Author Topic: Holiday Open House ~ December 1-31 (Read 52247 times)

serenesheila · « **Reply #240 on:** December 21, 2009, 04:07:01 PM »

Holiday Open House ~ December 1-20

LINKS

Culinary Mysteries

Authors & Their Recipes

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'Tis the season to be jolly and to talk about:
BOOKS AND FOOD

Who's your favorite cook?
Julia Child? Nigella Lawson? Emeril?

Or maybe they exist only in books:
Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Baer?
Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson?

Have you ever tried their recipes?

Come join us this holiday season,
share your thoughts.
What's good to read and good to eat?

Discussion Leaders: Pedln & JoanK

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I am glad that this has been extended. My first cookbook was Betty Crocker. I learned to cook, from that book. My mother never wanted me in her kitchen. I still have that cookbook, and periodically use it.

My son, and his family lived in Germany for five years. I was there for two Christmas seasons. We did some traveling. My favoite thing was the Kriskindlenacht. These are streets of Christmas venders. The streets were decorated, as well as the booths. I remember one shop that sold only decorated eggs. They had hundreds. I still have mine, hanging in my living room. I also have a 2 foot tall, stuffed clown, sitting on a swing. It is hanging next to my egg. I would go back in a miniute.

Sheila

Aliki · « **Reply #241 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:17:55 PM »

We have mentioned both mothers and mothers-in-law and I just remembered that we always used to have two completely different stuffings both at Thanksgiving and also at Christmas.

My mother's stuffing was moist with lots of chicken stock, cream of mushroom soup, cooked bacon with sauteed celery and onion, poultry seasoning (you know...the self perpetuating spice mixture we always end up with container after container after container because while in the store we grab another 'just in case' we don't have enough at home!). We stuffed the turkey with this stuffing and also made a baked dish of it with a crusty top.

My mother-in-law made her stuffing completely differently but oh it was so delicious. It was white bread cubes, parsley, eggs and milk, and just a smidge of cinnamon, ground clove and fresh nutmeg. She would put it into a buttered loaf pan and bake it until it puffed up and was a golden crispy light brown on top. This was turned out onto a platter, sliced and served with the turkey gravy poured over it.

To this day, I have to make both versions as we love them both equally.

Gumtree · « **Reply #242 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:49:04 PM »

I always make two stuffings for the turkey - one in the body cavity is savoury with cubed wholemeal bread, onion, celery, a small cap mushroom some finely chopped German sausage - I get it from a German butcher - egg, a little chicken stock - and some mixed Italian herbs.
The other is a fruit stuffing - dates, raisins, apple, apricot, celery, and nuts - usually cashew, macadamia and almond - spices cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, breadcrumbs and egg to bind. I put a little of the sweet one into the crop.
The remainder of both stuffings is baked in a pan and served sliced. I vary the ingredients just to make a change and love to watch the reactions as my connossieurs give it all the taste test.

Babi · « **Reply #243 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:42:35 AM »

Our favorite stuffing,...which I am no longer able to make... combined
cornbread and white bread with onion, celery, chicken broth, sage and
other seasonings. The old Southern standard...and truly delectable. The
liver and giblets are cooked and used to make giblet gravy. Hot rolls,
of course. I would rather have these on my plate than dessert!

bellamarie · « **Reply #244 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:27:12 AM »

Gumtree, that fruit stuffing sounds divine!

I only make a stuffed turkey once a year for Thanksgiving. For my stuffing, I use Pepperidge farm sage seasoned bread crumbs, sautee celery and onions in butter and cut up liver from the turkey. I add this to the bread crumbs and hot water and then add more thyme and sage. YUM! It's my mother's recipe, only she used stale bread instead of the Pepperidge farm crumbs. I do too, if I remember to set the bread out.

For Chirstmas dinner, we have ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, with a green bean casserole. Its gotten to be just me and my hubby by dinner time since all the kids have their in laws to visit. I light candles and get out the Christmas dishes, a bottle of wine, and we just enjoy the dinner together.

Aliki · « **Reply #245 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:31:39 AM »

There are two stuffings I haven't had yet. Babi reminded me of one. The traditional Southern cornbread stuffing and I've never had oyster stuffing either, even though I love oysters most other ways. Babi I'm going to copy your ingredients for the cornbread stuffing and if there is anything else I should know about the recipe I'd appreciate you telling me.

If anyone has a recipe for Oyster Stuffing I'd like it or I'll have to check it out with Emeril.

