PHEW! My head is still spinning from all those Thanksgiving recipes! I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that the food was great, no matter who cooked it.
That being said, I am EXHAUSTED and I need a little bitty break from NJ Fresh. Fear not faithful followers, I will be back!
Thanks for reading! I appreciate your support!
Happy cooking,
Aubrey @ NJ Fresh
Makes about 4-6 side dishes
2 cups frozen peas
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp cream cheese or sour cream
Salt and pepper
In a pot fitted with a steamer basket, steam the peas until they are heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
Transfer the peas to a mixing bowl and add the butter and cream cheese (or sour cream). Season with salt and pepper.
With a potato masher, or with a sturdy fork, mash the peas so they are chunky, but begin to resemble mashed potatoes. Switch to a spoon and stir until everything is well combined. (You can add 1 tbsp of water if it is too thick). Enjoy!
*Paying homage to our trip to London! Mushy peas are a common side-dish served with fish & chips. It sounds gross, but it is actually very good. The texture is like mashed potatoes, but the flavor is of peas. You could even spread this over some toasty pieces of bread like a crostini. This is another super-easy side-dish that is a far cry from your traditional Thanksgiving feast!
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1
1 bunch fresh or frozen broccoli
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon
In a pan, heat the olive oil together with the butter. When the butter is melted, add the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds. Add the broccoli to the pan and saute until broccoli is heated through and just tender. Squeeze the 1/2 lemon over the broccoli, and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
*Talk about an easy side dish. You can make this about 10 minutes before you are about to serve dinner. To keep it warm, cover it with foil, but don't leave it on too long, or the broccoli will become mushy. I love the lemon juice in this recipe. It adds a nice brightness to the broccoli without being overpowering. Depending on how much broccoli you are using, you can use less or more lemon juice. And, if you don't like garlic or lemon juice, just leave them out!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and I hope you are all getting as excited as I am! I wanted to give you some tips and/or tricks for you to keep handy as you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast.
1.) Keep It Simple!
Nobody said you had to turn into a gourmet chef just because it's Thanksgiving. Use recipes that you are familiar with, and you know you can execute well. You will feel more comfortable in the kitchen and your food will come out so much better. Don't use Thanksgiving as the time to try your new duck confit recipe!
2.) Easy on the Appetizers
It's nice to give your guests something to munch on before the big meal, but you don't want them to be full when they sit down to dinner! Have a few platters of chips, some raw vegetables, and maybe some shrimp cocktail. And be sure to offer your guests a drink once they are settled.
3.) Downplay the Decorations
Your guests don't want to be dodging candles and flower arrangements just to get to the food on the table. Have a nice centerpiece and stick with a central theme and color. Don't go crazy, and don't stress yourself out. Make the food the focus of the table. And besides, it's about being together, not about the decorations.
4.) Don't Try to Please Everyone
There will inevitably be something you make that someone will not like. Who cares? Nobody said everybody has to eat everything that's on the table. If someone doesn't like your creamed corn recipe, then they don't have to take any. Also, keep a mental note of any dishes that NO ONE took, so you know not to make it again!
5.) Make Ahead!
There are LOTS of things you can make ahead. The cranberry sauce recipe can be made up to a week ahead. Pies can be made up to two days ahead. Dressing (or stuffing) can be made a day ahead and just bake it off the day of. If you are brining or salting the turkey, that should be done at least 1 day before. Trust me, prepping ahead for the big day will make your life so much easier.
6.) Enjoy the Company
Your guests do not want to hang out in the kitchen with you while you scramble around to finish things up. Prep ahead, get people to help you out, and enjoy your time with your guests. Thankgiving is about togetherness and enjoying each other's company.
7.) Do Something Fun!
Of course, Thanksgiving in and of itself is a great time, but shake things up and have some more fun! Play a game that gets everyone involved and makes everyone laugh. Games I recommend: Catch Phrase, Guesstures, Pictionary, Scattergories, and a new game called Quelf. Or, go around the room and have people tell their funniest Thanksgiving story. Be creative!
