Hoda and Kathie Lee: Fave holiday recipes

Place bread slices on cookie sheet and broil both sides until slightly toasted. Cut into small cubes.

Put aside cooked chunks of sausage in large saucepan. Drain the fat and set sausage aside.

In sauce pan melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Add celery and onion and sauté 10-15 minutes until vegetables are softened.

In a separate casserole bowl combine the vegetable mixture, cooked sausage and bread cubes.

If the mixture seems dry, slowly add another 1/2 cup melted butter, or a little water or chicken broth. You want the mixture moist, not soaked. Season and mix with the 1/2 container of sage, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and use your hands, but try not to crush the bread cubes.

Cover and place in refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Mashed cooked yams thoroughly

If potatoes seem dry, slowly add a little orange juice at a time until moist and fluffy.

Beat in 2 eggs,  1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, salt and cinnamon.

Put into 1 1/2 to 2 quart casserole dish

Arrange pecan halves to encrust entire top completely. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup melted butter.

Bake at 375 degrees uncovered for 20 minutes or until the sides bubble. This can be made and cooked the day before.

For icing:
Turn on mixer slowly so that the sugar doesn't fly around. Add milk until desired consistency is reached.

For cookies:
Place chopped nuts, dates and condensed milk into double boiler. Stir often until mixture thickens. When thickened, put aside for about 3 minutes.

When cooled spread mixture over crackers and place on greased cookie sheet

Place cookies in 350 degree oven for only 3 minutes. Remove and cool on cookie rack.

When cooled, cover with buttercream icing.

To firm icing quickly put frosted cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, then place cookies in a tin and place in the freezer.