Thanksgiving Eve!
Healthy side dish ideas!
Last minute centerpieces!
Thawing turkeys!
Leave a comment and share what you are thankful for this year. I'm feeling particularly thankful for my wonderful husband, our four terrible pets, cinnamon tea, all the lovely people in my life (online and off), a challenging job, and a busy life where every day interesting.
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving Pop Culture
Hey, remember when Snoopy made ice cream sundaes and Woodstock helped make buttered toast for Charlie Brown and the gang? For no reason that actually makes any sense? New cartoon specials, along with other Thanksgiving goodies, are up here. They might get you in the Thanksgiving mood.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanksgiving Veggie-Style
Because we don't all partake in the turkey part of turkey day, I've found some tips on vegetarian Thanksgivings. If you're hosting dinner with some vegetarian guests, these might be helpful--it doesn't have to be tricky. Especially if you follow the first tip:
1) ASK ABOUT DIETARY RESTRICTIONS FIRST. This is crucial, especially if you're expecting guests you don't know well. Vegetarians might eat cheese or eggs, while vegans will eat nothing animal at all. (No dairy, no eggs, no cheese.) There are pescetarians, lactovegetarians, ovovegetarians, and so on. Ask lots of questions before you cook. This is also helpful even when all your guests are carnivorous--it's nice to find out ahead of time if guests have allergies, intolerances, etc. Open communication ahead of time is key.
2) If you like to cook your stuffing inside the turkey, consider cooking a small amount outside the turkey. Vegetarians may or may not eat something that has touched meat. (The same goes for utensils, plates, etc.) Setting aside portions of foods so they don't get mixed in with meat product is usually easily done.
3) Watch your prepackaged foods--some vegetarians don't eat gelatin, whey, or sodium caseinate because they are derived from animals. (Yes, gelatin is made from animals. Yet another weird reason for me to justify my hatred of all food jiggly. You know, other than my real reason for hating it, which is that it's too jiggly.)
4) Make sure you have plenty of vegetarian-friendly side items (this shouldn't be hard, since most cranberry sauces, sweet potato dishes, breads, green beans, and potato dishes are veggie-friendly--just be aware that if there are marshmallows on your yams, a vegetarian might not eat it because of the gelatin, or if there is chicken broth instead of vegetable broth in your stuffing, it will be declined) (same goes for bacon in your green beans, etc). This might be a good opportunity to try something new and seasonal, like a pumpkin soup or squash dish. Maybe something with portobello mushrooms or eggplant. You can easily find a yummy vegetarian entree that non-vegetarians will love as a side dish--just make sure the vegetarians get enough!
5) Some vegetarians like things like tofurkey, others don't. Don't feel obligated to make a ton of a special meat substitute if you aren't sure they will eat (or even like) it.
6) Invite all your dinner guests to bring a dish. This will help cut back on your stress (and theirs) if they bring something that will definitely meet their dietary needs. And you won't have to cook as much, which means you can spend more time taste-testing things and getting in on all the family holiday gossip.
These tips and more can be found here, along with instructions on making tofurkey.
Any vegetarians out there with more insight? What am I leaving out? Any favorite Thanksgiving dishes you like?
1) ASK ABOUT DIETARY RESTRICTIONS FIRST. This is crucial, especially if you're expecting guests you don't know well. Vegetarians might eat cheese or eggs, while vegans will eat nothing animal at all. (No dairy, no eggs, no cheese.) There are pescetarians, lactovegetarians, ovovegetarians, and so on. Ask lots of questions before you cook. This is also helpful even when all your guests are carnivorous--it's nice to find out ahead of time if guests have allergies, intolerances, etc. Open communication ahead of time is key.
2) If you like to cook your stuffing inside the turkey, consider cooking a small amount outside the turkey. Vegetarians may or may not eat something that has touched meat. (The same goes for utensils, plates, etc.) Setting aside portions of foods so they don't get mixed in with meat product is usually easily done.
3) Watch your prepackaged foods--some vegetarians don't eat gelatin, whey, or sodium caseinate because they are derived from animals. (Yes, gelatin is made from animals. Yet another weird reason for me to justify my hatred of all food jiggly. You know, other than my real reason for hating it, which is that it's too jiggly.)
4) Make sure you have plenty of vegetarian-friendly side items (this shouldn't be hard, since most cranberry sauces, sweet potato dishes, breads, green beans, and potato dishes are veggie-friendly--just be aware that if there are marshmallows on your yams, a vegetarian might not eat it because of the gelatin, or if there is chicken broth instead of vegetable broth in your stuffing, it will be declined) (same goes for bacon in your green beans, etc). This might be a good opportunity to try something new and seasonal, like a pumpkin soup or squash dish. Maybe something with portobello mushrooms or eggplant. You can easily find a yummy vegetarian entree that non-vegetarians will love as a side dish--just make sure the vegetarians get enough!
5) Some vegetarians like things like tofurkey, others don't. Don't feel obligated to make a ton of a special meat substitute if you aren't sure they will eat (or even like) it.
6) Invite all your dinner guests to bring a dish. This will help cut back on your stress (and theirs) if they bring something that will definitely meet their dietary needs. And you won't have to cook as much, which means you can spend more time taste-testing things and getting in on all the family holiday gossip.
These tips and more can be found here, along with instructions on making tofurkey.
