The Daily Dish Recipes

Well, we had a snow day today, and from what it looks like for tomorrow, we’ll have another. I wish I had planned ahead a bit more, because we could have really done some baking and cooking together, instead we just made some yummy snacks.

We made seasoned popcorn. We seasoned our stove top popped pop corn with onion salt, garlic and some oregano. My kids also love to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on it. Very yummy.

We made chocolate chip cookies and also made some peanut butter cookies. They were pretty standard recipes, nothing special in them except that one batch got some added nuts. The kids don’t like them, but I sure do.

We made pancake batter and then flavored it with all sorts of things. One small batch we used almond extract, another we used pumpkin pie seasoning, and so on. We just started pulling seasonings out and if they sounded good, we tried them. We couldn’t find a pancake we didn’t like in the whole mix.

So what do you do on snow days?

It seems as if every holiday that comes and goes, encourages me more and more to eat, eat, eat. Do you feel the same? There are always amazing dishes and treats to try, and by no means is it easy to pass them up. I was extremely frustrated yesterday when I stood on the scale and saw about 5lbs added to the already 20lbs I’m trying to cut back. LOL
Especially because this year I worked hard to check my eating habits. Smaller portions, no eating until I was full, etc. We also got a Wii recently, so I’ve been playing like crazy and two days before Christmas Eve, I stood on the scale and was absolutely THRILLED to see I had lost 4lbs just since we had started playing it, and that was without Wii Fit, which I hope to buy soon.

So what did I learn? Nothing. LOL I will always continue to eat on holiday’s because so many delicious foods are prepared, and well, I love food. So, today (well actually yesterday) began the long journey to first, losing the five lbs I decided to put on because of the two days of eating, and then I’ll work in the rest.

It isn’t exactly a resolution to lose weight, it is a resolution to watch my eating habits, and to work on my fitness level. What is yours?

A couple of days ago, my other half and I were trying to decide what to make for our annual Christmas Eve dinner. The thing is, we are staying home - and nobody is coming over. We actually love it that way. We always do a small ham and a small turkey. We actually make little sandwiches with the meat, out of dollar rolls. We make things like devil eggs, hash brown casserole and other traditional side dishes. We can’t agree on what to make for dessert and now we are two days away. Ugh! Once we finally eat, the children will be allowed to open two presents - a pair of pajamas and an ornament. They will get changed, hang their ornament and we will sit and watch a family movie together. Though we just bought a Wii so I bet that plays a part too.

But while getting irritated at the whole dessert menu thing, it got me thinking. What do others do? Here are a few questions for you. Hope you’ll take the time to respond. You can either respond right there in the comment field below, or you can actually put a post up on your blog and leave a link.

What is a traditional Christmas Eve for you?
What does your family have for dinner? Dessert?
Do you open any presents?
What does Christmas morning look like for you?
Do you wake up early?
Any special Christmas morning traditions?
Do you eat a special breakfast? Brunch?
What does your day of food look like?
What do you guys do all day?

Anyway, I’m anxious to hear what everyone else does.

Everyone thinks cookies when they think of quick baked goodies to give. But there are so many more clever ideas out there, and they are very well received by the recipients.

Idea #1 - Chocolate in a Cookie Cutter - I have no idea what else to call these, but they are so cute and clever, I cannot resist doing this for someone this year. First, you purchase metal cookie cutters. The plastic ones do NOT work, please do not use them. Take a baking pan, and place a sheet of tinfoil or waxed paper down. Next arrange the cookie cutters on the baking sheet. Drop chocolate chips, vanilla chips or a mixture of both into the center of the cookie cutters. Place them the baking pan in your preheated 200-250 degrees oven for about 5 minutes. Check to be sure chocolate is melted and check every minute or so after wards until chocolate IS melted. Remove the pan from the oven. If you used more than one kind of chip, immediately take a knife and swirl it through the chocolate gently, careful not to move the cutter in any way. Allow to cool to room temperature. Carefully peel off the tinfoil or waxed paper off the back. Place them in a cellophane gift bag, or in a tin. It’s two gifts in one - pieces of chocolate and when they pop them out to eat them, they are left with a cookie cutter to use. Fun and festive!

Idea #2 - Chocolate Pop Bouquet - In the baking craft aisle at your local craft store, you can purchase molds for just a couple of dollars. One mold tray can make several pops. Be sure and pick up the plastic lollipop sticks too. Follow the directions. When you have finished your pops and allowed them to cool, rubber band the sticks together and put the entire “bouquet” in a plastic cellophane wrapper. Now tie a pretty bow around the center. You can do this by purchasing regular lollipops and wrapping them the same way.

