Happy Holidays....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS!!!

I HOPE THE DINNER IS GREAT AND THE COMPANY 

IS BETTER.....

"MO"

Dinner Dinner Dinner......

Only 4 days left before you are making another family feast.  I have been quite busy making feast for many people in my area at my job.  This is the time of year for "Parties"!! To bad I am to tired to attend any of them!   Haven't even had the time or energy to really think about what would be a good menu for my own family... Not good I know!!

Many family I know usually have the same menu for Christmas that they serve for Thanksgiving.   This year at my job I am creating meals for many local families that are having the following: Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Shallot Sauce, Pecan Crusted Salmon, Roasted Mix Vegetables, Asparagus, Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Sauteed Spinach with Pinenuts, and Wild Rice with Dried Cranberries and Pecans.  There are also those that have chosen the a more traditional meal with the Turkey and Ham, Herb Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, etc.  I would do a non traditional meal personally.  What are you doing for your Christmas Meal???

Let me know what you plan on creating for your family.



MO

Another Holiday Is Coming....

Hello,

Another holiday is right around the corner.  It's either a "YIPPEE!!" or a "OH NO!!".  I am sort of in the middle with an "ALREADY!!".  This time of the year is different for many people.  Some are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and some nothing at all.  For years I didn't celebrate anything at all because of childhood religion.  Today with 3 little ones of my own we celebrate Christmas, because of an ex-husband.

"Cheese with Fresh Fruit"

Many people have parties and celebrate with family and friends before the actual "BIG" day.  So if you are going to a party and plan on bringing something  what do you bring?  You can bring a platter of cookies, fruitcake, etc.  How about making your own trays of appetizers?

Creating appetizer trays are great if you are the one doing the hosting as well.  These things are easy to prepare and does not require you to go to a business and buy it for a ridiculous price.  Did I just cut down on my work load at my job, by telling people do not come to me?  I doubt it because no matter what, there will always be those people who can afford it who would rather have someone else do the work for them.  I am just fortunate enough to be able to do it for myself.  Its a good thing because I can not afford to pay someone else to do it.  

Second Go Around...

Hello,

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but don't worry I have been creating and actually jotting down the ingredients on most of my newest creations.
Today I thought I would revisit an item from my Thanksgiving menu which was the "Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pineapples".  Why, you may ask?? Well I made them again and they were so good that I actually remembered to take a photo of them and wanted to share them with you guys just in case you wanted to make them for "Christmas".  They would go great with a nice roasted "Spiral Ham".  YUMMY, my mouth is watering already for it.

"Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pineapples"

Left Overs.... What to do??

Hello,

The guest have all left!  The dishes are all clean and put away!  Now, what do you do with all the left overs?  If you didn't give any to your family and friends food to take home, you will have plenty of left overs.  You can make the typical turkey sandwiches, turkey salad, turkey casserole, potato pancakes, ham salad, ham and bean soup, etc.  I am planning on making a nice big pot of "Turkey Soup" saving some and giving some away.  Who can turn down free soup?

I like to start with sauteing some vegetables, whatever you have in the house will work.  Onions, carrots, celery, zucchini, etc.  I pull off any turkey that I can from the carcass (bones), then take the carcass put it in a big pot cover it with water and simmer it to make stock for your soup.  This will guarantee your soup is full of flavor and enjoyed by everyone.  Once your vegetables are sauteed and your stock is ready combine the two.  If you want to add starch to this soup you can add potatoes, pasta or beans.  Sometimes I like to put in the left over gravy and green beans as well no use leaving it to go to waste.  Just try and be creative with what you have left for leftovers and you will be surprised what you end up with.  I would suggest leaving out anything sweet or that has bread in it. 

LEFTOVER TURKEY SOUP:(whats in my pot?)

diced onions, celery, carrots

turkey (of course)

stock made from turkey carcass

green beans

corn (cans left over in pantry)

left over gravy (if I can get it before the kids)

white beans or potatoes

What do you make from your leftovers?

Look for future leftover recipes and ideas.....................

Enjoy,
Mo

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!!

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING"  "HAPPY TURKEY DAY"

I hope you all are enjoying this day with people whom you are thankful for.   All of those that I am thankful for can't be with me today, but they are with me in my heart and prayers.  So enjoy your family and friends and remember those whom you can't be with today.  Eat a little extra turkey for them and don't forget the gravy.   

"GRAVY"

When many people make gravy they start with a "roux".  Roux is a french term for a thickening agent.  When people make a roux they use some kind of fat and flour in a pan cooking it just long enough, couple minutes and then adding the liquid to this while stirring.  This is a great way to make gravy.  I on the other hand make gravy the way my mom made gravy for years.   It has  always works great!  I mix together a cold liquid and flour. I use either water or broth not to much is needed, just enough to make it thick like pancake batter.  For the main part of the gravy I use the liquid off of my freshly baked turkey.  Pour the liquid into another pan or make it in the pan you have the turkey in, after removing the turkey of course.   Get the liquid to a steady boil.  This requires you to use both hands.  So if you can't pat your head and rub your belly at the same time you may need to get some help.  While the broth is boiling, with a whisk stir the broth and with your other hand slowly pour in your flour mix.  Only use enough to get it to the consistency you like your gravy to be.  If you pour to fast or stir to slow you will create lumps so keep it stirring and pour slowly.  

I hope your gravy is lump free and your turkey is moist.  I have to get back to my dinner!  Enjoy your day!!

Mo

Tomorrow's The Big Day..

Hello,

Tomorrow is the big day!! I hope you are ready.  I am putting the final prepartions on my home and on my menu.  Today I will pare all the potatoes, make the macaroni and cheese, brine my turkey, and snip the fresh green beans.  If there is anything that you can make or prepare today to make tomorrow a smooth day should be done today.

