Peppered Shepherd's Pie | Sweeney Todd #FoodnFlix

For this month's round of Food 'n Flix, our host, Kimberly from Coffee and Casseroles invited us to head into the kitchen and pull our recipe inspiration from the vast selection of Tim Burton's filmography. I actually wound up watching a few this month—Sleepy Hollow, James and the Giant Peach (for the bazillionth time), and Sweeney Todd (for only the 4th or 5th time). I also contemplated watching either Dark Shadows...which I'd forgotten I actually owned until I was hunting through my dvds...or Big Fish, as well.

I've actually created recipes inspired by a few of Burton's films in the past...Beetlejuice, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Alice in Wonderland, Edward Scissorhands, and Sweeney Todd. I had some fun recipe ideas from both Sleepy Hollow and JatJP, but alas, the current state of the grocery stores did not allow me to bring those ideas to fruition (but hey, there's always later). But I was able to create something inspired by Sweeney Todd once again, with only ingredients I already had on hand. So, that's a win.

Honeyed Chicken | Game of Thrones

In honor of the Game of Thrones season 7 premiere this coming Sunday, Evelyne of CulturEatz and I have joined forces to bring you a week's worth of GoT-inspired recipes! Each day one of us will post a new recipe (so, 3 recipes each), but on premiere day we will both share a recipe based on a fun theme within Game of Thrones—Oysters, Clams, and Cockles!

Dublin Lawyer (Lobster in Whiskey Cream Sauce) | #FishFridayFoodies

Welcome to the March installment of Fish Friday Foodies, where a group of bloggers gets together to share fish and seafood recipes. I'm hosting this month, and since today is St. Patrick's Day, I asked everybody to create Irish recipes, or recipes with an Irish lean.

Slow Cooker Christmas Ham

To be fair, this ham can be made any time of the year, but I think it fits the holidays perfectly with the red, tart lingonberry jam and the scent of allspice and cloves. The best part is that the ham itself cooks up nice and tender in the slow cooker, all by itself, freeing you up to do other things with that much coveted resource—time!

A jar of lingonberries, some honey, and a little bit of warming spice are mixed to make a beautiful and festive glaze. One thing that you might notice missing is whole cloves. While I adore clove-scented ham as much as the next person, I don't adore having to pluck picking them (and usually missing a few) of the cooked ham.

Sage and Shallot Roasted Turkey Breast with Apple Cider Gravy

I've mentioned before that I like to roast an extra turkey breast for Thanksgiving or Christmas so that I can guaranted we'll have leftovers, right? Right. Well, this one I actually made the day after Thanksgiving this year because we went to my mom's house and only came home with enough turkey for approximately one large sandwich.

Bloody Feetloaf (aka Halloween Meatloaf)

With Halloween less than a week away, I thought it would be fun to ask the other Progressive Eats bloggers if they'd join me in putting together a Halloween-inspired menu today. Cute and spooky, orange and black, maybe even kinda gross (that's me!)—I love all of the spirited menu inspiration that surrounds All Hallows' Eve!

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

It seems like corned beef and cabbage is the St. Patrick's Day equivalent to margaritas and burritos on Cinco de Mayo. So, Irish-American (or Mexican-American) food. I get, though...and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Growing up in a melting pot, we often grab on to symbolism and culture in only flashy, consumeristic way we know how.

I grew up in a country that uses Lucky Charms, four leaf clovers, Irish cream, green beer and spry little leprechauns to represent something that has nothing to do with any of those things. And while I've been told that I have a sliver of Irish in me, that was the extent of it. I knew nothing about my Irish roots (or my German, Bohemian - as in Czech, or Cherokee ones, either).

Coca-Cola Ham inspired by The Walking Dead

"Talk about miracles, that recipe for cola canned ham. Mmm. Ms. Peletier, you are an honest to goodness hero."

I get it. Food that actually resembles food before the zombie apocalypse. Food that tastes good. It is pretty miraculous. It's also a harsh reality that you can be praising somebodies kitchen prowess one minute, and then being mercy killed by them a few hours later. Little did Erin know how true her statement rang.

