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Define your comfort food
American--mac and cheese (gives me a wicked hurt belly but I love it), Italian--risotto, Vietnamese--pho bo, Polish--pierogis, Ghanian--red red, Puerto Rican--rice and beans, Mexican--chilaquiles....I love comfort food in any language!!
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
Yup, flying squirrels. My SIL lives in a house from the 1800's with four children all under the age of 7. There was a flying squirrel whipping around the kitchen...no one was really bothered by it except me who kept shrieking and ducking. That is the exact moment I began to go to Rome or Prague in my mind when we visit with them. It is a most excellent coping technique and NO hangover!! BigMan occasionally will have to whisper "First class ticket back home" when I drift too far off.
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
I felt like this about Thanksgiving for a long time. Then I married into a big family and included my family in celebrations at my house and it was fun. And then it started killing me having 30 people to the house without much help...now we head to our house in the north and it's cozy and I get to spend it with just the people I am so thankful to have --all by ourselves! I do think when its not as fun you can become very introspective about it...I sometimes think that we are missing out because it's just the five of us and then I remember---toddlers tossing toys out of the loft into the living room, family squabbles, nasty whispering in the kitchen, people drinking too much and the one year there was tantrums, blood, vomit, poop and flying squirrels in the house all before noon!!!!!!
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Thanksgiving eve---What could possibly be for dinner? Nov. 25th
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 25, 2009 at 5:19 PM
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 23, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Your Favorite Thanksgiving leftover dish...
I only like hot lunch so I love making turkey pot pie!!! Of course, followed by the extra desserts I somehow have made!!!
Define your comfort food
American--mac and cheese (gives me a wicked hurt belly but I love it), Italian--risotto, Vietnamese--pho bo, Polish--pierogis, Ghanian--red red, Puerto Rican--rice and beans, Mexican--chilaquiles....I love comfort food in any language!!
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
Yup, flying squirrels. My SIL lives in a house from the 1800's with four children all under the age of 7. There was a flying squirrel whipping around the kitchen...no one was really bothered by it except me who kept shrieking and ducking. That is the exact moment I began to go to Rome or Prague in my mind when we visit with them. It is a most excellent coping technique and NO hangover!! BigMan occasionally will have to whisper "First class ticket back home" when I drift too far off.
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
I felt like this about Thanksgiving for a long time. Then I married into a big family and included my family in celebrations at my house and it was fun. And then it started killing me having 30 people to the house without much help...now we head to our house in the north and it's cozy and I get to spend it with just the people I am so thankful to have --all by ourselves! I do think when its not as fun you can become very introspective about it...I sometimes think that we are missing out because it's just the five of us and then I remember---toddlers tossing toys out of the loft into the living room, family squabbles, nasty whispering in the kitchen, people drinking too much and the one year there was tantrums, blood, vomit, poop and flying squirrels in the house all before noon!!!!!!
Appetizer Needed
Found it. It's really pretty too..
CRANBERRY SALSA
12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries
4 green onions
1/2 cup cilantro
3 jalapenos
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. lemon juice
ground ginger to taste (start w/1/2 t.)
1 8 oz. blocks of cream cheese
Tostitos Scoops tortilla chips
Chop everything in a food processor. Start with cranberries and then add
the rest. Some people like to serve it over the block of cream cheese but I like to just
throw it into the food processor too.
Appetizer Needed
Cranberry jalapeno salsa...(its on the Girls Night In thread) I have made it three times and people freak out about how tasty it is. If you can't find it I will help you.
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Ok the tamales from the Ecuadorean market were to die for. I am going to go back again soon!!! The blue corn tortillas were beautiful in the tortilla casserole too! A big hit.
Help with Brussels Sprouts
I like roasting them with lots of salt pepper and maple syrup!!!
Why Do Phở Restaurant Names Usually Involve Numbers?
I have a student from Vietnam and she finally just 2 days ago told me that I am saying a bad word instead of what I thought was Pho Bo...she also told me it made her laugh every time I said it!!! Whooops. Students love it when teachers are dumbbutts.
Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?
Well. I was very ambitious for someone who stayed out until 1 am...then I remembered I also had somewhere to be this evening so I did the fallback meal. Rotissiere chicken from the store, salad in a bag (nasty), rolls, and mashed potatos (again grocery store made)..Big ol' lazy butt on my way out the door again. I did buy all the ingredients to make my good indian meal but will probably not get to it until Sunday. BigMan and CutestDaughter are entered in a gingerbread contest and they have DESTROYED my kitchen but I am trying to zen it since they are having such a great time together.
Video: Coolio Makes Deep-Fried Turkey
Watching that video= great bonding moment with my 15 year old...that was funny.
Trying to perfect a blue cheese cheesecake
Savory cheesecake = salsa cheesecake...oh to die for.