I seemed to have mentioned lots of food here and only one or two books! Think I'll think on more cookbooks that I've loved and who my favorite chefs are besides my sons, both of whom are professional executive chefs. We had a contest one year with the girls (2) against the boys (also 2). The girls, including myself did a 'down-home' Thanksgiving but at Christmas time the boys got together and wowed us with duck l' orange [sp?] and other fine dainties!

The worse thing ever made in our family was when my eldest son experimented with rose water in his home-made cranberry sauce and the whole dining table smelled like a funeral parlor! His wife made up for this faux pas with her delicious pumpkin cheesecake!

PatH · « **Reply #246 on:** December 22, 2009, 10:15:07 AM »

Aliki, I have "Love and Knishes", too, a 1967 paperback with yellowing pages. It's worth owning for the jokes as well as the recipes. (How to pickle a tongue so it shouldn't talk back, for example).

Babi · « **Reply #247 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:24:12 AM »

Aliki, the only thing I can think to add is..if you plan to stuff the
turkey rather than bake the dressing separately, pack it loosely. Also,
the basic recipe calls for half-and-half on the cornbread and white bread,
but I used more of the cornbread. I just liked it better than way.

I'm going to try the corn casserole recipe from "A Redbird Christmas"
for our Christmas Eve get-together. It looks very simple to make.
I hope it turns out well. I'll let you know. Here it is:

CORN CASSEROLE
1 large can cream-style corn
   1 can white niblet corn
   2 eggs beaten
   1 stick of butter
   1 8-1/2 oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix
   8 oz. sour cream

   Mix all ingredients together well. Put in 9 x 13-in. buttered
   dish and bakd a 350 deg. for about 45 minutes, or until firm
   in the middle.

Aliki · « **Reply #248 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:42:27 AM »

Babi--thanks so much for the recipe and instructions. I'd love a new stuffing to wow the kids with. Let's hope I have the energy but if not, I'll bet it would go great with the New Year ham!

Aliki · « **Reply #249 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:47:05 AM »

Quote from: PatH on December 22, 2009, 10:15:07 AM

Aliki, I have "Love and Knishes", too, a 1967 paperback with yellowing pages. It's worth owning for the jokes as well as the recipes. (How to pickle a tongue so it shouldn't talk back, for example).

Oh, PatH, Yes! That's the one! The humor is wonderful whether you use it for cooking or not!!

bellamarie · « **Reply #250 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:47:36 AM »

Babi, that corn casserole sounds great! I am not allowed to eat corn anymore but oh how I loved it when I could.

Well I am off to wrap hubby's gifts. Seems his is the last to get wrapped every year. Ho! Ho! Ho!

EvelynMC · « **Reply #251 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:24:15 PM »

Pat H - My first cook book was also the 1955 Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I still use it for different recipes especially the "Pilgrim" pumpkin pie and the Candied Yams. It has so much info in it and the recipes are easy to modify for today's lighter cooking using less butter.

This has been a great site. I love to cook and although it is getting harder and harder to get those holiday meals on the table, I still do it.
I have made so many turkeys over the years that sometimes I think I can do it it my sleep. Do you all feel that way?? -- This morning after I discovered "pink water" from my defrosting turkey in the refrigerator and had a monumental mess to clean up, I thought that's it. Next year it's going to be ham! Ham is sooo easy.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your Holidays.

Evelyn

mrssherlock · « **Reply #252 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:22:02 PM »

I'm sdtumped. For Thanksgiving we had both turkey and roast beef; there's some of the roast left in the freezer. And the other half of the turkey breast. It will be only we three, the rest of the family is spread all over the west coast this year. I'd like crab but they dont like crab. Our celebration this year will be next month due to the vagaries of the quarterly payment coming the month after the quarter ends. All my little bit of savings has gone to a series of car repairs and my purchase of a 1984 Mercedes 300D with 47,000 original miles. It's being test-driven now to make sure all the kinks are worked out. It'll be mine in a week or two.

salan · « **Reply #253 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:29:24 PM »

MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you. My daughter and her family are coming in tonight and will leave on Sunday; so I won't be posting until next week. Am anxious to start on Kim. I think I was in my early teens when I read it, so really don't remember much about it.
I don't remember when I learned to read, but it was before I started school. My mother was an elementary school teacher and I had 2 older sisters. They were probably all anxious for me to learn, so they wouldn't have to read to me!
Sally

nlhome · « **Reply #254 on:** December 23, 2009, 07:22:37 PM »

We're in the midst of another winter storm here, so our holiday plans may change to just the two of us for Christmas. So much depends on the roads, and if they are icy, then everyone will stay safe.