Girls tend to be a bit easier to shop for at holiday time, and I have never actually figured out why that is. Do we have that diverse of interests that it makes it easier? Or are we higher maintenance? (don’t answer that) Regardless of what it is, teen girls can be a bit pickier about their items. Here are some suggestions for stocking stuffers for teenage girls.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teen Girls

•  lip gloss
• keychains
• button pins with clever sayings
• journals
• address books
• bookmarks
• paperback books they enjoy
• rolled up teen beat or other popular teen celebrity magazines
• nailpolish
• manicure or pedicure sets
• cash
• gift cards to starbucks or other fun places to eat
• mp3 or itunes gift cards

Can you think of other great stocking stuffer ideas for teen girls? (many of these ideas will of course also work for tween girls too!

Some of the most frugal, yet enjoyed gifts are the kind that have been dubbed Gifts in a Jar. They are the popular gifts that contain something you can cook - usually cookies, cakes or brownies, but other things too.

To begin with, visit your local dollar store or discount chain and look for mason jars or any other type of jar that has a lid. You can also save up your own jelly, peanut butter, or other condiment jars to be used. Clean them out well, and then allow them to air out for a couple of weeks.

Visiting your general craft store or scrapbooking store is a good idea at this point. You are looking for embellishments, accents and other assorted goodies to adorn the jars with. Ribbons, fibers, charms, cardstock to make tags, etc. You can also add an ornament around the jar and the recipient can use the ornament for their tree in addition to the goodies you gave.Remember you can also paint on the jars and your ideas are limitless. Spell words, paint scenes, paint a snowflake, etc.

At this point you will be putting the ingredients in the jar which we will discuss in a later post a few hours from now. So skip this part for now.

When you are all finished with the ingredient assembly, you will be attaching a recipe card to the jar. Write it out on an index card or use your computer to print it. Punch a hole and tie a pretty ribbon on the card and attach to the jar.

Remember, there are many things that can come in a jar, including already prepared treats - mini cookies, brownies, fudge, candies, etc.

Credits: Top Right Photo - Bottom Left Photo

Teen boys can be difficult to find stocking stuffers for. Stocking stuffers are typically small items, and there aren’t too many small items that teen boys like. So, here are a few ideas to help you figure out what you can get the teen boy in your life.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teen Boys

• mp3 or Itunes cards
• fast food coupons or certificates
• key chain (even if not driving yet - house key)
• paperback books or a rolled magazine on a theme he enjoys
• film or camera card for his camera
• wallet
• his favorite CD
• a DVD he wants to see

There are plenty more where those came from. Most of the above items easily fit in a normal sized stocking - obviously not all at once. Do you know of any great stocking stuffer ideas for Teen Boys?

I have plenty of other things to blog about today, but Christmas is obviously first and foremost. I am so excited about the season and love the way my house looks all decorated, the smell of my gingerbread candles burning nearly all day long and the foods, cookies and treats I am already beginning to cook and bake. So why in the world shouldn’t I do a Christmas meme too.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper for most gifts - often if items go together I will place them in a gift bag. Also I don’t use gift bags too often for our family, but for neighbors and friends I do.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I cannot possibly deal with the mess a real tree makes, plus deal with five kids and four pets and everything else at holiday time. Plus I love my pre-lit tree - so much less work and looks simply beautiful.

3. When do you put up the tree? I wound up putting it up early this year because of Thanksgiving and my brother’s wedding and activities relating. But I normally put it up either Thanksgiving night or the day after Thanksgiving when all the rest of you nuts are out during Black Friday

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually sometime during the first week of December. Sometimes the second week. The ornaments often come off first and then a day or so later we might put the tree away. We’re slow, but nobody minds.