Any vegetarians out there with more insight? What am I leaving out? Any favorite Thanksgiving dishes you like?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Push Pins and Caramel Cranberry Bars
Follow up from the last post:
Courtney sent this:
"I just read you post from earlier and I wanted to mention that I've done something similar to make thumb tacks/push pins before. You just get a bunch of push pins and some of those round glass rocks (like the ones that are used in the bottom of flower arrangements and aquariums, etc). Make sure they are flat on one side. On the flat side you glue the picture (either photographs or magazine cutouts will work) PICTURE SIDE DOWN. This will make it so that the picture shows through when you glue the thumb tack to the rock. Obviously you have to use small pictures in order for them to fit on the rock, but they do kind of magnify the picture so it looks really neat on your bulletin board. It's a cool twist to the magnet gift idea. Maybe people could make a set of magnets and push pins to match...?"
And because it's the last weekend before Thanksgiving, perhaps we all need to treat ourselves to another cranberry-licious treat, sent in by Devan.
Caramel Cranberry Bars
Ingredients:
1 package fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed (I used fresh, 14 oz)
1 pkg (8 oz) chopped dates
3/4 cup pecans (I skipped these)
2 TBSP + 1/2 cup sugar divided
2 1/3 cup all purpose flour, divided
2 cups oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping (I used sugar free, about 75% of the
small jar)
In a small bowl, mix together cranberries, dates, 2 TBSP sugar and pecans. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 2 c flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and remaining sugar. Stir in butter. Set aside 1 c of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the remaining flour in a small bowl. Mix with caramel topping. Set aside. When crust is done, sprinkle cranberry mixture evenly over crust. Drizzle caramel topping over that. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
She says, "YUM! It's tart! It's sweet! It's crispy and chewy and pretty!" Which sounds quite promising.
What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving this year?
Courtney sent this:
"I just read you post from earlier and I wanted to mention that I've done something similar to make thumb tacks/push pins before. You just get a bunch of push pins and some of those round glass rocks (like the ones that are used in the bottom of flower arrangements and aquariums, etc). Make sure they are flat on one side. On the flat side you glue the picture (either photographs or magazine cutouts will work) PICTURE SIDE DOWN. This will make it so that the picture shows through when you glue the thumb tack to the rock. Obviously you have to use small pictures in order for them to fit on the rock, but they do kind of magnify the picture so it looks really neat on your bulletin board. It's a cool twist to the magnet gift idea. Maybe people could make a set of magnets and push pins to match...?"
And because it's the last weekend before Thanksgiving, perhaps we all need to treat ourselves to another cranberry-licious treat, sent in by Devan.
Caramel Cranberry Bars
Ingredients:
1 package fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed (I used fresh, 14 oz)
1 pkg (8 oz) chopped dates
3/4 cup pecans (I skipped these)
2 TBSP + 1/2 cup sugar divided
2 1/3 cup all purpose flour, divided
2 cups oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping (I used sugar free, about 75% of the
small jar)
In a small bowl, mix together cranberries, dates, 2 TBSP sugar and pecans. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 2 c flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and remaining sugar. Stir in butter. Set aside 1 c of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the remaining flour in a small bowl. Mix with caramel topping. Set aside. When crust is done, sprinkle cranberry mixture evenly over crust. Drizzle caramel topping over that. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
She says, "YUM! It's tart! It's sweet! It's crispy and chewy and pretty!" Which sounds quite promising.
What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving this year?
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Handy Guide to Thanksgiving
I don't know about you, but I've been feeling pretty shocked/horrified that Thanksgiving is so soon. Two weeks away! Fourteen days! I haven't glanced at turkeys, I haven't been worrying about gravy, I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping (unless you count an occasional panicked "OH NO OH NO OH NO!" followed by mental suppression). Yesterday I noticed my town is already putting up Christmas wreaths and lights, and I realized Thanksgiving is two! weeks! away!
Have you guys been checking out Real Simple's website? Here they have posted a handy dandy Thanksgiving cheat sheet, complete with what you can do to prepare in advance. I've missed the three week before assignment (whoooops) but can follow the rest. Turkey roasting guides, 60 second centerpieces, a carving guide, even reviews on the best boxed stuffings (what? did I say that?), even fun little tips on dealing with annoying guests. (Who can't use a bit of advice on dealing with family?) I suggest we all mosey on over to get ourselves in the Thanksgiving mindset. And in my case, to get some serious Thanksgiving help.
In the meantime, any favorite Thanksgiving recipes to share? Any fun traditions? Anything wacky or interesting to tell me about? Email away!
Have you guys been checking out Real Simple's website? Here they have posted a handy dandy Thanksgiving cheat sheet, complete with what you can do to prepare in advance. I've missed the three week before assignment (whoooops) but can follow the rest. Turkey roasting guides, 60 second centerpieces, a carving guide, even reviews on the best boxed stuffings (what? did I say that?), even fun little tips on dealing with annoying guests. (Who can't use a bit of advice on dealing with family?) I suggest we all mosey on over to get ourselves in the Thanksgiving mindset. And in my case, to get some serious Thanksgiving help.
In the meantime, any favorite Thanksgiving recipes to share? Any fun traditions? Anything wacky or interesting to tell me about? Email away!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thanksgiving Spirit Activate
Get thee to Pioneer Woman Cooks! now! Go! Her beautiful step by step photos and the general sassiness/yumminess will put you into the Thanksgivingy spirit. I promise. She's doing an entire Thanksgiving series (and I've tried her recipes, and they are goooooood), and it is fun and makes me hungry.
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