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With every year that passes I am more determined to be able to cook my family the best Holiday/Thanksgiving dinner possible. I am very much a traditionalist and there are some things that just make our holiday meals. Things that are must haves, much beloved and cherished amongst us all.
When I was a child, we could always count on a few things for our holiday meals. One was a perfectly cooked bird, then my mother's stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, winter squash and gravy.
Mom was a simple cook and these things were just a matter of routine for her, which is not to say that everything was not delicious because it certainly was.
Through the years I have developed my own ways of doing some things and my own favorites. With only one week to go before the American Thanksgiving celebration, I thought it would be fun today to share with you my Thanksgiving/Holiday Dinner must haves!
Most of these things can be made well ahead of time and then reheated on the day!
Whether I am cooking a simple Turkey Crown or a whole Turkey, the turkey is the center of the meal, but I also like to surround it with fabulously delicious side dishes, from the rolls down to each of the vegetables being served on the side.
Many of these things can be made up ahead of time and simply reheated on the day. Here are my favorite Holiday Sides!
SAGE AND ONION STUFFING - Whether it is cooked in the bird or in a dish on the side, no holiday meal would be complete without stuffing. In fact, I could happily eat a plate of this stuffing and nothing else. It is essential, and not only with the meal, what would a turkey sandwich be without a nice layer of this stuffing added. This Sage and Onion Stuffing is simple to make ahead of time and one of my absolute favorite go-with's!
PERFECT CREAMY MASHED POTATOES - In the UK they love to have their roast potatoes with all of their holiday meals, but here in my home it has to be mashed potatoes. Don't get me wrong, Classic Roast Potatoes are very nice, but nothing beats a pile of fluffy mash with a nice hollow scooped into the center to hold all of that delicious gravy! My mother made the best mash. Her secret? She always grated a bit of raw onion into them.
SAUTEED RUTABAGA/SWEDE/TURNIPS -We grew up calling these turnips. In the UK they call them Swedes. In all truth, they are known as Rutabaga. A rose by any other name and all that, for me, it simply would not be a proper turkey roast dinner without this beautiful vegetable.
My mother used to simply boil and mash them, adding a bit of potato at the same time. Myself, I like to finely grate them and then sauté them in butter. I also add a bit of brown sugar to take away from any bitterness. These are very easily made ahead of time, and are fabulously tasty! I learned how to do them from a Mennonite restaurant once upon a time. Delicious!
OVEN ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH - This is another dish that can be made well ahead of time and then simply reheated on the day. There is something about roasting root vegetables like this that really helps to enhance their natural sweetness. If I am feeling particularly indulgent, I will add a bit of Maple Syrup. Oh boy, some good.
GREEN BEAN & ALMOND CASSEROLE - I first tasted green bean casserole at my mother's cousin Polly's home in Vermont back in the 1960's. It was love at first bite and is something I have been carrying on a love affair with ever since! This casserole recipe is particularly nice in that it boasts a homemade sauce and a crunchy almond topping. Again, you can make this up well ahead of time and reheat on the day.
CREAMY PARMESAN BRUSSELS SPROUTS - Love them, or loathe them, its just not a holiday meal without some Brussels Sprouts to enjoy with your turkey! I am from the love camp and this version is particularly yummy! These are quite simply fabulous. Cooked only until crispy tender, so that they retain some of that beautiful nuttiness that is present in a perfectly cooked sprout. And that sauce they are in is to die for. Best of all, everything cooks all in the one pan. No fuss, no muss!
OLD FASHIONED PULL APART DINNER ROLLS - Homemade Dinner Rolls tell everyone at the table that you love them enough to want to make them something really delicious from scratch. Light and fluffy these are the best dinner rolls! You can make them a week ahead and freeze them, wrapped tightly. Simply thaw and reheat in a low oven on the day!
Other than these must haves we will always, always have my sister's special baked Sweet Potato Casserole, homemade gravy (from the turkey drippings), and of course cranberry sauce or chutney. If I am really on the ball I will make my own special cranberry chutney, or even homemade cranberry sauce, both of which can be made well ahead of time. And yes, we will also have boiled carrots. Because we love them.
