Sauteed Shrimp with Arugula and Tomatoes

Again, looking for clever ways to fancy up my necessary protein intake... especially considering the necessity of the Thanksgiving detox. This one was super easy, quick, and satisfying but still light. I added 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for some heat and topped the dish off with some fresh, chopped chives. The recipe didn't really specify, but according to my standards, this was 2 generous entree portions. This would be a great after work/weeknight meal. I would definitely make again.

Sauteed Shrimp with Arugula and Tomatoes via Noble Pig:

http://noblepig.com/2010/06/15/sauteed-shrimp-with-arugula-and-tomatoes.aspx

Turducken

Until recently, I had always thought that TURDUCKEN was a myth! For those of you unaware of the mysterious turducken, it is a delicacy: a boneless turkey, stuffed with a bonless duck, stuffed with a boneless chicken, each layer seperated by a stuffing flavor of your choice! Just the pure insanity of this concept was enough for me to have to try. Fortunately, I was able to experience the legend of turducken this Thanksgiving at the Williams house. I was thoroughly impressed, everything I had hoped for and more! If you too would like to experience turducken, you can order one here: http://www.hebertsmeats.com/ They are a bit pricey, but worth the fun, and the small size will easily feed 6-8 people. Christmas would be an excellent occasion to test one out!

Porcini-Crusted Filet Mignon with Fresh Herb Butter

Back in the kitchen after the Thanksgiving vacation... thankful that cooking can take your mind off of the real world for a few minutes. This turned out really well: super delicious and easy to boot. I forgot to add the garlic to the herb butter and it still didn't seem to lack any taste in my opinion. I served this with steamed broccoli which I added a squirt of lemon juice and a pat of the herb butter from the filets. It was a perfect compliment. Bon appetit.

Porcini-Crusted Filet Mignon with Fresh Herb Butter via Epicurious:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Porcini-Crusted-Filet-Mignon-with-Fresh-Herb-Butter-238284

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Let me just start by saying that I am even starting to impress myself! Look at this beauty! If you are looking for a Thanksgiving contribution that is a little less traditional but will still WOW the crowd... here's your pick! Sweet potato pie is a traditional Thanksgiving type dish, but with the addition of the marshmallow meringue, this almost becomes like a sweet potato pie/candied yams hybrid. The final product is BEAUTIFUL! Not to mention the smell of toasted marshmallows coming out of the oven is almost too hard to resist. This recipe is a bit time consuming, but I would venture to say that you will probably be satisfied with your reward! So that's all for my Thanksgiving cooking this year, enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving, remember what your most thankful for.

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue via Epicurious:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sweet-Potato-Pie-with-Marshmallow-Meringue-240425

German Chocolate Pecan Pie

I'm working on Thanksgiving, so the pie preparations must begin early! This recipe actually came from an American Way magazine that Cornell found on one of his flights. Super easy! (Believe me, I actually just made four of these!) It does make a large amount of pie filling, so definitely buy the deep dish variety, and maybe even some mini crusts for any leftovers you will probably have. This will totally satisfy your sweet tooth.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE

via Texas Pie Kitchen & American Way Magazine

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup dark corn syrup

3 tablespoons softened butter

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 cup (plus a handful for topping) chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

1 unbaked pie shell

Mix first 5 ingredients together until smooth. Add coconut, chocolate chips, & pecans to combine thoroughly. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle top of pie with handful of chocolate chips for topping. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a must for the Thanksgiving season... especially for people like me who use cranberry sauce in place of gravy on their turkey! This is an excellent, kind of dressed up version of those funny shaped can varieties that most of us have becomed accustomed to. This recipe is great because it is just sweet enough, and preserves the tartness of the cranberries with the addition of the orange juice. It is also a lot cheaper to make than the recipes that require a pure maple syrup. The walnuts are totally optional. I like the added crunch. This is a great make ahead dish for Thanksgiving, one more thing you can check off your list a little early. Ends up making about 2 cups of cranberry sauce.

                                                        SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

adapted via Epicurious

1 12 ounce bag cranberries, washed and picked over

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all ingredients except walnuts in medium saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. (Until cranberries burst & sauce thickens). Make sure all cranberries have popped. Add walnuts and stir thoroughly. Transfer to serving bowl and chill covered. Can be made several days in advance.

Steak Roulade

I have to admit I feel a little guilty including this, because I didn't actually assemble it, (and even worse I don't have the recipe), but it was too good to not include. This is a flank steak roulade that Cornell & I got at the deli of a Smith's in Vegas. (I know that doesn't really help most of you either, sorry). But just look at it! TASTY! Just imagine, flank steak rolled up with spinach, red peppers, and mozzarella. We topped it with a Montreal rub and baked it to a delectable medium rare, five stars! The butcher told us they're usually only available during the holiday seasons, so if for some funny reason you find yourself at a Smith's in Vegas during a holiday season, definitely pick some up!