Thanksgiving Tablescapes and Helping Tips Cheat Sheets

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I wanted to bring you some Thanksgiving inspiration for your table this year. Along with a couple of Cheat Sheets that I created.

First up is the tablescape.  I'm all about a well dressed table.  I just love decorating and changing up the table to create a theme or just enhance a mood.  MGG can attest to that as I have a spare closet full of various, dishes, tablecloths, napkins, and serving pieces!  It's a problem.  Along with cookbooks.  But that's a story for another day!

Each year I change the mood of my Thanksgiving table.  Last year I went with a frosty winter theme filled with the colors of silver, greys, and mercury glass with touches of orange pumpkins. 

The focal point was a beautiful mercury glass apothecary jar I used as a vase to hold off white hydrangeas, surrounded by silver candlesticks which held white tapers.  Orange pumpkins that hold side dishes are displayed.  I also found a wonderful glass pumpkin that I picked up which added more sparkle.  Add in some smoky grey wine glasses and the table is ready for the food.

The place settings started with silver chargers, followed by white dinner plates, and then a favorite salad plate that have deep oranges and rusts with a pumpkin motif.  Add in some southern styled silverware and a fluffy white napkin and you are set for a simple yet elegant dinner.

This year I changed the mood by going will deep fall colors such as copper, rust, deep oranges, creams, and silver/mercury glass. I also added a pop of green to bring in the outdoor feeling inside.  The textures are different as well, with silk, glass, wood, and ceramics.

I used the same mercury glass apothecary jar as a vase.  This time I found some muted green hydrangeas which gave the table a pop of color.  Surrounded by silver candlesticks with cream tapers and cream mini pumpkins.  The runner is copper silk with a nice sequin accent. 

For the place setting I used wood chargers to give the table an earthy feel.  Cream dinner plates topped with a salad plate that displays fall leaves in deep reds and rusts.  Top that with a lidded cream colored pumpkin bowl.  Gold crinkle glasses frame each plate along with clear wine glass goblets to give a more substantial feeling.

Dinner is served!

I hope you enjoyed the tablescapes and found some inspiration for your own table.  Now I've would like to share with you 2 cheat sheets that I created for Thanksgiving, and beyond.

TURKEY ROASTING TIMES

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

Have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving!

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Marinated Flank Steak

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It's almost Turkey time and I've just finished planning my menu. 

I know, I'm a little slow.  I'm not usually this way (honest!) but with our recent tropical vacation, time just got away from me and before you new it Thanksgiving was 2 weeks away.

I always plan a new tablescape for the big day.  It was so much fun shopping for new pieces to change up my table this year.  I'll share that with you in my next post.  With the table all set then came the food planning.  Oh boy, for whatever reason this was a tough one this year.  I always make our traditional family favorites but try to add 1 or 2 new side dishes.  I was looking at the menu and saw that everything is starchy or carbs.  Time for something green.  Well, I finally settled on 2 new dishes that I think will be outstanding.  I'm glad that part is done!  Phew...I was getting anxious there for a minute (which is something that we should NOT be doing!).  But, with some needed research this morning I knocked out the menu, made my grocery list, and even planned some new "after" Thanksgiving recipes to make this year.

Today, however, I thought I'd mix it up.  When all of us are thinking turkey, turkey, turkey, how about some beef?  Maybe an easy Jack Daniels Whiskey Marinated Flank Steak?  Oh yes, it sounds good, tastes wonderful, and is easy to make.  We need that now before the marathon cooking starts!

Jack Daniels Whiskey Marinated Flank Steak

You have to try this marinade.  Like now. 

It gives your beef the best flavor!  Dare I say it makes it beefier?  Well it sure seems that way.  There's nothing better than a grilled steak with a side of potatoes.  I cooked a wonderful flank steak, but this marinade will work on whatever your favorite cut of beef is.  The hardest part is waiting for the meat to finish marinating, (about 2 hours) then it's a quick grill, slice and your done!  Boy, my mouth is watering just re-living the flavors of this steak.  With added whiskey, apple juice, Worcestershire sauce for that added umph...and a little hot sauce, WOW!

This is great for dinner with potatoes and a salad.  It's also great turned into sandwiches the next day.  Any way you slice it this Jack Daniels Whiskey Marinated Flank Steak is worth making.

Enjoy!

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Marinated Flank Steak

Servings 4-6                                  

3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups apple juice
1/4 cup whiskey (optional)
1 T whole grain mustard
1 T olive oil
2 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce (I used Tabasco)
1flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds)

In a ziploc bag add all the ingredients except the steak.  Stir until mixed thoroughly.  Add the steak, seal and marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Remove the steak from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium high heat, or an indoor grill pan. If using the outdoor grill oil the grates with olive oil.

