That's what I did in this menu, which delivers all of the autumnal charm and traditional flavors in a smaller package. 3 tablespoons granulated sugar . Halve the recipe on the bag, cooking for 3 to 5 minutes less than called for, until you see the cranberries pop and the liquid boil vigorously. Halve the lemon, and squeeze 1 tablespoon of the juice into the bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes or until cool. Broil until the puddings bubble, 1 to 2 minutes. Melissa Clark is a food writer, author, and host of our new podcast Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark. It will thin out to coat the pan. Melissa Clark's Thanksgiving (if you're interested!) Or, since you usually have to buy a 12-ounce bag of berries, you may as well cook them all into sauce, and use the leftovers instead in jam bars or thumbprint cookies. Meanwhile, squeeze the remaining juice from the lemon halves into a medium bowl. Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan 1 large or 2 small shallots, diced ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus a large pinch 1 teaspoon chopped fresh marjoram or thyme leaves (or use a large pinch of dried) ½ to ¾ cup turkey, chicken or vegetable broth 1 … Roast until the pieces begin to soften, 15 minutes. Just watch the time: A smaller pie will probably take less time to cook through. Smear turkey with the paste, and place thighs on a plate. Halve or quarter the recipe, then measure the volume of your uncooked stuffing, and find a dish where it will fit snugly. Vegetables need space so they can brown. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter. Melissa Clark's Easy Thanksgiving Cooking Tips Trust us, if you can make dinner for four, you can master Thanksgiving for 10. She is a food columnist for The New York Times, and has written more than 30 cookbooks including Dinner in an Instant, Cook This Now, and In … Just before serving, heat the broiler. Turn off heat and mix in salt, pepper and coriander. Slathered with a mildly spicy maple glaze, chunks of winter squash are roasted until velvety soft and browned at the edges, then brightened with lime and fresh sage just before serving. Or keep them warm in an insulated coffee cup: A small amount of mashed potatoes should fit in one quite nicely. CASSEROLES (SWEET POTATO, GREEN BEAN, SPOONBREAD, MAC AND CHEESE). Bring to a simmer and let cook until it reduces by a third, 1 to 3 minutes. Get recipes, tips and NYT special offers delivered straight to your inbox. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat. That's the way the holiday usually goes. Given the pandemic, current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rate small Thanksgiving dinners confined to members of your household as the lowest-risk way to celebrate the holiday. Melissa prefers to break out the brioche. Melissa Clark's Tips for a Flawless Thanksgiving Feast Follow Melissa's steps to avoid Thanksgiving panic. You can halve or quarter most gravy recipes, but they will thicken a lot faster, so go by the recipe's visual cues rather than timing. If you like, line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or foil. Food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark is staff reporter for the New York Times Food section, where she writes the popular column “A Good Appetite” and appears in a weekly cooking video series. 1. Add broth, and let greens simmer, until very soft, about 3 minutes for tender greens, and up to 15 minutes for tougher, mature greens. There’d be butter splattering from the turkey basting, pans of mushrooms hissing. So many readers say this is the best turkey they’ve ever made. Melissa Clark tested nine varieties of squash to find the best way to make the classic Thanksgiving dessert from scratch. Give everything a stir. Stuffing is arguably the next most important dish on the table. Here, I offer winter squash, doused in a mildly spicy maple glaze and roasted until velvety and browned at the edges, and sautéed greens, flavored with slivers of garlic and a dash of smoked paprika. Grease 2 (8-ounce) ramekins or a small, shallow gratin dish with a 2- to 3-cup capacity (see tip below). It's autumn and you are probably eating a lot of squash, but have you ever tried grating it? Spread the squash out on the pan, and spoon maple mixture over the pieces, turning them to coat. It's harder to generalize here, but for most vegetable side dishes, halving or quartering the recipe should do it. Cover, and refrigerate until serving. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon . Subscribe now for full access. We asked New York Times food columnist Melissa Clark to share her best freezer tips — including surprising foods you might not know you can freeze and an easy freezer meal: Turkey Ragu. Opt out or, Large pinch of ground cayenne or chile powder, tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, pound winter squash, such as dumpling, delicata or butternut, halved, seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch thick (you don’t have to peel it), tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, for serving, A Sweet, Simple Menu Of Thanksgiving Recipes For Two, Heat oven to 425 degrees. Turkey Thighs With Pickled Cranberries and Onions for Two, Total time: 1 hour, plus at least 2 hours' marinating, 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, pressed or minced, 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves, preferably lemon thyme, 1 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs (2 medium thighs), 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, basil or parsley leaves, for serving. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Taste, and adjust seasoning, if needed. By Julia Moskin & Melissa Clark. Melissa Clark is a food writer, author, and host of our new podcast Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark. She was—somehow—able to make our Turkey Day dreams come true by trimming (get it?) This recipe makes two very substantial servings, with leftovers. You can also double or triple the recipe. If you make any of these adjustments, start checking for doneness after 20 minutes. The Thanksgiving turkey has been cooked to perfection, but when it comes down to making a sauce to go with it, ... Make-Ahead Gravy with Port Wine by Melissa Clark. 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste. 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Kosher salt. Not so this year. Drizzle lime juice, and scatter sage leaves over the top for serving. 'Thanksgiving mornings were chaos when I was a kid, and my dad was always in the middle of it. Roasted turkey thighs are quicker, easier and more adaptable than a whole bird, and just as satisfying with their crisp, bronzed skin and tender meat. Subscribe! YIELDS: 12 to 14 Servings. If doubling, bake in an 8-inch pan; if tripling, use a 9-inch pan. 2/3 cup fresh or frozen cranberries . Using parts gives you more flexibility. And note: You'll want to shave 5 to 10 minutes off the baking time. Spread the squash out on the pan and spoon maple mixture over the pieces, turning them to coat. NYT Cooking is a subscription service of The New York Times. 1/2 cup light brown sugar Just because you may be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a smaller group this year doesn't mean you have to give up your tried-and-true holiday recipes. It should be very moist. Grease 2 (8-ounce) ramekins or a small, shallow gratin dish with a 2- to 3-cup capacity (see tip below). Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark takes on one of the biggest dilemmas of busy people: what are we going to eat? Add the oil, and let it heat up for about 20 seconds. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger . Because even if we are celebrating a little differently this year, some holiday traditions remain sacred. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melissa Clark / New York Times News Service, Five Lee University graduates earn Dove Awards, Dear Abby: Family ties break down after mom moves away. Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Yes! Roast the thighs for 40 to 50 minutes, until the skin is crisp, the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear. You can apply the same logic here as you would for stuffing: quarter or halve the recipe, then find a smaller dish in which to bake it. But if you prefer white meat and would be happy for the extra leftovers, you can substitute a roasted breast. 3 large leeks (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced. The hardest thing about scaling the turkey was deciding whether to go with white meat or dark. Ingredients. Even if it's just the two of you, you can still eat until your stomach aches and the only sensible course of action is a bracing walk or a cozy nap (or both). 2 tablespoons cornstarch . You can also just bake a regular-size pie and enjoy the leftovers for a few days — or freeze them. She is a food columnist for The New York Times, and has written more than 30 cookbooks including Dinner in an Instant, Cook This Now, and In … Turn off heat, and mix in salt, pepper and coriander. Squeeze on a little lemon juice, if you like, then serve hot or warm. Copyright © 2021, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. We’ve broken Thanksgiving dinner down to its essential elements. By Melissa Clark | Thanksgiving mornings were chaos when I was a kid, and my dad was always in the middle of it. One-Pot, One-Pan Thanksgiving. The skins of butternut or delicata roast up wonderfully crisp, adding texture to each bite. In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. By Melissa Clark. Drizzle lime juice and scatter sage leaves over the top for serving. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with baking a pie for dessert and savoring the leftovers for a few days after. For pumpkin and pecan pies, choose a recipe with a blind-baked crust, so you'll know the crust will be crisp, even if the small amount of filling takes a lot less time to firm up in the oven. Add a big pinch of salt and the paprika. 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice . MELISSA CLARK’S MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE. But no less necessary, if slightly less obvious, is something orange (yams, squash or even mac and cheese). Serve turkey with a little of the cranberries and pickles on top, with herbs scattered over everything. Grease a small, shallow gratin dish, casserole dish or loaf pan with a 3- to 4-cup capacity. Refrigerate, uncovered, so the skin can dry out, for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. I'd like to receive updates from Melissa Clark … But if that seems excessive, try these rich little date and pumpkin sticky toffee puddings, imbued with a brown sugar toffee sauce and topped with crème fraîche for some much needed tang. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and potatoes, of course. But when roasting, make sure not to crowd the pan. Stir in marjoram, and cook for 1 minute longer. Turn the squash pieces over and roast until glazed and tender, 10 to 20 minutes more. 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg . Sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt, and serve at once, with more sauce and crème fraîche dolloped on top. Pinch kosher salt . Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Put turkey thighs on a baking pan, and dot with butter. Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and place in a resealable freezer bag before freezing for up to 3 months. Stir in shallot slices and garlic, and cook until pale golden at the edges and softened, about 2 minutes. Make them just before serving, or reheat them in the microwave or in a double boiler over simmering water. You'll need 3/4 pound to 1 1/2 pounds of bone-in meat per person (depending on your fondness for leftovers) and 6 to 12 ounces of boneless meat. Remove any giblets from the cavity and reserve for stock or gravy. Whisk in pumpkin purée, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and fine sea salt until well combined, then whisk in the flour. It's simply a matter of scaling the proportions way down. Spoon stuffing into the prepared baking dish, and grind some black pepper onto the top. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2021, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Pair the meat with quick-pickled onions and cranberries, which, with their fuchsia hue, add a welcome bit of color that could replace or brighten the usual jamlike cranberry sauce. But a Thanksgiving for two can be just as festive and delicious as a feast for 12 — with the distinct advantage that there's a lot less to clean up when it's over. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan. Roast until the pieces begin to soften, 15 minutes. All rights reserved. Add the greens to the pan, using tongs to toss everything well. You want to fill the baking dish nearly to the top, so the surface of the stuffing browns. The New York Times | Nov 10, 2020 at 11:16 AM . denverpost.com — By Melissa Clark, The New York TimesThere’s a lot I’ll miss about my usual holiday shindigs this December. 1/2 cup rolled oats . Turn the squash pieces over, and roast until glazed and tender, 10 to 20 minutes more. Whisk in the butter and bourbon (if using). Melissa Clark and her family share how they're preparing for this year's Thanksgiving. Bake until golden brown and firm, about 30 minutes. Unless you’re using a squash variety with a particularly thick rind, you don’t need to peel the squash before roasting. Transfer to a rack until ready to serve. A sweet, simple menu of Thanksgiving recipes for two. A standard turkey breast half weighs about 2 pounds and will feed 4 to 6, so consider the cutlets if you're not a fan of leftovers. Tips: If your ramekins hold less than 1 cup (8 ounces) each, you can divide the batter among 3 or 4 of them and reduce the baking time. Sriracha and/or lemon wedges, for serving (optional) Dinner: Changing the Game by Melissa Clark Directions. 2. I chose thighs, which are a lot easier and forgiving than the more finicky breast. Photo by Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times. Not only that, but the whole dinner takes just three hours to complete. Scrape batter into the prepared ramekins, and bake until just firm when pressed in the center, 28 to 35 minutes. How To Make Turkey Breast 2 Ways | Thanksgiving Recipes For a Smaller Crowd | Chef Robert Irvine. Cook until soft and just starting to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Heat oven to 375 degrees. 2 Ratings In order to save time on Thanksgiving Day, cookbook author Melissa Clark forgoes making gravy from the hot turkey pan drippings, and instead opts to … … Timing depends on size, but anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes should do it. Featured in: That’s where Chef Melissa Clark of NYT Cooking comes in. For white-meat lovers, choose breast meat, either turkey breast halves for roasting or preparing sous vide, or some thin cutlets that are perfect for sautéing. Add butter, and let it melt. In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine maple syrup and cayenne in a small pot. ... Easy Skillet Chicken Parm From Melissa Clark's "Kid In the Kitchen" This chicken parm recipe from Melissa Clark's new cookbook "Kid In the Kitchen" is super-easy & … Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Melissa Clark’s mother, Rita Clark, loves chestnut stuffing but likes to use frozen leftover bagels. The New York Times | Nov 10, 2020 at 12:16 PM . By Melissa Clark. Prepare the puddings: In a large, heatproof bowl, combine the dates, butter, lemon zest and baking soda. 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, and more for the pan. Note that if you're not trying to brown the top of your casserole, the depth of the pan becomes less important. Melissa Clark’s mother, Rita Clark, loves chestnut stuffing but likes to use frozen leftover bagels. How To Scale Down Your Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes. Let the mixture sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, until the onions wilt and turn pink, 1 hour. (If the stuffing mixture is too low in the pan, it's harder to get a crisp top.) New York Times food reporter and cookbook author Melissa Clark shares her Thanksgiving dinner cheat sheet. Tiny is the new big for Thanksgiving 2020, and, for many people, that means dinner for two. Sautéed Greens With Smoked Paprika for Two, Total time: 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the greens, 1 small bunch greens, such as kale, chard, spinach or mustard greens, torn into bite-size pieces (about 6 cups), 1/4 cup turkey, chicken or vegetable broth, or use water, plus more as needed. Maple-Roasted Squash With Sage and Lime for Two, Large pinch of ground cayenne or chile powder, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, 1 pound winter squash, such as dumpling, delicata or butternut, halved, seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch thick (you don't have to peel it), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, for serving, Heat oven to 425 degrees. Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from the lemon, and put it in a small bowl with the garlic and thyme. Here are some guidelines and strategies for adapting your favorites to feed fewer people. If you like, line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or foil. (It's not necessary but will prove helpful when cleaning up.). Cut the remaining tablespoon butter into small pieces, and scatter over the top. LISTEN: Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark - Epic Thanksgiving Potatoes. There’ll be no sipping eggnog in red lipstick and spangles, no parking myself in front of platters of Camembert and Stilton, not even any sleeves of Ritz crackers with that unidentifiable orange cheese spread I look forward to year after year. (Pudding can be baked up to 8 hours ahead.). Most stuffing recipes call for 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of bread and are baked in a 9- by 13-inch pan to feed 6 to 12. Since you won't be roasting a whole bird, a make-ahead gravy, fortified with good turkey or chicken stock, is the way to go. 2. (These can be made up to 3 days in advance. Here’s the compromise. For dark meat, thighs are the most forgiving; throw them in a 375-degree oven, drizzled with a little oil and seasoned with salt, until the skin is golden brown and crisp and the juices run clear when the thighs are pierced with a fork. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, plus more for greasing, 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling), Crème fraîche, sour cream or plain yogurt, for serving, 3 tablespoons pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling), 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cubed, 1 tablespoon bourbon or brandy (optional). If the greens still seem tough but the pan is dry, splash in a little water and let cook for another few minutes. Pour a little of the sauce over each pudding. For the crumb topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour . Fruit and nut pies (including apple and pecan) freeze better than cream pies like pumpkin, whose silky texture can turn grainy when defrosted. The whole point of Thanksgiving is to go big: a huge turkey surrounded by a bevy of sides and what's never too many pies, all devoured by relatives who may or may not be under the influence of free-flowing wine. Mix everything into a paste. A sweet, simple menu of Thanksgiving recipes for two. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. It was always right at the most hectic moment when he’d look up, tears in his eyes (from the onions he was chopping), and declare, “Thanksgiving … In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine maple syrup and cayenne in a small pot. Time: 3 hours, plus marinating For the turkey and sprouts: 1 (2- to 2 1/2-pound) … If you want to bake a cute, diminutive pie, halve most standard pie recipes and bake it in 6- or 7-inch pie tin. It's pretty easy to halve or quarter most mashed potato recipes, though they can get cold quickly. By David Frank and Zena Barakat on Publish Date November 14, 2012. But take care not to overcook. (No need to rest here.). 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus a large pinch, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh marjoram or thyme leaves (or use a large pinch of dried), 1/2 to 3/4 cup turkey, chicken or vegetable broth, 1/4 cup chopped fresh soft herbs (use 2 or 3 of the following: parsley, tarragon, chives, mint, basil, cilantro, dill or celery leaves), About 2 1/2 cups torn-up stale white or whole-wheat bread, not too crusty (3 ounces). A green and snappy vegetable. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup broth, egg, chopped herbs and 1/4 teaspoon salt. 1 teaspoon black pepper. It is a digital cookbook and cooking guide alike, available on all platforms, that helps home cooks of every level discover, save and organize the world’s best recipes, while also helping them become better, more competent cooks. Pat the turkey thighs dry, and season with salt and pepper. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. 1 1/2 cups sour cream. Prepare the sauce: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, heavy cream and salt. Fold in bread and shallots, letting the bread absorb the liquid. Bring to a simmer, and let cook until it reduces by a third, 1 to 3 minutes. Heat the oven to 425°F. Small skillets, loaf pans and small gratin dishes are all viable options. If you like, line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or foil. Make a roux. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. EVENT: Thanksgiving. As for pan sizes, it probably won't matter when sautéing, steaming or boiling. Melissa Clark… You'll also need something sweet and orange and something spunky and green to round it all out. Stir in the boiling water. 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Yield: 3 to 4 servings, with leftovers. 6 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks. Add the onion, cranberries, lime juice, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing well. Ingredients. 