Turkey Links, Sausage Links & Macy's Links!!

Hey all, just a quick note ... I found out yesterday that I'm working on Thanksgiving! Yes, I'm happy, because I get to ride on a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!! Something to tell the grandkids, eh? Joining me on the float will be fellow Food Network hosts, Anne Burrell and Claire Robinson. Just look for the Food Network float amidst the ballons, clowns and marching bands. I'll have pics of the float up tomorrow so you'll know what to look for, check back in...

Now for some links that may help you with some flavor profiles on Thanksgiving...

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast Stuffed with Pear Hash - Great for just a couple joining you. yummy turkey sandwich the next day, stuffing is on the inside! Also, the easiest ingredient list.

Roasted Turkey Breast with Peach Rosemary Glaze - Yummy, fast and the glaze is great in lieu of cranberry sauce.

Mini Pecan Pumpkin Pies - Perfect to take if you are a guest or have a party at work.

Baklava Cups - Like baklava, but not all the work it takes to make it? Need a tiny bit to take as a guest and want to impress? This is so easy, I promise. Thing is, they look so difficult that you'll surely get compliments and questions. Find the mini filo cups in the freezer section close to the puff pastry and other frozen pie crusts and such. Sub with nuts you like, but the blend I have is pretty yummy.

Cheesy Mushroom and Broccoli Casserole - This is something you can try instead of the typical green bean casserole. I'll give you a permission slip to use canned cream of mushroom, but with this recipe ... you'll never want to again.

Crunchy Sweet Brussels Sprout Salad - This is a break from tradition, but I like things like this, it's bitter, sweet, crunchy, great spice. Plus this cooks up in just 5 minutes, yes ... not that long. The bulk of the work is slicing the brussels.

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese - This is my go-to recipe for mac and cheese. Perfect for the family that doesn't have an official M&C person. It's more than mac and cheese though, the custard is so flavorful.

Vegetarian Southern-Style Collard Greens - People always ask me about greens, this is one of my favorite recipes because it doesn't call for a hamhock or fatback, that being said ... I always plan for a vegan in the bunch, give this a try. No flavor is missing here, I promise and many of my non-porkers agree, it isn't just me tootin my horn :-).

Apple Toddy - Wanna put the relatives to sleep?

Second Day Fried Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Pesto - Don't throw out the stuffing or let it sit in the fridge until it dies, give this a try ... it's all made with leftovers so no shopping!!

Second Day Turkey and String Bean Pot Pies - I'd roast a turkey and make a green bean casserole just to have this for leftovers the next day. It's so comforting and yummy, and cheap!

Ok, thoses are a few turkey links ... now lemme show you what I'm making for Thanksgiving ...

Sausage links!! Ok, well that's not all I'm making, but I plan to put these in the bottom of the roast pan. What am I roasting???? Well, not a turkey. My guy's fam is out of town, my family is spread out and none of our friends are joining us. That means I have to make Thanksgiving for two and make sure I hit all the important parts. For my guy that means Pernil. It's roasted pork shoulder that in many parts (my parts) they call it the pork "butt", total misnomer. In his parts, it isn't even pronounced like it's spelled ... it's more like saying the word "benign" with a long "e" sound where the "i" is. Go ahead, give it a try aloud. Well, it was one of the first Spanish words my guy picked on me about because I could never get it right, but I know how to eat it!!! Anyway, I'm putting those links in the bottom of my roasting pan along with some other stuff, but here's my pork shoulder fresh from the market today!

Look at THAT!!! OOOOOWWEEEEE!!! Can't wait to bite into the crispy skin. My meat spot changed butchers and the new one takes off the skin, so I had to take a trip into the city for this baby. I covered the price tags to eliminate the logo of the biz, but if you are curious, the links and the pork shoulder cost me 18 bucks!! Good stuff if you ask me. Ok, I'll take pics during the parade and share them, until then take care and Happy Thanksgiving!

This just in!!! Check the previews of the float!!! Click to enlarge!

This is a schematic drawing of the float and how it will appear. It even tells us where people are standing on the float, nice. Then take a look at the mock-up of the float ....
Looks real, huh? Well it is kinda, it's a flick of an old float with our logos super-imposed. Good ol Tom the Turkey neva looked so good! Alright, hope to see you in the crowd if you are here, if not, hope you enjoy the tradition in the warmth of your home with family and friends. Thanks for all the support this year, I totally can't believe I'm going to be in the parade! It reminds me of the first party I hosted in Times Square when I moved here back in 2001, I said to myself ... look at what I've done. Now, I can say ... look what I've done with your help. Thanks for watching and supporting, it isn't lost on me. :-) Eat well!