recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

the new recipes i tried this year are:

BURNT BROCCOLI
A+
i burnt it a little more than i should have, so i had to remove a few black spots... but everyone loved it. it was easy and delish!

QUICK DINNER ROLLS
A
these were easy and quick! i didn't love that they used shortning and the recipe didn't make a lot of rolls, but when i realized rolls were the only thing i hadn't planned for, this recipe was a lifesaver. our guest thought they were store bought!

PIONEER WOMAN'S MASHED POTATOES
B+
too much butter. it would have been perfect if i didn't add the butter to the top. it was creamy and wonderful to be accompanied by gravy. next time, no butter on top and they will be perfect.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING
A+
i was planning a pumpkin pie, but a sudden inheritance of a truck load of small rolls and a sudden lack of pie crust made me change my plans. i'm soooooo happy it happened. this was awesome!! i didn't have enough craisins to add them to this after making the suffing/dressing, but it was awesome. i proclaimed that no one is allowed to have any because IT'S ALL MINE lol... luckily, i made a double batch



i'd love to read about the new recipes you tried this year!!!

Re: recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

Well I didn't really have a proper Thanksgiving since I don't live in the US, but I tried!

The one thing I did try new was making my own turkey stock and turkey breast in the crock pot (It was a work day here and I work evenings, so this was my best bet).

I have to say the turkey in the crock pot was really good!

I had two breast fillets at 2 lbs each.
I made a mix of:

some white wine (about 1/4 cup)
about 4 Tbsp olive oil
6-8 cloves of garlic
fresh Rosemary (about 1-2 Tbsps)
fresh Thyme ( a few sprigs)
Salt and Pepper

I rubbed it on the meat and cooked it for 7 hours on low. It was slightly dry, so next time 6 hours on low for me. I'm sure if you get a proper turkey breast 7 hours would be fine.

I may do this more often as it was easy and I have leftovers for two more meals for DH and me.

Sorry it's not a total Thanksgiving meal, but it could help someone out for an easy weeknight meal!

Message edited 11/25/2011 8:42:22 AM.

Re: recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

I need to try that pumpkin bread pudding recipe. I had tried one once before and didn't love it. This was probably my most successful T day dinner. I was proud of myself! Everything was great, and I timed everything well so it was all hot!. This is always a challenge for me. Here's my review:

TURKEY- A+ Pretty perfect! We finally found a recipe that I will use over and over.
1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme & rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry white wine or can of broth

Directions
Rub the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Place the bird in a large stock pot, and cover with cold water. Place in the refrigerator, and allow the turkey to soak in the salt and water mixture 12 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey, and discard the brine mixture.Brush the turkey with 1/2 the melted butter. Place breast side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with 1 onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and the bay leaf. Scatter the remaining vegetables and thyme around the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover with the white wine.

Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Carefully turn the turkey breast side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with the remaining butter. Allow the bird to stand about 30 minutes before carving

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE- B. It was good but not amazing. Will try a new recipe next year.

3 CHEESE MAC & CHEESE with panko topping (from a poster on this site)- A. Everyone loved it. I may try a different cheese combo next time but it's a winner. The panko crumbs make it!

SCALLOPED POTATOES- B-. Browned beautifully on the top but I didn't love it. Used a recipe with broth, not cream. Wouldn't make again.

SAUSAGE STUFFING-A+ The perfect stuffing imo. SO yummy and pretty easy! I basically used the recipe on the Jones Sausage website but used pepperidge farm herb seasoned stuffing crumbs. Here it is ( I doubled everything):

Sausage Stuffing
You will need:
1 (12 ounce) package Jones All Natural roll sausage
2 medium onions, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced or chopped
2 1/2 Cup low salt chicken or turkey broth or apple juice
1 (14 ounce) prepackaged stuffing mix/bread cubes
Directions:
Crumble sausage into a stock pot or Dutch oven. When done remove and set aside. Add onion and celery with some butter; cook over medium heat, (Do not drain or pour off drippings.) When veggies are soft, Add broth; bring to a boil. Turn off heat; add stuffing mix, stirring until bread cubes are evenly moistened. Transfer to a greased casserole dish. Bake covered in a preheated 350°F oven 30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover last few minutes if you like the crust on the outside.

ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS- A. Fresh brussel sprouts cut in half coated in EVOO, pepper and kosher salt. Great side.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH-A. Never had it before. Was a total PITA to peel and cut but roasted beautifully. Used Ina's recipe with butter and brown sugar.

GRAVY- A- Great quick recipe and made a lot of gravy. Super tasty.
Turkey Gravy:
5 cups turkey stock with pan drippings
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Bring the turkey stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in soup, and season with poultry seasoning, pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Reduce heat to low, and let simmer.

Warm the milk in the microwave, and whisk in the flour with a fork until there are no lumps. Return the gravy to a boil, and gradually stir in the milk mixture. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, or until thickened. Be careful not to let the bottom scorch.

CRANBERRY SAUCE- B+used the one on the back of the Oceanspray cranberry bag. Used half brown/half white sugar. Put through strainer so there wasn't a bunch of skins/seeds. OJ was a bit overpowering. Will try POM juice next year.

PUMPKIN PIE BREAD (from allrecipes)A+ This is my go to. It's perfect. I made some with some without chocolate chips. Made mini loaves for my guests to take home.

Message edited 11/25/2011 11:25:25 AM.

Re: recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

Pumpkin Trifle

AWESOME!
Pumpkin Goodness

Re: recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

I brined my Turkey this year with the Alton Brown's recipe that was posted on here.
A++++ it was so moist & delish!

PW Mashed Potatoes
B+ I agree too much butter. The butter over the top was to much, but otherwise they were so good & creamy.

Gravy - A recipe that was in my Food Network magazine and it was A+. Came out perfect!

PW Green Bean Casserole
F Too Much Cream!!!! It was a big glob. No taste.

Re: recipe review... new recipes that i tried for thanksgiving 2011

Guy Fieri Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Whiskey. Big hit

Food & Wine Brussel sprouts from Chef Symon