Classic Pumpkin Roll

We love our traditional dishes at Thanksgiving, don't we?  But for people who love to cook, sometimes Thanksgiving can be a pretty boring meal.  Have you ever tried to eliminate that horrid green bean casserole, only to hear groans of disappointment when it's not served?  Don't try to jazz up the stuffing too much or there is sure to be someone disappointed on that one, too. But maybe you can sneak in this pumpkin roll, though, for a little twist on Thanksgiving dessert!

If you've never made any kind of cake roll before, don't be afraid of it.  It's so easy and you'll have fun doing it. You bake the cake quickly in a sheet pan that is lined with parchment.  The cake is very thin and you tip it out easily onto a thin tea towel, sprinkled with powdered sugar.  The cake and towel are rolled up together and left to cool in that shape.   Making the filling is a snap and then you just spread it on the cake and roll it right up again.  

What are the Thanksgiving dishes you just can't live without?

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My Tips For Homemade Marinara Sauce

I've received enough e-mails over the years from readers asking why I don't have a marinara sauce recipe on the blog that I've finally done it.  It's such a simple little thing to throw together, I really didn't think much of it but I do have a couple little tips that you may find helpful.  

There are so many ways to make marinara sauce and everyone has their personal preferences.  I guess the biggest question is what kind of tomatoes to use.  I definitely prefer canned San Marzano tomatoes.  Unless you have really exceptional fresh tomatoes, the canned San Marzanos will be your best bet.  These tomatoes are picked at their peak in the Campania region of Italy, where they grow in the volcanic soil.  They are a low acid, meaty tomato and make an excellent tomato sauce.  Most grocery stores carry these now.  If you can't find them or don't want to use them, I think the next best canned whole tomatoes are from Muir Glen. You can usually find these in most stores, also.  

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The Incredible Palmier

 

My appreciation for the wonders of puff pastry knows no bounds. If you keep a package of puff pastry in your freezer you can do all kinds of delicious things with it.  You can make a savory palmier or a sweet palmier.  All you need is a sheet of puff pastry and a little filling of some kind and you can have a plate of these in 30 minutes.

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