8.) Easy on Drinks
You want your guests to remember the night, so go easy on the booze. If you choose to serve alcohol, again, keep it simple. Have a few good beers on hand, a red and a white wine, and sparkling cider & soda/juice for the non-drinkers. Also, keep an eye on your guests who are drinking. If someone has had a little too much, they may become an unexpected overnight guest!
9.) Keep the Kids Busy
If there are kids at your house, make sure they have something to do. Get some coloring books and crayons from the dollar store, or some fun little toys for them to play with. Activities will help keep them quiet (hopefully!) and occupied so their parents can enjoy the night too. If you are not able to give the kids something to do, ask that their parents bring things along for them.
10.) Put Your Guests to Work!
Let's face it, you can't do everything yourself. As your guests arrive, give them a small but meaningful job to do. Examples: "Hey, Uncle Brian, would you mind taking people's coats as they come in please?" "Evan, could you pour water in everyone's glasses please?" "Mom, could you take those pies out of the oven please?" "Brad, could you mash those potatoes for me please?" (Don't forget to say please!) Most of the time, your guests will be happy to oblige, but if not, that's ok, find someone else to do it!
11.) Don't Be the "Dreaded Guest"
If you are invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving, remember you are a GUEST in their home. Don't drink until you pass out, don't be rude to other guests, and especially show respect for your host/hostess. DO offer to help, DO be pleasant and friendly with other guests, and DO make the holiday stress-free for your host. You want to be invited back next year right?
12.) Enjoy the Day
Thanksgiving is about being together, having great food, and making memories with your family and friends. Don't worry if something goes wrong. You are surrounded by people who love you, and they won't love you any less if you mess up the cranberry sauce. One of my favorite Thanksgivings was when our two friends had joined us at my mom's house. The power went out just as we had finished eating, so we played Catch Phrase in the dark. It was hilarious, and we are still laughing about it to this day. Don't stress, keep it simple and have a great time!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Obviously, the picture will have to wait until after Thanksgiving!
By the way, this recipe comes courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine
Salt Rub
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
3 small bay leaves, coarsely torn
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
Turkey
1 14- to 16-pound turkey (neck, heart, and gizzard reserved)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1 whole lemon, chopped with peel
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups (or more) chicken stock
Make the salt rub up to a week ahead. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, except the lemon peel. Seal tightly and store at room temp. Add the lemon peel just before using.
Rinse turkey inside and out (do not pat dry). Pull any fat pads from main cavity and neck cavity of turkey; wrap, chill, and reserve fat for roasting. Place turkey in roasting bag; sprinkle inside and out with herbed salt. Close bag. Place on baking sheet; refrigerate 18 to 24 hours.
Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 325°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat very dry. Stir chopped onion and next 5 ingredients in small bowl. Divide onion mixture between main and neck cavities. Fold neck skin under and secure with skewer. Tuck wing tips under. Tie legs together loosely. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Spread butter all over turkey. Place reserved fat pads and reserved neck, heart, and gizzard in pan; pour in 2 cups chicken stock.
Roast turkey 45 minutes. Baste with pan juices. Continue to roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F to 170°F, basting every 45 minutes, adding stock or water to pan if dry, and tenting loosely with foil if browning too quickly, 3 to 3 1/2 hours longer. Transfer turkey to platter; tent very loosely with foil and let rest 30 to 45 minutes. Reserve roasting pan with juices for gravy.
*Well, there you have it. Though not completely my recipe, this is how I plan to bake my bird this Thanksgiving. I highly recommend the salting method, because the flavor you get is unbeatable and the skin is so stinkin' crispy. I would love to hear how you plan to make your turkey, or even see some pictures! Good luck fellow turkey makers!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1
1 gallon apple cider
1 orange, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
Pour everything into a crock pot and heat. Enjoy!
*There is nothing like coming into a house with hot apple cider cooking in the crock pot. It just smells like the holidays. My mom always had this brewing on the holidays, and my brother and I would go nuts. We loved to have a cup of hot cider with our breakfast on Christmas morning. And it makes the perfect drink before you dive into the turkey on Thanksgiving!
And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 2 Corinthians 7:15
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