Shame on Me!

I know it! Thanksgiving came and went without so much as a recipe posted on my blog. So here it is, for all future generations, the must-haves, the tradition of traditions, our Thanksgiving Menu:

Turkey
Mashed Potatoes (some chunks and some skin)
Gravy (from the drippings)
Mary's Cranberry Relish (I love this so much, I make myself enough to last six months and freeze it. Husband tells the kids not to eat it alone, only on turkey, or ham, or chicken, or whatever is on your plate. Are you kidding? I spoon it up like applesauce.)
Cauliflower Piquant (Mmm, mouth is watering...)
Sweet Potatoes (WITH marshmallows)
Stuffing (Stovetop--hey, it's tradition!)
Rolls (usually purchased, these don't matter much until the next day when it's time for sandwiches)
Pumpkin Pie (not my favorite, but necessary)
Apple Pie (in the brown paper bag--MY favorite--makes me want to sing)
Lemon Meringue Pie (one of my assignments this year and I should have taken a picture, it was right purty!)
Barb's Raspberry Jello with Pretzel Crust dessert (actually a must have at every family get together, she struck gold on that one)

I know this probably sounds exactly like everyone else's, but certain parts of it are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for furthering the happiness of mankind (here at our house).

Hmmm, did I miss anything? Okay, now I'm wondering why we've never done a pecan pie, that is one of Husband's favorites...leave it to me. I will fix everything.

Your turn. Let's hear what it is you can't do without on Thanksgiving or Christmas or for that matter your birthday ( I love how traditions revolve around food in my head--they do in yours also, right?)

Menu 3

The pictures of my Christmas treats were taken to work on husband's computer. When they make it back home, I'll post them. For now, I'll do another menu. Oh, and Santa was listening. I got my menu software and am learning to work it. Let's see if it's as helpful as I imagine...
I am leaving out the grocery list this time. If someone wants it, I'll email it. The chili and hamburgers throw things off...

Kahlua Pork & Sweet Potatoes- Yes, pork and sweet potatoes is a theme for me. This one is the yummiest. It tastes like a luau.

Chicken Divine- A casserole spiffed up with lemon and curry.

Hamburgers- You know the drill.

Chicken Teriyaki- I double the sauce recipe and keep it in a jar in the fridge. Homemade is best!

Chili- Pick your Fave!

Enrichment Night Refreshments

First of all, may I say how thankful I am for this calling? I am thankful. I feel like a real life caterer and for reasons you may not understand, I love to serve food! Don't take that wrong--I would never want to work in fast food. Having been in primary for the last 9 years (since the day I graduated), I sometimes feel left out of Relief Society. In fact, I can count the times I've been to an RS lesson on my fingers and maybe a toe. But we all know how important food is for social events! If this is all in my head, don't tell me.
For my own sake, I am blogging the last few refreshments/meals we've had for RS. That way, I won't end up with more or less the same thing we had last time...

January 2007--Potato Bar, Pineapple Orange Cake

March 2007--Lasagna Rollups Dinner

October 2007--Hawaiian Haystacks

December 2007--Libby's Pumpkin Roll

January 2008--Navajo Tacos, Chocolate Cherry Cake

RS Birthday Dinner Menu

Last March, I was put in charge of planning the Relief Society Birthday Dinner. Because of the program, it was to be a four-course meal for sixty people. I was given a budget of $100. Did I stay under my limit? The answer is no. I spent 52 cents more. I will admit, though, that it was meatless. But with these pretty babies, no one noticed.

Course one--Fruit Kabobs
You know, skewers and fresh fruit. Grapes and apples in two colors, pineapple and melons.

Course two--Dinner Salad
Lettuce, shredded carrot, grape tomatoes & cucumber slices. Oh, and my famous "Rancher Bob" dressing.

Course three--Lasagna Rollups
Super-impressive and very easy. Rhodes' roll on the side brushed with olive oil & garlic salt.

Course four--Strawberry Shortcake
Purchased angel food or pound cake, topped with strawberry sauce and whip cream.

Now here comes January. That means another RS dinner to plan (and again in March). Spaghetti is off limits because the boy scouts do that in February. If you have any super ideas, leave them in my comments box, otherwise, we may have a repeat potato bar...

Menu 2

Listed is Curry Chicken and I don't really use a recipe, just whatever is on hand and some curry paste. Use your favorite recipe or click the link to see about how I do it.


Apple Pork & Sweet Potatoes

Peanut Butter Satay Chicken

Stuffed Meatballs

Cabbage & Kielbasa

Curry Chicken


Grocery List:
DAIRY& FROZEN
Apple juice concentrate (1 qt.)
Bag frozen green beans
Bag brussel sprouts
Bag frozen cauliflower

CANNED GOODS
2 cans tomato sauce
Curry paste
Coconut milk

PRODUCE
3 lg. sweet potatoes
2 yellow onion
1 red onion
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 c. green onions
bag cabbage

MEATS
2 lb. pork roast
4 lb. chicken breasts
1 lb. gr. Beef raw
1 lb. kielbasa

DRY GOODS
Instant rice

EXTRAS
NSA creamy peanut butter
Italian seasoning

Menu 1

My menus consist of recipes for 5 days. This makes room for going to Grandma's, out to eat, or trying a new recipe.

Crockpot chicken & gravy, mixed veggies

Tilapia, candied carrots, asian salad

Pork dijon, zucchini

Taco salad

Steak & mushrooms, spinach salad

Grocery List:
I have left off basics that you probably have anyway: eggs, milk, salt, pepper, flour...besides those, I'm pretty sure this is complete. It is organized into aisles at Wal-Mart.

DAIRY & FROZEN
bag Mixed veggies
Yellow cheese
Sour cream
Grated Parmesan cheese

CANNED GOODS
Evap. milk

PRODUCE
bag Baby carrots
1 Yellow onion
bag Green onions
1 lb. zucchini
Head lettuce
3 roma tomatoes
1 red onion
16 oz. mushrooms
bag baby spinach
bag coleslaw

MEATS
4 lb. roaster chicken
4 tilapia fillets
1 ½ lb. pork steaks
1 lb. Gr. Beef
3 beef steaks (loin)

DRY GOODS
White beans
Taco Season
Italian powder

BAKING
Lemon pepper
Pecans
Almonds
Sunflower Seeds

EXTRAS
Dijon mustard
Hot sauce
Balsamic vinegar