Garlicky Duck Sausage Rolls

I often hear people dismiss British food as boring, but I've always been fascinated by it. Of course, I'm fascinated by the food of all cultures, so maybe that's not very surprising. But with names like Toad in the Hole, Bubble and Squeak, Spotted Dick, Cullen Skink, and Welsh Rarebit, how could one not be intrigued? And it's not just the names, I've tried all but spotted dick...and each is tasty.

One thing that I hadn't tried making myself until yesterday was a simple sausage roll. The name may not be exciting, but I don't know why I waited so long to actually try them. How could sausage baked inside a pastry crust be anything but delicious? And while it's anything but boring, I did shake things up a bit and use duck sausage in place of pork sausage.

Turkey Tenderloins w/ Mushroom Tarragon Shallot Gravy

Today I'm teaming up with some other bloggers to bring you some great Thanksgiving recipe ideas. Although this isn't technically one of my "25 Recipe" posts leading up to Thanksgiving, as fate would have it there just so happened to be 25 of us today. If you scroll down the the bottom of this post, you'll find 25 bonus Thanksgiving recipe ideas!

Before I tell you about this delicious turkey option for those who may not feel up to cooking a whole bird...and before you get to those bonus recipes...I have to let you know that EACH of the recipe posts I've linked to below also contain a separate, amazing giveaway. You'll want to be sure to visit each post for your chance to win one (or more) of the 25 fabulous prizes!

About this turkey? Well, I've mentioned before that even if I'm cooking a whole bird, I like to make extra turkey to ensure that we have enough leftovers to last us a few days (because leftovers are just as important as the meal). Turkey tenderloins cook up quickly and even give you license to make a separate flavor profile and/or gravy to go along with them. This is great for someone like me who has a hard time narrowing down which direction to take with their herbs and spices.

Turkey Tenderloins with Mushroom Tarragon Shallot Gravy

Turkey tenderloins in rich mushroom gravy with fragrant tarragon are a quick and delicious option if you don't need (or want) to roast a whole bird for the holidays!

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Keywords: roast entree nut-free turkey tarragon mushrooms Thanksgiving American fall

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

• 2 1/2 pounds turkey tenderloins
• kosher salt
• ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 1/4" thick
• 3 shallots (~3 ounces total), roughly chopped
• 1 cup turkey stock (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon leaves + more to garnish
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° F. Season the turkey tenderloins all over with salt and pepper.

Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil to a 12" cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan and fats are hot, add the seasoned turkey and cooking until brown on all sides, 8-10 minutes. Scatter the mushrooms and shallots over and around the turkey.

Combine the stock, wine, vinegar, and tarragon in a measuring cup with a spout. Very carefully pour this over the turkey and vegetables. Allow it to just start to bubble up around the edges.

Carefully slide the pan into the preheated oven; cook for 15-20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of one of the tenderloins registers at least 160° F. Remove from oven and use tons to transfer the turkey to a plate and tent loosely with foil; allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

While the turkey is resting set the skillet with the juices, mushrooms, and shallots in it over medium heat. You should have about 2 cups of liquid (including a few of the mushrooms that probably snuck in when you were measuring); if you have less, add water or stock to make up the difference. Stir cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of cold water until you have a smooth mixture the consistency of whole milk. When the liquid boils, drizzle the cornstarch slurry in while whisking constantly. Simmer for until thick, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the last tablespoon of butter. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve the turkey with the pan gravy poured over the top; garnish with more fresh tarragon, if you wish.

Kitchen Tools Giveaway ($60.95 total retail value)

Today I'm giving away a set of kitchen tools to help you prepare your next holiday meal (though they're also great for everyday use). All of these are gadgets that get regular use in my kitchen.

