Stalk-Up On Holiday Savings with Broccoli

By Katie Barreira
For Cooking Newbie, a blog for beginner cooks

Doing any entertaining this holiday season? You may have the makings of a simple and remarkably healthy appetizer in the crisper right now and not even know it. Roasted, stir-fried or smothered in cheese, broccoli is one of my favorite fall veggies, but I tend to gravitate towards the dark green florets, relegating that clunky stalk to the trashcan. What a waste! Especially during a time of year when every penny saved is a present earned.

These addictively pop-able broccoli bites are so tasty guests may have trouble believing that they’re eating the infamous veggie.

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A Simple Fall Salad

By Marilyn Hunter
For The Family Table, a blog for busy families

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s time to indulge in our favorite comfort foods. And with a large, decadent meal like Thanksgiving, a simple salad makes the perfect accompaniment.

This salad is simplicity defined. It was inspired by our friend, Vicki, who’s a pro at tossing a little of “this and that” together to make a healthy, delicious dinner in a snap.

Since there’s very little vinegar in the dressing, it also makes a wonderful companion to wine. Use caution when seasoning with salt as different brands of pecorino cheese have varying degrees of saltiness.

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

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Cranberry Memories

By Lori Powell
For One or Two Bites, a blog for singles and couples

Thanksgiving is a food person’s special holiday! How could it not be? It’s all about sharing great food – and lots of it – with family. What’s not to like?

Okay, okay, there are some things that are not to like but let’s forgo the drama for at least one week and enjoy and embrace the holiday and each other.

My favorite part of the meal is dark turkey meat, crispy skin, stuffing made from day-old, cut-up bread or cornbread ; a root vegetable gratin; creamed onions like the kind my mother makes with the jarred onions. (I know, not so PC!)

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A Supreme-ly Easy Thanksgiving Side

All this week, Special Fork bloggers will highlight Thanksgiving with tips, tricks and recipes for your holiday, culminating on Video Friday with a stuffed delicata squash demo, the perfect Thanksgiving main dish for vegetarians and a wonderful side for everyone else. For more recipes, visit our Special Fork database of recipes. Use the keyword, “Thanksgiving,” for your search.

By Katie Barreira
For Cooking Newbie, a blog for beginner cooks

If the closest thing to a raw vegetable on your Thanksgiving table is a plate of celery sticks stuffed with olive cream cheese, then maybe you know how I feel. What I miss most on this day of soporific turkey, bread stuffing and green bean casserole is some nice, fresh produce. The crisp texture and bright acidity of a seasonal salad make it the perfect palate-cleansing antidote. One refreshing bite and you’ll be ready to dive back into those potatoes!

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Thanksgiving Tips from Mom, with Love

By Sandy Hu
The latest from Inside Special Fork

Congrats to Stephanie H. from Dallas Texas who won our Logitech wireless speaker sweepstakes!

All this week, Special Fork bloggers will highlight Thanksgiving with tips, tricks and recipes for your holiday, culminating on Video Friday with a stuffed delicata squash demo, the perfect Thanksgiving main dish for vegetarians and a wonderful side for everyone else. For more recipes, visit our Special Fork database of recipes. Use the keyword, “Thanksgiving,” for your search.

When Dave made his first Thanksgiving dinner while at grad school in Massachusetts, I was prepared to be his personal Thanksgiving hotline until the meal was done. Actually, my son seemed to have survived his first major entertaining experience unscathed. As he pointed out with a chuckle, since many guests were international students, they had no great expectations.

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