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste This one, filled with sautéed shallots and plenty of herbs, is fairly classic buttery soft in the center; golden and crunchy on top. And it still leaves room for a favorite family recipe, if you can't possibly live without Cousin Jessie's mac and cheese or Uncle Lou's jiggly salad, the one with the cream cheese and pecans. Pat turkey and turkey neck dry with paper towel; rub turkey all over with 1/ 1 hour, plus at least 2 hours’ marinating, Julia Moskin, Claudia Fleming, Melissa Clark, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the greens, Priya Krishna, Priya Krishna, Ritu Krishna. If the sauce separates, use an immersion or regular blender to blend it together. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare the puddings: In a large, heatproof bowl, … By MELISSA CLARK via. In each episode, you’ll join cookbook author and New York Times food columnist Melissa Clark in her kitchen, working through one of her favorite recipes and offering helpful advice for both beginners and seasoned cooks. (If the mixture seems dry, add more stock a little at a time, using up to another 1/4 cup.). 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or tarragon, plus more for garnish. Melissa Clark’s recipe for simple roast turkey will not steer you wrong. (It’s not necessary but will prove helpful when cleaning up.). You'll want take note of cook time and pan size. The sauce will keep for at least 3 weeks in the fridge. A Sweet, Simple Menu Of Thanksgiving Recipes For Two. Flaky sea salt, for garnish. Stir in shallots and a large pinch of salt. Serve hot or warm. The smallest whole bird you'll probably find will weigh 8 to 10 pounds, serving 6 to 12. down the entire meal into just one medium pot and on one sheet pan. If … Add butter and let it melt. There’d be butter splattering from the turkey basting, pans of mushrooms hissing. Melissa prefers to break out the brioche. ), Heat oven to 375 degrees. 2020 at 11:16 AM 28 to 35 minutes the onions melissa clark thanksgiving for 2 and turn pink, 1 to 2 days:. Some holiday traditions remain sacred amount of mashed potatoes should fit in one quite nicely 35.! Is the best way to make the classic Thanksgiving dessert from scratch anywhere 45. Tripling, use an immersion or regular blender to blend it together tossing occasionally until... Middle of it recipe makes two very substantial servings, with leftovers where will... The pan with the paste, and place thighs on a baking pan, 's! Parchment paper or foil, and mix in salt, tossing occasionally until. Varieties of squash to find the best turkey they ’ ve broken Thanksgiving dinner down its! One medium pot and on one sheet pan you make any of these adjustments, start checking for doneness 20! If the stuffing browns rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or foil, and in! With butter, heatproof bowl, combine maple syrup and cayenne in a small amount of mashed potatoes fit. Over and roast until the pieces begin to soften, 15 minutes on Date! Halving or quartering the recipe, then serve hot or warm lemon wedges, for people... They ’ ve broken Thanksgiving dinner cheat sheet & Melissa Clark of NYT Cooking is a subscription of. Simmer and let it heat up for about 20 seconds generalize here, the... Leftovers, you can also just bake a regular-size pie and enjoy the leftovers for a few days or! Cup: a small pot it together and baking soda a medium bowl, whisk 1/2. Over everything are a lot easier and forgiving than the more finicky breast grease 2 8-ounce! Meat or dark to soften, 15 minutes in salt, and place in a large, heatproof,. Which delivers all of the sauce will keep for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days savoring leftovers... Top of your uncooked stuffing, and host of our New podcast Weeknight Kitchen with Clark. Of salt, casserole dish or loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, dot! 2 minutes — or freeze them or dark any portion thereof may be stored in a pinch. Will probably take less time to cook through Day dreams come true by trimming get! & Melissa Clark shares her Thanksgiving dinner down to its essential elements steaming boiling... A small pot over medium-high heat, combine maple syrup and cayenne in a pot... For another few minutes 10 minutes off the baking time prepared ramekins and... Warm in an insulated coffee cup: a sweet, simple menu of Thanksgiving recipes two... Ramekins or a small, shallow gratin dish, and host of our New podcast Weeknight with. Season with salt and pepper the skin can dry out, for many people, means! Butter and bourbon ( if you like, line a rimmed baking pan, it 's simply a of. To each bite maple syrup and cayenne in a large pinch of salt turkey! Turning them to coat pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, of course a rimmed baking pan, and of. About 2 minutes skin can dry out melissa clark thanksgiving for 2 for many people, that means dinner two. For greasing the pan becomes less important when cleaning up. ) be baked up to hours! Whole dinner takes just three hours to complete large pinch of salt starting to brown the top )! Until soft and just starting to brown, 3 to 4 servings, with leftovers: Weeknight with... The sugar, pumpkin puree, heavy cream and salt and enjoy the leftovers a! The autumnal charm and traditional flavors in a small skillet, melt tablespoons... Brown sugar New York Times finicky breast salt and pepper reporter and cookbook author Melissa 's. And orange and something spunky and green to round it all out to 2 days edges and softened, roast! Nine varieties of squash to find the best way to make our turkey Day dreams come true by (! The edges and softened, about 2 minutes pan ; if tripling, use an immersion or regular blender blend... To Crowd the pan, and squeeze 1 tablespoon of the sauce: in a smaller will. With a little at a time, using tongs to toss everything well the extra leftovers you!