Did someone say "Italian Cornbread" ?

A couple of months ago, my BFF made this on her food network show.   It spoke to me, loudly.  So, when Thanksgiving and cooler weather rolled around the corner,  I knew what had to be made.   Soon!

Italian Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 T. baking powder

1 t. kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup milk

1 large egg

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 cup grated parmesan

2 T. diced sun-dried tomatoes

1/2 t. oregano

1/4 cup + 2 T. shortening

Preheat the oven to 450*.  

Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder & salt.

Measure the milks and add the egg.  Stir together.

Add the baking soda and stir.

Add the parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes & oregano.

Mix it all together.

In a small bowl, melt the 1/4 cup shortening in the microwave and slowly add to the batter.  

Stir this until just combined.

In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons shortening over medium hear.  Pour the batter into the hot skillet and spread.  Cook on the stove top for about a minute.   Transfer to the oven and bake for about  25 minutes or until golden.

Cut and enjoy!

 I served it with a hot bowl of my tomato soup!   That recipe also came from my bestie, Ree.   Any remaining leftovers were combined into my recipe  for crockpot stuffing on Thanksgiving Day!!!    Oh the goodness!

I am so thankful for the cranberry relish!!

 For years, my children have enjoyed the benefits of having a Williams Sonoma around the corner.      I have always thought..... why make it when the store bought is so good!!!    My daughter enjoys using the relish on her Thanksgiving day leftovers panini sandwich.    The gravy is also delicious!!!

Fortunately, this year, I have a jar of the gravy base...  I am good.  My daughter was set on having that relish for her sandwich.   We looked all over EP to find a jar.    Unless, we wanted something with green chili mixed in...   we were out of luck.   Here is the substitute recipe I doctored around with.   We will definitely make this again next year.   Who knows, maybe next week.   Turkey gravy is next on my list to conquer.

Cranberry-Apple Relish

1 bag cranberries

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1 apple, peeled and diced

1 cup maple syrup

2 oranges, zested and then the juice squeezed into the pan

maybe an 1/8 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Bring to a boil and simmer about 15 minutes.   Try to crush the pomegranates and cranberries as they cook.   However, they will naturally crush and burst as they cook.  Next time, I will also chop the apple in smaller pieces.  

I plan to pour it over a block of cream cheese and use a wheat think as the vessel.    I am now ashamed to say I have bought the jarred stuff previously.   The hardest part was zesting the oranges.   I am still not sure if I did that correctly.   

Until next time friends,  I hope you all find something to be thankful for other than the cranberry relish!!   

Kolaches!!!!!

Ok,   I have lived here on the other side of the world for 3 months.  It is obvious that I may have to learn to enjoy white queso.   It is also obvious that I may need to learn how to make it better at home.  Maybe I should do more than melt together velvetta and a can of rotel?   Who am I kidding here......  it is better like that than with the weird white cheese and chunks of green chilis!!!

However, there are some things that I may not get to eat again for quite a long time.   I will have to learn to make them!    Kolache's are on the top of the list!!!!   There is a gas station just south of Hillsboro, Texas on HWY 35.    All us Texan's refer to it as the Czech Stop.    My car just pulls off the interstate on its own and stops.   Half of the station is this cute little bakery with a case of kolaches in every flavor known to man kind.    There are always a dozen or more families lined up for this goodness.   Cream cheese, apple, strawberry, peach, blackberry, sausage, lemon.........  you name it and they have a flavor.

I found this recipe last summer in a regional Texas cookbook.    I think the next time I will substitute some apple pie filling for the cream cheese.  The cream cheese was really tasty...but I think my boys will enjoy apple a bit more.

Cream Cheese Kolaches

2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100*-110*)  honestly, I just used really hot tap water.
1  (8 oz) container sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Combine yeast & water in a measuring cup... stir and let stand for 5 minutes.
Stir together the rest until blended in a large mixing bowl.  Add the yeast until well blended.

Using the dough hook, add the flour 1 cup at a time and beat at a medium-low speed for about 5 minutes until the dough leaves the side of the bowl and pulls together.   (I used a spatula to get it off the sides a bit during mixing.)

Cover bowl with lightly greased plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.

Turn dough onto a well floured surface and shape into 16 (2-inch) balls.  Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on buttered baking sheets.  Let it rise in a warm place until about doubled in size.    Maybe an hour to an 1 1/2 hours...  draft free .....

Now  make the cream cheese stuff!!!

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

6 Tablespoons sugar

1 large egg yolk  

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

Combine all that until smooth.

Preheat the oven until 350*.   Form an indentation in the top of the roll with a spoon or thumb.  Spoon about a tablespoon into the top.  Brush with egg white and water combination.

