Archive for November 2016
Critique cocktail party menu?">Critique cocktail party menu?
Hi everyone - I throw an annual holiday cocktail party and this year decided to change up the menu a little bit just because I wanted to avoid menu fatigue (is this a thing? I think it should be!). I love this board and its helpful posters, so wanted to...
Read moreDressing up canned tomato soup">Dressing up canned tomato soup
I need to dress up Progresso Hearty Tomato soup. What do you suggest? I have very limited time --I guess that's obvious since using canned soup. :) Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreDry brined/spatchcocked turkey-- how to get brown skin?">Dry brined/spatchcocked turkey-- how to get brown skin?
This will be our 2nd year doing a dry brined and spatchcocked bird for Thanksgiving, using the serious eats/Kenji Lopez Alt method. I've been doing chickens using the same method over the past month or so as practice runs. The skin always comes out crisp and delicious, but is still...
Read moreDo I need to reheat sweet potatoes before mashing?">Do I need to reheat sweet potatoes before mashing?
I baked and peeled the sweet potatoes, but don't have time to mash and finish them today. Tomorrow I'll mash them with butter, molasses and orange juice. Do I need to reheat them before mashing? I'm bringing them to someone's house the next day and they'll be...
Read moreBaked Cookie Pie, will it work?">Baked Cookie Pie, will it work?
I am thinking of a quick dessert I can put together out of ingredients I have here at home. I haven't been able to find one that goes with what I am thinking so I am wondering if this will even work, so here is what I am thinking: I am...
Read moreDinner after an early thanksgiving dinner">Dinner after an early thanksgiving dinner
We are invited to family's house for Thanksgiving dinner at 1:30 PM. Since that is so early, I think my husband and I will be hungry when we get home later that evening. What is something fun and maybe Thanksgiving inspired that we can have for dinner? I was...
Read moreMake ahead gravy?">Make ahead gravy?
Any recipes for make ahead gravy that don't involve purchasing extra turkey parts? I've seen some recipes that call for making ahead w/ legs and wings, but I can't justify the cost/waste. Any other ideas, perhaps involving giblets and then adding in pan drippings right before serving? But I'd love...
Read moreSeveral questions re: making my first dessert crisp">Several questions re: making my first dessert crisp
i found a recipe for pear/Apple/cranberry crisp that I'd like to make for Thanksgiving (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/12123/apple-cranberry-and-pear-crisp/) The recipe seems straight-forward enough, especially after reading all the comments about it. It says it makes 8 servings and calls for four pieces of fruit and is cooked in an 8 inch square pan...
Read moreStoneware freezer to oven--blind-baking pie shell">Stoneware freezer to oven--blind-baking pie shell
I rolled two pie crusts, placed them in pans, crimped the edges and promptly froze them (per recipe instructions) without considering the pie dishes. Oops. One is in my Pyrex; I understand the risks there. The other is in a LC Heritage pie dish. Is this ok going freezer to...
Read moreArby's Roast Beef-- Recipes?">Arby's Roast Beef-- Recipes?
Actually it is real meat the roast beef and ham. I have seen it. It comes pre cooked they just slice it very thin with a professional meat slicer. Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreAbout Me
I love food. Unfortunately, I can't cook worth a damn. I've been known to even burn water.
When I watch chefs and good cooks on tv, I'm so envious of their skills. This blog is the closest I get to cooking, other than the microwave ;)
Try not to drool!
John, New Englander turned Cali dude