We’re not traveling this Thanksgiving, so I will be entirely in charge of this Thursday’s menu preparation. The grocery shopping has been completed, my Wednesday Prep Schedule is hanging on the refrigerator and I seriously can’t wait for a full day of cocktails, grub and football. I’ll be serving:
Turkey/Gravy – This will be handled by the lovely folks at Whole Foods. I just really don’t see the point in cooking one for the 3 of us.
Great-Grandmother’s Stuffing/Dressing – You know the drill. Tell you, have to kill you, so on and so forth…
Hash Brown Casserole – the ULTIMATE in comfort/unhealthy food.
1 lb frozen hash browns
1/2 cup chopped onions
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can mushroom soup
1/2 lb. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)
Mix all together, put in casserole dish, bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Enjoy the clogged arteries.
Dinner Rolls/Biscuits – haven’t decided on which recipe exactly. Any good ones?
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Whiskey Whipped Cream
1 8 ounce baguette, sliced into ½ inch slices
4 eggs
1 quart half and half
1 15 ounce can pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
cooking spray
1 cup heavy cream, very cold
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons whiskey
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
1. Toast the bread on a rimmed baking sheet until lightly browned, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes.
2. In a large bowl combine eggs, half and half, pumpkin, brown sugar, spices, vanilla, and salt. Add toasted bread slices, cover with plastic wrap, pressing down. Place a plate that fits inside bowl on the plastic wrap and weight with a canned good. The bread must be completely submerged. Let soak until the bread is saturated about 30 minutes.
3. Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish that has been coated with non stick cooking spray. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes
until set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Store, covered in refrigerator.
4. To make whiskey whipped cream, combine heavy cream, sugar and whiskey. Mix immediately on high speed with mixer for about 4 minutes, until fluffy. Spoon over bread pudding.
Of course, I will be cooking all of this food while sipping on a spicy Bloody Mary with pickles, olives and celery. Mmmm.
What are you making for Thanksgiving? More importantly, are you trying out any special cocktail recipes?
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I saw Twilight on Sunday night with my good friend Lisa. This might not seem like a huge deal to most of you snazzy moviegoers, but let me tell you a little something about myself. In the past 8 years, I have seen 3 movies* in the theater. (For those of you keeping track, that would be since Y2K. Y2K, PEOPLE.) I simply do not see movies in the theater, mainly because my husband has some sort of bizarre movie-induced narcolepsy, and let’s face it, it’s no fun watching a movie while your +1 is dozing. ALSO, it’s no fun when someone sitting behind you sneezes half-chewed Twizzlers in your hair. Just sayin’.
Before seeing Twilight, I didn’t think my obsession with Edward Cullen could grow. I was wrong.
I am seeing the movie again this weekend. With my good friend Lisa.
(GOOD GOD, WHAT IS WRONG WITH US.)
On a related note, anyone interested in stalking Robert Pattinson with me? My lovely cousins are providing the crazy stalker van, so we’re all set to go.
*The Royal Tenenbaums, The Squid and the Whale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
slynnro
November 25, 2008 at 5:04 pmA cocktail with pickles? GAH! DISGUST!
Oh My God! It’s Slynnro! And she’s complaining about something! IMAGINE THAT. ;)
Camels & Chocolate
November 25, 2008 at 5:04 pmUm, I will be attempting that pumpkin bread pudding and hashbrown casserole PRONTO.
Also, going to see Twilight with Moose later this week. You BETTER be speaking the truth about its awesomeness, woman, or I’ll hunt you down and chop off all your luscious locks, make them into a wig, and morph into Whoorl v. 2.0, the San Francisco Edition ;-)
Sarah
November 25, 2008 at 5:14 pmYeah, I was pretty sure my Twilight obsession had come and gone. Then I went to the movie. Then I went again. Then I bought the soundtrack and started rereading New Moon. Even the Twilight dreams are back. I suddenly burst out of no where saying “I miss Edward.”
The movie totally made it worse.
Did you ever read Midnight Sun?
Yes. Twice. (And I’m also reading New Moon again!)
Catherine
November 25, 2008 at 5:34 pmI have to say, I was a little disappointed with the movie, it left out so much good stuff! I reread the book before seeing the movie, then New Moon, then Eclipse (my favorite), and I’m about halfway through Breaking Dawn. For the fourth time. For Thanksgiving, I’m making the same kind of hash brown casserole, fruit/dip, salad, and pumpkin spice muffins (the friends we’re eating with are making the hard stuff like turkey!) Hope you have a great holiday!
Suz
November 25, 2008 at 6:23 pmI’m in for the Robert Pattinson stalking! A friend and I saw it the night it opened, complete with the teenage fangirls and it was SO WORTH IT. Am already planning my next viewing!
ellbee
November 25, 2008 at 7:11 pmOhh, baby. No new cocktail recipes, but I am attempting Deb’s Cranberry, Caramel and Almond Tart from smittenkitchen.com.
And a chocolate pudding pie, for my husband, who has some ISSUES when it comes to food. Of the fruit and vegetable variety. Really stifling my culinary creativity over here.
Amanda Boyce
November 25, 2008 at 7:17 pmI’m totally up for stalking. When I saw your tweet, I was like hey man, we are on the same page… Let’s do this thing!
Calee
November 25, 2008 at 7:36 pmHash browns look great but really, the Pioneer woman is disappointing me on the green beans. In our family, we use a whole pound of bacon (and don’t bother with the totally unnecessary tomatoes.) I never thought there would be a time in my life where I used more bacon than her…
Get me some cocktails, stat. I’m hosting the in-laws!
alexa
November 25, 2008 at 7:47 pmholy crap batman, that pumpkin bread pudding looks divine.
metalia
November 25, 2008 at 8:32 pmALLEGEDLY, Robert Pattinson will be back in NYC next month, according to my publicist friend. Now if only I had a stalker van…
Amanda Boyce
November 25, 2008 at 8:37 pmmetalia, who is this publicist friend and how can I bribe her for more insider info?!!
see, twilight just brings out the bad and naughty in all of us.
a madhouse wife
November 25, 2008 at 8:44 pmoh, god, whoorl–hash brown casserole! we call that party potatoes in these parts (or funeral potatoes, depending on the occasion). yes, def. comfort food.
as far as rolls/biscuits, there’s a really good recipe by pillsbury. i think you open the freezer bag and bake. delish. ;)
Velma
November 25, 2008 at 8:55 pmYou think your hash brown casserole is bad news? My family’s version consists of velveeta & hellman’s mayo in equal proportion, melted and mixed with the frozen hash browns before baking… and then you sprinkle bacon on top.
Now THAT’S a heart attack special!
Michelle
November 25, 2008 at 9:13 pmI left work early on Monday so that I could go see Twilight minus the hordes of rabid tween fans and all the sighing and swooning. I quite enjoyed the movie. Unfortunately there was much sighing and swooning …. from ME!! Did I mention that I am 34??? Twice Edward’s age?? Count me in on the Robert Pattinson stalking!
Michelle, regarding Robert Pattinson, I think you and I are what people would refer to as “cougars”. ;)
Kirsten
November 25, 2008 at 9:31 pmI am so with you for the RPattz stalking. He was the quintessential Edward… totally brought him to life from the vision in my head. Actually, the entire cast did that, with the exception of Jasper.
So stalking? I’m there.