What to Serve with Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner-Prosecco and Pinot Noir
November 27, 2008
So many friends have called in the past few days and asked me, “What are you serving with Thanksgiving dinner?” I suggest serving Prosecco and Pinot Noir since holiday meals feature a diversity of flavors. There is no single wine modeled for a certain dish. The joy comes from trying new possibilities. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine. It’s not expensive, and it’s clean, crisp and easy to drink. Pinot is the perfect table wine for the holiday season because of its low tannins, good acidity, and fruit-forward flavors. Cheers and happy holidays!
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Thanksgiving Appetizer-Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts
November 26, 2008
With only hours left until Thanksgiving, I know everyone is busy trying to complete last minute tasks. To start Thanksgiving off right, I thought I would present one of the easiest appetizers that my family loves. The combination of caramel, walnuts, cranberries and golden raisins adds the perfect sweet, crunch and warm taste of fall. You can prepare this right before the guests arrive as it just takes minutes to prepare with absolutely no mess or cleanup. This appetizer is also a great idea for Christmas, New Years or anytime you entertain. Happy Thanksgiving!
Autumn Brie
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients
1 (1/2 pound) Brie wedge
1/4 cup caramel Dip (I used T. Marzetti Caramel Dip)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons golden raisins
Gingersnaps or crackers
Preparation
1. Cut off top part of Brie; spread with caramel dip. Sprinkle walnuts, cranberries and raisins over top.
2. Bake at 300F for 6 to 10 minutes or until Brie is just slightly warmed and starting to melt. Serve with gingersnaps or crackers.
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Southern Thanksgiving Dessert-Pralines and Praline Bundt Cake
November 25, 2008
I was working in New Orleans last week, and one of my closest food friends took me into a fabulous classic New Orleans candy shop where they were making Pralines, Fudge and other homemade confections. It’s “Southern Candy Makers“, and next time you head to New Orleans, put this stop on the top of your list. It inspired me to try a new recipe with pralines for Thanksgiving. It’s really simple to prepare and my kids loved it for breakfast, a snack, dessert and especially for Thanksgiving.
Praline Bundt Cake
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Cool: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter, softened
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 (16-oz.) package dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Praline Icing
Preparation
1. Arrange 1 cup pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 5 to 7 minutes or until toasted. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
2. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add brown sugar, beating until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
3. Sift together 2 1/2 cups flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat batter at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in toasted pecans and vanilla. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan.
4. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes to 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and let cool 30 minutes or until completely cool.
5. Prepare Praline Icing, and spoon immediately over cake. Sprinkle top of cake with Sugared Pecans.
Praline Icing
Ingredients
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
1. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir gently 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Use immediately.
Southern Candy Makers has two locations on Decatur Street. See http://southerncandymakers.com
Recipe adapted from Southern Living Magazine see http://southernliving.com
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Easy Chocolate Lava Cakes for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years
November 25, 2008
I have always wanted to learn how to make Chocolate Lava (molten) Cakes, as it is one of my favorite desserts. I have been searching for a way to prepare these without a lot of effort, and I finally hit the jackpot with this recipe. These are simple to prepare, and you can even make the chocolate mixture at least 12 hours ahead of time. Pour the mixture into ramekins, cover and refrigerate. Be sure to bring to room temperature 30 minutes before baking. I also had a couple of baked and prepared ones left over, and I left them in the ramekins and reheated them in the microwave for 15 seconds, and they worked great! Try them on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or just for a weeknight or weekend surprise. Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or just with confectioners sugar.
Easy Chocolate Lava Cakes
Dark chocolate may be substituted for semisweet in this recipe.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate (I used Ghirardelli)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Lightly grease 4 (8-ounce) ramekins (custard cups or souffle dishes). Place on a baking sheet.
2. MIcrowave chocolate and butter in a large microwaveable bowl on High 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in vanilla and confectioners sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and yolk. Stir in flour and pour batter evenly into prepared custard cups.
2. Bake 13 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute. Carefully loosen edges with a knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates and sift powdered sugar over the top. Serve immediately.
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Appetizers-Hummus for Thanksgiving
November 23, 2008
My family prepares an array of appetizers for Thanksgiving, but one that’s not very traditional, yet stays on our menu is this Hummus Dip Recipe. It’s so delicious with fresh vegetables, toasted pita or pita chips, and it gives us a light note to start off the Thanksgiving meal. What I really like about serving this type of appetizer is that my kids love it and eat it, and I feel like they are getting something truly healthy. Enjoy it anytime of the year, but why not start now.
Hummus Dip
Prep: 10 minutes
Yield: about 3 cups
Ingredients
4 garlic cloves
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons water or liquid from the chickpeas
4 dashes hot sauce
Cayenne pepper, paprika and olive oil (optional)
Directions
1. Turn on the food processor fitted with the steel blade and drop the garlic down the feed tube; process until it’s minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed. Taste, for seasoning, and serve chilled or at room temperature topped with cayenne, paprika and olive oil, if desired.
