Saturday, November 24, 2012
These holiday favorites can transform into next-week dishes.
Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter After Thanksgiving, Americans will throw out $282 million of uneaten turkey, according to estimates from the Natural Resources Defense Council. If you find yourself with a bounty of turkey or ham left on the table after your Thanksgiving feast, don’t just toss it. Instead, freeze the leftovers in freezer-safe plastic bags to be used later in recipes. Mark the bags with the dates and contents and then rest easy that you are not contributing to an overabundance filling our county’s landfills after a day of giving thanks. If you aren’t quite sure how to use that turkey or ham, head to the Internet. Start with the Food Network and Martha Stewart, but realize that a quick …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Here's some knowledge to drop on your family and friends while you're around the table this Thanksgiving.
The first Thanksgiving dates to 1621, a three-day celebration of the Plymouth colony Pilgrims' good harvest that year. Since then, the tradition of feasting and giving thanks has persisted, especially along the east cost, but finally became a national holiday in 1863 by proclamation of President Lincoln. But did you know that the first American Indians to visit the feast weren't invited? According toNational Geographic, men from the Wampanoag Indian tribe crashed the feast after hearing gun shots from the men at the colony who were target shooting for fun, much like men today play football before or after dinner. So while you're thankfully noshing on turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie on Thursday, pull out some of these facts to impress your…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A turkey can't just sit alone on the table. Here are some recipes for Thanksgiving's most popular side dishes.
What would a turkey be on Thanksgiving without its faithful side companions? Often more popular than the turkey itself, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other favorites are staples of the food coma-inducing meal. You know, like all the sides, it seems, that you can get at Cracker Barrel in Lakeville. Try one of the recipes below to bring a new taste to your Thanksgiving feast. Roasted Winter Squash Gauge the amount of squash you’ll need by allowing 1 small squash (acorn and butternut are good choices) for every four people. Cut each squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Brush sides and inner cavity with olive oil and place flesh-side down on a lightly-oiled baking sheet. Roast for approximately 45 minutes or until flesh…
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Make your guests feel special with these DIY ideas.
Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and Christmas will be here before we know it. Families and friends will gather to share stories, memories, and an abundance of food. How can you fill these special occasions with personal touches? Whether you are planning and creating an extravagant holiday dinner or finding the best made-ahead deals from local grocery stores or restaurants, below are a few tips to personalize your holiday table. Martha Stewart has a cornucopia of ideas that will dress your Thanksgiving table. How do you set those hot dishes down without ruining your dining room table? Corkboard leaf trivets save the day. Painted glass votives and fall foliage …
Friday, November 16, 2012
If you need a new recipe for your Thanksgiving turkey, give one of these non-traditional twists a try.
There are many ways to cook everyone’s favorite holiday bird. Each family has its own special technique for cooking a turkey, whether it's using an old family recipe, adding a secret ingredient or shopping at a certain store in town that helps make the turkey taste all the better. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you can try any of the recipes below to add a new kick to your feast. If you're attending someone else’s dinner, hopefully their turkey will taste as good as one of these! Just the name of this recipe makes my mouth water. An Allrecipes.com user contributes this Greek take on turkey, which combines ground beef and pork with tangerine juice, rice and other ingredients for an in-bird stuffing. This one requires no pre-made …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Be prepared for anything as you make your way to your holiday destinations.
During this time of the year, many of us are climbing in the car or hopping on a plane to visit family and friends. These trips, whether just a few hours or several days, can be a time to create long-remembered family memories, but as you head out on the road or board that plane, don’t forget to follow the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared. Pre-plan Before leaving home, make sure items such as mail or newspapers will be picked up by a neighbor or friend. If that won’t work for you, consider having your mail held and newspaper delivery stopped while you are out of town. A house with mail and newspapers piling up is a beacon for burglars. A house sitter is another option to consider. And don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family…
Let our Patch Pro answer your cooking questions.
The holidays are almost upon us! With Thanksgiving next week and then a month of parties and celebrations to follow, many of us are about to spend some serious time in the kitchen. Whether you've made a turkey for the past 50 years or it's your first attempt at stuffing, there's always something that can turn a normal dish into an award-wining crowd pleaser. So, go ahead and ask away. What would make your cooking better? Here to help with our Thanksgiving preparations is a "Patch Pro"— a local chef who has agreed to answer your questions about cooking in the comments section below. Meet our expert: • Executive Chef Kevin Petroske has been with Redstone American Grill for eight years, specializing in upscale American fare. He takes …
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Here's some knowledge to drop on your family and friends while you're around the table this Thanksgiving.
The first Thanksgiving dates to 1621, a three-day celebration of the Plymouth colony Pilgrims' good harvest that year. Since then, the tradition of feasting and giving thanks has persisted, especially along the east cost, but finally became a national holiday in 1863 by proclamation of President Lincoln. But did you know that the first American Indians to visit the feast weren't invited? According to National Geographic, men from the Wampanoag Indian tribe crashed the feast after hearing gun shots from the men at the colony who were target shooting for fun, much like men today play football before or after dinner. So while you're thankfully noshing on turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie on Thursday, pull out some of these facts to impress …
However you plan at arriving at your holiday destination, we have tips and tricks for smooth travel.
According to the American Automobile Association, 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday season. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Nov. 23-27, AAA estimates that 90 percent, or 38.2 million people, will take to the nation’s roadways; 8 percent will take to the air and 2 percent will take a bus, train or ferry. For those planning car travel this year, Gail Weinholzer, AAA Minnesota/Iowa director of public affairs, offered these safe driving tips: Melissa Scovronski, public affairs and marketing manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, said the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after will be the busiest flying days of the year. Throughout the holiday season, opt for an early-in-the-day…
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Have a dish that's to die for? Let other Patch readers know your secret.
The holiday season is upon us, which for many means a time of great meals with the ones we love. And great meals start with great recipes, passed down from generation to generation. These family cooking traditions bring people together during the holidays. Patch editors and readers from across Minnesota have rounded up a few of their favorite family recipes, which we are sharing with you. If you have a great holiday recipe of your own to share, please post it in the comments section below. You can also add a photo of your delicious dish by clicking on the "submit photo" button below. Happy holidays, from all of us at Patch. *** Pumpkin Pie Dip Mix pumpkin with brown sugar, vanilla and spices, blend well. Mix in yogurt. Fold in Cool Whip …
Kevin Petroske
11:35 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Joanna, I would suggest after removing the giblets and washing the inside cavity lightly season with S&P and placing some rough chopped yellow onion, celery and carrot and trussing it tightly. Not necessary but it definitely adds to the flavor and aroma also add more depth to the pan dripping if you are making a sauce from them. The most important part is the time and temperature of the turkey. … more ›