Stuffing Turkey Meatloaf Ring

Stuffing Turkey Meatloaf Served
Stuffing Turkey Meatloaf Served

What's on Your Plate

TL;DR: You press homemade stuffing into a ring mold, top it with seasoned ground turkey, bake it, and turn it out onto a platter. The stuffing becomes a golden crown, the center holds the cranberry sauce, and you get all of Thanksgiving in one slice on any weeknight.

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Cranberry Compote - Thanksgiving Sides

Cranberry Compote - Your New Cranberry Sauce

This year, like last year, I'm going to my friend's for Thanksgiving, and like last year, I'm bringing something. It's also my son, Spane's birthday today, November 21, 2012, and he has requested Chocolate Cake with Mocha Frosting I made for his 7th birthday party. Since his birthday this year is the day before Thanksgiving, he is going to have his birthday party in December - so watch for recipes!

I have talked about going to my Grandmother's house and the wonderful turkey that came out of her Nesco Roaster. My Grandmother always had the best dressing on her table, that my Aunt Flora made every year. It was Oyster Cornbread Dressing, and it is my favorite dressing to prepare.

But, we always had canned cranberry sauce, that I really never liked. I have been making cranberry sauce for years, but today I found a new recipe that I'm going to make this year. It's from Chef Bryan Voltaggio.

Update: This cranberry compote is my new cranberry side dish. It's tasty and sophisticated but not so much that kids won't like it. It's not too overly sweet like the stuff in the can.

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Mystery Apple Cream Cheese Tart

apple tart
Apple Cream Cheese Mystery Tart

This Apple Cream Cheese Mystery Tart is a rich dessert with a surprising crust and filling.  It's perfect for a fancy dinner, maybe Christmas. It's no mystery that this delicious apple cream cheese tart is simple to make from cream cheese, apples, and Panko bread crumbs.

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Cranberry Brown Betty

Cranberry Brown Betty
Cranberry Brown Betty Cooling

This is fast becoming a staple Thanksgiving dessert. I don't like pumpkin pie, and mince-pie is wonderful for Christmas, so this has the one for this holiday. It's very simple to make with only a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

You will want to use Panko breadcrumbs because they are large and very dry. Broken up bread will not absorb enough of the juices to make a nice top on this. Breadcrumbs that come in a can will not work either, as they are too small, and you would just have a cranberry pudding instead of a Brown Betty.

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Thanksgiving Prep - Keep Your Sanity

Thanksgiving Prep
Thanksgiving Prep - How to Keep Your Sanity

Thanksgiving prep can be challenging for several reasons, making it a holiday that can sometimes be stressful for those responsible for hosting or cooking. Here are strategies to help you have a great celebration.

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How to Make a Perfect Turkey in a Nesco Roaster Oven

Perfect turkey
Perfect Turkey

What Perfect Turkey is Supposed to Be

I didn't go to my Grandmother's for Thanksgiving. My mother and I usually cooked a Cornish hen and left it at that. When my mother died, I moved in with my Aunt Georgia, Grandmother, and Grandfather. This was when I discovered a really good turkey, the way turkey was supposed to be.

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