THE HELP: Southern-Style Holiday Recipes

Posted by Angela V / Published on November 21, 2011

Food, family and friendship are some of the themes explored in the critically-acclaimed film THE HELP arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6/11. To celebrate the upcoming release here are some delicious recipes for you: Cheesecake Pecan Pie, Spinach-Stuffed Squash & Sweet Potato Casserole!

These delicious Southern-style holiday recipes are from THE HELP’s food stylist Lee Ann Fleming.

Cheesecake Pecan Pie

1 (15 oz.) pkg. refrigerated pie crusts

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

4 large eggs, divided

¾ cup sugar, divided

2 tsp. vanilla, divided

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup light corn syrup

Unfold and stack 2 piecrust; together gently roll or press together and fit into a 9 inch pie plate according to directions; fold edges under and crimp. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, ∏ cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and salt at medium see with a mixer until smooth. Pour into piecrust – Sprinkle with pecans. Stir together corn syrup, 3 eggs, remaining π cup sugar, and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla and put mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes until set.

Homemade Pie Crust

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups plain flour
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening (butter flavor shortening is great, too)
4-5 tbsp. cold ice water

Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir flour and salt together.
Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp. of water over part of the flour mixture; gently toss with a fork.
Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat using 1 tbsp. of water at a time, until all the flour mixture is moistened.
Form dough into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin.
Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate without stretching it.
Trim pastry to ½ inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edges as desired.

Spinach-Stuffed Squash

4 yellow crookneck squash

Melted butter

Salt and pepper

Grated Parmesan cheese

Spinach stuffing:

½ cup chopped onion
½ cup butter

2 (10 oz.) packages frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained

1 tsp. salt

1 cup sour cream

2 tsp. red wine vinegar

Bread crumbs

Cook whole squash in boiling, salted water for about 10 minutes until tender. Very carefully cut into halves and scoop out the seeds. Sprinkle each shell with butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

Spinach Stuffing: Sauté onions in butter until tender. Add spinach, salt, sour cream, and vinegar and blend well. Stuff each squash shell with spinach mixture. Sprinkle each with Additional Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated to serve.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

cup melted butter

2 eggs beaten

1 Tbsp. vanilla

½ cup raisins (optional)

Mix well and pour into a butter casserole

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup melted butter

Mix topping with fork and sprinkle crumbs on top of casserole 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Looking for more easy recipes? Click here.

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31 comments »

31 Responses to “THE HELP: Southern-Style Holiday Recipes”

amyorvin — January 2, 2012 @ 4:33 am (#
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I love pecan pie. Never tried cheesecake pecan pie though. Might give it a try.

2dogs5catscrew@att.net

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Sierra Lewis — January 7, 2012 @ 2:38 pm (#
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Those look yummy! I may have to try those soon!

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AdriLisa — January 8, 2012 @ 12:54 am (#
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Pecan Pie is one of my top fave but I never baked one – thanks for sharing
sugarandsalt(at)hotmail(dot)com

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Kristy — January 19, 2012 @ 1:28 am (#
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Oh my goodness! I love pecan pie, I have never heard of pecan pie cheesecake! I have got to try this. I'm writing it down for the next time I head to the story.

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Rainbow_202 — January 22, 2012 @ 2:43 am (#
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Mmmm, that cheesecake pecan pie sounds yummy!

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Adri — March 5, 2012 @ 8:27 pm (#
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Spinach stuffed squash – can’t find those little ones – wanted to try this recipe

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Melanie A. — March 6, 2012 @ 5:48 pm (#
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Ooooh! Cheesecake Pecan Pie! Sounds like it should be illegal!

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Emily — April 9, 2012 @ 10:30 am (#
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Looks delicious!

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Dreena — April 26, 2012 @ 9:37 am (#
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These all look so delicious. Would like to try the Spinach Stuffed Squash.
Thanks for the recipes.

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Michelle Ramos — June 22, 2012 @ 10:11 am (#
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This cheesecake has me reminding myself, “You’re on a diet. You’re on a diet….” It looks amazing.

The spinach-stuffed squash–now that’s something I can eat!

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Eva U — July 11, 2012 @ 9:51 am (#
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My two favorite food groups Pecans and Cheesecake – what a great combination. Love this recipe. Was looking for something unique for my sister’s upcoming birthday, this is the ticket. TY.

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Nena Sinclair — August 11, 2012 @ 5:29 am (#
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I love Pecan Pie and I love Cheesecake, but I’ve never had Cheesecake Pecan Pie, I’ve got to try it!! Yum!!

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Tanya D — August 12, 2012 @ 11:41 am (#
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These recipes look delicious!

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Laurie B — September 24, 2012 @ 9:29 pm (#
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OMG they look and sound so yummy. I think I might add the cheesecake one for dessert this thanksgiving

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Eva U — October 11, 2012 @ 5:15 am (#
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Never been a casserole girl, but times are a changing. Snowing in Edmonton today, need some comfort food. Great to find good recipes that have been tested and true. Found the one today to attempt, so ty.

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Bianca — October 26, 2012 @ 7:17 pm (#
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Yum – I need to try the pecan cheesecake!

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Nena Sinclair — November 5, 2012 @ 3:59 am (#
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Cheesecake Pecan Pie sounds heavenly! I think this would be a great dessert for after Christmas dinner! Thanks for the recipe!

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Robert Wise — November 21, 2012 @ 10:22 am (#
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Love pecan pie. Cheesecake pecan pie sounds like heaven.

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Christina Strapp — November 25, 2012 @ 9:14 pm (#
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The cheesecake pacan pie looks yummy!!

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Debbie Bashford — December 1, 2012 @ 2:39 pm (#
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That pie sounds really good I love pecan pie and I love cheesecake !

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kaitlyn inglis — January 13, 2013 @ 6:55 pm (#
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Wow these look great, i’ll have to try them for valentines day

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Janet W. — January 15, 2013 @ 2:58 am (#
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The Cheesecake Pecan Pie would make such a special treat for my husband! He would love it!

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Ashley Nolan — February 2, 2013 @ 4:57 pm (#
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The Pecan Pie looks yummy, I’ll be sure to make this for the family this week!

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Shelby — February 13, 2013 @ 2:29 pm (#
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Oh my god, two things I love so much.

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Kaitlin M — February 22, 2013 @ 10:37 am (#
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I’ve never heard of that combination before. It looks really interesting.

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Wanda Tracey — February 27, 2013 @ 9:48 am (#
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I love cheescake and I love pecan pie.I have never had them together but I’m thinking if they were made together then it has to be doubly delicious!!!…..MMMM….MMMM.Thank you for this.

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5lita5 — March 2, 2013 @ 4:28 am (#
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I am so excited to try all THREE of these recipes! They look so GOOD!

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Tania B — March 9, 2013 @ 5:50 am (#
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I absolutely love the look of the squash(es?)! That looks so pretty and delectable! Thanks for sharing!

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Amy L. Norman — April 15, 2013 @ 6:04 am (#
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I am so going to try the Pie and Squash recipe very soon. I am a fan of “The Help”, and being a Southern gal who loves cooking, I am looking forward to tasting the finished product.

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Rachel N — May 7, 2013 @ 1:02 pm (#
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The pie looks amazing! Yummy!!!

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Christy I — May 19, 2013 @ 10:43 pm (#
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pecan cheesecake….omg! could their be anything better??/

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