2016 Thanksgiving Menu

I’ve been asked several times to share my Thanksgiving menus. Each year I like to choose a theme. Last year I went with a Southern Thanksgiving. This menu is filled with all the flavors that give southern food its unique flair. I’ve included links to the recipes, tips & tricks and photos from our meal last year.

Deep Fried Turkey 

I never said this menu was going to be healthy but it’s Thanksgiving. It’s the one day a year it’s socially acceptable to be gluttonous. Deep frying a turkey opens up highly coveted oven space. It also helps the meat stay moist and the skin to stay crispy.

Cajun Ham with Bourbon Glaze

This recipe makes use of a rotisserie attachment on your grill. It once agains free up space in the oven. You can always make this in the oven or in a pan on the grill if you don’t have a rotisserie. I also insert cloves into my ham before cooking.

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

One negative to deep frying your turkey is you don’t get all those yummy drippings needed to make gravy. I found this make ahead turkey gravy. It saved time on the big day by being prepped in advance.

Stuffin Muffins

At the last minute last year I decided to not make these as muffins. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to remove them from the muffin pans without losing most of the stuffing. I followed the same recipe and just baked it in a 9×13 dish.

Pimento Mac and Cheese

This macaroni and cheese uses all the flavors from a classic southern staple–pimento cheese. Again, not the healthiest recipe but for one day a year I don’t feel bad about it and neither should you!

Spinach Madeline

My favorite side dish at steakhouses is always creamed spinach. It’s a go-to for me. I was doing some research on southern side dishes and found this recipe. It does use Velveeta which I know a lot of people don’t like. However, it melts beautifully.

Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon and Pork

I love this side dish because you can utilize your slow cooker to make it. Who doesn’t love a recipe that calls for pork shoulder and bacon? No one. That’s who.

Sweet Potatoes

I don’t have a recipe for last year’s sweet potatoes. This one was brought by a family member. A big tip from me is to always utilize your guests to help cut down on your work. Thanks to the Kyle family for making and bringing these last year.

Green Bean Casserole

This is a Thanksgiving staple. Again, I utilized a family member to assist on this one. Thanks to the Driggers family for making and bringing this side dish last year.

Kicked Up Corn Maque Choux

This is by far my favorite Thanksgiving side dish! I had leftover andouille sausage from a crawfish boil we had earlier in the year. I added that and it made this dish! So good. This one will make the menu every year regardless of the theme!

Holiday Mashed Potatoes

I don’t have a recipe for this one either. This is something my mother-in-law makes each year that my husband loves. It’s almost like a mashed potato casserole. If I can get the recipe I will update the post!

Collard Greens

My husband’s best friend Justin loves to cook like I do. Every year he and his wife Nicole (my best friend!) join us for Thanksgiving. Justin is always so respectful of honoring my theme. He had a recipe for collard greens so I told him to do his thang! They were so good!

Biscuits with Apple Butter

My mom isn’t much of a cook. So, every year I have her bring the bread/rolls/biscuits. Last year my mom brought biscuits from Cracker Barrel. I didn’t make the apple butter. I purchased it from Williams-Sonoma. Again it’s best to take assistance or shortcuts where you can.

Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

I know a lot of people don’t like cranberry sauce because it reminds them of the canned gelatinous junk. I didn’t cook this down into a sauce but instead made it into a relish. Go a little lighter on the amaretto liqueur if they are children at your meal.

Pumpkin Pie

This is yet another full fat flavorful recipe. Paula Deen doesn’t play when it comes to southern food. This pumpkin pie turned out great and will probably be a go to for my menus for years to come.

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

As a kid I can remember pecan pie giving my grandma fits. It can be really finicky. A lot of times it won’t set and firm up. I was a little nervous about making this recipe for the first time for Thanksgiving but it turned out beautifully.

 

Southern Style Caramel Cake 

In my research I found caramel cake is a pretty popular southern staple. I can cook but baking isn’t for me. So, I found a lovely place in Broad Ripple that sells southern style caramel cake. It’s pricey but it was totally worth it for Thanksgiving.

Apple Cider Sangria

Some years if I’m feeling particularly ambitious I will make a signature drink. Sangria is usually very easy and most people enjoy it. This one brought together the fall flavors of apple cider and cinnamon and wine.

