Thursday, November 20, 2014

Thanksgiving is a week out! Here's some of the recipes I plan on using

Thanksgiving is a week out.  I'm currently going through my pantry inventory to make sure I have all my ingredients.  I've also starting cleaning the house so everything will be perfect for our guests.  Doing a little bit every day, having the kids help out, making a list and dividing it up...all help the holiday season go smoothly.    

My Thanksgiving menu will be as follows:
  • Turkey
  • Ham
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Smoked Gouda mashed potatoes
  • Turkey Gravy
  • Sausage and cornbread stuffing
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Homemade Bread
  • Scalloped  potatoes with 4 cheeses
  • Cauliflower Gratin
  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios
  • Multi grain Rice Pilaf
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Apple Pie

My go-to website has always been FoodNetwork.com.  I love the way its set up.  I love its variety of recipes.  I've been cooking long enough to know where I can change an ingredient and know where I can't.  That being said, the whole website just makes cooking a whole lot easier. 

Here's a few of the recipes I plan on using:

Turkey-I usually buy a medium sized turkey. I look for a 12-14 pound turkey.  There are 2 ways I make a turkey.  One way is to roast the turkey in the oven  I take various fruits and vegetables and place them inside the turkey. I then use a turkey dry rub seasoning.  I really like almost all the recipes from Food Network's Patrick and Gina Neeley (find their full recipe here)

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Ground Pepper
2 Teaspoons Dried Thyme
2 Teaspoons Dried Rosemary
1 Teaspoon Dried Sage
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

The other way I cook a turkey is to smoke it in our electric smoker.  I really like Alton Brown's Honey Brined Smoke Turkey Recipe (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/honey-brined-smoked-turkey-recipe2.html.)   He actually uses a grill, so I improvise the cooking method with my electric smoker.


Ham- I love ham.  My kids love ham.  I like to buy the spiral hams and I think they are just easier to prepare.  I've had my share of Honey Baked hams, and although I love them I do not love the price.  For my family, we tend to buy the Aldi brand of spiral ham.  We bake it exactly like the recipe dictates, but sometimes add either a "wash" of Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, or a wash of orange juice.  

Mashed Potatoes- I like the classic mashed potato recipe.  Sometimes I may add a little kick...either garlic, or smoke Gouda cheese, or sour cream.  

My basic recipe is as follows:
Russet Potatoes
1/2 and 1/2
Butter
Salt 
Pepper

Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing -   I  loosely follow the recipe from the Bob Evans Sage Sausage package. For those of you in the south, where oftentimes Bob Evans is not sold, I'm sorry but you'll have to substitute Jimmy Dean.  

  • 1 pound Bob Evans Savory Sage Sausage Roll
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 (14 ounce) package cubed cornbread stuffing
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 2 1/2 cups turkey broth
  • 1/2 cup melted butter/ or 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup olive oil


Green Bean Almondine - Easy, easy....

Salt
Green Beans
Butter
Lemon Juice
Sliced Almonds

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