Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
4 med. sweet potatoes (2lbs)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 T. butter/margarine melted
1/2 cup chopped nuts or tiny marshmallows (or both)

Preparation:
1. Peel fresh sweet potatoes; cut into 1 1/2 in. chunks. Cook fresh sweet potatoes, covered, in enough boiling water to cover for 10 to 12 minutes or until just tender, drain. (Or cut up canned sweet potatoes.)

2. Transfer potatoes to a 2-quart baking dish. Add brown sugar and melted butter; stir gently to combine. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until potatoes are glazed, stirring gently twice. Sprinkle with nuts and/or marshmallows; bake 5 minutes more.

Make-ahead directions:
Prepare as directed through step 2. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Uncover and bake as directed.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Cranberry Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups cranberries. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until skins pop, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Serve warm or chilled with poultry or pork.

Makes about 2 cups of sauce.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Picture of the Week

Sorry, readers. We did not have a chance to post yesterday.

Taken at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Crock-pot Turkey Breast

I thought that I would post some recipes that you might want to try out over the holidays. I will try to post all of them before Thanksgiving so you have them if you want to try them.
________________________________

Last year we did a full Thanksgiving meal for just the two of us. We didn't want a whole turkey because we new it would take a very long time to finish it. We decided to just get a turkey breast. I have a small oven so I knew that I would need the oven for the other dishes that we wanted. I looked online and found this recipe for the crock-pot!

Ingredients:
1 small to medium turkey breast
1 stick of butter
salt

Preparation:
Wash & pat dry turkey breast. Season lightly with salt. Place in crock-pot with 1 stick of butter. Turn on low for 10 to 12 hours. (Great to do overnight!)

Make sure that you still baste the turkey or it will be slightly dry!


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A little Veterans Day history

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. (www.history.com/content/veteransday/history-of-veterans-day)

For more on the history of Veterans Day, please go to www.history.com/content/veteransday.

We would like to thank all of our family & friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.

Monday, November 9, 2009

A "hint" of Fall

It's been a little while since we last posted. Life is getting more busy. But, in the midst of a busy week, I was able to spot just a hint that fall was coming. The best surprise of all . . . it was actually colorful!