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

3 Days and Counting...

Hello,

Well there are 3 short days and counting, left to be prepared for the big "Family and Friend Feast".  This is the time to start organizing what you are going to create for this special day.  If you have a frozen turkey it needs to be out of the freezer and into the refrigerator.  The worse thing to happen come Thanksgiving morning is to have a rock hard frozen turkey still. "NOT GOOD!!" Go over everything you are making by making a list of the ingredients needed.  If there is something missing from your pantry on your list, this is the time to go to the grocery store.  You don't want to wait until Thanksgiving morning to run to the store and find a crowd or even that they are out of stock.  This would make a very hectic and nerve racking Thanksgiving Day! 

When I was a little girl we would always visit our Aunt Mazie for all special holiday dinners.  She was a great cook. So, I think it must run in the family genes.  Some members of the family I will admit does not have this gene.  Don't tell them I said that, because they all think they are geniuses in the kitchen. 

Whenever I would go to Aunt Mazie's home I was always excited to eat a corn dish that she called "Corn Pudding".  It was so delicious I always had seconds.  Aunt Mazie died years ago and I never had the opportunity to ask her about her recipe.  Once I started my own family and started creating "Family and Friend Feast" for myself I wanted to bring a little of my childhood into my kids childhood and make "Corn Pudding".

I searched the internet and found one that came close to what I wanted but after following the recipe exactly as it was written I realized there could be some changes to make it better.  Here is what I came up with.  I hope you enjoy it, but change it if you would like to make it to your liking.

CORN PUDDING

1 can of whole corn (drained)

1 can of cream of corn

1/2 cup of flour or cornmeal

1/2 stick of butter or margarine

2 large eggs beaten

1 cup of milk (your choice)

1/4 cup of sugar

salt and pepper

 

Drain your whole corn and mix with the cream of corn.  Add your 2 beaten eggs, milk,  and melted butter.  After you have mixed those ingredients add the  sugar, flour, s & p.   Bake in a 350F degree oven for about 30-40 minutes.  The center should be set, meaning it does not jiggle when you shake it and if you touched it its not as wet as when you poured it in.  I baked this in a 9 inch ceramic pie plate, rubbed with butter, so I could serve it straight to the table just like this.  I hope you enjoy!!!!!

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

Roasted Potatoes

Hello,

Sometimes when I am at work I want to come up with something NEW!!  This happened last night.  I needed a potato dish and it came to me.  I have no name for my newest creation, but they turned out better than I thought.  First I like to use red skinned potatoes whenever I want a roasted potato dish, but any potato will roast. 

It is always best to clean and cut your potatoes.  Nothing is worse than eating something that looks so delicious to get an unexpected "CRUNCH"....... dirt.  "YUCK!!"  So if you don't feel like cleaning your potatoes I would recommending stopping right now and go to a pasta link or even ordering out. 
Well it looks like you are willing to take the proper steps in preparing this dish so lets begin:

"Clean and dried potatoes"

INGREDIENTS:
LARGE RED SKIN POTATOES
OLIVE OIL
PAPRIKA, SALT & PEPPER
GARLIC (FRESH OR DRY)
ONION POWDER
CHEDDAR & MONTERREY JACK CHEESE MIX
CILANTRO & CHIVES

Pumpkin Soup?

Hello,
Okay I was a little worried when someone last night requested "pumpkin soup", but I was up for the challenge.  I always knew people made pumpkin soup, but I must admit I have always thought "YUCK, Pumpkin pie yes, Soup NEVER!!!".  I sadly was wrong.  Okay I don't admit that often so make a mental note of it.   Pumpkin soup is perfect for this time of year.  Your guest would think you spent all day cooking it not realizing it can be made with canned pumpkin. 

"Ginger Pumpkin Soup"

 INGREDIENTS:
CANNED PUMPKIN
ONION
FRESH GINGER
CHICKEN OR VEGETABLE BROTH
FRESH THYME
OLIVE OIL
SALT AND PEPPER

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