Thanksgiving Recap

Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and this one was pretty successful.  The menu looked something like this:

Appetizers:

  • Veggies and dip
  • Crackers with Blue Cheese Spread*
  • Soft Pretzel Bites and mustard (recipe to come)*

Dinner:

  • Turkey
  • Gravy
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Stuffing
  • Spicy Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin
  • Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds*
  • Steamed Broccoli*
  • Roasted Brussel Sprouts
  • Mixed Greens Salad
  • Cranberry Sauce*
  • Sweet Potato Biscuits
  • Squash rolls
  • Crescent Rolls (as in Pillsbury)

Dessert (all home made):

  • Pecan Pie
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Apple Pie
  • Maple Walnut Ice Cream
  • Miso Ice Cream

* This means I made it by myself.  My mom made the rest with assistance from me, and my brothers.

My Favorite Part:

 

What was your favorite dish at the Thanksgiving feast?

Mine were the squash rolls (doughy and fabulous), and the pecan pie which was a new addition for us this year!

Don’t get yourself into a fig jam…

Fig jam is of my favorite condiments to have on hand is a tiny, treasured jar of fig jam.  In fact in my pantry right now are multiple brands of fig jam.  I think that you really can’t go wrong with fig jam because you can find a use for any variety.  I find that brands of fig jam very on density and sweetness.  Here are three of the varieties that I have in my pantry and their uses are listed below as well.

The Harvest Song fig jam has a loose consistency and is not as sweet as other fig jams.  I like to use it for fig jam vinaigrette.  All you need to do to make this is mix together the following ingredients: 1/2 c fig jam, 3 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1/4 c vegetable oil, and pinch of salt.  Yesterday I tossed this vinaigrette over greens with roasted butternut squash, sweet onion, beets, and goat cheese.  It was delicious.  Another variation is to toss this vinaigrette over arugula, sweet onion, pear slices, and honey goat cheese.

The Dalmatia Fig Jam comes in this orange-infused variety as well as a regular variety.  I think this orange-infused variety is great for spreading on a slice of toast or filling butter cookies.  It is also great for making crostini.  Take a slice of toasted bread or a rustic cracker and spread it with honey goat cheese.  Then top it off with a dab of fig jam and you have a great appetizer that everyone will enjoy!

The Mitica fig jam is a great addition to any cheese plate.  It is great paired with manchego cheese especially.  Of course these are just my suggestions, you might find many other uses for the varieties of fig jam as well.  Don’t be afraid to try them!  I’m watching Martha Stewart right now and she’s finding uses for parmesan cheese.  Now that I bought Silpat sheets I want to make parmesan crisps to go with the fig jam vinaigrette salads that I often make.  You can find inspiration anywhere…just look around and get out of that creative jam you’re in!