Bake about 15 minutes or until golden.

Enjoy!!!

Aunt Vickie's Sweet Potatoes

I really should begin this blog entry with a rambling about being Thankful.   Every year, I do that.  Every year,  it seems I list the usual stuff.   I am a blessed girl.  I have all the things I need.  God provides it all.   When it seems like all it lost and God is nowhere to be seen....  BAM.  He sends in the most amazing answered prayer.    Yea, that is how he works.   It is the kind of stuff that gives faith a booster shot.   This year our family was given that kind of booster shot.

Despite the bad things that have occurred this year, we have been blessed with jobs.  I was blessed with a new car.  Unfortunately, the grey cave aka... 2004 Honda Odyssey, died at a most inconvenient time.    The kids are all healthy despite their warts, zits and dry skin.   The dog is living on cloud nine.  He gets fed and loved in spite of a very bad haircut.     Greg & I are getting older.   We are finding grey hair and wrinkles.  Pretty soon, he will see 50.   Me,  I choose to be ageless.

Several years ago, Aunt Vickie brought her sweet potatoes to a Thanksgiving dinner.   Even though Aunt Vickie divorced her way out of the family......  We kept her recipe.   I think we should rethink calling them Aunt Vickie's Sweet Potatoes.    Until recently,  I thought these couldn't be messed up.   Was I ever wrong!  The secret is in the topping. Please don't blob it on top.   Gently scatter it across the entire pan just before cooking.    

Aunt Vickie's Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes  (2 - 29 oz can - drained)

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 stick butter

1 tbs vanilla

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

**topping

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup chopped pecans
cinnamon, to taste

Blend it all together and pour into a sprayed 9x13 pan.

Combine topping and crumble over the entire pan.

Bake @ 450* for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!    I usually prep it all the day before.  I leave the crumbles in a ziplock bag until just before I cook it.    It makes cooking so much simpler on the big day if it all has been prepped the day before.

Chicken Broth

It has been on my mind to attempt making broth from a Thanksgiving Turkey.  I noticed on FB that a high school friend of mine does it every year and she even asks neighbors for their leftover turkey bones.  If she can do it....  why shouldn't I give it a whirl?  Does it matter that her mother was a home economics teacher?  Yes?  NO!  That woman was my teacher as well.   I CAN DO THIS... I CAN DO THIS...(repeat 3x).

Earlier this week when my dear hubby brought home a Costco Rotisserie Chicken the other night for dinner, my brain started spinning.  Why not try it on a chicken first?   We first polished off most of the meat for dinner.   Costco chickens are huge!  They are a must-purchase-item!

Get out your large crockpot and one of those crockpot liners if you  have them.   They just make cleanup easier!  I usually find them on the bottom shelf at the store.

So, line the pot.  

Place the turkey/chicken carcass in the pot.  (bones, fat, any extra meat...the whole bird!)   

Grab about 3 carrots and 3 celery sticks and throw them in the pot. 

6 peppercorns & 2 or 3 bay leaves 

Add a garlic clove or two and also a large chopped onion.  

Don't chop anything too finely...you will just be straining it all out eventually! 

 Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar.  (I read that it draws the nutrients out of the bones.)

I wouldn't salt just yet.  Wait until you actually cook with it.

Cover with water as high as you can in the crockpot and turn on high for about 24 hours.

Strain it all and pour into freezable containers.  Enjoy!  

I will be doing this again with all the Thanksgiving turkeys this year!  

Hey neighbors..... Can I have all your turkey bones?

*mental note...maybe next time add some cilantro or rosemary?

Using all that leftover turkey (or chicken) & creating happiness

Yea, you heard that right...............happiness.  It all comes together in the end of this one and world peace is created around a plate filled with "Chicken/Turkey pot pie."    This stuff is so easy.............It will simply make your whole world a better place.  Easy assembly.  Easy Peasy & Delicious!
Did I mention minimum dishes to clean up afterwards?  

Run/Drive to the grocery store & buy these 3 things.

*A jar of Alfredo sauce....any flavor.  I like the one with mushrooms!
* A half- bag of frozen mixed vegetables.
*A box of Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust.

Assuming that you have some leftover Thanksgiving turkey....chop up about 3 cups into small bite sized pieces.   If not, you need to purchase & debone a roasted chicken.

*A roteriserie chicken


Roll out the dough and put the first layer in the pie plate.
Mix up the half bag of vegetables, the poultry & the alfredo. Spoon it into the crust.
Take the remaining pie-crust and arrange it on top & crimp the edges with your fingers.

