MR. TURKEY & HIS FRIENDS

So happy...yesterday was my first time cooking turkey and the sides. The results were good...Happy Thanksgiving!

Roasted Turkey

I used recipe from Ina Garten , but before applying that recipe I rubbed my turkey under the skin with the recipe from allrecipe.com. click HERE.

I was worry, the turkey would be tasteless...But it was good. Everybody enjoyed it. Oh..o...I forgot to take the picture of Giblet Turkey Gravy...

THE FRIENDS

I followed the recipe from Tyler Florence. The original recipe is HERE. Just missed the bayleaf...This potato was the hit of all sides :-). Creamy...garlicky...yummmy.

The recipe for green beans is from Tyler Florence, so simple and easy. Great for veggie supply among all the fat and protein. Too bad I couldn't use the almonds.

Kids loved this suffing...I just made according to the instruction from the box, but adding cooked sausage, apple and corn.

Fudge Brownies Sundaes

This is the dessert for Thanksgiving Lunch this year.

I realize, I will not be able to make any sophisticated desserts...

Just making brownies from a box with a twist.

Though it's already winter, but I believe no one can resist ice cream.

So simple but satisfying.

Fudge Brownies -- egg, water, oil called for on brownie mix box. Bake according to the instructions.

Let cool completely.

Cut the brownies square about 2"x 2", top with a scoop of ice ream (today I choose yoghurt swirl ice cream).

Drizzled with chocolate condensed milk ( i mix choco powder with condensed milk).

Top with a cherry.

Isn't that beautiful?

Thanksgiving Lunch Preparation

I never imagine, I will prepare meals for Thanksgiving.

It started when our neighbor gave us a big turkey plus some canned and boxes groceries for making side dish, dessert, etc. I feel like I'm American :-)

It will be a second time for us to have turkey at home. Last year the same person who gave us turkey who seasoned the turkey and we just roasted it. But this year, I have to prepare it by my self...Little bit nervous...

This afternoon I started browsing recipe, base on rating and my preference.

(on the left, my son is playing with some boxes and can ^_^)

I came up with this plan :

PERFECT ROAST TURKEY ..recipe taken from foodnetwork.com, recipe courtesy Barefoot Contessa Parties! 2001

TURKEY GRAVY recipe taken from foodnetwork.com, addapted from Food Network Kitchens How to Boil Water, Meredith, 2008

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ALMONDS recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, but I will cut almonds...may be will add wonton strips for crunchy texture. I still cannot eat any nuts due to my son's allergy reaction.

SCALLOPED POTATO GRATIN recipe corutesy Tyler Florence

I will use my 5 lbs potatoes, and left over half and half in my fridge instead of heavy cream.

STUFFING, just follow the recipe on the box of stuffing for chicken. I will add apple, corn and sausage.

BROWNIES WITH ICE CREAM...I will use ready to use brownie mix. Slice brownies plus ice cream, top with maraschino cherries.

Hopefully the recipes I chose are good...And of course I added with a prayer..."Oh help me God...bless the work of my hand." :-)

Pumpkin Cake

I still don't want to end this fall season...

Still enjoying the last foliage around my house.

Only several trees with yellow leaves still remain. Some of the trees have lost their leaves which give sign of winter will be coming soon.

After walking around the house, I still want something with "pumpkin" to use the remain pumpkin puree. And to celebrate the end of my fave season. My mom loves to make pumpkin cake using fresh pumpkin. She will steam the pumpkin and make the cake from it. I searched my files, I couldn't find my mom's recipe.

So I tried to make it base on my memory and feeling.

The cake is so dense, I want it fluffier... but anyway it's still good for my sweet tooth.

I will call my mom and ask the exact recipe :-)

Here's my modification recipe

Wet ingredients : 1 cup of canola oil, 2 cups of pumpkin puree, 3 eggs, 2 cups sugar --mix using whisker.

Dry ingredients : 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda

I mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients until well blend.

Bake it 350 F for 45 minutes.

I think because I used pumpkin puree from can which is denser than the fresh pumpkin, I need to whisk the eggs with my hand mixer to give more airy texture to the cake...

Pumpkin Pancake with Raisin

Last Monday we woke up late...we fell asleep about 1.30am after long day Sunday.

There were 2 friends from my home town slept over at our house.

I ran out of bread for breakfast.... "how about having American breakfast at local restaurant?"

My husband agreed with me..

We went to Harvey's, Dover NH. Delicious..homey breakfast.

One of menus that my friend ordered was pumpkin pancake...

Pumpkin always reminds me of the warm color of fall season.

I love bright orange color of it...the color tone matches with the orange of maple leaves..

My mind keep thinking about pumpkin pancake....yummy. And I still have one can of pumpkin puree. I can't help to try making it at home.

After browsing some recipes, I decided to use recipe from All Recipes. Click HERE for the original recipe.

PUMPKIN PANCAKE

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Note : while I'm editing this blog....I just realized I used 2 cups of pumpkin puree...no wonder my pancake was dense... :-(