Remove steak from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Add the steak to the grill and cook about 4 minutes on each side until desired doneness. Remove steak to a cutting board and allow to stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Slice steak diagonally across the grain into thin strips.  Serve.

6 Irresistible Pumpkin Recipes

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We're celebrating the wonderful pumpkin today! 

I love pumpkins and can hardly wait for October to roll around each year so I can bake (and cook) with pumpkin. 

If you love pumpkin too then this post is for you!  I'm sharing with you 6 of my favorite pumpkin dishes today.  These are the ones I gravitate to each year.  I hope you enjoy them and find one that becomes a favorite of yours as well.

Enjoy your pumpkins!

Pumpkin Citrus Crescent Rolls

Pumpkin Cobbler

Pumpkin Pie with Orange Marmalade

Layered Pumpkin Bread

Spicy Pumpkin Fool

Low Carb Pumpkin Pancakes

Fall baking: Pumpkin Citrus Crescent Rolls

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October started off with a bang.  Fall baking and fall flavors were in so on my mind.  I made this delicious Bakery Style Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake and then bang...vacation time took over.  Not just any vacation, but a tropical one.  Hot, humid, tropical weather, which put me right back in the summer mood.

Well, we're back and we had a fantastic time, but it's taken me a little kick in the butt to get back in the fall flavor swing...until today that is.  We took this week trying to slowly get back into the swing of everyday life, work etc.  It's been rough as I'm still dreaming of the islands.  Last Friday night we decided to go out for a bit and walk around the mall.  I knew I had to stop in my favorite store, Williams-Sonoma, and pick up a jar of Pecan Pumpkin Butter by Muirhead.  Yum! It's full of all natural ingredients such as Pumpkin, sugar, lemon juice, pecans, spices and it tastes so good.  Definitely something to purchase if you get the chance. 

So I had in mind using this as an ingredient in a mixture to spread on to some crescent rolls.  A new recipe was born!  Pumpkin Citrus Crescent Rolls are on the menu for breakfast today.  Taking a cue from my favorite pumpkin pie I whipped up a filling of pumpkin butter, orange marmalade for a citrus zing, and some vanilla.  Put it all in a ready to bake crescent roll dough and you have the best breakfast, or snack, or dessert you will even want on a fall day.

The pumpkin lends the earthiness, and the citrus lightens it up a bit, making this a comfort food treat that will have your house smelling wonderful and your tummy saying "MMMnnn!"  Done in 20 minutes, so this is easy to whip up when you are short on time.  We just loved this recipe which was evident by the 3 rolls I inhaled in 30 seconds and the fight over the remaining rolls with my love, MGG.  Haha!  I think more of these rolls will be made

Note:  You can use whatever pumpkin butter you like best.




Pumpkin Citrus Crescent Rolls

Yield: 8 rolls

1 can of crescent rolls (such as Pillsbury)
2 T pumpkin butter
1 T orange marmalade
1/2 tsp vanilla
Garnish:  ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl add pumpkin butter, orange marmalade, and vanilla.  Stir until mixed well.

Remove crescent dough from the can and unroll.  Separate into 8 individual triangles and place the rolls on a working surface.

Smear pumpkin mixture on one side of each triangle with about 1 tsp of mixture.  (Putting too much will cause the mixture to ooze out when baking.)  Starting at the large end roll dough toward small point until a crescent is formed.  Place on a baking sheet.  Continue until all dough is rolled in crescents. 

Sprinkle a little fresh ground nutmeg over the tops.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm.

Italian Style Roasted Chicken and Orzo Soup

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About a week ago I brought you a recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Salad in which I roasted the chicken breasts.  I actually roasted 5 bone-in chicken breasts to use for various dishes, but today's recipe, Italian Style Roasted Chicken and Orzo Soup, was the main inspiration. 

You see, we had a taste of fall weather around here.  Finally! It was cloudy and cool, even a little rain.  So even when we get a hint of a change in the weather I think of comfort food, particularly soup.  So roasted chicken breasts it is.  All for one of the most comforting Italian style soups!  I have the BEST recipe for roasted chicken breasts that you must try.  You can find the recipe here. 

Roasting chicken for this soup gives it a deeper flavor and keeps the chicken moist and tender.  You can of course skip the roasted chicken and use a rotisserie chicken instead and it will work just fine.  But why not roast up from chicken to use in several dishes for the week?  The addition of orzo pasta, along with some Italian spices makes this chicken soup something a little more special.  The dried herbs give it a little zip and the fresh basil at the end gives the soup a brightness you can't beat. 

