Browsing Tag:

thanksgiving

Cocktails/ Culinary Tales

Autumn Breeze Cocktail

Move over Sea Breeze, look out Bay Breeze .. here comes the Autumn Breeze. This little cocktail has become my new go to drink at home! It only takes 4 ingredients and it’s perfectly refreshing with crisp fall flavors.

To make this you’ll need Fireball Whisky, Vodka, Simply Peach Juice, and Simply Apple Juice.

Start by filling a tall glass with ice. Pour one ounce of Fireball in to the glass. Then pour in one ounce of Vodka into the glass.

Next, add one ounce of Simply Apple. Top with about half an ounce of Simply Peach. Stir well.

Finally, garnish with an apple slice and sprig of rosemary.

Autumn Breeze

Print Recipe
Serves: 1 Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Fireball Whisky
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Simply Apple (Juice)
  • 1/2 oz Simply Peach (Juice)

Instructions

1

Fill glass with ice.

2

Add Fireball & Vodka.

3

Then add the Simply Apple.

4

Top with Simply Peach.

5

Stir, and garnish with apple slices and rosemary!


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Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Pumpkin Spice Sheet Pan Pancakes

Want to make your life a little easier? Three words : Sheet Pan Pancakes. If you haven’t tried these yet, they’re a must! They really simplify the pancake making process and they are so tasty! Pumpkin Spice Sheet Pan Pancakes make a simple fall weekend even better!

Someone pouring syrup over a stack of Sheet Pan Pancakes.

Pumpkin Spice Sheet Pancakes

Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and eggs. In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients – flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Combine your two bowls, mixing them together really well.

Grease or line a baking sheet. Pour the mixed batter onto the sheet pan. Top with white chocolate chips.

Place in the oven and bake for about twenty minutes. Once they are fully cooked remove them from the oven.

Someone lifting the pancakes out of pan with  spatula.

Let cool for about 5 minutes and cut into rectangles. Serve with butter and syrup!

Stack of pumpkin spice sheet pan pancakes with butter.

Pumpkin Spice Sheet Pan Pancakes

Print Recipe
Serves: 6-8 Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 Tbsp Butter
  • 3/4 Tsp Salt
  • 5 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Eggs
  • 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk

Instructions

1

Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and eggs.

2

In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients - flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

3

Combine your two bowls, mixing them together really well.

4

Grease or line a baking sheet. Pour the mixed batter onto the sheet pan.

5

Top with white chocolate chips.

6

Place in the oven and bake for about twenty minutes.

7

Once they are fully cooked remove them from the oven.

8

Let cool for about 5 minutes and cut into rectangles. Serve with butter and syrup!

Stacked pancakes with syrup being poured on them, Sheet pan of pancakes in background.

A stack of pumpkin pancakes with a glass of milk.
Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

I’m making a classic, easy green bean casserole and adding one of my favorite ingredients! Bacon.. But, not just any bacon, Caramelized Bacon. In my opinion adding bacon to anything only makes it better. This savory Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole is very simple to make and the first side to go at any family dinner!

Caramelized Bacon

To make the caramelized bacon, take 3 Tbsp of Praline Pecans (basically glazed pecans – they can be found at most grocers) and crush them in the food processor. Next, pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet spread your precooked bacon in a single layer. On top sprinkle the crushed praline pecans. Bake in the oven for just a few moments. Keeping a close eye so as not to burn them. Pull them out after about 3-5 minutes and allow them to cool. Chop bacon. Set aside.

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

This Casserole is really simple because it’s mainly all about assembling. Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees again.

In a large casserole dish add two-three cans of cut green beans.

Next, add a can of cream of mushroom soup and one cup of milk. Mix around thoroughly until the beans are evenly coated.

Cover the top of the casserole with fried onions.

Place your casserole in the oven for about twenty minutes. Turn it once halfway through. Sprinkle your caramelized bacon all over the top. Return to oven for an additional five minutes.

When the top of the casserole is golden brown it’s ready to go.

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few moments before serving!

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

Print Recipe
Serves: 5-6 Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cans of cut green beans
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 medium can of fried onions (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 8 pieces of precooked bacon
  • 3 Tbsp Praline Pecans
  • 1 cup of Milk

Instructions

1

To make the caramelized bacon, take 3 Tbsp of Praline Pecans - crush them in the food processor.

2

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet spread your precooked bacon in a single layer.

3

Sprinkle the crushed praline pecans over top. Bake in the oven for 3-5 min. Allow them to cool. Chop bacon. Set aside.

4

In a large casserole dish add two-three cans of cut green beans.

5

Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and one cup of milk.

6

Mix around thoroughly until the beans are evenly coated.

7

Cover the top of the casserole with fried onions.

8

Bake for about twenty minutes. Turning once halfway through.

9

Sprinkle caramelized bacon over the top. Return to oven for an additional five minutes.

10

When top of the casserole is golden brown it's ready. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few moments before serving!

This Casserole can be thrown together at the last minute and it’s perfect for any holiday or family gathering! Be sure to check out the recipe for my Drunken Chorizo & Sage Dressing, because they pair insanely well together.

Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin Pie is by far one of the most popular Holiday Desserts. Pumpkin Pie is sweet, creamy, and filled with Cinnamon-y spice! The only thing that can make it even more perfect for a party or family gathering? Make it bite size! People tend to feel more inclined to grab dessert when it’s easy and ready to go, like these Mini Pumpkin Pies. No waiting to slice, and no excess portions! I’m sharing this recipe for the most perfect Mini Pumpkin Pies with you, just in time for Thanksgiving! Continue Reading…