'Skinnytaste’ Slow-Cooker Recipes to Be Thankful for This Thanksgiving
"Skinnytaste" author Gina Homolka shares slow-cooker recipes for Thanksgiving.
— -- Thanksgiving is about family and food -- a lot of food. For Skinnytaste founder Gina Homolka, that doesn't mean the tradition can't be figure-friendly.
The creator of the popular Skinnytaste blog and bestselling cookbook author has amassed a devoted fan base by lightening up tasty dishes while preserving flavor. When it comes to Thanksgiving she applies that same Skinnytaste philosophy to her mother’s classic recipe.
“It’s never Thanksgiving without my mom’s stuffing. She stuffs the turkey with it and also bakes an extra batch on the side,” Homolka of Long Island, New York, told "Good Morning America." "I've adapted her recipe using a lot less butter and whole wheat bread instead of white. You can't tell!"
The slow-cooker stuffing recipe is one of many featured in Homolka’s new book, “Skinnytaste Fast and Slow,” which showcases family-friendly recipes that can be made in a slow cooker or in under 30 minutes. The stuffing is made in a slow cooker, which can help free up space since most ovens are packed on Turkey Day.
See her slow-cooker recipes for these Thanksgiving dishes below, plus, a pumpkin cheesecake shooter to end the holiday on a sweet note.
Slow-Cooker Sausage-Herb Stuffing
"Hands down, my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is the stuffing. I like to make it in the slow cooker because it comes out extra moist with crisp edges. Prep perk: This comes in handy when you run out of oven space for large family gatherings. Because the lid of the slow cooker traps a lot of condensation, I place a kitchen towel under the cover, which catches the steam, so the stuffing doesn’t get mushy."
Slow-Cooker Butternut-Apple Soup With Crispy Leeks
"Simple and easy, this hearty fall soup combines sweet butternut squash with mild leeks and tart green apple to make a creamy, delightful, warm meal. The golden, just-crisp leeks do double duty in this dish: They add texture and flavor. Because peeling and cutting butternut squash can be time-consuming, I often buy it precut to save time."
Slow-Cooker Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin With Gravy
"These turkey tenderloins, stuffed with butternut squash, cranberries, and pears, are like a mini Thanksgiving feast -- from your slow cooker," she writes. "They’re perfect any time of year when you’re craving a taste of the holidays. They’re also great for smaller Turkey Day gatherings, when a whole bird is too much. You and your guests will, um, gobble them up!"
Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters
"When you need a 'little' treat, these delicious pumpkin cheesecake shooters are the perfect sweet fix. Perfect to serve at Halloween party or to add to your Thanksgiving table! I love the idea of serving bite-sized desserts at a party, it's perfectly portioned, and if there are other desserts on the table, it's just the right amount. You can buy inexpensive shot glasses at the dollar store and if you are bringing a dessert to a party, you can even give the shot glasses to the host as a gift. These can be made ahead and kept chilled until ready to serve. Of course, if you rather use larger glasses, you can make 8 servings and double the filling."