Cranberry Rum Pie

No Comments | Written on December 19, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Can you tell I have holiday desserts on my mind this week?  This elegant “Cranberry Rum Pie” is easy to prepare for a family gathering by using a refrigerated pie crust.  I love how festive it looks when garnished with sugared cranberries and mint sprigs.  Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a dash of rum in their dessert!

Keep reading for the recipe…

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Thanksgiving Cranberry Cocktail

11 Comments | Written on November 16, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Dazzle your guests this Thanksgiving with a sparkling cocktail!  While you are finishing up last minute touches on the big meal, your guests will love sipping this delightful drink.

Keep reading for the recipe…

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Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes

8 Comments | Written on November 15, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Potato side dishes at Thanksgiving dinner don’t always have to be mashed, why not change things up and try a rustic-style roasted potato recipe instead!   This winning recipe from “Calou347976”  is sure to be a hit at any dinner table during the holidays.

 

Keep reading for the winning recipe from our Potato contest!  

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Butternut Squash Soup with Tomato Salsa

2 Comments | Written on November 14, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

I love a good soup recipe this time of year.  During the colder months it can be an easy lunch, or even a starter course for a more formal dinner.  The best part of this super simple soup?  It’s only six ingredients!

Keep reading for the recipe…

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Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Maple Walnuts

No Comments | Written on November 9, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Thanksgiving simply isn’t possible without some sort of mashed potato side dish.  I have been making my mom’s traditional recipe forever (check out the how-to video here) but this year I decided to switch it up a bit and go for sweet potatoes!

What’s great about this recipe is that it made to serve two!  Sometimes we host huge Thanksgiving dinners with several tables filled with family, and then other years it can be a small, quiet affair.  If you a planning a more intimate celebration this year, this recipe fits the bill.

However, if you are preparing for a big bash don’t worry!  This recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, and beyond.

Keep reading to find out my secret to Thanksgiving potatoes…

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Squares

2 Comments | Written on November 8, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

One of my favorite parts of this time of year are the seasonal flavors at Starbucks, especially their Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Even when the temperatures are still high back home in Los Angeles, I dream of a chill in the air while cupping this warm coffee drink.

I wanted to come up with a new and exciting dessert for the holidays and decided to use this fall favorite as inspiration.  The result?  Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Squares!

Keep reading for this exciting recipe…

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Butternut Squash Lentil Casserole

10 Comments | Written on November 7, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

A traditional turkey might take center stage at Thanksgiving, but what will really make your holiday spread shine is a variety of stellar side dishes.  If you want something hearty, seasonal, and full of flavor give this Butternut Squash Lentil Casserole a try.  It is also a great choice if you happen to have any vegetarian guests at your table this holiday season!

Keep reading for the recipe…

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Gingerbread with Pumpkin Whipped Cream

No Comments | Written on November 2, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

If you are searching for a quick and easy dessert to add to your Thanksgiving spread, look no further!  This effortless recipe is a great way to jazz up a box of gingerbread mix.  Shhh…no one has to know!

Keep reading for this festive recipe…

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Thanksgiving Monthly Recipe Contest

No Comments | Written on October 28, 2012 at 7:56 pm , by Kristina Vanni

November Monthly Contest Theme – Thanksgiving!

Enter your best Thanksgiving recipe from October 28th through November 24th 2012.  Better Recipes registered members can upload a new original recipe or enter an existing original recipe they already have on their account.  Remember, a photo is required for all entries in the monthly recipe contests.   Click here to enter now!

Keep reading to find out how to enter and win up to $1,000 this month!

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Stuffing/Dressing Contest Winner

1 Comment | Written on November 22, 2011 at 6:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

I am so glad that Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away!  I can’t take the suspense anymore…I just want to dive into all these delicious holiday recipes!

This unique and flavor-packed stuffing won our recent “Stuffing/Dressing” recipe contest.  Take a look and you can see why!  If you are looking to try a new recipe this holiday, run out and get the ingredients for this dish today!

Mushroom, Bacon, & Caramelized Onion Stuffing  (click here to view and print recipe) 

Ingredients:

6 slices  Thick Cut Bacon

2 Tbsp  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1  Medium Onion, chopped

3/4 cup  Fresh Mushrooms, chopped

2 cloves  Garlic, minced

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

8 cups  Unseasoned Cubed Crusty Bread, Italian or French bread

3/4 cup  Shredded Romano Cheese

1 tsp  Dried Sage

1 1/2 tsp  Dried Rosemary

3 Tbsp  Melted Butter

2 cups  Chicken Stock

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning frequently. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in another skillet, add the olive oil, onion, mushrooms and garlic. Saute over low heat until the onions are caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine the bread, onion/mushroom/garlic mixture, bacon, cheese, sage, and rosemary. Pour melted butter and stock over mixture and gently stir together until thoroughly combined. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 9” x 13” baking dish and cover with foil.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5-10 minutes until the center is firm and the top is lightly browned.

Congratulations to Dawn Moore!  Let’s find out about her inspired dish. 

How did you come up with your winning recipe? 

I actually created the recipe for this contest.  I love a cooking challenge and have never really dabbled with a stuffing recipe so I knew this was the perfect opportunity.

What inspired you to enter the Better Recipes weekly contest?  

I love the Better Recipes contests and have entered many of them because the themes are always fun and I love to create new recipes.  The prizes are pretty great, too!

Why do you think your recipe stood out to the judges? 

My recipe may have stood out because of the yummy bacon, caramelized onion, and mushroom combination…you don’t typically see that combination in traditional stuffing.

Do you have any advice for others interested in entering our recipe contests? 

Take what you love and just go with it.  If you have a favorite recipe, chances are pretty good that other people will love it, too.

Do you have any plans for the prize money?  Any plans if you should win the grand prize? 

I usually use any prize money for kitchen essentials.  I will probably put the prize money into kitchen items…I can always use new kitchen tools and groceries to experiment with new recipes.  If I were to win the grand prize, it would probably go in our family vacation fund.  I have been able to take my family on some great vacations with recipe contest prize winnings!

Do you have any other kitchen tips, recipe advice or culinary wisdom to share with the Better Recipes readers? 

Experiment, experiment, experiment…just get in that kitchen and have fun!!!

Thanks so much Dawn!  I think this winning dish just might find it’s way to many Thanksgiving tables this year!