Babi · « **Reply #255 on:** December 24, 2009, 09:00:58 AM »

I have to be cautious with corn myself, BELLA, but it's still a popular
food with most people. Actually, my daughter tells me that only finger
food is to be served at the Christmas Eve gathering, so a casserole would be an inconvenience. I'll just see if I can find room for it in the oven tomorrow. If not, there's always New Year's coming up. Of course,
I could prepare it any time, but usually there is just Val and I for dinner.
A large casserole is a bit much for two.
My son and his lady will be here, staying with my older daughter, from
tonight through Sunday. Don't be surprised if you don't hear as much
from me, either. But I'm the only early bird, so I may stop by here
once or twice.
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

Gumtree · « **Reply #256 on:** December 24, 2009, 10:50:27 AM »

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.

That's how it is here - I've done the Carols and Lessons which was broadcast nationwide on TV from my very own cathedral here in Perth - - the gifts are under the tree - all else is in readiness - time for bed -

BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE FESTIVE SEASON

JoanR · « **Reply #257 on:** December 24, 2009, 02:44:51 PM »

A Warm and Happy Christmas to you all!

Here's one of my favorite Christmas poems for you:

The Oxen

Thomas Hardy (1915)

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen.
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few believe
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve
“Come; see the oxen kneel

“In the lonely barton by yonder comb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

JoanK · « **Reply #258 on:** December 24, 2009, 03:28:11 PM »

Love that poem.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I love hearing all your Christmas plans -- makes clear what I always knew; we're a big family here on Seniorlearn. None of us will ever be alone, as long as we have each other.

I'll leave the site open til after Christmas, in case anyone wants to tell us how it all came out. But don't feel you have to post. If not, I'll see you in Kim -- or in mysteries---- or in the library ---. Whereever.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AGAIN!

Aliki · « **Reply #259 on:** December 24, 2009, 07:41:33 PM »

I'll truly miss this site. I enjoyed it so much!

Well, I guess it's time to wish everyone--
A Happy Hannakuh
A Merry Christmas
A Good Kwanzaa
and a very Happy, Healthy New Year...filled with Peace and Joy!

Fondly, aliki

mrssherlock · « **Reply #260 on:** December 25, 2009, 01:49:20 PM »

Moi aussi

bellamarie · « **Reply #261 on:** December 25, 2009, 05:53:55 PM »

I have loved having this open house. The recipes, books, traditions and family happenings were truly a joy to share with all of you. This gave me such pleasure and reignited my interest in cooking. I must try some of the wonderful recipes posted. I recieved a brand new spice rack as a gift and lo and behold it has Sea Salt!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

serenesheila · « **Reply #262 on:** December 26, 2009, 01:14:50 AM »

My son, abd his family are here for a week, and we had a wonderful day. This is one of the best Christmas days I have ever had. We decided to have a causal, relaxed holiday. They brought a ham, which was delicious. I ordered prepared side dishes. Scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese, sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and corn casserole. Yummy. We were all too full, to eat any pie.

Once it got dark, we drove around looking a the Christmas lights. Doing that has become a family tradition. We saw some beautiful displays. One I had never seen before, was a large bush, decorated as a smiling face, which said "Ho, Ho, Ho". We all LOL at that one.

Three of my adult grandchildren called. One of whom I hadn't heard from for a couple of years. She has been going through a rough time, getting a divorce. I was thrilled to hear from her, again. Also, a grandson in Montana, and one in Ohio. So, even though we were not in the same home, today, I felt as if we were all together.

My son, and his family are all in bed. They are still on EST, and I live on the Pacific Coast. But, I wanted to connect with all of you, before going to bed. I hope that all of you, had a good holiday, too.

Sheila

Babi · « **Reply #263 on:** December 26, 2009, 09:21:42 AM »

We had a lovely day, too, SHEILA. Valerie prepared the corn casserole, since I tired myself out with the turkey and dressing. It turned out well, I'm glad to report. We only had eight to dinner, which is really all our small place could handle, ...and all the work I could handle, too. I well remember making holiday dinners for 20 or more with the greatest of ease. Pleasant memories, and I hope all of you added to
your pleasant memories yesterday.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #264 on:** December 26, 2009, 12:10:34 PM »

The pot roast dinner turned out very well but my crab was a disappointment - it is utterly tasteless. Crab is a delicacy I look forward to all year especially as the sleason opening coincides with the holidays. To have all that lovely crab, big ones, too, and no sweet crab flavor, devastating. So much of the cuisine here in Oregon is bland; must be a reflection of the midwestern pioneers who settled here. SF Bay is very cosmopolitan with strong influences of Italian, Portugese and Mexican and their correspondingly richly flavored foods. I'm spoiled.