Have You Ever Deep Fried a Turkey for Thanksgiving?
I am too dangerous in the kitchen let alone with a fryer...plus too cold in NH to be outside monitoring this action.
Healthy & Delicious: Tomatillo Guacamole
I could eat a quart of guac myself...
Dear Slice: 'Heading to NYC, and Pepe's in New Haven'
I was just at Pepe's a week ago (thank god for being a hockey mom I at least get to visit some decent food places!) and even my 11-year old said, "This pizza just has so much flavor!"
I admit I have not been to Sally's (have to check the hockey schedule!) but have been to Modern and I love Pepe's much more.
I also like going to the bakery next to Pepe's with the 10 different flavor cannolis too.
Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'
mashed potatoes !!!!!
Thanksgiving Menu what is yours?
Thanks CJ McD... Since I live (luckily!) by a garlic farm and buy it buy the bushel I will keep that in mind.
We will only have our lovely family of 5 for Thanksgiving.
Turkey (fresh up in NH...will let BigMan handle the bird)
mashed potatoes
sweet potatoes--half with icky marshmallows on them
stuffing with dried fruit
canned peas (in honor of some old rich relative--made his $ in, yes, canned peas)
fresh cranberry/orange sauce
rolls
pumpkin pie
3 nut pie
and something chocolate-y
Roederer champagne
No apps--must save room. And completely boring recipes--I have saved the same Bon Appetit from 1991 and I stick to it...never veer.
I think it's the one day a year for consistency...but the night before and the rest of the weekend are up for grabs!
Where have 'comments we have know and love" gone?
@adam....Elope, my friend, run for the hills. Think of all the delicious champagne you could drink with your lovely bride... Congratulations...being married is the longest, most fun sleepover party with your best friend!!
Funniest Thanksgiving
We also do a "Salute to the Turkey" which is much more fun when it is more than just the 5 of us...The turkey gets paraded around the room then placed at the head...we all thump on the table, say a few words (changes almost every year) and then WHAM! we all hit the table really hard so the silverware and glasses jump!
Thanksgiving Menu what is yours?
@CJ McD---gentle garlic?
Funniest Thanksgiving
A few years ago I came downstairs to find our orange cat, Mr. Peach, standing on top of the turkey that was in the sink defrosting. He had eaten most of the breast. I laughed so hard. My mother, on the other hand, was mortified. "Whatever are we going to do?" she said. I said we are going to get in the car and buy a new turkey and if there is not turkey we will just eat something else. To this day it still makes me laugh and it makes her upset.
Pre-Thanksgiving Cocktail, what's it going to be?
Champagne. Life is a celebration! Roederer from the Anderson Valley in CA.
making up lost time - what's for dinner 11/10/09?
Dining hall...spent the day at Brown University then had to come home and host an open house. I never meal plan because I am the queen of cravings. As for lunch in Providence (a previous post) we ate at a nasty pizza place right near campus that I am sure is just for laundering money. We were late and worried about finding our way..Brown is not clearly marked-it would be great to spend more time in that city as it looks like there are many great places to eat.
Define your comfort food
My pot of tea in the morning. Can't live without it. Breakfast is my favorite comfort meal, sausage, eggs over easy, fried potatoes, toast with a glass of cold milk. Of course not often!! Potatoes in any way, shape or form. Lastly, spaghetti with my homemade sauce that I've been making since age 13.
Your Favorite Thanksgiving leftover dish...
Bubble and squeak if I'm lucky to have any leftover Brussell's sprouts. If not, Turkey sandwich on soft white bread with mayo, white meat and some stuffing, slightly warmed, and salt and pepper. At least one a day while supplies last!!!
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
Since it's just me and my boyfriend, we're having new york strip steaks & mashed potatoes. I have some brussel sprouts I might roast but that would be just for myself.
My only nod to the occasion is dinner rolls. You know those ones that are usually only available around holidays that come slightly raw and you have to bake them? I grew up loving those.
Also, I have a problem with the naked gluttony that surrounds the day. It's disgusting to me that in this day and age with food so plentiful that we actually have the gall to set aside a day to eat even more. I just think it's grown irrelevant and that's why, when I do celebrate it, I try to focus on giving thanks for things other than mass quantities of food. Little things like friends and family and good health and whatnot. And this is from someone who is overweight and loves to eat.
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
I've had some humbug years. And some difficult ones, when the holidays had to be split between DH's family and mine. And in my case it was just my parents, so if we didn't make an appearance, it was just the two of them. Instead of looking forward to the holidays, it was something I mostly dreaded, because someone would always be disappointed that we didn't spend enough time.
Now my parents are gone and we moved across the country from DHs siblings, so the holidays are much more low-key. I host Thanksgiving and Christmas for my inlaws, which is exactly the way I like it.
