Thanksgiving

Orange Praline Yams

 

Print Recipe

Orange Praline Yams

This is Nora Ephron's tried and true recipe to warm the holiday season.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 shallow baking dish
  • 1 electric mixer to prepare yams
  • 1 grater to zest orange rind

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs yams cooked and whipped with an electric mixer
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange rind grated
  • 3 tbsp brandy optional
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar Praline Topping
  • 1 stick butter Praline Topping
  • 1 cup chopped pecans Praline Topping
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon Praline Topping

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked yams, orange juice, rind, brandy (if using), salt, ground ginger, butter, and brown sugar. Pour mixture into a shallow baking dish.
  • Mix together praline topping (light brown sugar, butter, pecans and cinnamon), and pour evenly over potato mixture
  • Bake at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Derek’s Classic Corn Pudding

 

Print Recipe

Classic Corn Pudding

This easy recipe makes a great Thanksgiving side dish, especially because it is cooked primarily in the microwave freeing up the oven and other stove burners for the rest of the holiday feast.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting Time10 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan medium
  • 1 2.5 qt round covered baking dish microwave safe

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups heavy cream
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup butter (half stick)
  • 3 eggs beaten
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 3 cups corn

Instructions

  • Add heavy cream, salt and pepper to saucepan and bring to boil, stirring regularly. Remove from heat.
  • While stirring mixture, add butter, sugar corn and beaten eggs.
  • Transfer into 2.5 quart baking dish and cover
  • Microwave on high for 20 minutes
  • Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Recommended baking dish: Corningware French White 2.5 Quart baking dish which is great in the microwave and looks nice on your table for serving. 

Crockpot Smoked Ham

 

Print Recipe

Crockpot Smoked Ham

This is a classic recipe from a show guest way back in the early days. Derek and Romaine both made this ham recipe and it is easy and delicious. Great for the holidays or anytime you need a lot of ham in your life!
Prep Time1 hour 50 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday
Servings: 10 people

Equipment

  • large crockpot optional

Ingredients

  • 1 smoked ham
  • 3 cups orange juice
  • 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 cups Coca Cola
  • 1 dash cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 sprig fresh mint optional
  • 2 tbsp honey optional

Instructions

  • Mix ingredients in a large bowl
  • Stab that ham!
  • Place ham in crockpot (or large roasting pan if using the oven)
  • Pour mixture over the ham. Make sure mixture gets in those stab holes.
  • Bake in crockpot for 2-3 hours or in the oven for 40-45 minutes at 450 or 1 to 1 1/2 hours at 300.
  • Garnish with fresh mint and honey

Notes

Crockpot is ideal for this recipe so the ham can really soak in the mixture but an oven roast works well too. Be sure to baste the ham 2-3 times during the baking. 

Romaine’s Cranberry Sauce

 

Print Recipe

Romaine's Cranberry Sauce

This is Romaine's classic recipe perfect for Thanksgiving. One of our most requested recipes in the history of Derek and Romaine!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: classic, easy, Thanksgiving

Equipment

  • saucepan medium
  • spatula or spoon
  • grater or zester

Ingredients

  • 1 bag fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 whole orange (for zesting)
  • 1 sprinkle ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves

Instructions

  • Combine Sugar, water and orange juice in a medium sauce pan
  • Bring it to a boil; add cranberries and some orange zest (just a bit, don’t get carried away), return to boil.
  • Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.
  • Pour into a glass serving bowl. Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top and just a dash of the ground cloves.
  • Cover and let cool completely at room temperature.
  • Once cool, refrigerate until serving time.

Notes

My relationship with cranberries began a long time ago. I was a teenager visiting my brother Mi-chael and John for Thanksgiving. My brother Michael was an incred-ible cook and everyone would stay out of his kitchen, except me. I was hanging out and he decided to put me to work. My charge was to make the cranberries and I knew I couldn’t fuck it up. With Michael’s assistance I went about my task. Over the years he and I tweaked the recipe a bit until it was just right. Every time I make these I think of Michael and his love of cooking. Even though he is gone this recipe reminds me of our time together.