Perfect Gravy

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gravy1Gravy is such an important part of your meal.  After all the preparation and care to cook the meat just right, you need a spectacular gravy to top it off.  This is the gravy you need.  It is fool-proof.  Perfect gravy every time.  You can make it to go with any meat.  Make plenty and make it ahead of time, you’ll need it!!!

 

Ingredients

4 TBSP Butter

¼ Cup Shallots, finely chopped (onions can also be used)

2 TBSP Flour

2 Cups Low sodium Chicken Stock

Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

 

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots or onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook 5 minutes or until the shallots are soft.

2. Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and whisk until the flour is a light brown color. About 2 minutes.

3. While whisking, slowly pour in the chicken broth and whisk until the flour is incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

4. Simmer until the gravy thickens and the flavors meld. About 10 minutes.

5. Season with salt and pepper

6. Strain the gravy to remove the shallots/onions before serving (optional)

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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mashed-sweet-potatoesThese mashed sweet potatoes are sweet and crunchy.  They are a welcome change from the typical sweet potatoes with the mini-marshmallows on top. These are so easy to make and best of all, they can be made ahead of time and baked right before you are ready to serve them.

 

Ingredients 

3 Lbs Sweet Potatoes
2 TBSP Butter
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 TBSP Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Half & Half
Salt & Pepper

 

Topping

4 TBSP Butter, softened
1/2 Cup Pecans
1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
Pinch of Salt

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375º. Grease a casserole dish. Peel and cube the potatoes. Put them in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Boil the potatoes until they are soft. Drain and return them to the pot. Using a hand mixer, mash the potatoes until they’re smooth. Add the butter, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice,, half & half, brown sugar, salt and pepper . Continue mixing until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine… Transfer the mashed potatoes to the greased casserole and top with the sugar mixture. Sprinkle the nuts on top. Bake for 30 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes

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mashed-potatoesMashed potatoes and gravy, it doesn’t get much better than that.   They’re the expected side dish with fried chicken, roast beef, turkey and the main part of shepherd’s pie.  On Thanksgiving, no matter how many I make, my family devours them all.  This recipe is creamy, silky and delicious.

 

Ingredients

3 Potatoes

¼ Lb Cream Cheese

½ Cup Half & Half

4-5 TBSP Butter

1/2 tsp Salt

 

Instructions

Peel the potatoes and cut them into small chunks, they should all be about the same size. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Let the potatoes come to a boil, and continue boiling for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Don’t over cook. Drain the potatoes. Using a potato masher or hand blender, mash the potatoes until they are smooth. Add the butter and the cream cheese. Mash until they are both melted. Add the half & half and ½ teaspoon of salt. Continue mixing the potatoes until they are creamy and silky.

Uncle Paul’s Broccoli Casserole

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broccoli-casserole-pieceEvery family has those one or two dishes that has to be on the menu for every holiday.  For my family, this is it.   My brother-in-law created this recipe at least twenty five years ago for Christmas dinner and we’ve been having it ever since.  We have branched a little, and we now have it for just about every holiday, not just Christmas.  Once you make it you’ll see how buttery, creamy and delicious it is.  I have no doubt that it will become your family favorite also. 

 

Ingredients

4 -10oz boxes of Chopped Broccoli

3/4 Lb American Cheese

1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers

1 Stick Butter

Salt

 

Instructions

Cook the broccoli following the manufacturers directions. Drain. In a large mixing bowl, add the hot chopped broccoli, half the butter and the American cheese. Mix until the cheese and butter are completely melted. Add the salt to taste.

Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish. Crush the Ritz crackers. Melt the remaining half of the butter and mix with the crackers. Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the broccoli.

Bake in a 350º oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cracker topping is brown and the middle is warm. 

 

broccoli-casserole

November

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November marks the official start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving on the third Thursday of the month.  

I love Thanksgiving.  It’s a day to be thankful for the people around you, the food on the table and all the wonderful things in our lives.  There aren’t any presents or crazy shopping to take away from celebration.  It’s just about enjoying the day with friends and family.  

The food is delicious with Turkey being the star of the show.  Lots of delicious side dishes of stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries, vegetables and delicious gravy to go over it all.  Yum!!

Typically, I have a crowd of about 30 or so at my house, which seems to be the norm at Thanksgiving time for a lot of people. 

I am used to cooking for a crowd, but a lot of people that I speak to are extremely stressed by the house preparation, decorations and the meal for so many people.

Fortunately, I am here to help you thorough the holiday.  From easy decorations to a fabulous meal.  My Thanksgiving cheat sheet is amazing.  On one piece of paper, you will have the timetable to roast a turkey and how to make the best stuffing around.  It also has a recipe to make mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and a broccoli casserole that all your friends and family will devour.  And last but not least perfect gravy.  It couldn’t be easier.  

Now, on page 2, you will find Pumpkin and Apple pie.  The Apple pie recipe is from my Grandmother.  It is easy and fool proof. 

Not only will I give you all the help you need to serve an amazing meal, but I will also give you easy tips on setting a beautiful table.  

Let’s get started!!