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
As a young adult I grew to dislike Thanksgiving to the point that had it been disontinued, I wouldn't have given a damn. It was mainly because my father's family (whom I always spend it with) would never allow anyone to tamper with their precious meal that apparently has been eaten in precisely the same way since Moses declared it to be.
I made homemade rolls and was told they prefer storebought. I made sweet potato pie and was told it was just the same as pumpkin (which they make) so why did I bother (Totally not the same). And on and on and on.
It took about fifteen years, but I now make the rolls, the cranberry sauce, bring whatever desserts I see fit, along with a cocktail for before, and I have been trusted to make the family recipe for stuffing.
Video: Coolio Makes Deep-Fried Turkey
He is a fool! The turkey looks like it came out pretty good though. He could've done without the females in the back.....totally useless!
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
@PoorOldMama-Flying squirrels??? Why on earth were there flying squirrels? I'm laughing and intrigued over that one!
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
Whew! I thought I was odd for being weary of Thanksgiving and all its rigid food requirements. Looks like there's a whole new field of frustration out there. Well, after many years of trying to inject new dishes or traditions into my extended family, I decided to just go along with it all but make my contributions (dishes)--ones that my husband and I really like. It's just a day in the week...much like Christmas...and I've learned that I must control the particular holiday (assign it just a few hours amidst family, make something we like and eat what I like, etc) that is bearable for us...and that's *it*. I often think that maybe next year I'd like to take a long vacation in eastern Europe just before our (USA) Thanksgiving to avoid all the intense commercialism and emotional pressure of Thanksgiving and especially Christmas (and enjoy, hopefully, Christmas the old fashioned way....or has it been ruined over there as well?)
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
The older I get the harder I find it to enjoy Thanksgiving - my relatives are less perfect when seen through adult eyes than they were when I was a kid. Having the right expectations seems to help - we're not perfect, idyllic, or even always nice. If we can manage to respect each other's differences for the day, I'll call it a success. I'm optimistic that we can do this.
Now Christmas I outright dread - love the holiday itself, but am terrified of spending it with my family. Have solved the issue this year by bugging out to spend it with my in-laws, who are blessedly wonderful people.
Is Anyone Else a Thanksgiving Humbug?
Well, I'll say it:
I hate Thanksgiving.
It's my least favorite holiday.
Growing up, I liked the parade on TV, the day off from school, making crafts, and nibbling a sweet decadent breakfast with my mom. But I never liked the lumpy beige food, even the smell of the turkey. The most anal relatives hosted Thanksgiving, so it was a boring affair, full of constraint and making nice with cousins I didn't speak to--going out to eat was lovely, too, but the food was never as nice as on non-Thanksgiving days.
After my parent's divorce, my mom and I sometimes went to the movies or a diner, but often my grandmother would be sick, and then I was away at college...
I've had some dreadful Thanksgivings. Eating Souffer's French Bread pizza while writing my thesis for grad school. Being an undergrad, running in Connecticut on T-Day, and happening upon a lovely, stereotypical LL Bean family running with their dogs before their big turkey feast when I was alone. Fighting with my mother, refusing to come home from college, going to a friend's home in her UNHEATED New England house and then having her fight with her parents and scream at me for not eating enough for the whole weekend.
My mother and I were close during my late 20s but we never really got the 'hang' of Thanksgiving as two women living alone.
My mother has passed, and now I spend it at my father's and stepmothers. They spend most of the day inhaling meat, watching TV, and complaining about how no one speaks Greek in America.
I love Christmas--the tinsel and the lights, the joyous pastels of Easter, even the heady summer excitement of the 4th of July. I give out the best candy on Halloween. I always take my father out to eat and give him a gift on Father's Day.
But Thanksgiving can stuff it.
Appetizer Needed
Stuffed mushrooms are easy, but they tend to be better warm than at room temp, in my opinion. Here are two versions I make that are super easy, but I would heat them up before serving... They do include some cheese on top that you can certainly omit.
But I was also thinking the hummus route... you can do it straight or add some roasted/grilled eggplant too to make it really special.
Or you can do antipasto with tuna... I make it with soy tuna to make it vegetarian, but the recipe works with the real thing, as that's how I actually learned how to make it. Serve it over crackers or toasted bagguettes...
Video: Coolio Makes Deep-Fried Turkey
@meleyna, I was reading the comments while watching the video and trying to figure out when this bell pepper would pop in and I am almost curious how he plans on shipping an autographed bell pepper and who is trying to win it
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
My condolences @dhorst. Grandma moments are precious. Have some pleasure in recalling the good memories.
Take care of yourself, but trust the resilience of your body. If you don't feel like eating. Don't force it. Your body will let you know.
Help with Brussels Sprouts
Here's my recipe for them pan roasted in honey butter with red chili flakes. Who can't be won over by honey butter?!
