Thanksgiving Yuminess

[rood]

Sweet potatoes pan fried in butter until they're good and crispy. You have to cook the sweet potatoes first then peel and slice or buy canned ones (vacuum packed, NOT packed in syrup). You can shake some cinnamon on them while they're frying if you want, as well.

[ZiggyZoomba]

I can definitely get behind any recipe that starts with a stick of butter and 3/4 cup of real maple syrup

Out of curiosity, do you use apple juice though? I know I would personally sub in season locally produced apple cider...but then I'm addicted to apple cider this time of year.

I used apple cider once in this dish because I didn't have the apple juice. I didn't like it as much as versions with the juice. I guess that with the grannies and squash, you really need the added sweetness of the juice versus the apple flavor of the cider. The maple syrup provided quite a bit of earthy sweetness and that is blanced by the juice with provides a bright sweetness. Combine that with a balanced spice offering and the dish is killer.

The alteration of the apple v squash is key for a beautiful presentation at the table. They should look like alternating fallen dominos.

I made this today and it was fantastic!!! I used some farm-fresh cider though, and not the juice.

Oh... and I added about 1/32 of a tsp of ground bhut jolokia to the mix. JUST enough to notice, but certainly not enough to know it's really there....

Had to make it as a test run before the big day. Well done Halford! Appreciate the heads-up on this one.

[Ineedbotox]

My mother does this potato cheese pirogi type casserole that the entire family begs for at every major holiday or birthday. I can get the recipe if you are interested.

Sure, if you have it!

Also, VDub, how do you make your mashed red skins? I hate mashed potatoes, but I figure I need them for people who like to soak them in gravy.

[1987alum]

On our T-giving list ...

My wife's Challah-bread dressing (not stuffing - as AB says, it's evil!) that includes toasted filberts. mmmmm....

Brining the turkey - have done it the last two years and will never, ever look back.

A little kielbasa from the coal region, complete with high-octane horseradish.

Snap peas with toasted pine nuts and carmelized shallots.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

Pirogi Potato Caserole



16 oz bag extra wide noodles - make and set aside

Enough instant mashed potatoes for 12 servings - make and set aside

1-2 large onions sliced

1 cup minus 2 tablespoons butter or marg.

16 oz jar kraft cheese whiz

8 oz Colby cheese – grated



Sautee onion and butter in large pan

Add cheese whiz. Stir until melted and combined.



Put small amount of cheese mixture in bottom of 9 X 13 pan



1st layer:



Put ½ noodles in 9 X 13 pan

Then ½ potatoes – in small mounds

Top with ½ grated Colby cheese

Then ½ melted cheese/onion mixture.



Repeat layers



Top off with about ½ cub parmesan cheese and sprinkle parsley flakes.



Bake (uncovered) 350° for about 50 min. or until bubbly.

[Ineedbotox]

That recipie sounds awesome. Thanks Saxy!

[1987alum]

That recipie sounds awesome. Thanks Saxy!

Yummy, but you'll need these ...

[VDub26Falcon]

I saw the 1/32 of a tsp measurement and thought "He can't be serious!" and then he got to the pepper that was added and I said "Smart idea Grant...don't want to have us all laughing at another video of you!
http://www.instantrimshot.com

[VDub26Falcon]

Also, VDub, how do you make your mashed red skins? I hate mashed potatoes, but I figure I need them for people who like to soak them in gravy.

Just boil however many potatoes you want until they're good and soft, then just mash them up, add butter, milk, sea salt and crushed black pepper until they're seasoned how you like them. Really simple. No measurements needed.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

That recipie sounds awesome. Thanks Saxy!

Yummy, but you'll need these ...

I never said it was healthy!

[Ineedbotox]

So Mark or Grant, tell me how you slice & arrange the squash & apples? I know you said like a domino, but I want to make sure I get this right. I have never made butternut squash in my life and I have some strange gourds ready to prepare!

[Rightupinthere]

So Mark or Grant, tell me how you slice & arrange the squash & apples? I know you said like a domino, but I want to make sure I get this right. I have never made butternut squash in my life and I have some strange gourds ready to prepare!

You could just alternate layers but I do it a "pretty way."

I place a layer of squash flat in the bottom of the dish followed by a flat layer of apples. Follow that layer with another layer of squash.

Here is where it get's kinda tricky to describe. You're going to make about three rows with each row containing alternating slices of squash v. apple. Each slice should be at about a 45 degree angle (fallen dominos.) I'm going to make this tomorrow evening and then bake Thursday morning. I'll post pictures.

[Rightupinthere]

Here is the dish nearly completely assembled.

[hammb]

My contribution to today's dinner is going to be dinner rolls. Just pulled them out of the oven. Whole house smells like fresh bread...MMMMmmm...

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Here is the dish nearly completely assembled.

Awesome - just got done eating this and it actually looked a lot like that. Tasted fantastic as well. I had never cooked with butternut squash before, but those bitches were NOT easy to cut. Worth it though. Good call, RUIT.

We also had oven roasted broccoli, and garlic mashed redskin potatoes. Onions, shrooms, and baby carrots in a crock pot for about 6 hours were a nice addition to the meal, and we of course brined the turkey. I used honey, a lemon, and some candied ginger for the brine, and then apples and cinnamon sticks along with rosemary and sage for the aromatics. I'm friggin' stuffed.