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Holiday Spinach Salad For Thanksgiving
November 22, 2008
Sometimes the most difficult part about the Thanksgiving or holiday menus is figuring out what type of salad to serve. This recipe is perfect with the holiday turkey with the crunch of cashew nuts, the sweetness of golden raisins, and the tartness of Granny Smith Apples served over baby spinach leaves. It’s one of my holiday staples that friends and family look forward to every year. It’s also perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight salad served with chicken, fish or pork.
Spinach Apple Salad
Prep: 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach
4 small Granny Smith apples, chopped
3/4 cup cashews, toasted (pecan halves may also be used)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Preparation
1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large salad bowl.
2. Whisk together sugar and next 4 ingredients until blended. Serve dressing with salad.
Note: You can chill dressing up to 1 day; whisk well before serving.
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Pecan Pie-Traditional Thanksgiving Dessert with a Twist
November 21, 2008
Pecan pie is the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, and I thought I would feature two of my favorite tried and true recipes. The first is laced with the incredible combination of bourbon and semisweet chocolate. How can you go wrong? The second is a White Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe that I developed for a holiday menu for Oxmoor House books a few years ago. This is for those of you, like my husband, who are white chocolate lovers. Just remember, be sure to save room for dessert.
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Yield: 1 (9-inch) pie or 8 servings
Ingredients
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
2. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.
3. Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
5. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool on wire rack.
White Chocolate Pecan Pie
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Yield: 1 (9-inch) pie or 8 servings
Ingredients
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
6 (1-ounce) premium white chocolate baking squares, chopped (I used “Bakers”)
1 cup pecan halves
Preparation
1. Unfold piecrust, and press out fold lines; sprinkle with flour, spreading over surface. Place crust, floured side down, in a 9″ pieplate; fold edges under, and flute. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes.
2. Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Add chopped pecans and next 3 ingredients; stir well. Pour filling into prebaked piecrust; sprinkle with two-thirds of chopped white chocolate. Top with pecan halves.
3. Bake at 325° for 50 to 55 minutes or until set. Cover with aluminum foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let cool on a wire rack.
4. Place remaining chopped white chocolate in a small heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag; seal bag. Submerge bag in hot water until chocolate melts. Remove bag from water. Snip a tiny hole in one corner of bag, using scissors; drizzle chocolate over pie.
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Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish-Simple Roasted Asparagus
November 21, 2008
Whether I am having Thanksgiving dinner or just a weeknight meal, I like to prepare asparagus by simply roasting it in the oven. It comes out crisp-tender, and the flavors intensify perfectly. Be sure to cover the baking pan with aluminum foil, spray it with cooking spray and cleanup just got to be even easier. If you don’t like pine nuts or have guests who are allergic to nuts, just substitute almonds or pecans or eliminate them from the recipe. To me less is more with asparagus, but feel free to top this recipe with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice or even crumbled feta or goat cheese.
Simple Roasted Asparagus with Pine Nuts
Asparagus is full of vitamins such as Folic Acid, Vitamin C and Potassium, so enjoy.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
3 pounds fresh asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Preparation
1. Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus; place asparagus on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with olive oil; sprinkle evenly with garlic, salt, and pepper.
1. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness, tossing gently half-way through cooking time. Transfer asparagus to a serving dish; sprinkle with pine nuts.
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Pomegranate Margarita
November 20, 2008
My friend, Steven, called last night and said he was having relatives in Wednesday before Thanksgiving. He asked me for a food favor. He said they were preparing a Mexican-themed menu, and asked me to help him with a recipe for a Pomegranate Margarita which was highly requested by his wife, Bridget. I thought this sounded like a really nice idea since many of us will be entertaining family and friends next week. This recipe has the right mix of tequila, Triple Sec and pomegranate juice. I just recommend using my ultimately favorite “Patron Silver” for the tequila.
Pomegranate Margarita
Prep: 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
Lime wedges
Salt or sugar for the rim
Ice
8 ounces white tequila
4 ounces Triple Sec
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 limes, juiced (optional)
1/2 cup club soda
Directions
1. Pour salt or sugar onto a plate or shallow dish. With a lime wedge rub along the rim of a glass and dip glasses upside down to salt the rim. Fill glasses with ice. In a cocktail shaker with ice place the tequila, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and lime juice. Pour into the salt-rimmed glasses and top off with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedges, if desired.
For tequila, see www.patronspirits.com
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Holiday Spiced Nuts
November 16, 2008
I love spiced nuts! I have been trying to develop a lower fat recipe since nuts have enough fat on their own (but don’t forget those are good fats). This recipe is just in time for the holidays, or you can enjoy them as a snack or also tossed in a mixed green salad with fresh pears and blue cheese. Feel free to use any type of nuts that you want. These are worth every bite, and there’s no oil or butter in the recipe.
Spiced Almonds and Pecans
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Yield: 41/2 cups
Ingredients
2 (6-ounce) packages pecan halves
1 (6 ounce) can whole natural almonds
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Combine pecans, almonds and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Stir in egg whites. Spread mixture evenly onto a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Stir mixture; bake an additional 15 minutes or until crisp. Transfer foil to a wire rack; cool almond mixture. Break almond mixture into small pieces.
Note: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.