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
@Cary--thanks for your kind thoughts and words. They are truly appreciated.
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
@so sorry dhorst, truly. The holidays will be different, but maybe sharing some of her foods and memories will make them very special, too. Kind of makes you focus on what is important about these family holidays...the famliy ties, shared moments, connections, and thankfulness instead of gifts and extravagance. We will be thinking of you.
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Last night we had macaroni and cheese with diced turkey ham, some corn, a salad for me, and some homemade rolls. It was good, but I ate too much.
About an hour after dinner I found out my grandmother (94) had just passed. I've been nauseous ever since.
The guys had burgers tonight and are going to an SU basketball game. I'm going to spend some quiet time remembering "Grandma moments," and maybe have some soup. Not much appetite. The holidays are going to be different this year.
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
A hamburger pattie, cottage cheese, tater chips and chow chow. A healthy slice of butterscotch pie with whipped cream for dessert!
@tangledgray--guacamolied. I love that!! :)
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
@pjracz10: It's not fancy or impressive (I know I could be shunned for some of the ingredients), but with limited groceries/kitchen utensils, it works just fine. Prepare one box of cook and serve chocolate pudding as directed (I use a little less milk); once it comes to a boil, stir in a healthy dollop of peanut butter. Pour into a prepared graham cracker crust and let set in the fridge (I also like it semi-frozen). Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream (or, *gasp!* cool whip).
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Sprouted corn tortilla are by "food for life" co. I buy them from Integral Yoga in NYC, in the frozen food section. I put them in the cast iron skillet w/ a little butter or oil. They stay soft but they have a great taste and texture. I haven't seen them at Wholefoods, so I stock up when I see them at IY. Oh yeah, organic corn!
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Monday night is usually what I call "meatless Mondays" or vegetarian dinner, so last night I had a stir-fry of bok choy, dried mushrooms (rehydrated), sliced mushrooms, and onions with the soaking water of the dried mushrooms and finally left-over canned chicken gravy. This was actually very good on white rice.
Jerome, the resident Cocker (English), probably does not agree, his pre-decessor and great-uncle Teemu always looked rather peeved at Vegetarian dinner.
Tonight it is the left over red-cooked pork shoulder that all good Chinese cooks should have in the refrigerator and/or the freezer! I am ashamed to say I did the shoulder for the first time recently but promise that I will make it again and again in the future.
Why Do Phở Restaurant Names Usually Involve Numbers?
i always thought they were the year they open... we have pho 99, 95
Help with Brussels Sprouts
Roasted, esp. Ina's version, seems to have won the day here. But the last couple of times I made brussels sprouts it was from a recipe (and I can't remember where I got it) that directed that they be run through the slicing disc of a Cuisinart so they are basically shredded. Sauteed with half olive oil and half butter, some shallots, and then lots of chestnuts, those sprouts were FABulous, and even better than roasting IMHO.
Help with Brussels Sprouts
Roasted simply with olive oil or grilled is the way my husband prepares them, then served with a little black pepper.
As was mentioned earlier, if they don't dig sulfurous foods it's going to be a little difficult.
I've found that they suck as reheated leftovers.
Why Do Phở Restaurant Names Usually Involve Numbers?
My favorite Pho restaurant in Montreal is actually called... Pho Bang New York :-)
Recent Posts
Thanksgiving eve---What could possibly be for dinner? Nov. 25th
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 25, 2009 at 5:19 PM
♥♥♥ = Homecooking. What's for dinner Nov. 23?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 23, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Kissin' don't last, Cooking do!------Dinner November 5th?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 5, 2009 at 2:23 PM
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 2, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Skipping school, acting cool--Dinner Monday Nov. 2?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 2, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Need some good Karma-What's for dinner 11/1?
Posted by PoorOldMama, November 1, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Is this a novice pseudo-vegetarian problem?
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 31, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Kiss the Cook!! What's for dinner Thursday Oct. 29th?
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 29, 2009 at 5:06 PM
I bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan---Dinner 10/28 Wed???
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 28, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Bewitching in the kitchen! What's for dinner 10/27, Tuesday?
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 27, 2009 at 2:19 PM
The family that eats together...What's for dinner 10/25 Sunday??
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 25, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Slowcooker down and smell the roses!! Dinner Tuesday October 20th
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
KitchenAid? Help with ideas for dinner-Monday October 12th
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 12, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Walk the Wok. Talk the Talk. Dinner Saturday, Oct. 10th.
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 10, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Give some lovin' to your oven! Dinner Thursday 10/8?
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 8, 2009 at 12:59 PM
What's hot in the pot? Dinner Tuesday Oct. 6th?
Posted by PoorOldMama, October 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
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I only like hot lunch so I love making turkey pot pie!!! Of course, followed by the extra desserts I somehow have made!!!