ROASTED GLAZED SWEET POTATOES W/PINEAPPLES

SWEET POTATOES (PEELED & CUT)
VANILLA
BROWN SUGAR
SALT 
CINNAMON
BUTTER
FRESH PINEAPPLE

Cut the potatoes into chunks. Coat them with vanilla, melted butter, cinnamon (not to much), and salt.  Peel and core your fresh pineapple and cut into chunks about the size of the pineapple or a little smaller but not to much or they will burn.  Toss with the potatoes.  Roast all of your ingredients in a back dish until the potatoes are done.  They should have some brown coloring on them.  Stir every 5-10 minutes so your potatoes should be coated with the brown sugar glaze.  These are delicious I hope you enjoy! 

Mo

Load Up The Cart..

Hello,

Well I went shopping this morning, for the Family and Friend Feast.  There were so many sales and so many choices.  Which turkey to buy??? Which ham to purchase???  How many pounds of this or that? Wow, does that really cost that much?  I was happy that I made some good choices!   It required me to go to two different stores, which was across the street from each other so no need to tell me I spent more on the gas to get the deals.  So my advice is to choose wisely and shop around before you spend more than you need to.  Good job on finding great deals to feed your Family and Friends!!

Mo

Whats On The Menu Mo??

Hello,

My sister has been asking and I have finally decided what I will be creating for the "Family and Friend Feast".  It has been a long and tedious decision but I am ready to commit to my decision. (smile) Sometimes I crack myself up.  Everyone will be eating the following:

Turkey

Ham

Dinner Rolls

Cranberry Sauce

Green Beans and Shallots

Green Bean Casserole ????

Glazed Carrots

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes w/ Pineapples

Corn Pudding

Mac & Cheese

Sausage Stuffing

Gravy

(GB Casserole is only if 1 special guest comes)

I realize you don't see any desserts listed but I have been given a reprieve on that one.  My friend is making dessert and I can't wait.  I am secretly hoping she is making a very special cake that she made for a previous gathering in my home.  Maybe just maybe she will read this and know that I have my fingers crossed for that cake.  If anyone has the time feel free to share what you are preparing for your "Family and Friend Feast".

Mo

Prepare Prepare..

Hello,

We are getting closer and closer to the family feast. "YIPPEE!!!"  My only suggestion to make this day doable with as little stress as possible is to "PREPARE".  This week would a great time to start your preparations.  Decide how many family and friends you are allowing to dine on your feast.  The more the better I always say!!  So once the list of dinner companions are decided, now it would be a great idea to start preparing the home.  Clean anything you won't feel like cleaning next week because next week is food preparing time only.  If you use special platters and dishes for this day like I do, this is the week to get those things out and cleaned.  If you wash and wrap your platters and dinner plate stacks in plastic wrap,  they will remain dust free for next Thursday.   This week I am also making a list of all the foods I wish to make for our Thanksgiving meal.  While I am looking at the grocery store fliers for sales I am purchasing anything that is needed that is on sale, with the exception of fresh green vegetables.  Saving cash is always important to me, even when feeding many people.  You never have to break the bank when you want to feed your family.  

THIS WEEKS SUGGESTIONS:
1. Make list of family and friends 

2. Start cleaning 

3. Clean and wrap dishes for the day

4. Buy anything on sale

5. Plan your meal on paper

A Day of Eating..

Hello,

The biggest day of eating is almost here.  It is also the busiest day at my job.  We feed so many people that no one knows how we get it all done.  With a little organization, creativity, and hard work it all gets down.  We will probably make enough food to feed over 1,000 people.  If you haven't figured it out yet I am talking about Thanksgiving!!!  The only day of the year where what you have on the family table is very important.

What will you have on your table this year?  I am having Thanksgiving dinner at my home this year.  I have to admit I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner!  I receive a real satisfying pleasure out of everyone enjoying my food during this time of the year.  I personally never know exactly what I am going to prepare for dinner that day, so I ask my kids first what they would like to eat.  With very picky eaters I need to make sure there is something on the table that they all will eat.  So as of now we will have the stables: Turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese, etc. As you can see they didn't mention a vegetable, I'm still working on them with that one.

My next few post will be some of the foods I am making and ways to help your meal go with less stress.  With photos to follow Thanksgiving Day!!

Have a great day and come back soon for some holiday ideas.

Mo

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!!! 

This is one of those holidays that I was never a fan of but never denied my children from participating if they wanted to.  Unfortunately for them they are all home sick and will not be going out in their great costumes that I made for them.  My oldest Malcolm, will be a scary man... found a face at the local dollar store and some spider webs with spiders on it.  He really didn't care what he was he just knew he had to be something to get the goodies.  Brandon my middle child, is going to be a devil child.  Found a mask for him at the dollar store, made a pitch fork out of hard cardboard, and he is going to wear black.  Now the littlest TREATER, Vanessa, she is going to be a cheetah.  Found some ears, tail and a bow-tie at Target.  Got a child size tee-shirt from the dollar store and we drew in some spots to give her the real cheetah experience.  I love the dollar store, if you can not figure that out already.  I even found face paint to draw in her whiskers.  She looked adorable when we had an earlier dress rehearsal.  Since they are not going out tonight, to torture the neighborhood, I have decided they would trick and treat here at home once everyone is feeling better.  They will dress up in all their attire and go to every door here in the house and collect their treats.  The things I do for my kids!!  So to all the other Mommies and Daddies out there taking their little ones out tonight be safe, check the candy, and don't stay out to late schools tomorrow!!!

Mo