5. Do you like eggnog? I really don’t. I don’t know if I’ve just never had a good batch, or what. But I strongly dislike it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can think of a lot, but honestly I loved getting a keyboard as a teenager. I used it a lot. It was WAY better than my piano. LOL

7. Hardest person to buy for? Ed, my step dad. He has everything.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My four daughter’s are the easiest to buy for. My son is often a bit more challenging.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I collect Boyd’s bears (or rather I used to, not much anymore) and last year as a gift, Mike bought me the Boyd’s bears nativity set and accessories. I absolutely love it and it is on our fireplace this year. Looks so great. We did have one before but I didn’t like it.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail! Do people actually consider “emails” their Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?a hideous pink faux snake skin date book that had a calendar that was two years old. Yeah. (it wasn’t even re-giftable) LOL

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Holiday in Your Heart and the kids and I watched Christmas Shoes (Rob Lowe) a couple months ago and we loved it.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Christmas the previous year. No seriously. I try to assign a child to each month but then also pick things up we find on clearance and on sale we know they would like. They all have outfits they’ll get and those were purchased six months ago (yes, we made sure they would still fit!)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes I have, and I am actually proud of it. There are some gifts you get that you know the person didn’t spend a great deal of time thinking about. (see worst gift above). If you cannot use it, why not pass it along to someone else? I don’t do it with anything handmade, personalized or “special”.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Gingerbread

16. Lights on the tree? Clear glass lights are preferred - and I have a smaller tree all to myself that I get to put my clear lights on. The family tree has colored lights. The only one who truly loves the colored lights is Mike. LOL The kids all LOVE my clear glass light tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Holiday in Your Heart and All I Want For Christmas Is You (I Love the song but it does depend on who is singing it)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay.At.Home. - no traveling for me, thank you.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Yes. And it’s DONDER people, not DONNER.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have the option of both and we change it out each year. This year it happens to be an angel on the main tree and a blue, white and silver Santa on my clear light tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Well, we give the children three things on Christmas eve. A pair of pajamas (for the perfect pictures Christmas morn in cute new pj’s), an ornament to hang on the tree and we change it up each year as to what the other item is. We have done Webkinz, a book, a movie, a CD, a special bath set, etc. EVERYTHING else is opened Christmas day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Just the time crunch to be honest. I am one of those weirdo’s who wishes Christmas started back in October because I would love to lengthen the season and really enjoy the sights and sounds while still being able to get shopping done, etc.

23. What theme or color are you using? I’ve explained my two trees. So the one is multi-colored with a stronger emphasis on green and red. My sweet junior tree is beautiful in all it’s silver, white and blue glory. The area the small tree goes in is all white, blue and silver from the tree skirt to the decorations on the shelves above. The rest of the house is pretty much red/green. Outside we are doing all clear lights this year. It looks so pretty.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Everyone hear loves ham, but I usually request a small turkey too, because I don’t eat ham very often.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? an iPod Touch. (probably won’t happen)

26. Do you have a favorite ornament, what? It’s a toss up between a few that my children have made, and a few on my special tree.

27. Gifts from Santa? Wrapped or Unwrapped? Santa doesn’t wrap his gifts. (look at pictures when he pulls the toys out of his sack - unwrapped) - so we put them under the tree unwrapped. We do a hang tag with the child’s name on it in big bold block letters.

I’m not tagging anyone in particular but if you do this meme or HAVE done this meme, please leave me a comment so I can come read your answers

We’ve had our Christmas tree up for about a week now. We did it early because we had wedding activities to attend to the two days following Thanksgiving so we knew we wouldn’t have time. Many of my neighbors seemed to follow suit because we counted four houses near us that already had the tree up too. When do you put your tree up?

Today we are actually decorating it. It is a pre-lit tree, so it’s been beautifully lit since day 1 but it is anxiously awaiting its yearly decorations. We also have a whole Christmas village to put up too. How much decorating do you do?

I thought I’d give you some advice if you have little ones or dogs. We have two pup’s - so we put a baby gate all the way around the entire tree. It actually looks pretty good, we thread garland threw the fence to give it a festive touch and I want to get some red bows to tie to the garland. It keeps the dogs out, and if you had little ones it would keep them out too.

The Beginner’s Guide for How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

It’s almost time guys, we are in an hours countdown to the big day and there are some important steps you need to begin NOW to ensure you have the perfect turkey the day of the big meal.

How many days does it take to thaw a turkey?

It is imperative that you begin the thawing process now. Most people bring home a huge turkey and toss it right back into the freezer. Then they think they can take it out the day before and by the morning it needs to go in the oven it will be thawed. Yeah. No.

Thawing a Turkey

An 8 to 12 lb. bird needs to thaw for 2 to 3 days.
A 13 to 17 lb. bird needs to thaw for 3 to 4 days.
An 18 to 20 lb. bird needs to thaw for 4 to 5 days.
A 21 to 24 lb. bird needs to thaw for 5 to 6 days.

