East Texas Kitchen LIVE on East Texas Now: Unique, easy Thanksgiving recipes

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Most families have designated cooks for the main items on the holiday menu; turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, and so forth.

If you’re not in charge of all of that, maybe you’d like to try a few unique ideas for appetizers or dessert. These ideas may be a great fit; easy, delicious, and fun to make (and eat). {/p/p}Butternut squash and herb-topped pizza

Ingredients:

Fresh rosemary and sage leaves (about 1 tablespoon each, chopped fairly small)

Method:

Place the butternut cubes in a skilled with a tablespoon of butter (even better, use my holiday butter for more flavor ). Cook the squash until it’s thawed and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Place the crust on a pizza pan, then spread it with ricotta, leaving about 1-inch border around the outside.

Spread the butternut cubes evenly across the ricotta. Bake for about 10 minutes.

While it’s baking, toss the walnuts or pecans into the skillet over medium heat, and allow them to toast for a couple of minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you smell the fragrance. Immediately remove from heat. (I like to toss my cranberries in with the nuts to soften them, but that’s just an option.)

Remove pizza from oven, then sprinkle the nuts and cranberries over it. Add some chopped sage and rosemary, if desired.

Serve warm.

Kicked-up cranberry jalapeno poppers

Ingredients:

About 8 slices of uncooked bacon, cut in half

Six Ritz crackers, crushed

Method:

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the jalapenos in a single layer, cut side up, on the baking sheet.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cranberry sauce and cranberries, garlic, and salt. Blend with a hand mixer until no chunks of cream cheese remain.

Use a teaspoon to fill each pepper half full of the mixture.

Wrap each pepper with a half slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if desired.

Bake until the bacon is crisp and nicely browned.

Serve hot.

Pumpkin-cheesecake dessert cups with gingersnaps

Ingredients:

Gingersnap cookies

Method:

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