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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Inside Special Fork – and Beyond

By Sandy Hu
The latest from Inside Special Fork

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know our mission: Trying to make the weekday dinner hour a little easier by sharing 30-minute prep recipes, a daily blog, and cooking tips and tricks.

You can follow Special Fork optimized for your mobile phone, or on your computer by visiting our conventional website. Both are reached at www.specialfork.com.

We work with a stellar team of top food experts who have held or who currently hold senior food editorial positions at major national magazines, or who work as professional chefs or culinary educators.

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You won’t Miss the Turkey with this Stuffed Squash

By Jennifer Knapp
A new video for Video Friday

I love Thanksgiving, because it’s the one holiday where the entire country comes together to prepare a meal with friends and family. Many people have their own ways to cook the turkey and make the mashed potatoes and stuffing, but sometimes, it’s fun to mix it up and add in a new recipe that complements your traditional standbys.

Roasted Delicata Squash with Quinoa, Feta and Apple is an impressive and beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving table. It’s a side dish that features fall ingredients such as winter squash, crunchy apples, juicy pomegranate seeds and freshly-harvested walnuts. And if you are hosting some non-meat eaters at your table, this delicious recipe is hearty enough to serve as a vegetarian main course.

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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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