Thursday, November 15, 2012

Baby Shower Tea Bar











How to not dry out the turkey

There is nothing more frustrating than cooking all day only to find out the turkey is tough & dry. 
Not to worry, this is completely avoidable. 

What you need
 1 Cheese cloth (in the cooking supply aisle - if not ask someone)
 1 injector (same aisle)
1 bottle white wine - any variety is fine
4 cloves of fresh garlic (not the jar type)
4 sticks of unsalted butter
1 red onion
Salt, Pepper and any seasonings you prefer
1 baster 

What you do
(thaw turkey - which should be done way before this process)
Start making this recipe about 20 minutes before you want to start cooking the bird

Mince garlic
Chop onion - small pieces
Melt all the butter in pan (Paula will be proud)
Add in garlic and onions and saute 
When onion is tender add the wine - the whole bottle (no drinking) 
Simmer until wine reduces
Add seasonings to liquid mixture

Almost There

Pour about 1 cup of liquid into a small bowl
Leave the rest in the pan
Fill the injector with the liquid and insert all over turkey
Season turkey
Cover the entire turkey with the cheese cloth
Drizzle some all over the turkey using the baster
Put in the oven

Then What?
This is the key - you have to keep injecting and basting. Depending on the size and cooking duration, but every 30 minutes is a good range. 
Heat up the liquid slightly before you inject. Use about 1/3 cup of the liquid for each injection. 
Baste over the cheese cloth as well

All Done
Remove the cheese cloth right before serving (it keeps it warm) 
WooHoo - you just made the greatest turkey ever. (close enough)





Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election Party- Easy Food & Decor Ideas

It's finally here. The big day that will finally decide who gets the job. Regardless of who you think should win tonight, a party is a great way to bring people together. So have some friends over and forget about all the hostility and policy talks and not so politically correct facebook posts that we have all endured for way too long. Here are some simple easy election night party ideas to get you started. 
 American food all the way. Mini burgers pre-stacked with veggies.
Hot dogs with some patriotic scrap book paper and twine. Simple and festive. 
Baked potato station. I love this idea. Easy, cheap and makes a big splash. Big a large bag of potato's and throw them in the oven for an hour. Use bowls or cups for toppings. Variety of cheeses, sour cream, bacon bits....you get the picture. 
Mini corn dog muffins with dipping sauce. Get the recipe here
Spinach dip in a bread bowl. Mix sour cream, dry french onion soup mix, chopped green onions and a bag of spinach. Hallow out bread bowl and fill with dip. Use bread pieces for dipping. 
Apple pie caramel apples. That just sounds good. Get the recipe here.
Angel food cake with sliced fruit and whip cream. Use baby mason jars and ribbon. 
Easy decor - rubber bands and a simple bowl.
Be sure to have a state map to fill in when the polls close. You can also print them out and pass out to guests to track. 

Set out an umbrella stand with mini flags inside to welcome guests.
This patriotic streamer can be found at Party City. You can also just use red, white and blue mixed together. Streamers are an easy decor item. Add some red, white and blue balloons for some festive fun. 

If you don't throw a party tonight and totally skip the mass press coverage at least go out and vote. Not because you believe in everything one guy has to say but because we get to do something that most people in the world are still fighting for.