thanksgiving is over and gone and over

hi gentle reader
thanksgiving dinner turned out great! ok let me go through each thing one by one, so i can gush and bask in my own self-pride (for once). so let's see . . .

-rolls. aint no thing. duh.

-corn. vic's domain. . . also easy as pie.
-mashed potatoes. i swear to god, every time i make instant mashed potatoes they have the nastiest consistency. fine, i guess. i need to just make them from scratch.
-green bean casserole- yem!! this is a recipe i should have cut in half. i really like green bean casserole, but my enthusiasm for green beans pretty much disappears after thanksgiving. its all lonely in my fridge now. i didn't use french's french fried onions, but an organic brand that looked a LOT more like actual dried onions than the french's kind. i think it really added to the flavor.

-stuffing. delicious! i made sooo much so i would have lots of leftovers. i used heavy cream instead of milk in the recipe- tons of chicken stock. i baked some inside the turkey cavity, and the rest in a separate casserole dish. i think next year i will use my mom's method of putting the stuffing all around the turkey, and covering all with cheesecloth- that way the stuffing isn't all greasy, but is SO moist and flavorful.

-turkey. i think it turned out well!! we bought an organic turkey (no antibiotics, free range, etc.) which are supposed to be the most flavorful, but are fuckin expensive. luckily, we only bought a 12 pounder. the maple syrup basting was excellent. . . i love turkey skin and it was yem. i think i overcooked it just a little- it was starting to get a little dry.


-gravy. i was super proud of the gravy, because i made it from the pan drippings! you just add some all purpose flour, a can of chicken stock, and a squeeze of lemon juice- turn the heat on high and let it go for about 10-15 minutes, stirring and breaking up the lumps from the flour. you can strain it afterwards to get rid of any lumps or pieces, but i like those.

-pumpkin cheesecake. i really liked it! it was my first try and cheesecake and i was stunned by how incredibly easy it is to make it.

-rich chocolate pecan pie. this turned out so/so. it tasted great, but was a little runny, because i don't think i baked it for a full hour. all the multi-tasking got a little intense after a while, but it was a great meal and a lot of fun. our friends stopped by for some food and cranium. thanks ya'll!! <3

turkey time is almost here

hey ya'll
i am sick as a fuckin dog, which is why i have been mia and also very lax in my thanksgiving preparations. i have my menu ready to go, but haven't even gone shopping for anything yet!! arrg!! heres the menu:

1. maple roasted turkey- see recipe here
*this is supposed to be absolutely delicious- moist and tender, with only a hint of maple flavor. this also includes how to make gravy from the turkey drippings. ahhhh.
2. my mom's stuffing recipe
COMBINE
1 packet cornbread stuffing
1 loaf toasted bread- torn up into little pieces
chopped onions and celery
2-3 spoons of sage, poultry seasoning, salt, black
pepper
2 eggs
small amount of milk
chicken broth, enough to moisten
stick in the turkey and around it, also in a separate dish because there will be lots!
*just play around with it- dont worry too much about getting everything exact. this was my favorite thing to make for thanksgiving growing up- i love eating it raw in fact, which i know is pretty fuckin gross. SUE ME.
3. corn
4. rolls *i'm just buying them ready made. . . can't go to all that trouble!!
5. green bean casserole!!from allrecipes.com
6. instant mashed potatoes
7. pumpkin cheesecake (SUPER easy)
8. chocolate pecan pie check it

as you can see, i'm pretty much the food network's bitch. so if you need more info about trussin up your turkey or anything like that, go to their website. but please don't do anything rachael ray would do, k? we don't like her. i'm planning on making the pumpkin cheesecake wednesday nite and refrigerating it, and assembling the green bean casserole in advance, then sticking it in the oven about an hour before dinner time. these little things can help make your day go a little more smoothly. ill post some pics on thanksgiving and chart my progress for ya. this is the first time i am making thanksgiving dinner 100% on my own.
also, my sister sent me more menu ideas- these are a little less traditional and just as delicious!!

menu 1
cranberry sauce- yum but my stupey boyfriend doesn't like it, so i probably won't bother making it
gravy
rice pilaf
turkey n' stuffin'- BUT OF COURSE MADAM
pumpkin pie and whipped cream- you know how much i love pumpkin pie. but i seriously have made it like 8 times in the past month. i need to calm down.
rolls
salad- more health conscious people will appreciate this because it is really fuckin hard to stick to a diet at this time of year. help them/me!! i recommend something like arugula with blue cheese and some kind of homemade dressing.
roasted potatoes
sweet potatoes

menu 2
honey glazed ham
sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing- i made my own variation on this with a duck i cooked a couple months ago- its yummy, very fruity and kind of sweet but tempered by the spicy, flavorful sausage.
rice pilaf
green bean curry- i don't know how to make this, but i know its good. reen made it for me once.
gravy
ham glaze
braised potatoes
cranberry sauce
chopped pineapple
appetizers: artichoke dip, cheese, crackers, and sliced baguette- i was in charge of this my last thanksgiving at reen's. its simple and delicious- and great if you are having a large crowd over, to keep them satisfied till you unveil the turkey or ham. or tofurkey.
dessert: cranberry upside down cake- i'm not a HUGE cranberry fan but this is excellent and very thanksgiving-y
frozen mocha toffee crunch terrine- this was AWESOME. i'm sure you can find these recipes on allrecipes or online somewhere. .