Crisp 4 in 1 Zester ($12.99)

KitchenIQ V-etched Extra Coarse Grater Orange ($16.99)

KitchenIQ V-etched Better Zester! Green ($14.99)

OXO Good Grips Wooden Reamer ($5.99)

OXO Good Grips Baker's Dusting Wand ($9.99)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only. Submissions will be accepted through 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, November 29, 2015. One winner will be chosen via random draw and notified via email within 48 hours of the close of this contest, and given 24 hours in which to respond. If no response is received within that time frame, a new winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified.

Thank you to Lisa of Snappy Gourmet for organizing this event! Remember that each link below contains not only a delicious recipe that you might want to add to your Thanksgiving menu this year, but also a giveaway. That means 25 recipes AND 25 giveaways!

25 Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

I hope you'll visit each of these other bloggers; you'll find the recipes and a different giveaway valued at $50 (or more) on each site!

• Homemade Orange Cider Cranberry Sauce via The Snappy Gourmet
• Cheesy Garlic Herb Potatoes and Squash via Sugar Dish Me
• 5-Ingredient Pecan Pie Fudge via Texanerin Baking
• Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad via Lemons for Lulu
• Sweet Potato Cheesecake via Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Cranberry Side Dish via Cooking on the Front Burner
• Fig and Goat Cheese Ball via Eat. Drink. Love.
• Overnight Pumpkin Monkey Bread via Barbara Bakes
• Classic Apple Pie via Comfortable Domestic
• Acorn Squash Puree via Daily Appetite
• Pumpkin Banana Bread via Java Cupcake
• Green Beans with Almonds and Bacon via From Valerie's Kitchen
• Classic Pecan Pie via That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Turkey Tenderloins with Mushroom Shallot Tarragon Gravy via All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
• Sweet Potato Casserole Donut Holes via Cupcake Project
• Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes via Chocolate Slopes
• Triple Spice Pumpkin Buttermilk Pie via Frugal Foodie Mama
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce via The Adventure Bite
• Twice Baked Potatoes via My Gluten Free Kitchen
• Green Bean Quinoa Casserole via Lauren Kelly Nutrition
• Warm Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Leek Salad with Cheddar Biscuit Breadcrumbs via Sarcastic Cooking
• Pumpkin Slab Pie via The Kitchen is My Playground
• Prosciutto Wrapped Parmesan Pears & Greens via The Complete Savorist
• Cranberry Apple Charlotte via The Redhead Baker
• Pumpkin Ricotta Chocolate Chip Bread via Ari's Menu

25 Main Dishes (that aren't Turkey) for your Thanksgiving Table

Yesterday I mentioned that I build my Thanksgiving menu around the bird. Here's the truth—if there's no turkey on the table, it's just not Thanksgiving. I know that everybody probably doesn't feel the same way. And honestly, I'm totally okay with there being a second entree on the table alongside the turkey, be it vegetarian or just another meat option.

So, in honor of those rebels who go against the grain, today I'm sharing 25 recipes for main dishes that AREN'T turkey, but would still fit in nicely on your Thanksgiving table.

Beef

Bourbon and Coffee Braised Brisket with Cranberry Sauce from What Jew Wanna Eat
Cranberry Horseradish Pan-Fried Steak from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Crusted Pepper Prime Rib from Reluctant Entertainer (pictured)
Garlicky Chard Stuffed Flank Steak
Shepherd's Pie with Whipped Sweet Potatoes from The Lemon Bowl

Crusted Pepper Prime Rib by Reluctant Entertainer

Birds (other than Turkey)

Asian-inspired Braised Duck Legs
Crispy Caraway Roast Duck from No Recipes
Finger-Sucking Roasted Beer Duck from Lady and Pups
Five-Spice Rubbed Cornish Hens with Mongolian Barbecue Sauce from blackberry babe (pictured)
Roasted Braised Duck from The Woks of Life
Slow roasted Duck a l’Orange with Lingonberry Port Gravy from eat in my kitchen

