashed.
This Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole recipe has calmed the situation. I don't actually like that "casserole" is in the title -- it's basically make-ahead mashed potatoes. By adding cream cheese and sour cream to the usual milk and butter additions, the potatoes keep their moisture in the refrigerator while they wait in your refrigerator. You mash everything and spread it into a 9x13 baking dish. You can do it a few hours ahead, or even the day before. When you want to serve it on Thanksgiving day, you just heat it in the oven for 30 minutes or so.
I occasionally get a bit of "cream cheese" flavor, but it's not unpleasant -- it just reminds me that these are not "pure" mashed potatoes. Nobody has ever complained about the taste. This recipe works for us because we have 2 ovens (these go in when the turkey comes out) and a crowded cooktop area.
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Turkey Black Bean Tamale Pie : page 169
A great use for leftover turkey! Husband and kids all loved it, and nobody felt like they were eating yet more Thanksgiving leftovers.
Prep was easy, and entire recipe was not too time-consuming -- about 45 minutes from start to finish, with 30 minutes bake time, so you can do other things.
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