What if I don’t have enough time left to thaw my huge turkey?

Now hold on a second, don’t get upset if you have this huge turkey that is still frozen solid and you don’t have five days until Thanksgiving (thus we have three until it would go in the oven). Here’s how you can handle this situation. One of two ways. First, pull it out of the freezer. Now. Run. Now allow it to sit in your sink, or on your counter on a platter (to collect the water) for about 4-5 hours. Now put it in the refrigerator. Tomorrow morning, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit on the counter once again for about 4-5 hours or so. Repeat this process until Wednesday night OR until you can noticeably feel that the turkey is no longer frozen all over. Wednesday night if it seems it is still frozen in some parts, the best option is to get up quite early Thursday morning (about 4-5 hours before you want to put it in the oven) and allow it to sit at room temp. This REALLY only goes for those that have a huge turkey that needs extra days to thaw. You want to be super careful because bacteria growth does occur at room temp if left too long.

So moving right along, let’s get to the important steps.

How do I prepare a turkey?

We are now getting the turkey ready to cook. Many people don’t realize that a turkey usually comes with some extras inside. Reach inside the cavity of your turkey and pull out the neck and giblets. Toss them unless you use them. You can use the heart and gizzard for making stock for the stuffing if you make it from scratch. If you are a truly frugal nut, you can use the neck too. The neck can be cooked along side the turkey or saved for a later turkey soup. I know it’s disgusting and it probably seems funny to someone who has cooked a bunch of turkey’s before, but many people forget they are inside the turkey and that never leads up to good things. ANOTHER thing to watch out for is many turkey’s come with a plastic tie around the feet. Read the packaging because many times you do not need to remove them before cooking, but then sometimes you do. So reading the instructions is important.

What temperature do I cook a turkey?

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. You are more than likely looking for a moist turkey - who wouldn’t be? Many families have members who literally fight over the dark meat because the white meat is often so dry. I was one of those people until I figured out how to properly cook my thanksgiving turkey - it is possible to get moist white meat. Many chef’s enjoy putting the stuffing inside the turkey cavity to cook. I do not. Reason for this is that it allows the turkey the ability to cook thoroughly all over. This keeps the temperature steady, and allows for a moister bird at the end. Some people enjoy quartering an onion, adding celery and/or carrots and some herbs into the cavity - this is your choice, but if you do it, close off the hole with some wadded tin foil and then tie the legs together with string so the added items don’t fall out.

What should I put on the turkey so it doesn’t dry out?

Now it’s time to rub your turkey. You have two choices. Either using olive oil or melted butter. I recommend olive oil because I feel it better seals in the juices or you can start with olive oil and then add some melted butter later. The melted butter does taste good - no doubt, but you will need to baste it a lot during cooking. Sprinkle salt (we use a little garlic salt too) generously all over the outside of your turkey. And then sprinkle pepper all over the turkey. Remember you will be basting during the cooking time so that will help keep it moist.

How long do I cook a turkey?

Usually a turkey cooks for about 25-30 minutes or so per lb. My favorite method of following for cooking the turkey is to simply use the Butterball website or read the packaging on the turkey - it usually says. If you use the butterball website, all you have to do is plug in the size of your turkey and it will give you estimated cooking times. So cook your turkey for the determined amount of time. Uncovered. We have a 20lb turkey this year and will be cooking it for 3 1/2- 4 hours. I will also be basting it with the juices about every half hour or so.

How do I know if my turkey is cooked?

You will know the turkey is done when a meat thermometer reaches 180 degrees deep in the thigh. At this temperature, juices should be clear. You do not want any pink at all. You also need to check the center of the stuffing if you’ve stuffed your turkey. I never do, but that’s me. You are looking for 165 degrees in the center of the stuffing.
Remove the turkey when finished and allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes before carving.

How do I carve a turkey?

Ask someone else to do it. No just kidding. I actually really do not like being the carver and having a carving knife is almost a must - it makes it so much easier. I give the job to hubby. But if you are doing it alone - use butterball’s awesome directions which include photographs - oh yeah.

Now, serve and enjoy and eat a lot and get really full and be sure to save any leftovers for the next day. Tomorrow’s article is all about leftovers. YUMMY!

A small glimpse at recipes posting today and tomorrow:

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Deviled Eggs Recipe

Stuffing Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Pecan Pie Recipe

and quite a few more…