11.20.2007

Tuesday Quick Hints—Thanksgiving Edition


Blanch green beans the day before, cool in ice water. Keep in frig. Re-heat quickly in a saucepan right before serving.

Make mashed potatoes early in the day. Simmer peeled or unpeeled potatoes in chicken stock with whole cloves of garlic. When potatoes are soft enough mash them still in the stock with cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, milk, and/or butter (whatever combination of these you want). Add in fresh minced herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, whatever you have) and salt. Keep warm in a crockpot until serving time.

Take a leisurely walk.

A McKenna family necessity: Apple/Pickle relish. There is no recipe. Just cut up as many apples as you want, peeled or unpeeled, add about half as much diced onions, and the same amount of diced dill pickles. Sprinkle with sugar and white vinegar. Stir.

Remember your camera and use it.

What wine goes well with everything on the menu? Think full-bodied Zinfandel.

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