As you can see our holiday table will be groaning, but most of these things are very easily made ahead of time, leaving you only to cook the turkey on the day and perhaps make the gravy, boil the carrots. There is also plenty of leftovers to enjoy for turkey sandwiches on the night and of course on the following day!
And not a marshmallow in sight.
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I have been craving tomato soup and a grilled cheese all week. Normally I would use my own recipe, but I found a recipe for soup that I wanted to try the other day. It looked fairly simple to make and made only one to two servings.
Plus, it had a lot of great reviews. So, I made it. Sadly, I ended up throwing it away. I hate it when that happens.
It was not silky in the least and quite granular (even before I added the cream). I tried pushing it through a sieve to smooth it out a bit, but to no avail. It was also sadly lacking in flavor. I should have just stuck with one of my own recipes.
I was still craving tomato soup today and so that is what I did, I went to one of my own recipes and downsized it to make only two servings. You can find the original recipe here.
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I do like trying new recipes from time to time, and I always give credit where credit is due, but there is no way I could share with you the recipe I used. I wouldn't want you to waste your ingredients as well. I found myself sitting here scratching my head in wonder at why so many people liked that other recipe.
Mind you, taste is a very individual thing. One man's meat is another man's poison they say.
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The original recipe for the soup I am sharing with you today comes from a book I had entitled, "Comfort Food, wholesome recipes that take you back home" great recipes from Mother's Bistro & Bar. It was one that my boss had in her collection, and I found myself buying a copy to have at home.
I left it in the UK when I came back to Canada and have not been able to replace it.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CREAMY TOMATO SOUP FOR TWO
Simple everyday ingredients. I don't do complicated if I can help it.
- 1/4 cup (60g) butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 ribs celery, trimmed and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 bay leaf
- 1 small sprig fresh thyme
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) (400g) tins of chopped tomatoes in puree undrained
- 1 1/2 TBS tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 3 TBS plain all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) half and half (single cream)
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream (double cream)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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I tend to buy the 14-ounce tins of Hunts Heirloom chopped tomatoes these days. I was buying larger tins, but I just can't get them all used. I ended up with too many containers of tomatoes in the freezer. So now I buy the smaller tin, which most times costs as much as the larger tin, but at least there is no waste.
Tomato paste is what is known as concentrated tomato puree in the UK. Usually found in a squeeze tube. I am a fan of the squeeze tube and was quite pleased to find some here in Canada.
If you can't find half and half cream, feel free to use undiluted evaporated milk. (Not sweetened condensed.) Whipping cream works well as double cream.
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I think one of the reasons this soup is so nice is that there is no water or stock in it. Also, you thicken it with a cooked creamy mixture.
It is a bit more involved than the other recipe I tried, but at the end of the day, it is well worth all of the extra effort.
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HOW TO MAKE CREAMY TOMATO SOUP FOR TWO
It does look a bit involved, but trust me, it's really quite simple to make. You know you're worth it!
Melt 1/2 TBS of butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and celery. Cover and cook on low over low heat until very soft, about 20 minutes.
Add the bay leaf, thyme, tinned tomatoes and tomato puree. Bring to a simmer and cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes.
Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour. Cook for several minutes to cook out the flour taste. It should smell a bit nutty. Slowly whisk in the half and half and milk, allowing the flour mixture to absorb each addition before adding another.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour this into the pot with the tomatoes, whisking it in well. Whisk in the cream until smooth.
Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf and thyme.
Puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, food processor, or a regular blender (take care when using a blender). Strain through a mesh strainer into a clean pot, discarding any solids.
Bring the soup to a simmer. If it seems too thick you can add a bit more milk until you get it to the consistency you want it to be. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
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Of course the best thing to enjoy with tomato soup is a grilled cheese sandwich. I have been making mine in the air fryer of late. I really like the way they turn out. Nice and crispy, not soggy in the least.
Place one slice in the air fryer basket butter side down. Top with 2 slices of processed cheese. Place the other slice on top, butter side up. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400*F/200*C. Flip over and continue to air fry for an additional 3 minutes. Perfection.
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I was very pleased with how this tasted, downsized. I knew that I loved it in its full rendition, but now I can say with authority that I also love it half sized.
It's a really delicious soup. Rich and tasty, with a lovely consistency. I am sure you are going to love it. I will stand behind this 100%.
