Thanksgiving Bake-Off!

So, for my first Thanksgiving as a wife, I figured it would be nice if I made a special edible something-or-other to bring to families' houses. I usually just bring a bottle of wine, but I thought it be nice to actually make something.... So, on that note, what are you girls bringing (if making something) to Thanksgiving dinner?


Big Bonus if its vegetarian - I don't eat/cook meat...

I would love to be able to really make something fabulous and surprise everyone!

STUFFING! No one will realize there's no chicken broth... you can make it with veggie broth....

get a good 2lb white/mild sourdough loaf from the bakery and cut it into cubes. Scramble 2 eggs, add about 1.5 cups of milk, poultry seasoning, and about a cup of veggie broth. Toss bread in liquid and let it absorb.... Add more milk and broth if the bread is still somewhat dry. (Try to get the bread fairly soaked, but avoid a major puddle at the bottom of the bowl)

Meanwhile, dice up 5 celery stalks. Sautee it on medium heat in oil for about 25 min or so (stirring occassionally)... until the celery is a little golden on the edges. Add one large diced onion. Sautee until transparent. Add about 4T chopped FRESH sage, and 2T fresh thyme (no stems), and 3T fresh savory (optional). Transfer veggies to a dish, and then fry a couple packs of sliced mushrooms until cooked. Add to veggie dish. Add a little salt.

Now drain the bread of any little puddle, and toss in the veggie mixture. Transfer to a casserole dish and bake uncovered at 375 until cooked through, about 40 min.

very yum

there's always the yams! i love the way my mom makes them, with cranberries and brown sugar and marshmellows. it's fairly standard, but slightly different because of the cranberries. it's also really easy to make! i don't have the recipe in front of me, but if you're interested, drop me an FM!

i LOVE the sound of the stuffing right above my post though!

I'll help out witht he antipasto

My mother makes a Broccolli casserole that is amazing! She is known as the 'brocolli lady' in her group of friends. I can FM you the recipe if you want!!!

Also, you can make a dessert...I make 'magic cookie bars' that are out of this world!!

how about

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream, for garnish


Directions
Wash the whole sweet potatoes and drain them. Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and add cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. (A fork should pierce the potatoes easily but they should not fall apart.) When the potatoes are done, drain and cool them.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare the pastry for a 9-inch single-crust pie. Set it aside.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and mash them in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Add the melted butter, corn syrup, and sugar. Beat on medium speed. Discard the long, stringy fibers that collect around the electric beaters as you beat the filling. In the end, you want a smooth, string free filling. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Pour in the buttermilk. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until the filling is smooth. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in toe center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Garnish with whipped cream.