Friday, November 13, 2009

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes


Butter-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

To make ahead (up to five hours) prepare recipe through step 2. Cool; cover and refrigerate. About 15 minutes before ready to serve, proceed with recipe.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 50 minutes







Ingredients

Serves 8

8 medium sweet potatoes (5 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1/3 cup pecan pieces
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel potatoes and halve lengthwise; slice crosswise 1/2 inch thick. On a baking sheet, toss potatoes with olive oil; season with coarse salt.
2.Transfer half the potatoes to a second baking sheet; cook both sheets until potatoes are tender, tossing occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes.
3.Sprinkle with butter, brown sugar, pecan pieces, and cayenne pepper, dividing evenly. Bake until sugar is caramelized and hard, about 10 minutes. Gently toss; serve immediately.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes




Potato-Mushroom Pie

Use a mandoline to make thin, even potato slices.










Ingredients

Serves 10 to 12

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 pounds assorted wild mushrooms, such as chanterelle, oyster, or black trumpet, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, about 3 1/2 ounces
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme leaves
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish; set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add half of the mushrooms; cook until they are slightly softened. Add remaining mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms have released their juices and most of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
2.Combine cheeses in a small bowl; set aside. Cover bottom of prepared dish with potato slices, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle with half of the thyme and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese and half of the mushroom mixture. Repeat layering process, using all but 2 tablespoons cheese. Arrange remaining potato slices, slightly overlapping, around the edge of the dish. Stir together milk and cream in a bowl, and pour over top. At this point, dish can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
3.Cover loosely with foil, and bake until bubbling, about 1 hour. Remove foil, and sprinkle with reserved cheese. Bake until top is golden, 20 to 30 minutes more. Transfer dish to a wire rack; let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Easiest Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes


Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash With Sage

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients


Serves 4
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

Directions

1.Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add butternut squash. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until squash is lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
2.Add 1/4 cup water, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until squash is fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
3.Toss with sage.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Easiest Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes




Sauteed Apples with Thyme

Turn fruit into a seasonal side dish with this easy recipe.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes








Ingredients

Serves 4


3 McIntosh apples, or Golden Delicious apples (or a mix of both)
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1.Core apples. Cut each apple into 8 wedges; halve wedges crosswise.
2.Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apples and 1 teaspoon each fresh thyme leaves and grated lemon zest; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until apples are just tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 3 to 5 minutes.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Life is Full of Beauty


“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” Ashley Smith

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Green Tip of the Day

GREEN TIP:
I use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins and paper towels. It saves money and the trees! -

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Green Tip of the Day


GREEN TIP:

When you buy toiletries, buy them in economy sized bottles. Then refill your smaller ones for convenience and store until needed. You use fewer bottles save the planet & your wallet!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Green Tip of the Day,

GREEN TIP:

How are you doing today? Sharing your feelings and connecting with others helps to bridge the gap between "us" and "them." This is a reminder tip that we are all connected.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Green Tip of the Day,

GREEN TIP:

Next time you stay at a hotel, you can help to keep it green by not taking any of the hotel's complimentary soap or shampoo for your collection. Use only what you need or better yet, bring your own!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Green Tip of the Day


GREEN TIP:

Many rental companies are now offering alternative fuel vehicles. Check which rental agencies are offering these cars. Sometimes they cost a bit more, so take a moment and reflect on what's important to you.