Thanksgiving Part Three

So your turkey is under control, now let's talk about your side dishes. Everyone has family favorites, dishes that they must have on their Thanksgiving dinner table. In my family, it is Stove Top stuffing. For real. It's what my mom always makes. For a few years I've made cornbread stuffing from scratch and it's now become one of those must haves. Watch for that recipe tomorrow. Today we're talking about shortcuts that can add some sass to your table. Here are a few for you to consider:

Cranberry Sauce - Buy two cans of whole berry sauce, stir in the grated zest (shiny part of the peel) of one orange and a teaspoon of vanilla. Chill overnight for a sassier sauce.

Corn - Cook your canned or frozen corn as usual, but just before serving toss in a couple of strips of crumbled bacon and a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Salt and pepper to taste.

Sweet potatoes - Open and drain two large cans of Bruce's Yams. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 c. brown sugar, an egg and a splash of milk. Beat together until smooth and spread in a casserole dish and either top with a little butter, chopped pecans and a sprinkle of brown sugar or marshmallows. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Carrots - Rinse a couple of bags of fresh baby carrots, then place in a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap and steam for 4 minutes or so. In a coffee mug, melt 3 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (in the microwave too). Pour over the steamed carrots add salt and pepper to taste and toss together.

You can think of some simple additions or ways to sassy up a recipe with your own creative spin. Don't forget about the power of color. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley makes any side dish prettier, and makes me feel better if I'm serving something straight out of the box. As far as your Thanksgiving desserts go, you have other shortcuts that can help you make a splash.

Pies - Homemade pies can be intimidating. Feel free to buy pie crust in a roll, or a ready made one (but put it in your own pan before baking) and try a new filling recipe. I guess that is what you call Semi-Homemade. Try something with a lattice top, just for the fun of it.

Cake - You aren't going to believe me here, but did you know that all you need to add to a cake mix to bake it is a can of pop? Diet or regular, any flavor. No eggs, oil or anything else. Just beat it with a mixer as you usually would. The result is a softer, moister cake that still serves well from a pan but doesn't do well for cupcakes. Great if you run out of eggs, for dieters, or people with egg allergies (if the cake mix is clear). Try a spice cake mix with root beer, devil's food cake mix with black cherry or vanilla cake mix with orange.

Have fun as you continue to plan your Thanksgiving dinner. One week from today...