Cranberry Sauce

To begin with, heat a medium-sized saucepan on the stove at medium heat. Add 3 cups of fresh cranberries, 1 cup of sugar (might need more depending on if you prefer more tart or sweet cranberry sauce), 1/4 cup of triple sec or grand marnier, and 1 cup orange juice. Stir to combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Continue to cook for about 20-30 minutes until sauce is thick. Add two granny smith apples than have been chopped. Stir for about 5 minutes and then take off the heat. You can serve this warm (great over ice cream for a yummy dessert) or make the day before and put in the frige to get cold.

Champ

Ryan and I discovered champ while eating at the Spotted Pig in NYC this past spring and absolutely love it. Recently, we haven't eaten a lot of potatoes, so it was a real treat! It is basically mashed potatoes, but with more butter than milk/cream and you mixed in one cup of chopped scallions. Don't blend potatoes, just mash to combine all the ingredients, it should be kind of chunky. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Carmelized Onion Dip

Recipe:

Start by slicing two large sweet onions and addding them to a large skillet at medium heat along with 1/4 cup of butter. Once all the onion slices are in the pan, add a dash of salt and pepper. Stir until all the onions are covered with the melted butter. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Continue to cook for 45 minutes at a low to medium-low heat until onions are completely soft and starting to turn brown. Turn the heat back up to medium for 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and stir until almost completely evaporated (1-2 minutes). Transfer onions someplace to cool.

Meanwhile, mix together 8 oz of room temperature cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sour cream along with 1/4 cup of chopped scallions (green onions) and salt and pepper to taste. Once onions have cooled, add those to the cream cheese mixture. Add a few more scallions to the top and serve with tortilla chips or whatever you prefer!

**Note- I was too busy enjoying time with family to take a lot of pictures,completely forgot!

Our Menu for Thanksgiving

Appetizers-

Carmelized onion dip
Salsa
Torilla chips

Dinner-
Brined and grilled turkey
Champ (Irish style mashed potatoes)
Sausage and carmelized onion stuffing
Oyster stuffing (for dad only!)
Baby carrots with black pepper butter
Haricot Verts with crispy shallots and bacon
Gravy
Apple and cranberry sauce
Rolls

Dessert-
Apple crunch top pie
Mini-pumpkin cheesecakes
Mini- key lime pies
Fresh whipped cream
Vanilla ice cream

To drink-
Champagne
Pinot Noir
Cotes du Rhone

Recipes to follow!

Thanksgiving Prep

Ryan and I have decided to have Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. We are really excited to finally use our nice table linens and wedding china! We are in the process of researching stuffing, pie, side dishes, potato, and appetizer recipes. We will post updates on how the planning is going. Wish us luck!

Halibut with spinach and Berry parfaits

So...I'm a bad blogger, it's been forever since I put a new post up. In my defense, we have been out of town every weekend or have had guests. It's been a crazy Oct/Nov! But excuses aside...here is a recipe Ryan and I made Thursday night. We were exhausted after going to Epcot the night before (food & wine fest again), so we wanted something healthy and quick. We went to Whole Foods and got some halibut and produce (it was expensive, but we got a small filet so it wasn't too bad).

For the fish- on a small baking dish, line the bottom with thinly sliced lemon slices and place the filet on top. Finish with a pinch of grey or sea salt, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of thyme. Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes (or until just opaque). Meanwhile in a small frying pan, saute 2 shallots in a tablespoon of butter and cook until slightly carmelized. Add the juice of one lemon and 1/2 cup of dry white wine. Continue to cook until liquid has reduced in half. Serve fish on top of sauteed spinach (heat some chopped garlic in a frying pan with a tablespoon of olive oil and put in fresh spinach and cook until slightly wilted), and pour the wine sauce on top. Enjoy!

I can't take any credit on the dessert, that was all Ryan! He made delicious parfaits using strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, and angel food cake. It was really yummy. I'm going to have to have him make it again soon!

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Review

This past Saturday night Ryan and I went to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. It was a blast. It combined disney and food! As we made our way around the world, we rated each country's food and beverages.

My top 10 ranking (based on taste, presentation, and uniqueness) is the following (I'll have Ryan post his soon):
1. Mexico (tamal de pollo and passion fruit margarita)
2. Argentina (roasted corn and cheese empanada and steak with chimichurri)
3. Brazil (didn't have the food but their drink was the best all night, and I still can't pronounce it- leblon frozen caiprinha)
4. Japan (spicy tuna roll and california roll)
5. South Korea (barbeque short ribs with steamed rice and cucumber kimchi)
6. China (pork pot stickers)
7. Desserts and Champagne (trio of strawberry short cake, pear streusel, and dark chocolate with moet and chandon)
8. charcuterie and cheese (Ace Joker hard cider)
9. France (while the line for the outside station was way too long, by far the most popular, we stuck to the Pommery champagne inside, delicious as always)
10. Italy (baked cheese ravioli with creamy bolognese sauce with melted mozzarella and proseco)
11. Spain (serrano ham, chorizo, manchego, olive, and tomato bread with cava)
12. Germany (nurnberger sausage in a pretzel roll and riesling)
13. Morocco (beef in a pita pocket and sangria)

Hops & Barley (Ryan had the pecan bread pudding, I did not due to my strong aversion of nuts!)

The Mexico and Argentina food options were delicious and some of the most affordable. We are going to try to go back soon. Pictures include food from: Argentina, Mexico, China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Morocco, Spain, cider, and dessert.