My Best Thanksgiving Tips

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday (as you might have guessed). In fact, last year, when I was GREAT with child, I still had a hard time giving up the privilege even though I did not have the energy. If this is your first experience cooking a Thanksgiving or even if you have been doing it for awhile, I hope these tips will help you as you prepare for the holiday of eating and thanks!

1) Don't let everyone tell you that the turkey is impossible...it is actually not as hard as you might believe. Check out my next post of how to cook a turkey.

2) Let others bring some of the food (especially whatever you don't like to make). You won't win an award for doing it all yourself.

3) Start a couple weeks early. Most casseroles can be made ahead of time and frozen. Then, thaw in the fridge a few days beforehand.

4) Set your table the night before Thanksgiving. One less thing to worry about.

5) Shop at night or the Friday before Thanksgiving if you can. That way, you avoid the craziness the weekend before (plus, many stores run out of popular items early).

6) Don't make something for the first time for guests. I am kind of a hypocrite with this one, but it is good advice to try it a couple weeks ahead of time.

7) Keep the appetizers light and simple. Buy mixed nuts, crudites, olives. This is not the time to make brie in puff pastry. Besides, you don't want your guests full by the time they come to the table.

8) Assign jobs to people. They love to help and it takes all the pressure off you.

9) Have fun and enjoy it! Remember, the food will be gone before you know it!

10) Check out the Latest Taste in the next few days for more great Thanksgiving tips and recipes.

Ultimate Chocolate Birthday Cake

If you've been reading my blog for awhile now, you've probably read my mention of how I have a hard time repeating recipes. I guess since cooking is my creative outlet, trying something new makes it fun and interesting. However, I also believe that every good cook needs a repertoire of tried and true recipes and a good birthday cake should definitely be one of them. This recipe fits the bill. I actually found this recipe after buying a cookbook for a friend's wedding. My inability to resist thumbing through a fresh, new cookbook lead to me copying this recipe down. I have included some minor modifications and tips. I hope you use it at your next birthday party!

Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake
1 box Duncan Hines double dark chocolate or devil's food cake mix
1 c. water
3 eggs
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. sour cream
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 9-in round cake pans (can also do in a 9x13). Combine mix, water, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla, and salt in bowl of mixer. Beat on low speed until well blended. Increase speed to medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into pans and bake just until knife or toothpick comes out clean (22-25 minutes).** Transfer pans to wire racks and cool 10-15 minutes. Then remove from pans and cool completely on racks.

Icing:
2 c. (12 oz.) semi sweet chocolate chips
2 c. sugar
2/3 c. milk
2 sticks unsalted butter cut into pieces
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla

Place chocolate chips in mixer. Meanwhile, combine sugar, milk, butter, and salt over high in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Let boil vigorously 1 minute. Pour hot mixture over chocolate chips. Add vanilla. Beat on medium until mixture thickens and is spreadable (this can sometimes take 10-15 mins).

*You may want to refrigerate cake after second layer so that it won't slide.
**If using 9x13, bake cake 28-30 mins.

Rosemary Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

This reminds me of an earthy French meal. Although it is simple enough, the flavor is great and is easy to through together with haricots verts (those are green beans) or a salad. I hope you enjoy!

Rosemary Baked Chicken with Potatoes

Ingredients
2 T. olive oil
1 T. paprika
1 1/2 t. fresh rosemary
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
6 chicken thighs
red potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 425. Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl. Arrange mixture on a greased, foil-lined baking sheet. Bake potatoes for 15 mins. Remove from the oven, move potatoes to one side, and add chicken thighs to baking sheet. Return to oven and bake everything for 30-35 mins or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through (potatoes may be a little crispy, but I like them that way!).

Serve with a vegetable or salad.