Five-Spice Rubbed Cornish Hens with Mongolian Barbecue Sauce by blackberry babe

Lamb

Braised Lamb Shanks from Licking the Plate
Herb Crusted Leg of Lamb from Feasting At Home
One-Pot Greek Roast Lamb from Supergolden Bakes

Mustard Crusted Pork Chops with Bourbon Glazed Apples by Joyful Healthy Eats

Pork

Crockpot Balsamic Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Mustard Crusted Pork Chops with Bourbon Glazed Apples from Joyful Healthy Eats (pictured)
Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Fig Sauce from Lemons For Lulu
Roasted Walnut and Bourbon Pork Tenderloin from blackberry babe
Slow Cooker Apple-Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Pork Loin Roast from Frugal Foodie Mama

Spiralized Root Vegetable Casserole with Vegan Shallot Alfredo Sauce by Steph in Thyme

Fish

Citrus Stuffed Whole Roasted Fish from O&O Eats
Pan Seared Salmon with Garlicky Swiss Chard from The Lemon Bowl
Roasted Salmon with Burgundy-Balsamic Glaze

Meatless

Baked Tofu Steaks with Mushroom Gravy from Veggie Belly
Pumpkin, Sage, and Leek Lasagna from Thyme for Cooking
Spiralized Root Vegetable Casserole with Vegan Shallot Alfredo Sauce from Steph in Thyme (pictured)


Check out my Pinterest boards for more Thanksgiving Food and Inspiration!


Individual Mushroom Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust photo via Shutterstock

25 Turkey Recipes for your Thanksgiving Table

I know I started with pie (because who doesn't like to sneak a little dessert first every once in a while), but today it's all about the TURKEY! I know there are people out there who don't like turkey, but for me...and the rest of my family...it's not Thanksgiving without turkey on the table. I plan my entire meal around the flavors that I'm infusing into the turkey on any given year.

And while I love a whole roasted turkey, I don't mind switching it up and cooking a broken down turkey in the oven or even a slow-roaster. Are you a fried turkey kind of family? Maybe you like yours smoked or grilled? Or do you make use of your crockpot to free up the oven for the side dishes?

I say TO EACH THEIR OWN (TURKEY)! Here's 25 delicious ways to bring the bird to your table this year.

Beer Brined Turkey by The Beeroness

Applewood Smoked Turkey from How Sweet It Is
Bacon & Sage Roasted Turkey from Frugal Foodie Mama
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast with Wild Rice Stuffing from Iowa Girl Eats (pictured)
Beer Brined Turkey from The Beeroness (pictured)
Cajun Smoked Turkey on the Grill from Serious Eats

Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast with Wild Rice Stuffing by Iowa Girl Eats

Easiest Roast Turkey Ever from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Easy Oven Roasted Turkey from Peas and Crayons
Grilled Turkey Drumsticks from Primal Palate
Grilled Turkey Tenderloin from Gluten Free Spinner
Herbed Mayonnaise Roast Turkey from Nutmeg Nanny

Smoky Paprika-Bacon Roasted Turkey by Cooking on the Weekends

Honey Brined Black Pot Turkey from My Catholic Kitchen
Honey & Herb Roasted Turkey from Chocolate & Carrots
Make Ahead Turkey from Pocket Change Gourmet
Roast Crispy-Skin Turkey (with Citrus Herb Brine)
Roasted Turkey Breast with Bacon and Herbs from Jelly Toast

Turkey Roulade with 5-Minute Stuffing by Busy in Brooklyn

Sangria Glazed Turkey from Food Done Light
Smoky Paprika-Bacon Roasted Turkey from Cooking on the Weekends (pictured)
Caramelized Onion and Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts from Chocolate Moosey
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast from Rachel Cooks
Perfect Smoked Turkey from Sweet C's Designs

Turkey Tenderloins with Madeira Gravy

Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Breast with Gravy
Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Breast from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Stuffed Turkey Breast with Apples and Chestnuts from Crumb
Turkey Roulade with 5-Minute Stuffing from Busy in Brooklyn (pictured)
Turkey Tenderloins with Madeira Gravy (pictured)

Check out my Pinterest boards for more Thanksgiving Food and Inspiration!


