Thanksgiving

Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
6 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
6 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon almond extract
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) sour cream
3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
3 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted
Confectioners' sugar, optional

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the cherry juice, water and extract; mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Divide batter in half.

To one portion, add cherries and walnuts; mix well. To the second portion, add chocolate; mix well. Spoon half of the cherry mixture into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Cover with half of the chocolate mixture. Repeat layers.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners; sugar if desired. Makes 10-12 servings.

Streusel Pumpkin Pie

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons water

Filling
1 can (30 ounces) pumpkin pie filling
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 egg, lightly beaten

Streusel Topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter

In a bowl, combine flour, pecans and salt; cut in the shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Divide dough in half. Roll out each portion to fit a 9-in. pie plate; place pastry in pie plates. Flute edges and set aside.

Combine pie mix, milk and egg; pour into pastry shells. For topping, combine brown sugar, flour, pecans and cinnamon in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Cover edges of pastry loosely with foil.

Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours. Refrigerate until serving. Makes 2 pies (6-8 servings each).

Pumpkin Apple Pie

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 cups sliced peeled tart apples
Pastry for a single-crust pie (9 inches)

Pumpkin Layer
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Whipped cream, optional

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. Add water and butter; bring to a boil. Add apples. Cook and stir for 4 minutes. Place pastry in a 9-in. pie pan; add apple mixture. In a bowl, whisk pumpkin, milk, sugar, egg, cinnamon and salt until smooth; pour over apple layer.

Flute the edges or decorate with pastry leaves. Bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If necessary, cover edges with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking time to prevent overbrowning. Cool completely. Garnish with whipped cream if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 6-8 servings.

Note: Additional pastry will be needed to decorate pie with pastry leaves.

Herb-Roasted Turkey

1 turkey (14 pounds)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
18 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
4 medium onions, sliced
4 celery ribs, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon peppercorns
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon minced chives

Rub the surface of the turkey and sprinkle cavity with salt and pepper. Place 12 sprigs of thyme in cavity. In a large heavy roasting pan, place onions, celery, carrots, bay leaves, peppercorns and remaining thyme sprigs. Place the turkey, breast side up, over vegetables. Drizzle butter over turkey and sprinkle with minced herbs.

Cover loosely with foil. Bake at 325° for 2-1/2 hours. Remove foil; bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, basting every 20 minutes.

Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Discard bay leaves and peppercorns; thicken pan drippings for gravy if desired. Makes 12-14 servings.

Holiday Ham

1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple
1/2 spiral-sliced fully cooked bone-in ham (8 to 10 pounds)
2/3 cup maraschino cherries
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Place ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Secure pineapple and cherries to ham with toothpicks. Combine brown sugar and seasoned salt; rub over ham. Gently pour pineapple juice over ham.

Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 140° and ham is heated through. Baste frequently with brown sugar mixture. Makes about 18-20 servings.