Brush the top with an egg wash.  Snip a hole or two in the top for steam to escape.  Shake some freshly ground pepper & sea salt on top.

Bake @ 375 for about 25-30 minutes or until golden.

Use those leftover veggies for a vegetable beef stew!!!!!  



Enjoy the holidays Friends! Take some time to relax and enjoy the moments!!!

The day before cooking.

Today,  I have burned as many calories as I have cooked and assembled the side dishes.

The list is very long on Thanksgiving must haves for dinner.

Turkey
Stuffing
Sweet Potatoes
Hatch Green Chili Corn Casserole
Cranberry Crunch
Cranberry Jello (straight from the can)
Pink Fluffy Stuff
Green Bean Casserole
Williams Sonoma Gravy...this stuff is the bomb.
Dinner Rolls.......Aunt Laverne's secret recipe.

Pumpkin Cheesecake topped off with  chocolate ganache.
TUMS..... by the bucketload.

In order to have all that as a late lunch/dinner.....one must have a fun breakfast.  Tomorrow's will be sausage balls & cinnamon rolls.

Am I a glutton for calories?  Not usually.  Tomorrow is the exception.  I like the side dishes.  Personally, I can live without the jello-like cranberries.  They just aren't special.  The turkey makes me the happiest as a leftover sandwich.  Oh dear.......  I forgot to purchase the sourdough bread for my special sandwiches...........

Thankfulness.

This year has been a difficult one to find things for which I am thankful for.   Yes, I can tell you that I am grateful for my new Fossil purse that a friend found for me.  I can add my DH & the kids to the list.  I can tell you that I am grateful for my computer.  I love my MAC & couldn't imagine life without my calendar syncing to the iPhone.   I am grateful for my job.  It keeps me somewhat sane….and well dressed.    Yes,  LS…….  I know you find that one shocking, the sane part.   All of the mentioned are meaningless.  Well, not all!

But this year,   I really need to shout out to a few friends who have remained in my grasp.   You know who you are……..  R.B. (aka…the Cajun),   C.K., R.G.,  P.I., K.B., L.S., B.W., G.N. & her husband W.N.,  L.B. (aka Ethyl),  DF & LF,   M.L. & T.P., J.G.   You guys have kept in touch with me.  I have loved & needed the random phone calls.  The texts that keep me laughing.  The love & prayers.  The unconditional support.  You guys have been my rock and for that I have been grateful.  Thanks friends.


Now because I love you, friends…..  This is my current Thanksgiving dish.  This is the one that makes my heart go pitter patter.   My favorite Aunt made it one time at Thanksgiving and it changed my life.  Even though she is gone……  I may never forgive her for making it ONE time.  So I made it better…..  GREEN CHILIS!  OH MY!  I am very thankful for the GREEN CHILI'S!  I hope you will be too.

I would put a picture of the finished dish on here…..but yellow makes a terrible picture.  Forgive me…and buy me some much needed new camera gear!   Christmas is coming & I have been a good girl!

 

Pumpkin Bread - with or without cranberries & pecans

Today I received a threatening text from RB, the Cajun.   She mentioned visiting my BFF's blog more frequently if I didn't change my latest post and remove the cranberries.  Apparantly, cranberries are offensive to the Cajun.  Who knew?   I believe Ree won't notice the new Cajun from LA when she hasn't even noticed the Redneck Texan yet.


This post was up next on the old blogging block.   R.B. can skip the cranberries.

My son, CG, begs for this!  He absolutely loves pumpkin bread.  He loves it even more with fresh cranberries.  I make it for him year round.  During the summer……  I just leave out the cranberries.  It is too difficult to find them during the summer and craisins just aren't a good substitute.

PS….  Watch the baking time with fresh cranberries.  I tend to bake it a bit longer with them.

Cranberry Crunch...YUMMMMMM!!!!

As promised from last year I am posting this recipe from our Thanksgiving meal.  It was delicious.  Everyone.....except my dear husband loved it.   G.G.  loves the traditional cranberry sauce.  He prefers it straight from the can with the lines and all.......  YUCK.

Cranberry Crunch

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened

Mix everything together except the sauce.  Spread half of the oatmeal stuff in a pie plate.  Spread the Sauce.  Crumble the rest on top.

Bake at 350* for about 35 minutes.

This was taken before baking.

I found this recipe over at the Southern Plate.  She has some great pictures of the finished product too.  She has even topped it with vanilla ice cream.   If you have never been to the Southern Plate blog.....go check out Miss Christy.  While I don't know her personally......I consider her my friend.

http://www.southernplate.com/2011/11/cranberry-crunch-and-ghosts-of-thanksgiving-past.html

Yes, that is a disco ball.  Tramp loves to chase the sparkles across the yard.