Whole Homemade Thanksgiving Turkey with All the Sides Photo via Shutterstock

Grilled Duck Half w/ Raspberry Barbecue Sauce

Would you believe me if I told you that you could have tender, succulent duck for dinner on a busy weeknight? Well, guess what? You CAN have tender, succulent duck for dinner on a busy weeknight! It's simply a matter of combining seasonal fruit and raiding your spice cupboard to throw together a flavorful barbecue sauce while your grill heats up.

You may know that I am a Maple Leaf Farms ambassador for a few simple reasons. They are a local family-run business here in Indiana and they produce a superior product that stems from caring and commitment. I'm not paid to use, write, or talk about their products—I do it because I think everybody should know about their availability.

One-Pan Sausage, Squash, and Onion Roast + 46 more Winter Squash Recipes

Aaaaaaaah, best intentions. Sometimes they just don't work out the way we planned. You may remember back in November when I kicked-off the Twelve Weeks of Winter Squash with this Sesame and Chile Roasted Butternut Squash. I was excited for another year of delving deeper into the world of winter squash. I was determined to find new ways to use them, and to use the ones I use less often. Alas, I did really well for the first six weeks—and then I dropped the ball.

Life started moving at a dizzying pace, the end of the year was upon us (which I know is supposed to be a joyous time, but for me, it's always the most stressful). Winter squash sat on my counter, neglected. I kept thinking I'd get to a recipe later, and squeak in towards the end of the week. Before I knew it, it was the next week, and I'd be saying the same thing. I did manage to complete one winter squash recipe in the final six weeks. Lame.

A few of my winter squash compatriots actually did manage to delve deeper, and post all twelve weeks, though—to them I take my hat off. So today, I'm sharing a simple one-pan recipe featuring Acorn squash, but I'm also sharing the entire list of recipes made by the Twelve Weeks of Winter Squash group throughout our event this year.

Veggie Lovers Lasagna

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dreamfields. All opinions are 100% my own.

Today I'm partnerting with Dreamfields Pasta to celebrate National Pasta Month. I can think of no better way to celebrate than with a pan stacked with wavy lasagna noodles that are layered with tons of veggies, and accented by a light cream sauce that has been flavored with sundried tomatoes. I'm pretty sure that even the carnivores in your life will be sated after eating a slice of this meatless lasagna.

So, I know lasagna sort of seems like a weekend dish. A dish that you need some time to prepare. But really, once you have all of your components ready (noodles cooked, sauce stirred, veggies chopped)—it's just a matter of layering things into the pan. Hands-on time is only about 20 minutes. Once that part is complete, the oven does all of the work while you finish up some homework, throw in a load of laundry, or set the table and wrangle everybody to the table. I'd say it's very possible to make lasagna a weekday meal.

Since this week of National Pasta Month with Dreamfields is all about vegetarian meals, I left out the meat sauce and loaded up on the veggies. I wanted to use a white sauce, but drenching it in Alfredo didn't seem quite right, so I chose a light Alfredo (if you're making it at home, use skim milk) and then fortified it by swirling in a little sundried tomato pesto; basically a creamy flavor-bomb.

Chicken Scaloppine w/ Bacon

Juicy chicken infused with the flavors of bacon and garlic. The end.

Okay, not the end - but it would totally be enough said, don't you think? I mean, maybe I could just say...

Both this juicy chicken and the tender-crisp bed of green beans it is perched on are infused with the flavors of bacon, garlic, and white wine . The end.

I don't know about you, but either of those sentences would send me flying to the dinner table. The same is true for my family. This is such an incredibly simple meal. I mean, four ingredients (plus a little salt and pepper). Five ingredients if you count the green beans, which are a side dish and entirely optional. I recommend just thinking of them as part of the process. I mean, swirling them around in the bacony sauce that smothers everything is a blissful bit of magic all in itself.