Post- Thanksgiving Talk

I have been discussing with people the various eats they had for Thanksgiving, so I thought I would share here what I made.

If you are tired of the run of the mill, mushy stuffing (or dressing) that is cooked up every Thanksgiving, the following is delicious! Many people at the table devoured this stuffing and went back for seconds. I usually like to take a risk and cook/bake something a little different. It gives people the opportunity to expand the horizon of their taste buds and they will either love the dish or hate it.

Here it goes....

Cornbread, Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing:

I got this recipe from Williams Sonoma. Instead of pork sausage, I used venison. Besides the fact that it was what I had, I think that it corresponded better with the season. I am sure it gave the dish more flavor. I followed all of the other instructions. For the herbs I used thyme, sage and rosemary. You can buy chestnuts precooked and peeled. No need for you to do that daunting task yourself!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/sausage-corn-bread-and-chestnut-dressing.html


Next up, desserts! I made a pumpkin version of the classic seven layer cookie. I also made an apple, cranberry, pecan pie.

Pumpkin Seven Layer Magic Bars:



This recipe that I found on this site (photo props from the site as well, since I was too busy baking and did not snap my own), was a yummy pumpkin treat. I would definitely use a rectangular cake pan the next time (like I have always done with the classic seven layer cookie), as it did not bake 100% in the middle. I did cook it a tad longer than directed and I did not want to risk burning the edges or bottom crust. Therefore, when I was cutting it to serve, I had to dig out about an inch in the center and toss it (shhh...!). Otherwise, very scrumptious! Like I said, I would make this again, but in the rectangular pan.  
http://www.bakersroyale.com/cookies/pumpkin-7-layer-magic-bars


Apple-Cranberry-Pecan Pie:

I got creative and used this recipe for "guidance". First of all, no way did I make my own pie crust! Store bought for sure! I used super plump, organic, dried cranberries, which made a huge difference in the texture and flavor of the pie. I didn't have brandy, so I used one tablespoon of sherry (it calls for 1.5 T of brandy). I added the pecan part myself as it does not call for these to be added. As part of step three of the method, I added about one cup of toasted halved/coarsely chopped pecans.

This pie was good - very rustic and organic tasting. Looking back, for those who like a bit of sweetness it probably would have been a good idea to sprinkle on some large sugar crystals prior to popping it in the oven.
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_pie/

Did anyone else have great Thanksgiving Day food that they would like to share?!

Switzerland

I know you are all about to drop over that I am actually posting on my blog. However, please don't drop over before enjoying your turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving tomorrow!

I wanted to share with you a You Tube link for the music video, "Switzerland". It's by a group called The Last Bison. They are formerly known as Bison and are from Chesapeake, VA. "Switzerland" is the first single from their Debut album. They independently released their first album Quill, in September 2011.

If you like Fleet Foxes, The Decemberists, or Mumford and Sons, you will definitely want to give this band a listen! I have a feeling we will be hearing more from them in the future, so I wanted you to get a jump on it! (In the past I have figured the same for Of Monsters and Men, Mumford and Sons, and The Lumineers about 9 months to a year before mainstream radio stations started playing their music).

Now, between your food preparations....or trying to get through your last few hours of work before the big feasting day, check out this whimsical video and great tune!

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAQX3xoe6sI

Food was the Forecast

Yesterday we went to the Phoenixville Restaurant Festival. The sun never truly came out like the forecasters said it would and weather wise it was a pretty disappointing day; however, the restaurant festival in Phoenixville was a new venture for us and it made for a nice Sunday outing.

The main reason for our trip was the cupcake business, Dia Doce. The blossoming cupcake business belongs to my sister's best friend from high school. My sister has been helping her out tremendously at local events and we went to the restaurant festival to give our support. The festival ran from 11AM-6PM and by 3PM they were sold out of the 300 cupcakes they made for the event! Dia Doce makes an array of flavors and my favorites from yesterday included the carmelized lemon basil, chocolate raspberry truffle and chocolate espresso with cookie dough filling. YU-UM!  You can order personalized cupcakes or pick from her list of unique flavors for your special event. Come June, there will be a Dia Doce cupcake truck traveling around southeastern Pennsylvania....mainly in Chester and Delaware counties to start, but you can visit her website and follow her on Twitter to find out more information on her expected stops. Cupcakes coming soon to a town near you!

Besides the cupcakes, we had a great meal at Molly Maguire's. The home store Hipster Home was pretty cool too. They sell my favorite plate pattern, which until now I was only able to find online. Phoenixville, we will be back to visit this summer and enjoy eating outside and strolling your streets in SUNNY, WARM weather!

A Few Tunes

When warm weather approaches I always start forming thoughts about what my summer music will be. Windows down, sun, hair blowing, good music. Here is a short little list of songs (in no particular order) that I am into at the moment. We'll see what ones carry on through the summer.

Young Blood by THE NAKED AND FAMOUSE

Sprawl II by ARCADE FIRE

Stereo Love by EDWARD MAYA + VIKI JIGULINA

On the Floor by JENNIFER LOPEZ

Rumor Has It by ADELE.
Of course I am liking Rolling In the Deep too, but at the moment every radio station is playing it at any given minute in the day. Rumor Has It is still a little less easy to come by and I like that.

You Are a Tourist by DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

New Slang by THE SHINS. I know it is an old one, but I heard it this week for the first time in a long time and it took me back to the early 2000s. I liked it all over again.

Check some of them out if you haven't already!

Bunny Food

Are you possibly looking for something a little healthier than chocolates, caramels, and marshmallows to have around for Easter, but still striving to present some cute and festive (and easy) treats? Try Annie's Homegrown Bunny Grahams. They come in a variety of flavors like honey, chocolate, chocolate chip, chedder, sour cream and onion, and wheat. Some are more like crackers, while the sweeter flavors are more like tiny cookies. The best thing is that they are all shaped like bunnies! Perfect for the Easter season of course. The wheat version would be great to serve with a fruit and cheese tray. The honey ones would be great to serve with a pudding dessert or just have out for the kids to nibble on. It goes without saying the chocolate and chocolate chip versions would be a hit as well.

Annie's products are organic and all-natural. No refined sugar in these treats! There are no trans fats either. You can order off line from their website, but I have found them at my local Wegman's, Whole Foods, Giant and Target stores. Target had them on special today for $1.99 a box. I have yet to see the ginger snap and snickerdoodle flavors offered at the stores, but apparently they are available online. The snickerdoodle flavor sounds great!

Annie's Homegrown makes many other products too like pretzels, cereal bars, macaroni and cheese, and other pasta products.

Peep, Peep!

My boyfriend LOVES Peeps. I am not such a fan, primarily because I am not a marshmallow lover; HOWEVER, I am excited to try this new version of the Peep that is out this year for Easter. Introducing Peepsters. They come in milk and dark chocolate. I have a bag of the dark waiting for me when I decide to dive in.

Yum Yums

I am going to try out this incredibly easy and delicious sounding recipe very soon. One of my co-workers has been recouperating at home after a fall on the ice this winter and I thought this would be a nice comforting treat to have as this bone chilling winter weather continues to hang around.

These are called Yum Yum Brownie Muffins (from the Cooking Channel) and you simply take a box of Devil's Food Cake mix and combine it with a 15oz. can of pumpkin pie filling to get some of the richest muffins ever. Click on the below link for all the steps and details. Then get a glass of cold milk to pair with these treats! I think you will need it!

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/lisa-lillien/yum-yum-brownie-muffins-recipe/index.html