This is about as fall as it gets here at our house.  Happy Fall Friends!

Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Lets face it.........I have to be honest.  I hate cooking turkey's.  I don't mind eating turkey.  It is just that they are difficult.  They are difficult to stuff and take forever to cook.  Just pulling the neck & giblets out  makes me sick.  The sight of large naked raw meat is slightly awkward.  They are difficult to truss up.  Shoving them inside a large cooking bag takes skill and 5 hands.  Carving them is a messy situation.   Why do I wait until the last minute to figure out how to cook the butterball?  Why do I attempt to cook a whole turkey every year?  Tradition I suppose.   Is it tradition to find whatever you have in the refrigerator and then shove it all up the carcass of a dead bird and pray for a "Thanksgiving Miracle" to happen 4 hours later?  Tradition, I suppose.

Every year we make the traditional side dishes.  These are the ones that generations will talk about.  These are the traditions that make a family. Every year the menu is the same.  I start planning this menu in October.  Nah......really I don't.  I get out the recipes the weekend before and start buying everything.

Sweet Potato Casserole
Pink Fluffy Stuff
Crock Pot Stuffing
Cranberry Jelly...from the Can
Cheesy Corn Casserole
Pecan Pie.....  From Costco
Dinner Rolls
Ice Tea

If we have extra people dining with us.....

Green Bean Casserole
Fruit Salad
Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake
Appetizers

This year I have included a new recipe into the day.  I found it over at the Southern Plate.  It is called Cranberry Crunch and it looked really yummy.  We shall see if it becomes a traditional favorite.

Today, my children are especially thankful for the "Pink Fluffy Stuff."  We always have this as a side dish.  It could definitely fall into the dessert category.  But, we like to think of it as fruit salad???  Yes, that's it!!   I like to use my favorite glass salad bowl because this stuff is pretty to look at.


1 can of sweetened condensed milk  (in the south we refer to this as "Eagle Brand")
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 quart of cool whip
1 large can of crushed pineapples, drained

Mix it all together & chill.  Some people like to sprinkle  chopped pecans on top.  No thanks!  We only eat pecans on pie at Thanksgiving.

A Thanksgiving Classic............

A year or so on facebook...the lovely Julie H. commented on a post of mine about making Thanksgiving dinner.   I mentioned that this stuff was a staple at our house.  I like it just because I can forget about it and worry about something else that needs to be baking.  I found the recipe in a Southern Living magazine and adopted it as mine.  Some might call it plagairism.  I call it MINE.  You decide..............




CROCK POT DRESSING...
Ona’s Slowcooker Cornbread Dressing

4 ½ cups cornbread crumbs (I typically make cornbread the day before.)
1 (16 oz) pkg herb stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farm)
2 (10 3/4) oz cans cream of chicken soup
2 (14 oz) cans low sodium chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon rubbed sage  (sometimes I forget to buy this stuff..)
½ teaspoon salt – (I always use kosher sea salt)
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter, cut up

Stir everything together in a LARGE bowl. Pour it into a large lightly greased crockpot & dot it with the butter.
Cook, covered, on low for about 4 hours or until cooked through & set.



so easy...so yummy...and it totally leaves the oven ready for something else!!!!!     Don't forget the slow-cooker liner and you will avoid clean-up too!!!!!   Oh yeah!

It might have been nicer if that picture of my crock pot showed the actual dressing.  I think I was just bored with a camera last year........  I  also think I should have washed the outside a little bit better.

• 

**** 11/27/2014 edit   This year I altered it just a bit and made the stuffing even more amazing.  I cooked a tube of Jimmy Dean sausage and added it to the stuffing along with about a half can of chicken broth.   No words can describe how remarkably amazing the stuffing is with this small change of BIG FLAVOR.

Would someone please make this for me?

Ok,  last week on GMT they had a girl on there making appetizers.  She made this and all the teens in the audience were going crazy for this stuff.  This stuff is all I have been thinking of when I am in the kitchen or grocery store.  I am avoiding it.  I think it might be amazing and I am afraid to go there.  Anything with BACON!!!!!

Here goes............

Get a brownie pan and layer this stuff in it.

1 brick of cream cheese....softened and spread out.
1 jar of pumpkin butter
crumbled bacon
green onions
toasted pecans

I saw a bag of "Stacy's Pita Chips" at Sams yesterday.  They were gingerbread flavored.  Would that work?
Wheat thins might also be a good one to dip into it.

Someone?  Please?  Make this and let me know!!



11/29/11....... Here is the official picture of that madness.  It was awesome.  It was different.