Blog Posts by MyRecipes.com

We've got the answers to all your hot-button holiday questions. John Kernick

Save Our Supper!
When Thanksgiving dinner is on the line, head to our collection of the 23 most frequently asked holiday questions for help. Whether the gravy is lumpy, the planning is daunting, or you forgot to buy the right flour, we've got the solution for all your holiday dinner nightmare moments. Relax and enjoy-we've got you covered.

Q. Help! My turkey has not thawed yet. What can I do?
If you need to cook your turkey in the next 24 hours and it's not thawed yet, your best bet is probably to thaw it in the microwave oven. Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound, and power level to use for thawing. Remove all outside wrapping from the turkey and place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Cook your turkey immediately after thawing it in the microwave. Do not refreeze or refrigerate it before you cook it.

Cook your entire Thanksgiving meal using slow cookers. No oven required-only counter space.

Lee Harrelson

A Slow Cooker Thanksgiving
Gather up an army of slow cookers and put them to work on your Thanksgiving menu. Or better yet, make recipe assignments to the family members and friends who will be joining you and get them to prepare the dish in their slow cooker and bring it to the feast.

Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider
Serve your guests a cup of simmering cider as everyone gathers for the big feast. The slow cooker will keep it warm throughout the meal.

Recipe: Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider





Jim Bathie

Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing
This easy recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, but you can use roasted turkey if you just can't make it though Thanksgiving without the traditional bird. Or, use the recipe for Slow Cooker Turkey and Dressing.

Recipe: Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing
Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey and Dressing

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan

If you think squash casserole and pecan tassies came over on the Mayflower, think again. Take a peek at the foods from the first Thanksgiving feast.

Becky Luigart-StaynerRosemary Salt-Crusted Venison with Cherry-Cabernet Sauce
Your table may not be complete without a hearty bird for carving, but the truth is, if you wanted to eat it, you had to go out and shoot it. Most likely, the remarkable thing about this celebratory meal was that it was guaranteed to have meat. After all, it was always deer season back then.

Recipe: Rosemary Salt-Crusted Venison with Cherry-Cabernet Sauce

Duck with Dried Cherries and Rosemary
If you weren't an adept deer hunter, you might break out your duck call instead. Another popular option: Goose. Take a gander at our Roast Goose with Currant Sauce and be thankful that you won't be in charge of the plucking.

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Kathy Calnen

Recipe: Duck with Dried Cherries and Rosemary
Recipe: Roast Goose with Currant Sauce

Local Clams with Herb Butter
If you were short on

Sweet potatoes are forever on the A-list when planning holiday dinners. Cook up a variation on this traditional dish for a wholesome side that's always welcome.

Photo: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro LevineSweet Treat
Though sweet potatoes are not "potatoes" at all, you can substitute them for white potatoes in almost any recipe for an extra kick of vitamins A and C. Plus, their rich orange color, sweet taste, and creamy texture rank them among our favorite holiday foods. Read on for our best sweet potato recipes.

Related: Top Sweet Potato Casseroles

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Apricots and Bourbon
Apricots and a few shots of bourbon add complex flavor to this simple, baked sweet potato dish. Ten servings make this dish a great choice for a crowd, and you can do a lot of the preparation up to 2 days ahead of time.

Reviewer Raingirlcooks raves, "My grandmother was out of town a few Thanksgivings ago, so I was put in charge of sweet potatoes. I tried out this recipe and have been in charge ever since."

Does this wine pairing sound a little sketchy? We tested fast food combinations to find out if wine really can go with everything. By Gretchen Roberts

Quick Food, Great Wine
You may not be able to BYOB to Taco Bell or Arby's, but why not swing through the drive-through and take your food home to pair with a bottle of wine? The defining characteristics of fast food, takeout, and delivery are quick and cheap, so we found inexpensive wines to match.

Related: Great-Tasting Bargain Box Wines

Bacon Cheeseburger and Fries
All the major fast food chains from McDonalds to Wendy's sell this heart-stoppingly decadent combo. Smoky bacon, hearty beef, melted American cheese, and various condiments and toppings from pickles to ketchup and mayo make this sandwich fairly complex in flavors and textures. Try it with a big, smoky, bold red like the 2008 Boxhead Shiraz (Australia, $10).

Related: Wine Pairings for Fall and Winter Foods

Roast Beef Sandwich
Arby's and

Choose these easy, no-mess appetizers when you need to take a dish to the party and feel confident that it will be perfect when you arrive.

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro, Leigh Ann RossTraditional Hummus
When you take a dip to a party, it's a good idea to take a thick dip that's not likely to slosh out of the dish during transport. A creamy, garlicky bean dip like this one is ideal, especially since it's supposed to stand at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. Just bring along a bag of pita chips for dippers.

Recipe: Traditional Hummus

Smoked Salmon-Cardamom Spread
Even though this make-ahead spread is super easy, the smoked salmon adds a bit of sophistication. You can't go wrong when you show up with this tasty salmon appetizer, and you an be assured that you won't be taking any back home.

Recipe: Smoked Salmon-Cardamom Spread

Annabelle BreakeySavory Spiced Shortbreads
These savory shortbread rounds will be a welcome addition to any party and are sturdy enough to travel. In addition to the batch

Ramen noodles should classify as required eating while you're in college, especially when you use them in these inspired and innovative recipesPhoto: Lee Harrelson: Styling: Mindi Shapiro, Laura Martin

Use Your Noodles
Instant ramen noodles are dried or precooked noodles infused with oil, and usually sold with a packet of flavoring. Dried noodles are usually eaten after being cooked in boiling water for 2 to 5 minutes or eaten straight from the packet, while precooked noodles can be reheated.

These noodles are often popular with college students because they are budget-friendly and easy to prepare. The downside is that they're high in fat and sodium, but you can reduce the sodium by leaving out the seasoning packet.

Related: 7 Ways With Spaghetti

Quickest Chicken Noodle Soup
Ramen noodles are incredibly versatile, and the first option is to use them for a quick and easy soup. Add cooked chicken, cabbage, carrots, and ramen noodles to a pot of boiling water, let it cook for 3 minutes and - voila! - comfort food ready

Fire up your grill for this quick and healthy Asian barbecue chicken. Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 thighs)

Related: More Grilled Chicken Recipes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 (6-ounce) chicken thighs, skinned
• Cooking spray
• Lime wedges (optional)
• Green onion tops (optional)

Preparation

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; add chicken. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 4 hours, turning occasionally.
2. Prepare grill.
3. Remove chicken from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute.
4. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 20 minutes or until done, turning and basting frequently with the marinade. Garnish with lime wedges and green onion tops, if desired.

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