Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

January 9, 2012

The Cooking Couple-Stuffed Acorn Squash


One of my absolute favorite things to do is to cook with Mr. Runway Chef. We both find it to be so enjoyable and relaxing.


For that reason, I decided to start a new section on the blog, appropriately titled the "The Cooking Couple". It will include recipes that are just enough for two and are more fun to make as a couple then they are alone....aka you give directions and make him do all the work :)


We had bought a turkey around Thanksgiving  and last night we finally got around to cooking it (only 3 months too late...oops!).


To make it more fun we decided to recreate a mini thanksgiving meal but with simpler and healthier side dishes (trying to remember those new years resolutions....emphasis on trying!). 


Acorn squash is not only incredibly healthy but it just so happens to be the perfect amount for two people. Combining it with a few other ingredients helped make it extra special for our Sunday night dinner.



Stuffed Acorn Squash
1 acorn squash
1/4 c. onion,chopped
4 slices of (turkey) bacon,chopped
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. of maple syrup
Olive oil
Italian Bread crumbs

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut the acorn squash in half and place each half face down in a glass baking dish. Fill with about an inch of water, then baking until soft, about 30-45 minutes.

In a medium skillet, heat a splash of olive oil then saute the bacon and onions. Scoop out the insides of the squash and add that to the pan along with the cheese and syrup. Stir to combine.

Stuff each shell with the filling and top with a sprinkling of bread crumbs. Bake for 10 more minutes.

November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy thanksgiving! 


Because being thankful is something that is often overlooked this time of the year, I wanted to take the time to list the 5 things that I feel so blessed and lucky to have.

1. I am thankful for my family, my many friends, and mostly my very loving, ever supportive fiance.


2. I am thankful for a kitchen, food, yummy dishes and of course turkey dinner!gobble gobble!


3. I am thankful for cozy sweaters, comfy sweats, fuzzy slippers and fluffy jackets to keep me warm.


4. I am thankful to have a roof over my head.


5. I am thankful for my five senses, which allow me to experience all of the above to their full potential.


I hope you all take today to not only remember what to be thankful for but to enjoy your family, friends, festivities and food!

November 22, 2011

Table Toppings


When it comes to decorating your table for thanksgiving, I have found one of the best inspirations to be in nature.

A branch of  laid across the table to adds a simple decorative touch


In place of napkin rings, lay a smaller branch across a napkin && add a Hershey kiss


Leaves can be used as place cards held in place with a pine cone


Sweet treats scattered among the branches give guest something to snack on


And candles always add a nice ambiance to your meal.

November 20, 2011

Turkey for Two

Or last minute T-Day dishes.....Or breakfast.....Or a midnight snack. Whatever your little heart desires.


<<Disclosure: This post is forever long...just be happy you are the one doing the reading, not the writing :)>>


Get the party started with these apps.



Cranberry Pear Brie Packets
1 pear, chopped
1/2 c. cranberries
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1/2 a puff pastry sheet
2 oz. brie
Olive Oil

Saute onion, pear and cranberries in olive oil until tender. Stir in maple syrup and continue to cook a few more minutes. Cut the pastry into 4 even squares (about 2" x 2"). On a foil or parchment lined baking sheet, place one square, then 2 tablespoons of cranberry topping, the brie cheese, and second square of pastry and then fold over the edges and seal in. Repeat with other squares. Baked at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

(Set aside remaining cranberry mixture for you cranberry sauce)



Best Stuffed Mushrooms....Seriously
Taken from my local paper over 10 years ago


1/2 a package of cream cheese (I use light)
2 tbsp. parsley
2 tbsp. chopped onion
1/2 lb. sausage (I like turkey)
8 oz. mushrooms

Start sauteing sausage in a skillet. Remove stems from mushrooms without breaking the the cap. Chop the  stems and add those along with the onions to the sausage and cook until tender. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until cream cheese is melted in. Place the mushroom caps on a foil lined baking sheet. Fill each cap with filling, then broil on high for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Next up, the side kicks.


