Cooking Up a Storm with Al Roker

Mashed potatoes are a cornerstone of so many holiday meals, but just what kind to make? Smooth or lumpy, classic or with a twist … the variations are almost endless. Here to help you out with a unique take on the classic dish is the one and only Ina Garten. Beloved for her innovative takes on classic recipes that home cooks can make themselves, her long-running show on the Food Network, Barefoot Contessa, has legions of loyal fans....

One of the most beloved side dishes is also the most contested. Is it called stuffing or dressing? And what’s even the difference between the two? Quite a lot, according to chef, restaurant-owner, and cookbook author Alexander Smalls. From what kind of bread to use, to what kind of protein to add, this holiday dish can look vastly different depending on what part of the country you hail from. Smalls will walk us through how to make...

On this episode of Cooking Up a Storm, we turn to a rising star of the culinary world, chef and writer Sohla El-Waylly, to offer her tips and tricks for making the crispiest and juiciest bird possible. She’ll share her turkey recipe, the aptly-named: Crisp & Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey, along with her recipe for a fresh take on gravy: Honey-Thyme Gravy.  Both are sure to make this year’s holiday extra savory. 

Crisp & Juicy Herb Roast...

While holiday meals are admittedly carb and protein-rich, most people would agree that the menu isn’t truly complete without something green included. For the next episode of Cooking Up a Storm, we seek out the sage advice of chef and restaurant-owner Marcus Samuelsson, who’ll share his recipe for a new take on an old holiday favorite: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts. This isn’t your grandma’s recipe, we promise.

Caramelized Brussels S...

The cranberry sauce debate: chunky and complex, or sliced straight from the can? James Beard Award-winning chef and Oglala Lakota tribe member, Sean Sherman, shows us how to make wojape -- a Lakota word for a traditional sauce made of berries. On this episode, he shares his recipe for Cranberry Wojape. He’ll teach you just how easy it is to make this homemade version that will not only wow your guests, but also celebrate the origin...

Other than spending time with beloved friends and family, the sweetest part of the holiday meal is always dessert. And a staple on many tables? Pie! So, we asked baker Maya-Camille Broussard, known as a “flavor fanatic” on the Netflix show, Bake Squad, for her exciting new recipe: Sweet Potato and Plantain Pie.

Sweet Potato and Plantain Pie

Serves 6 to 8

1 pound (about 1 large) sweet potatoes

vegetable oil, for frying

2-3 very ripe plan...