PatH · « **Reply #265 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:43:24 AM »

That's a bummer about the crab, Jackie. It's particularly annoying to have something expensive disappoint.

PatH · « **Reply #266 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:06:09 AM »

A good Christmas for a foodie. One of my presents was a book of the year's best food writing. I'm with my daughter and SIL, and they decided to make a yule log cake, Buche de Noel, while I "supervised". It starts out with an orange-almond sponge cake rolled up jelly-roll fashion with a chocolate meringue-whipped cream filling. Then it's frosted with chocolate frosting roughened to resemble the bark on a log, with frosted scraps to make twigs, and lots of little meringue mushrooms.

It looked great, and tasted better. Of course by the time we'd done all this, we were all tired, so the rest of the meal was very simple. And it makes 12-14 servings, and there are 3 of us working on it, so we might not eat it all, but it was fun. Back to the real world Tuesday.

Babi · « **Reply #267 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:19:33 AM »

Hmm, maybe that's why I was disappointed with the Maryland crab cakes I tried when we were in New York. I'd never had them before and wanted to try them. I found them rather tasteless and wondered what all the fuss was about. Perhaps it was simply not good crab, like Jackie's Oregon crab.

PatH · « **Reply #268 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:51:50 AM »

Well, you weren't in Maryland. If you're ever in my neck of the woods, I'll try to show you good crab cakes. The best ones are mostly large lumps of crab, with just enough other stuff to hold them together, and well seasoned, but not so strong as to drown out the crab taste.

Gumtree · « **Reply #269 on:** December 28, 2009, 10:01:25 AM »

You've never tasted crab till you've had a Blue Manna Crab fresh from the Peel Estuary at Mandurah in West Aust. Forget the crab cakes and just catch them, cook them in the cauldron and eat straight from the shell with a little lemon and some fresh bread and butter. Manna from heaven is right!

JoanK · « **Reply #270 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:31:01 PM »

Is anyone but me addicted to the Discovery Channel program "Deadliest Catch" about crab fishermen in Alaska? I'll never look at a crab the same way again!

mrssherlock · « **Reply #271 on:** December 28, 2009, 04:01:42 PM »

Deadliest Catch is a favorite here. We also watch Ax Men, Oregon loggers, Ice Road Truckers, trucking cargo over ice in the Arctic. Myth Busters is another favorite; it's such fun.

JoanK · « **Reply #272 on:** December 28, 2009, 04:35:39 PM »

I like Mythbusters, too. And Ice road Truckers.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #273 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:25:26 PM »

This site has been such fun. While it has a theme, much of our postings seem to be about revealing more of ourselves. I feel as if i know people here more intimately than what is revealed in a book discussion. It has become my favorite place to hang out. Thank you so much, Joank, for this gift.

JoanK · « **Reply #274 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:50:26 PM »

I have loved it too. I hate to admit it's over, but I guess it is. Thank all you wonderful people for sharing with us all. And a happy new year to all.

PatH · « **Reply #275 on:** December 28, 2009, 08:41:47 PM »

A blessed year for some, a hard year for some. A great year for SeniorLearn, the phoenix that rose from the ashes. May the New Year be good to all.

Thanks, Joan and Pedln, for such a great discussion.

Pat · « **Reply #276 on:** December 28, 2009, 10:37:52 PM »

Thanks Pedln and JoanK. I haven't contributed, but have read all the good recipes.

This discussion will be locked in a day or two and then will be archived.

salan · « **Reply #277 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:28:46 AM »

I, too, have enjoyed Holiday Open House. Babi, you are right. We got to know each other a little better. I will miss this post; but am looking forward to Kim. Hope to see many of you there. May you all have a healthy, happy, and prosperous NEW YEAR. Steph, if you are there, may the New Year bring healing powers and loving memories.
See all of you in 2010.
Sally

Aliki · « **Reply #278 on:** December 29, 2009, 09:59:55 AM »

I'll miss all of you. What a wonderful Holiday gift this was. See the Cranford folks at Cranford. aliki

salan · « **Reply #279 on:** December 29, 2009, 10:20:22 AM »

One more thing before we go--would you share your New Year's traditions (food wise, etc.) with me? I am from Texas and my family has roots in the south. We have black-eyed peas (cooked with ham hocks) and fried cabbage and cornbread. The peas are for good luck in the new year--the more you eat, the better your luck. The cabbage represents money--the more you eat, the more money you will have. And the cornbread simply because cornbread goes with everything!
What about you??
Sally

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Author Topic: Holiday Open House ~ December 1-31 (Read 52247 times)