 

The Ultimate Guests’ Guide for Thanksgiving

Chances are if you’re not hosting Thanksgiving in your home, you’ll be attending a dinner at someone else’s house. It can be intimidating showing up to a Thanksgiving dinner with friends. Do I bring a dish? Do I know what my host’s hospitality agreement is and what that even means? Well, fear not, friends. Here is your ultimate guide to being the best guest at Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Always Ask Before Bringing a Dish or Dessert-I mentioned this in my previous post, but for hosts Thanksgiving is their Super Bowl. Chefs love to determine the menu well in advance. Some people will even have a theme. While it’s very nice to offer to bring something, always ask your host what you can bring. You don’t need two types of corn. If you’re asked to bring a specific item, bring that and nothing else. Most of the time, the items you’re bringing are an added bonus to the menu for the host.

 

food-791640_1920

 

Always Bring a Gift-If you’re not bringing a side dish, make sure to always bring some type of gift for the host. This is just simple manners, but sometimes easily overlooked. Wine always goes over well. In my house especially. Hey! Try to find out a little about your host before you decide on a gift. You might have to do some homework. Put those hours of Facebook stalking to good use.

 

gift-553143_1920

Don’t Go Overboard-If you aren’t able to find any clues about your hosts likes and dislikes from your Facebook stalking, a mid-range bottle of wine is always good. Personally, I think an easy drinking wine like Pinot Noir suits most palates. This is one my favorites. Or, a small journal for the host to keep track of their Thanksgiving dinners is always a thoughtful gift.

 

Stay Out of The Kitchen-Unless you’re asked to do something in the kitchen or the host says it’s okay to hang out there, hang out somewhere else. There are a lot of moving parts to hosting dinner, and a lot of that occurs in the kitchen. For a cook, to have to work around people standing in front of their drawers or oven is just plain annoying.

Make Yourself Useful in Other Ways-Offer to get other guests their drinks. Play bartender. Or, offer to set the table. Jump on clearing the table. Wash dishes. Take out garbage. All of these little things are extremely helpful to a host. After dinner is served a host typically feels like they can relax. Let them enjoy that moment.

 

aperitif-579232_1920

 

Don’t Get Too Drunk-No one likes Drunk Uncle. Well, we do, but you don’t want to be that guy. Keep your drinking in check until children are gone or the hosts have began letting their guard down. And for heaven’s sake, don’t drink all the hosts booze. At least bring something to offer and share.

Acknowledge the Host’s Hospitality Agreement-What I mean by this is as a guest it’s important to make some sort of verbal acknowledgment of the hosts rules. I love hearing a guest say ‘It’s your day, tell me how I can help. I’ll do whatever you need’. You are validating to the host you know how stressful hosting can be.

 

Bring a Dish that Doesn’t Require Much Work-Great! You’re bringing a side dish. Awesome. Thanks so much. Don’t bring something you will have to assemble in the host’s kitchen. If it’s a dish the host can pop in the oven, great. If it’s something that can go in the fridge, even better. A simple Caprese salad is always a great addition.

 

casserole-761684_1920

 

What for the Host to Offer a To Go Box-Don’t assume there will be enough food for you to take in your doggy bag. Remember how I said it’s the Super Bowl for chef-y types? Typically, they have an idea already brewing in their head for what to do with that leftover turkey, and it doesn’t involve you. 

 

sandwich-691875_1280

 

If you follow these simple rules for attending Thanksgiving feasts, you will always be considered a great guest!

13 Rules to Live By When Hosting Thanksgiving

It can be a little daunting hosting Thanksgiving at your home. Will the turkey explode into a dried mess when you cut into it? Will your drunk uncle go off on a tangent about those Starbucks cups? Will people like the new chef-y recipe you came up with for stuffing stuffed artichokes? I have now hosted Thanksgiving in my home for the last three years. Here are a few rules to live by to make sure you end the day with your sanity and everything turns out beautifully.
christmas-791110_1920

Determine Your Menu Well in Advance

First, brainstorm your menu. If you love to cook, (I hope you do! You’re hosting!) Thanksgiving is your Super Bowl. Many of us plan the menu months in advance, and more than likely, change the menu several times. With that being said, be flexible with changing it, if need be. Oh, your cousin who doesn’t eat meat is now coming? No problem! Add another veggie side dish. Always plan on extra, last-minute guests.

