Friday, January 1, 2010

Pumpkin Dip

Taken from Busy Mom's Cookbook

1 16 oz frozen Cool Whip
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 box of vanilla pudding
2 Tbs pumpkin pie seasoning

Mix all together and dip with cinnamon graham crackers!

Apple, Bacon, Shallot and Herb Dressing

Taken from Good Things Catered

1/2 lb sourdough loaf; cubed

1/2 lb homemade cornbread; cubed

1 lb bacon

3 Fuji apples; cored and diced

5 large shallots; sliced extra thin

3 large celery ribs; cut into 1/2 inch slices

4 large garlic cloves; minced

1/4 cup fresh parsley; minced

2 Tbsp fresh sage; minced

2 Tbsp fresh thyme; minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly cracked pepper

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

3 eggs

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup cream


Place cubed bread in large bowl and let sit overnight.


Preheat oven to 400 degrees and prepare baking dish.


Cook bacon in heavy skillet until crisp, about 15 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Drain fat from pan, leaving only 3 Tbsp remaining. Add shallot and 1/2 tsp salt and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until thoroughly browned, about 10 min. Cook 5 more minutes to caramelize.


Add apple and celery to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 min. Add garlic, sage, thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds more. Transfer to large bowl holding bread cubes. Add pepper, parsley, bacon and toss to combine.


In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, stock, and cream with remaining salt and nutmeg. Pour egg mixture over other ingredients and toss to combine well.


Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Place in oven to cook for 25 minutes and then remove foil. Continue cooking until top breading is crisp, about 20-25 more minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

Honey & Thyme Brined Turkey

Taken from MyRecipes.com

7 cups water, divided
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
6 thyme sprigs
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups ice cubes
1 (6-pound) whole bone-in turkey breast, skinned
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Cooking spray
Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Combine 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons pepper, and thyme sprigs in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Pour into a large bowl; cool to room temperature. Add remaining 6 cups water, salt, honey, and sugar, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve. Pour salt mixture into a 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add ice and turkey; seal. Refrigerate 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Remove turkey from bag, and discard brine. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.

Rub turkey with oil. Combine 1 tablespoon pepper and chopped thyme; rub over turkey.

Preheat oven to 400°.

Place the turkey on a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 1 hour or until thermometer inserted into thickest portion of the breast registers 180°. Place turkey on a platter. Cover with foil; let stand 15 minutes. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

Market's A Very Adult Mac & Cheese

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil

1 cup sour cream

3 Tbls Dijon mustard

1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

3 cups heavy cream

1 cup Fiscalini cheddar (or other artisinal sharp cheddar); grated

1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano; grated

1/2 cup Hobb's bacon; cooked and crumbled

3 Tbls parsley; chopped

3 Tbls chives; chopped


Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain noodles and toss with 2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil. Allow to cool to room temperature. Once noodles are cool, toss with sour cream and Dijon.


Toast Panko crumbs on baking sheet at 275 for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.


Heat heavy cream until hot but not boiling. Add grated cheddar and parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted. Add the pre-cooked noodles and bacon and stir to combine. Once the noodles are heated through, add the parsley and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.


Pour into a serving dish and top with toasted Panko crumbs.

Country Chicken Kiev

Chicken
10-12 chicken cutlets; trimmed and pounded flat

1 stick butter; melted

bread crumbs (mixed with Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper)

1 lb imported ham; sliced

3/4 lb Swiss cheese


Sauce

1 stick butter; melted

3/4 cup scallions; diced

1/2 cup white wine


Lay cutlets flat and place ham and cheese on top. Holding together with your fingers, roll overlapping ends together underneath. Dip rolled piece into melted butter and roll in bread crumb mixture. Place rolls on baking pan. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Baste chicken with sauce while cooking.