Italian Style Roasted Chicken and Orzo Soup is comfort food at it's best.  It's family and kid friendly and perfect for a weekend meal.  Serve up a hot bowl of soups with my Simple Garlic Cheese Bread and a simple Italian salad for a great meal.

Enjoy!




Italian Style Roasted Chicken and Orzo Soup


2 tablespoons butter
1 large sweet onion, peeled and diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups carrots, diced
2 cups celery, diced
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp dried oregano
1 lb roasted chicken breasts, skin removed and shredded or cut into chunks
10 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole wheat orzo
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black ground pepper 
Garnish:  fresh basil leaves, torn or left whole


In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add butter to hot pan.  Add onions and saute for 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.  Add the carrots, celery, Italian seasoning, and oregano and saute for another 5-8 minutes.

Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.  Add roasted chicken breasts and the orzo.  Cook for 10 minutes until orzo is tender and chicken has warmed.  Season with salt and pepper. 

To serve:  Ladle warm soup into individual bowls and add basil. 

Note:  Recipe for roasted chicken breasts:  Roasting 101: Chicken Breasts or use a rotisserie chicken about 2 - 2 1/2 cups.

Simple Garlic Cheese Bread

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Confession:  I LOVE BREAD!

That has been a tagline that Oprah has used lately and the truth is that I do love bread too.  I couldn't imagine not having bread ever again.

There isn't anything better than pulling hot bread out of the oven, especially if it is slathered in butter, garlic and a little cheese, don't you think?  I love to serve this Simple Garlic Cheese Bread with pastas, soups, stews, and just about any type of steak.  Let's face it....even alone this bread is satisfying and a welcome treat.

Today's recipe is really simple and one that the whole family is sure to love.  Make this Simple Garlic Cheese Bread tonight.

Enjoy!

Simple Garlic Cheese Bread

1 loaf French bread
1/4 cup salted butter, softened
1 T minced garlic, or 1 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 T parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slice loaf in half lengthwise.  Spread softened butter over both halves.  Sprinkle garlic over each slice.  Wrap in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and unwrap foil.  Sprinkle cheese evenly over each half.  Turn oven to broil.  Return the bread to the oven and broil for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are starting to brown.  Sprinkle with parsley and cut each halve into slices.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

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I get the pleasure of working from home a couple of days during the week, which allows me to play around with different dishes for lunch.

The other day we were at Panera for a quick lunch and I was so tempted to have their Chicken Salad Sandwich, which I just love.  I got a hold of myself an opted for something a little healthier, ending up with a half a turkey sandwich and soup.  But....let me tell you that chicken salad was still calling my name.

Up comes my work from home day, and with the chicken salad still on my mind I decided to make a healthier version, without all the mayo.  The previous night I had roasted 5 chicken breasts using this recipe here.  My intention was for us to eat two that night with mashed potatoes and veggies and then use the remaining one in various dishes.  I just love roasted chicken, and this recipe is simple...but it the BEST.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

So, using some of the roasted chicken I whipped up a Mediterranean Chicken Salad (without mayo) and served it over romaine lettuce.  It's filled with wonderful ingredients (mostly pantry items) such as artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, herbs, and is drizzled with olive oil and lemon.  Heaven! 

The zip of the lemon, tang of the artichoke, along with the chicken, and earthy roasted red peppers give this dish such a balance.  If you like olives, throw them in there too!  They would enhance this dish nicely.  This isn't a sweet chicken salad, but a few golden raisins would be fabulous as well.

A quick and easy meal is yours within 15 minutes!

Enjoy!

Related Recipe:

Roasting 101: Chicken Breasts

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

serves 4

3/4 cup roasted chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces

1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
1/3 cup roasted red pepper, chopped (from a jar)
3 Tbls fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbls fresh basil, chopped 
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

4 large Romaine lettuce leaves

To a medium bowl add all ingredients.  Stir to combine.  Serve over lettuce and serve. 

Note:  Chicken salad may be kept in the refrigerator until serving.  Any remaining will keep in a covered container for several days.

7 Halloween Party Ideas

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7 Halloween Party Ideas

For all the Ghouls and Goblins out there I bring to you 7 Halloween Party Ideas.  Whether you are having and adult party of one for the kids there is something for everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Screaming Pretzels

Monster Mash

Sloppy Guiseppe's

Crescent Roll Mummy Dogs

Pork and Pumpkin Stew

Baby Acorns

Crispy Chicken and Apple Salad