Have a Plan of Action for the Week of Thanksgiving

Have your grocery list ready to go the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. Get your groceries on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Cut and prep veggies on Tuesday. Make your side dishes and pies on Wednesday. I make my dishes up until the point of needing baked. Then I refrigerate until Thursday.

Have a Written Plan of Action for the Day of Thanksgiving

I try to work backwards from the time I’d like to have dinner served. So, if I’m planning on serving dinner at 2pm, I need to work backwards to determine what time to get up, prepare the turkey and cook it. In a 325°F oven cooking times varies based on the weight of your bird.

  • An 8-12 pound turkey takes about 3-4 hours
  • 12 to 16 pound turkey takes about 4 hours
  • A 16-20 pound turkey takes about 5 hours
  • A 20 to 26 pound turkey takes 6 hours or more

turkey-218742_1280

Remember, you should let your turkey rest for an hour at room temperature before roasting. Roast at 475°F for 30 minutes. Then turn the oven down to 350°F for the remaining time. If the skin is browning too quickly, simply cover it in foil. Should also let your turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving. The temperature of the turkey should be around 155°F, and no higher than 165°F. To take the temperature, place a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.

Invest in Space Saving Gadgets

I am lucky enough to have a double oven. With that being said, the turkey takes up one all on it’s own. I buy a 24 pound turkey, and yes, I’m crazy. So, there is no way all the side dishes can fit in the other oven without a little maneuvering. I found these handy dandy gadgets at Williams-Sonoma, and they are a life saver. They create vertical racks so that all your dishes fit.

Use Post-It Notes to Organize Cookware

If you want to use your favorite Rachel Ray dish for the green bean casserole, stick a Post-It Note in it that says green bean casserole. It just helps to visualize and keep you on track while cooking.

Have a Space for Guests to Hang Out

I know everyone loves to hang out in the kitchen. It’s the gathering place, and I get why. However, on Thanksgiving day, put your apps and snacks in a different room—the dining room, the living room, anywhere but your kitchen where you’re working. There is nothing worse than being stressed about the dinner, and having too many people in the kitchen seeing you cry into your lumpy gravy with your glass of Pinot Noir.

Create a Signature Cocktail

If you’re worried about your uncle getting too drunk before dinner, simply create a signature cocktail where you control the amount of alcohol guests consume. I usually create a sangria with a little wine, a little orange liqueur and club soda. This keeps guests out of the mixed drinks and straight up wine. It doesn’t keep me out of the Pinot Noir, but I’m hosting. I make the rules.

drink-19202_1920

Stick to What You Know

In my opinion, Thanksgiving isn’t the time to get crazy creative with your food. Risk taking is great. Just do it on a weeknight or well in advance of the big day. Don’t try to get too chef-y with your food. On Thanksgiving, most people are big on tradition. Stick to the basics. This will help alleviate stress when something new doesn’t turn out.

Always Have Snacks for Guests to Munch On

I always put out a veggie tray and a protein of some sort. Shrimp are a great option. The veggies will help fill them up with fiber and the protein will help keep hunger at bay. Stay away from serving bread. This fills the stomach, and you want them eating your perfectly cooked turkey and sumptuous side dishes.

fresh-909373_1920

Don’t Focus too Much on Decor

If you’re hosting, the food is the star of your Super Thanksgiving Bowl—not the decor. Focus on the food. If you have a particularly creative or craft friend or spouse enlist their help. After all, most people care about the 3 F’s on Thanksgiving—food, family and football.

Don’t Be Afraid to Cheat Where You Can

Go ahead and use pre-made pie crust. It’s a time saver, and most of the time people only notice what is inside the crust anyway. I often buy frozen rolls. Again, it’s a time saver and no one really notices the difference.

Keep Track of Your Menu from Year-to-Year

Write down your full menu in a journal each year along with notes touching on what worked and what didn’t. I noticed after the first year, no one ate the sweet potatoes or pecan pie. So, not I don’t make a sweet potato side dish, and only serve pumpkin pie. This cuts down on waste, and helps with your planning.

journal-791286_1920

Enjoy the Moment

Remember, this is your Super Bowl. You’ve prepared for the big day months in advance. Take a minute to step back, look at your surroundings, listen to your screaming fans (your family) and just enjoy the moment. You did it! You hosted Thanksgiving without any major issues, and you deserve to find happiness in it.

