Mtdl

Tahini Shortbread Cookies

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These tahini shortbread cookies are buttery and crisp, yet tender and delicious. Perfectly simple, tahini adds a subtle nutty flavor. Great with hot coffee, wonderful with tea.

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup tahini
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoon heavy cream

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Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Tahini Shortbread Crust

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This holiday season, step up your cheesecake game with Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Tahini Shortbread Crust! Same delicious cheesecake with the subtle goat cheese flavor. I topped mine with a ruby-red cranberry vanilla topping. (note: allow for time to chill overnight before serving)

shortbread cookies (or 2 cups crumbs (I used tahini shortbread cookies))
1/4 cup sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter
1 pinch kosher salt
16 ounces softened cream cheese
10 ounces softened goat cheese
1½ cups sour cream ( at room temperature)
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Roasted Tomato Pumpkin Soup

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A bowl of Roasted Tomato Pumpkin Soup will keep you warm and full during these chilly fall and winter months. Fresh Roma tomatoes are roasted and pureed with pumpkin, shallots and garlic and a few spices. Drizzle with a little olive oil and heavy cream and top with fresh basil.

6 large roma tomatoes (about 1-1/2 pounds total weight)
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt
1/2 cup diced shallot
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon minced thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (more or less to taste)
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground sage (or 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh sage (see notes))
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1½ cups 100% pure pumpkin purée
4 cups homemade vegetable broth (good quality store-bought)
kosher salt (to taste (about 1 to 2 teaspoons))

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Detroit-Style Pizza

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I grew up on real Detroit-style pizza my whole life. A square deep-dish pizza, where the pepperoni is underneath shredded brick cheese sprinkled corner to corner and then topped with a simple tomato sauce in three parallel strips. Baked until the cheese golden and the crust is crisp!

1 recipe homemade pizza dough (divided in half before rising)
15 ounces canned tomato sauce
1 pinch sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
18 slices sandwich pepperoni
4 cups freshly grated Brick cheese

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Machus Red Fox Salad

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A salad once served at the Red Fox in Bloomfield, Michigan is a simple chopped salad with tomatoes, red onion, roquefort, crumbled bacon and a light sweet dressing.

1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup light olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to taste)
1 head ice berg lettuce (chopped)
1 small head romaine lettuce (chopped)
6 compari tomatoes (cut into wedges)
1 medium onion (sliced red onion)
4 strips cooked bacon (crumbled)
2 ounces crumbled roquefort blue cheese
freshly ground black pepper

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Roasted Maple Sweet Potato Mash

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Sweet and buttery, this recipe for Roasted Maple Sweet Potato Mash is lusciously creamy and so incredibly delicious. This Thanksgiving side dish feeds a crowd and would look lovely on your table. Bonus, it can be made a day in advance.

5 pounds sweet potatoes
olive oil
6 tablespoons softened salted butter (plus 2 tablespoons for serving)
3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (plus 1 tablespoon for serving)
kosher salt (to taste)
freshly ground black pepper

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Easy Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks

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This one pan Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks is perfect for a small gathering. Short on time? Feeding a small crew? In just a couple of hours you can put a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on the table. Mix and match a few of your favorite side dishes and you're all set!

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 turkey thighs (about 3 pounds)
3 turkey drumsticks (about 2½ pounds)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
kosher salt
black pepper
poultry seasoning
2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes (cut in half)

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Best Basic Meat Sauce Recipe

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Everyone needs a basic meat sauce recipe. Sautéed onion, garlic mixed with ground beef, tomato sauce and herbs. Serve over pasta or spaghetti squash!

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (diced (about 1 heaping cup))
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 pounds ground beef chuck (sirloin or round (your choice))
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon basil
30 ounces tomato sauce
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sugar

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Saucy Mozzarella Dogs

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These Saucy Mozzarella Dogs are so fun! Leftover meat sauce tops hot dog buns stuffed with a mozzarella stick and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

8 hot dog buns (top-split preferred)
8 mozzarella sticks (soft and at room temperature)
1½ cups leftover homemade meat sauce
finely grated Parmesan cheese
minced fresh parsley (optional)

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Simple Herb Sourdough Dressing

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Sautéed onions, celery and fresh herbs tossed with torn sourdough bread for a simple herbed sourdough dressing to serve with your Thanksgiving turkey.

16 ounces sourdough bread (torn into bite-size pieces)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1½ cups diced yellow onion
3/4 cup sliced celery
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 heaping tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 heaping tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs
1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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