Sweet Potato Gratin


2 sweet potatoes
2 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. brown sugar
4 tbsp. milk (or OJ)

Slice potatoes thinly. Grease a 6"x9" and place a layer of potatoes on the bottom. Top with 1/2 the butter and sugar. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Pour the milk over the top. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the potatoes easily comes out.

Sausage Apple Stuffing


1/2 lb. sausage (Use the other half from the the mushrooms)
2 apples, chopped
1/2 an onion, chopped
1 tbsp. rosemary
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp. butter
8 oz. chicken broth
2 c. cornbread, crumbled

Saute the first four ingredients together, until sausage is cooked through and onions are tender. Add butter, cornbread and chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Stuff your turkey....or your face :)

Cranberry Sauce


Remaining cranberry sauce from above brie recipe
1/2 c. cranberries
2 tbsp. maple syrup

Add the cranberries and maple syrup to the remaining sauce from the brie. Saute for about 20 minutes, or until the berries start to caramelize and juices thicken.

The Main Event


Stuffed Chicken Breast



2 chicken breast
Stuffing
Salt, pepper and olive oil

Butterfly the chicken breast. Brush with olive oil then place about 3 tablespoons of stuffing in the middle. Fold over the other half of the chicken breast, sprinkle the top with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake on a foil lined baking sheet at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes.



And last, but certainly not least, dessert.


This ice-cream is so ridiculously easy, you should make it every day...for real.


Pumpkin Ice -Cream



1 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. condensed milk
3/4 c. puree pumpkin
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
A dash of nutmeg

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Spread into a freezer proof container and freeze, 4-5 hours or until solid.

Cranberry Pear Crisp



3/4 c. cranberries
4 pears, sliced
2 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. sugar

1/3 c. oats
1 c. flour
6 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
Dash of nutmeg

Mix together first four ingredients in an 8" x 8" pan. In a separate medium sized bowl, melt the butter. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well mixed and crumbly. Sprinkle on top of fruit. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until juices begin to bubble. Cool and serve with pumpkin ice-cream.

*Special thank you to Mr. Runway Chef....this post would not have been possible without all is help and support*

November 17, 2011

Thanksgiving Prep

This is for all you slackers out there (myself included). If you are like me and almost forgot it was November, let alone thanksgiving in a week, you probably haven't done any turkey day planning.


So I present you with this fool-proof guide to a happy thanksgiving.


1. Make a plan
   -Plan out your menu: turkey (duh!) or use a chicken for a thanksgiving for two; my rule of thumb is to
     always have an app or salad, potato, a veggie, a dessert and bread/rolls. For every four people, add
     another side, veggie, app and dessert.
   -Once you figure out the basics, you can then decided which recipes you want to make with your
    ingredients and if you want to be traditional, simple,fancy,etc
   -Make your grocery list........and if at all possible avoid going to the store the weekend or day before.  
 
2. Prep work
   -Gathering all necessary pans,utensils,dishes etc. (For my turkey I like to use a throw away aluminum
    pan for easy clean up).

   -Prepare your table settings-table cloth, napkins,napkin rings,place settings, centerpieces,etc.
    These are some great ideas!
  -The day before, prep whatever foods you can, i.e. pre-cut veggies,prepare your stuffing,etc

3. Turkey Day


    
    
   
    -Put your turkey in the oven early.
    -If people offer, accept their help.
    -Be creative, enjoy your day and maybe have a 
     few of these while you're at it.

















Menu Ideas


Appetizers
Sides/Veggies

  • Maple glazed Brussels sprouts
  • Creamed onions
  • Cheesy corn bake
  • Brown sugared bacon green beans
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes (baked, mashed,casserole)
  • Tossed salad-goat cheese,pear,cranberries and walnuts is a good one
  • Cranberry orange relish
  • Gravy
  • Stuffing (sausage,sage and apple cornbread is a personal favorite)
Dessert

  • Cranberry pear crisp
  • Pumpkin pecan pie
  • Pumpkin bread pudding
  • Rustic apple tart
  • Pumpkin trifle
  • Molasses pumpkin spice cookies
  • Pumpkin pie martinis
  • Apple pie martinis
Stay tuned for recipes and more ideas!