7 Signs You’re in a Fantastic Place in Your Life

7 Signs You’re in a Fantastic Place in Your Life

A recent Today show segment mentioned that age 34 is the happiest time in a woman’s life. It was like a lighting bolt shocked me. I’m 34 right now. How does this year of my life compare to others? As I reflected on my life (the good and the bad) I realized this is the happiest I’ve ever been. But why? What’s changed? Here are a few things I’ve noticed have brought me to this fantastic place in my life.

  1. You’ve given up on the need to please everyone all the time.

I am a people pleaser. I know this. I want everyone to be happy. I want everyone to enjoy themselves in my home. Let’s just be honest. It’s not always possible to please everyone all the time. I’ve come to the realization if people aren’t having fun with you, in your home or with something you’ve created that’s their problem. Not yours.

When you start to truly trust your decision-making you don’t need as much validation from others. Just because someone disagrees with a decision you made doesn’t make you second-guess yourself.

 

flag-107402_640

  1. You’ve finally figured out what qualities you’re looking for in a mate.

 I have always been a hopeless romantic. Even as a child I wanted to find love. For a very long time I didn’t know what I wanted, needed or deserved in a life partner. As I’ve gotten older things I thought were a big deal are suddenly not so much. Or things I didn’t place much value on moved up higher in the rankings. Really important with this one-notice I said qualities you’re looking for in a mate. You don’t necessarily have to have found that to say…

“I’m okay being single because this person doesn’t have the qualities I’m looking for in a partner”.

Even if you’re single you know your own relationship standards and you won’t settle for less. Those standards guide you and serve as a compass.

Never settle for anything less than an extraordinary love. 

 

Renee and Austin on their wedding day.

Renee and Austin on their wedding day.

 

  1. You’re comfortable spending time alone.

Growing up as an only child (this may confuse some of you as you’ve heard me speak about my sisters (another article for a different day) with a working, single mom I spent a lot of time alone. As a teenager and young adult I never wanted to spend time alone. I always wanted people around. In my 30’s I’ve come to relish my alone time.

I still love having people around and I love spending time with my husband but man, sometimes I like being able to sit on the couch with a glass of wine and watch my garbage television.

Another important part of this one that people struggle with is being able to go out and do things alone. Going out and eating dinner alone or having a glass of wine is not scary at all. It’s liberating! As it turns out, no one is staring at you and feeling sorry for you because you’re alone. If you’re worried about it take a look at the bar of any restaurant. There are always lots of people sitting down eating and drinking alone.

  1. You’ve cut toxic people out of your life. And you’re OKAY with it.

This one is so hard. I had to make a tough decision last year. Either deal with someone who was abusive or cut them out. I was in the middle of a very bad public situation that was very stressful. I decided that I had to make a choice for me. That’s not selfish. That’s being protective of you! I cut off communication with said person. It was difficult but there comes a point in your life when you have to say enough is enough. Abusive people will always continue to abuse you until you stand up for yourself and say “I’m not taking this anymore”. The bigger part of this scenario is that you have to be okay with cutting someone off. It’s hard. I questioned myself a lot but at the end of the day realized I made the decision and I needed to own it.

  1. You have figured out what makes you happy career-wise and have started doing it or have a plan to get there.

I’ve always known what I wanted to do as a career. Or at least a field. Somewhere along with the way I lost that direction. Perhaps taking a job     just to have a job when the economy is bad is just something you can’t control. However, I was working jobs that I didn’t love.

I was miserable. When you’re miserable you take it out on other people. I was just accepting these less than stellar careers and then making others unhappy because I was unhappy. I tend to give up when things get too hard.

I became complacent with doing nothing to make myself happy.

book-731199__180

I have always loved writing. I somehow lost that throughout the years. I always had one friend pushing me to write. Sometimes to the point of annoyance.

“Why aren’t you writing? It’s what you love and you’re good at it!” It finally just hit me. I need to make this happen. It’s not going to come to me without a little effort on my part. So I started contacting places that I thought might need writers and lo and behold here I am writing for Dish-y (well, that had already started) and for publication in Indianapolis. Michelle and I are even work to start a business.

If you aren’t happy with your career path sit down and figure out what you love to do. Then make a plan of how you can do that and make money. It might take a little time, effort and ingenuity but trust me it’s worth it in the end.

