Al Roker's Hassle-Free Holiday Cookbook

Al Roker began working at NBC in 1983. He is the author of the bestsellers Al Roker's Big Bad Book of Barbecue and Don't Make Me Stop This Car! He lives in New York City with his wife, ABC news correspondent Deborah Roberts, and their three children. You can reach Al Roker at his website www.alroker.com.

Contents

Introduction

Thanksgiving with All the Trimmings

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Stocking the Holiday Pantry and Freezer

Potato Leek Soup

No-Cook Hors d'Oeuvres for a Crowd

Thanksgiving Salad with Parsley Dressing

Festive Juice Drinks

Roast Turkey and Gravy

Turkey Basics

Turkey Leftovers

Basic Bread Stuffing

Corn Bread Stuffing for a Crowd

Higher Stuffing Math

Sweet Potato Poon

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Baking Powder Biscuits

Green Beans with Walnuts

Warm Cabbage with Bacon and Apple Cider

Roast Acorn Squash

Cranberry Sauce

Fresh Cranberry Relish

Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust

How to Freeze Pies

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Freezing Unbaked Pie Crusts

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Pear Tart with Cranberries and Almonds

Christmas Dinner

Eggnog

Store-Bought Eggnog with a Twist

Mulled Wine

Creamy Squash Soup

Fennel Salad with Orange-Mustard Vinaigrette

Red and Green Christmas Salad

Roast Beef Tenderloin with Cracked Pepper Crust and Horseradish Cream

Crown Pork Roast with Fruit Stuffing

Christmas Leftovers

Braised Endive with Orange Zest

Sautéed Kale

Scalloped Potatoes

Spoon Bread

Red Velvet Cake

Christmas Brunch

Citrus Salad with Raspberry-Lime Puree

Breakfast Strata

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Brunch Beverages

Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen

Orange-Cranberry Bread

Banana-Rum Bread

Testing Baking Powder and Baking Soda for Freshness

Microwave Fudge

Bourbon Balls

Basic Sugar Cookies

Freezing Cookies and Cookie Dough

Decorating Unbaked Cookies

Decorating Baked Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

Cinnamon Almond Pinwheels

Sesame Date Half-Moons

Packaging Cookies for Gift-Giving

Homemade Mixes: Toffee-Chip Cookies-in-a-Jar

Gingerbread-in-a-Jar

Vanilla-Cinnamon Party Nuts

Caribbean Spice Mix

Boxing Day: A Caribbean Menu

Tropical Punch

Twice-Fried Plantains with Green Salsa

Chicken Pilau

Caribbean Christmas Cake

New Year's Eve Retro Cocktail Party

Classic Cocktails

Cocktail Talk

Make-Ahead Drink Garnishes

Cocktail Party Math

Cocktail Party Equipment

Champagne Cocktails

Garlicky Cheese Dip

Hot Crab Dip

Cheese Straws

Ten Things to Put on a Cracker

Biscuits with Ham and Apple Butter

Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

Pigs in a Blanket

Swedish Meatballs

Edible Toothpicks

Rumaki

Chocolate Fondue

Super Bowl Party

Nachos

Spicy Chicken Wings

Spicy Party Mix134

Meaty Chili

Corn and Cheese Muffins

Muffuletta

Mac and Cheese

Overnight Salad

Texas Sheet Cake

Groundhog Day Weatherman's Meal

Chilled Pea Soup

Hot Split Pea Soup

Pasta Primavera

Pot Roast with Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles

Sunshine Cake

Mud Pie

Valentine's Day Dinner for Two

Pink Lady

Smoked Salmon Hors d'Oeuvre

Herbed Stuffed Mushrooms

Filet Mignon

Oven Fries

Wilted Spinach

Easy Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Valentine's Day Treats for Kids

Traditional St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Irish Stew

Irish Soda Bread

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Easter Celebration

Spring Salad

Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Tarragon

Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Herbs

Glazed Baked Ham

Easter Leftovers

Pan-Glazed Carrots

Roasted Baby Potatoes

Peas and Mint

Lemon Pie

Meringue Berry Basket

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed

Sparkling Cocktail

Overnight French Toast

Baked Eggs With Salsa

Home Fries

Breakfast Meats

Broiled Honey-Ginger Grapefruit

Man-Pleasin' Father's Day Meal

Deviled Eggs

Seven-Layer Dip

Mixed Grill

Grilled Garlic Bread

Warm Potato Salad with Bacon

Cashew Coleslaw

Frosted Yellow Cake

Banana Cream Pie

Fourth of July Picnic

Fizzy Raspberry Lemonade

Antipasti Salad

Oven-Fried Chicken with Pecan-Cornmeal Crust

Vegetarian Picnic Sandwich

Classic Macaroni Salad

Three-Bean Salad

Platinum Blondies

Candy Bar Bars

St. Lawrence Day Barbecue

Smoked Beef Ribs with Mustard Sauce

Texas Brisket

Braised Greens and Turnips

Spicy Baked Beans

Rice Salad with Broccoli and Peanuts

Chopped Summer Salad

Grilled Glazed Doughnuts with Vanilla Ice Cream

Labor Day Summer Send-Off

Ham and Pineapple Appetizers

Orange Beef Tidbits

Curried Chicken Skewers

Stovetop Clambake

Berry Crisp

Triple Melon Salad

Halloween Party for Kids and Grown-Ups

Cider Punch

Dill Dip

Mini Burgers

Sticky Spare Riblets

Chicken Fingers

Corny Crispy Rice Cereal Treats

Carrot Cupcakes with Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate-Chocolate Cookies

Caramel Apples

Holiday Hotlines and Helpful Web Sites

Sources

Index