Thanksgiving favorites with Sandra Lee

>>> this morning on "today's" holiday kitchen, we're getting ready for thanksgiving. the turkey is often the main event , but there's no reason your side dishes can't be the star.

>> sandra lee is here with some fast family favorites that will easily fit into any holiday meal. she's out with two new shows on the food network and the cooking channel as well as the premiere issue of " sandra lee the magazine." nice to have you here.

>> hello. here's a cocktail.

>> i love this.

>> this is a new kind.

>> this looks like a dessert. it's gorgeous.

>> let's find out how this is all made.

>> we're going to do this family style . i'm going to make a dish with every single one of you. we all know lester loves a good cocktail. actually, that one's mine.

>> oh, sorry. that is insanely rich-looking.

>> you, by the way, are premiering two new flavors on the market. so first thing, in your shaker, you have ice. you'll put some espresso in there. so put that in there. that will keep you up all day long. now, these are the two new vodkas on the market, which i love. this is the iced cake. so put that in there. i know you like to free pour.

>> just a little splash.

>> and this is the caramel. this kiss caramel, this is a kissing caramel cocktail.

>> that's kcaramel flavored vodka .

>> put your i think finger in there. not the whole finger.

>> he follows instructions well.

>> now, put the top on. shake it carefully. and pour that in here. smell this. that's insane.

>> oh, my gosh. that does smell good.

>> add a bow and it's a gift, right?

>> if you hadn't opened it, i would have taken it and given it to someone.

>> and then we put it in --

>> the reason why you have a strainer, we're going to do --

>> oh, i messed it up.

>> that's okay. i'm going to take care of you.

>> i don't actually make them.

>> you're going to make this. your favorite new cocktail.

>> this is really tasty.

>> a little bit of -- a dollop of whipped topping . you've been talking about caramel sauce all morning.

>> check that out.

>> this is better than a twinkie.

>> and that's coming next.

>> there you go.

>> i have to try this.

>> i have to say it's not as sweet as i thought it would be, which i really like.

>> it's not super sweet, but it's good.

>> so you make the corn bread ahead of time.

>> or buy it, crumble it, let it air out. so it's nice and crusty. when you have a liquid, you don't want it to be mush. in here, you'll put celery. green onions . this is campbell's --

>> it's a soup.

>> no, chicken with rice soup.

>> really? it's not too much liquid?

>> no. this is going to be poultry seasoning. mix, mix, mix. into the pan or into the turkey. if it's in the turkey go to the deepest part, the thigh, and check it. it should read around -- in the stuffing, around 160 and the thigh should be around 170.

>> even if you do it outside, it will be moist enough.

>> you can do it outside. that's what gravy is for.

>> we're not trying the stuffing?

>> in here is some brown butter . a couple tablespoons. you'll put in pecans.

>> into the butter?

>> yeah, into the butter. then maple syrup .

>> calorie-free and the whole thing, right?

>> it's low-fat. everything is. give it a whiz.

>> this incredible vodka?

>> actually, it would cook out, right?

>> it would.

>> that looks amazing.

>> two spoons, toss. now, those are roasted sweet potatoes in the oven about 30 minutes in a pan.

>> once they're done you do all of this.

>> exactly.

>> now, here you are going to get the brussels sprouts . this is a little bit of just -- well, i made some bacon .

>> i saw that.

>> then some onions in here. you're going to pour that over the brussels sprouts .

>> you've got the onions and the bacon . the bacon juices.

>> pour that over. you're going to naught in the ov -- put that in the oven. we're talking about 20 minutes . you want to take it out about five minutes before it's done. put on some honey and apple cider vinegar because you'll get a sweet and sour flavor.

>> is that what helps to crisp it up?

>> it does add some sweetness. they'll already been brown.

>> you guys want to give this a shot? here's forks over here.

>> before we finish this off, we have to put the bacon on top of that.

>> of course.

>> that's the most important part.

>> i hope you like bacon .

>> what a way to get people to eat brussels sprouts . cover it with bacon and onions. i've heard our executive produce ser a b -- producer is a fan of brussels sprouts and bacon .

>> it doesn't hurt that you put bacon and caramel and apple cider on it. you can put that on just about anything.

>> caramel vodka.

>> throw it in and you're