    1. You realize there is no such thing as “perfect”.

As women we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be the perfect friend,   sister, wife, mother, employee. It’s not realistic to think that we should all be size two (which I can tell you I don’t think I’ve ever been!). It’s not realistic to think that we should always wear makeup and have the perfect outfit for each event we attend. Sometimes you just have to let it go (you’re singing it in your head right now, aren’t you) and go out to the grocery store with no makeup.

Wear the flip flops because, lets be honest, heels hurt. Drink the glass of wine even though it’s not on your diet…maybe not the entire bottle which is a lesson I’m still teaching myself.  Oh, hell. Throw the diet out the window and ENJOY LIFE. Yes, still make time to work out to be healthy not just out of vanity.

  1. You’ve stopped letting your past be a crutch for your future.

This one is huge. HUGE. You like what I did there visually? In all seriousness, for a lot of years I used my past experiences in life to be a miserable person. I held grudges about the things that happened to me. I allowed myself to be reduced by them. I made myself a victim of myself.

See, people can do a lot of nasty things to you. How you choose manifest those things is all on you.

Yes, my dad wasn’t around growing up but I realized that wasn’t my husband’s fault. Guess whose fault that was? Ultimately, mine. Yes, there is blame to be put on my dad but me being nasty and unhappy was MY FAULT. I needed to realize the longer I held on to anger and hate the more it consumed me and took time away from my joy.

 

 woman-570883_640

Let it go, let it go. You’re singing again, aren’t you? Go on and do it. This is not to say that I have it all figured our or that my life is perfect. These are just little lessons that I’ve learned that I hope I can pass on to others to possibly spare them some of the turmoil I’ve experienced over the years. Life is too short to be anything less than happy. Work hard to create your happiness and you will be rewarded. 

 

Easter Favorites

Easter Favorites

For as long as I can remember I have loved Easter. It’s probably my favorite holiday. The pastel colors, the little birdies and chicks, the buds on the trees blooming and spring weather all play an integral part in my love for Easter. Here are some of my favorite recipes

Besides the usual ham and potato salad (those are Larr family recipes that I’m not sure I’m allowed to share) we always have there is one food item that always reminds me of Easter…deviled eggs. I’ll admit I’m not much a fan of deviled eggs but everyone else I know loves them. So, I got to thinking what I could differently with deviled eggs to make them just a little more interesting. I decided to add two of my favorite things: bacon and cheese. YUM! Here’s the recipe.

First, place a dozen eggs in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, turn down the heat to a medium low and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse eggs with cold water. Crack and peel the eggs. Slice each egg lengthwise and remove the yolk. Place yolks in a bowl and add ½ cup of mayo, 1 cup of chopped cooked bacon, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, a dash of Worcestershire, a dash of hot sauce and pepper. Mix well and spoon mixture into each egg half. Refrigerate and serve! Click here for the full recipe.

 

Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

 

The next recipe I love for Easter dessert is Mini Peep Pies. Melt 9 ounces (three small packages of Peeps) with ½ cup of milk. I used pink, purple and blue but you can use whatever colors strike your fancy.

 

Melting Peeps

Melting Peeps

 

After melted, let the mixture cool completely. Once the mixture has cooled fold in 8 ounces of Cool Whip (one small container). If you’re more ambitious than me you can make your own whipping cream and the graham cracker crusts but I’m all about efficiency when I’m making food for other people. Spoon mixture into mini graham cracker crusts and top with sprinkles or any other small candy you choose. Just make sure it’s nothing too heavy as the candy will sink into the Mini Peep pies. Click here for the full recipe.

 

Mini Peep Pies

Mini Peep Pies

 

My final recipe that I love for Easter is mini robin’s nests. First, melt 3 cups mini marshmallows and 3 tablespoons of butter over medium low heat. Add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Once melted stir in 4 cups of chow mein noodles. You can substitute Rice Crispies but I like the look of the chow mein noodles better. Spray a muffin tin with Pam or any other substitute. Form a ball the size of a small apple. Press into the muffin tin using your thumb to press down in the center to form a small well. Let the chow mein noodles and marshmallows cool down completely. Then add small Easter candies to the nest to look like eggs. Click here for the full recipe.

 

Robin's Eggs Nests

Robin’s Eggs Nests

 

I hope you enjoy my Easter favorites with your friends and family as much as I do!