good luck ladies and gents. xoxo

reader recipes/thanksgiving menu

hi ya'll
please comment me your quick and easy favorite meals. or your hard and elaborate favorite meals. kwals sent me the recipe for her latest meal-
-put some shrimp in a bowl w/ soy sauce and lime juice and pepper
-let them marinate
-wrap the shrimp in strips of bacon
-bake them in the oven for 15 mins

YUM!!! and EASY!!! go kwals.

so here is my tenative thanksgiving menu

*maple roasted turkey with sage and cornbread stuffing
*green bean casserole
*mashed potatoes w/gravy
*pumpkin cheesecake
*pecan pie
*rolls

am i forgetting anything? i am also desperate for a turducken. . . but i'm too lazy and that shits expensive. i'm going to order one for xmas i think- its like $30 for a turducken roll, so i can give it a whirl before making my own. but i can't imagine it being less than incredible. xo

yay the party was great!!

so fun was had by all at my party. i actually managed to stay up till 2:30 am, which is a huge accomplishment, considering this past week i went to bed at 7:30 every nite. so my menu went well, with some minor setbacks- i could find the pastry sheets at my ghetto ass supermarket, so i just bought hebrew national brand pigs in a blanket as a substitute for the hogs in a sleeping bag. they were delicious i must say. my pumpkin pie was a little lopsided. . . my salsa was excellent. i think next time i would use fewer stewed tomatoes or drain them just a little bit. the guac was good, but my guac is always just a little bland, no matter what i do! suggestions? i was low on garlic, so that might be why. everything else went well and i was very happy. heres some pics-

my beloved hamburger oven holder thingies from sur la table


i bought harvest mix candycorn at giant eagle to display in my mummy ramekins. kristen ferrell plates, new shoes, harvest mix. somehow, they all belong together.


rockin the toastmaster for whipped cream


salsa-


doggie birthday cake, minus the frosting- to avoid upsetting alaira's tumm


susan's birthday cake (i used some leftover icing to create what is popularly known as the heart shaped nipple. but not on purpose. but i like it, k?


and some party shit- chris is the coolest friend ever and dressed up.
e
even though i did not.

wheres the eye candy?? i need eye candy. oh. there it is. better.

a good party always needs eye candy. rock on.

**my next project is planning thanksgiving dinner. because vic and i will be family-less this year, i am making my first turkey. menu planning will begin soon!

alaira's halloween birthday bash

saturday nite will be alaira's and also susan's halloween birthday bash. like all of my parties, it is much looked forward to and most likely, will generally be a failure in terms of attendance, fun, etc. BUT ILL NEVER STOP TRYING!!! and in more positive news, i am making lots of snacks and desserts. here's the menu:

menu
homemade salsa, guacamole, and cheesy dip w/chips
paula dean's hogs in a sleeping bag
doggie birthday cake
personal pumpkin pies in heart shaped foil trays- pumpkin + heart= halloween + my love of autumn.
susan's birthday cake- yellow cake with chocolate filling and cream cheese frosting

so nothing major, but hopefully satisfying/delicious.

homemade salsa

* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
* 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
* 3 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
* 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
* 3 serrano chilis, seeded and chopped
* salt and pepper to taste
* fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients in an electric blender. Pulse until the salsa is to your desired consistency.

This recipe came from allrecipes.com but I modified with some help from the reviewers and my own personal preferences. my favorite salsa is from la fiesta in pittsburgh, and i'm hoping this will taste similar.

guacamole
* 2 avocados
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 ripe tomato, chopped
* 1 lime, juiced (important so it doesnt get all brown and gross)
* a spoonful or two of sour cream
* salt and pepper to taste

Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper, and sour cream. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for half an hour to blend flavors.

cheesy dip!!!
1/2 cup beer (iron city or yuengling please)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup salsa (i'm going to use my own or newman's own, which i ADORE)
1 16-ounce package Velveeta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (add more if u like)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 small chopped onion
1 can of green chiles
I also might throw in some chili powder.

Combine ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.

paula deen's hogs in a sleeping bag

1 (16-ounce) package polska kielbasa
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed and lightly rolled out
1 egg
Honey mustard, barbeque sauce or apricot jam, for serving, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut kielbasa into 6 (4-inch) pieces. Cut puff pastry sheets into thirds (6 strips). Roll each piece of kielbasa in puff pastry and place on a baking sheet.

Beat egg in a small dish and brush generously over pastry. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes. Serve with mustard, barbeque sauce, or jam, if desired.

doggie birthday cake
Peanut Butter Carrot Cake
* 1 cup flour
* 1tsp baking soda
* 1/4 cup peanut butter
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup shredded carrots
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1/3 cup honey
* 1 egg

Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8" round cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots. YAY!! This cake is for alaira but kind of for gabe too, even tho i hate him. . . he is turning 7 this year and my sweet little princess is turning 4.

personal pumpkin pies
see one of the entries below. a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top of each. you'll have to adjust the cooking time slightly, to 35 min or something like that. experiment.

susan's birthday cake
this cake is inspired by the cake kwals and i made for her birthday about 3-4 years ago. it was heart shaped, strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. we were incredibly high and it was the best thing i have ever tasted in my life. i dont think susan likes strawberry flavor though, so i won't be recreating that beautiful night of gluttony. but anyway, its nothin fancy. box of betty crocker yellow cake mix. bake two 8 inch rounds. spread chocolate frosting on one layer, slap the other one on top. then cover the whole thing with delicious cream cheese frosting. i'm sure this would all taste better homemade- depending on my time, maybe i will at least make the frosting. vic's mom is a master baker and gave me all kinds of cookbooks- i want to try my hand at baking much more then i normally do. hopefully i will be recovered from jet lag soon and get back into my normal routine.