If you are looking for a rich, full bodied tomato soup with a beautiful consistency, look no further.
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Some other soups you might enjoy are: (Ask me if you want to reduce the amounts. I will be more than happy to help.)
Stone Soup was one of my children's favorite stories when they were growing up and so this simple cabbage, tomato and rice soup became known as Stone Soup. It's a deliciously hearty testament to what can be done with a bit of this, a bit of that, and a whole lot of nothing!
A fabulously tasty soup filled with ham and white beans. You do need to plan ahead as the beans need soaking. One word describes this perfectly. Delicious. This is gorgeous ladled into heated bowls and served hot with some crusty bread.
Yield: 2
Creamy Tomato Soup (for two)
Cook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 Hour
This rich and delicious soup makes a fabulous lunch or light supper, especially when paired with a grilled cheese sandwich! (See notes for how to make an air fryer grilled cheese.)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (60g) butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 ribs celery, trimmed and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 bay leaf
- 1 small sprig fresh thyme
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) (400g) tins of chopped tomatoes in puree undrained
- 1 1/2 TBS tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 3 TBS plain all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) half and half (single cream)
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream (double cream)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt 1/2 TBS of butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and celery. Cover and cook on low over low heat until very soft, about 20 minutes.
- Add the bay leaf, thyme, tinned tomatoes and tomato puree. Bring to a simmer and cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes.
- Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour. Cook for several minutes to cook out the flour taste. It should smell a bit nutty. Slowly whisk in the half and half and milk, allowing the flour mixture to absorb each addition before adding another.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour this into the pot with the tomatoes, whisking it in well. Whisk in the cream until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf and thyme.
- Puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, food processor, or a regular blender (take care when using a blender). Strain through a mesh strainer into a clean pot, discarding any solids.
- Bring the soup to a simmer. If it seems too thick you can add a bit more milk until you get it to the consistency you want it to be. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
Notes
To make a quick and easy air fryer grilled cheese, take two thick slices of your favorite bread and butter each slice on the outside with softened butter. Place one slice in the air fryer basket butter side down. Top with 2 slices of processed cheese. Place the other slice on top, butter side up. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400*F/200*C. Flip over and continue to air fry for an additional 3 minutes. Perfection.
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Do you ever have a day when you are feeling rather lazy and yet you still want to put a delicious dinner down in front of the family? I do, and I love to cook!
That's when recipes like this simple chicken curry recipe come in really handy. There is no sauce to make, no fuss, no muss. Just whisk together a simple mixture, brush it on the chicken and bake.
This easy recipe is one I have been carrying around in my Big Blue Binder for many, many years. It is handwritten, and I have not bothered to cite the source. Back when I wrote this out, there was no option of sharing recipes online with others.
Yes, the recipe is that old. I have this big blue vinyl covered binder that is stuffed to overflowing with recipes that I have been collecting since I was a very young girl. I have lugged this thing halfway across the world and back.
It is filled with my tried and trues. With recipes shared with me from friends and family. Recipes copied out from books I had gotten from the library and wanted to try. Recipes clipped from magazines, or copied from same.
I could never have known that one day I might be sharing them with millions, so I never bothered to cite the source. I only knew that they sounded delicious and were delicious and that I wanted to save them for myself and my family.
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One thing which I have always loved about this recipe is the simplicity of it. Another thing is that it isn't overtly strong, curry wise, making it perfect to serve to people who otherwise might not be tempted to try a curry.
There is no sauce. Just a tasty, sweet glaze with a hint of curry, honey and orange. It's a simple thing really, and the oven does all the work.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SWEET & EASY CURRIED CHICKEN
Its elementary dear Watson, there is nothing complicated here, and if you don't count the salt, there is only four ingredients needed.
- 2 TBS frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 TBS liquid honey
- 2 tsp curry powder (you decide the strength you want to use)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 medium bone in, skin on chicken breasts
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My chicken breasts were rather large today and so I used only two. This was ample enough for four people. If you don't want to use breasts, you could use bone in, skin on, thighs in their place.
Bear in mind thighs will take slightly longer to cook.
If you use skin off, boneless chicken, it will take less time to cook. I would cut the cook times by at least 5 minutes for breasts. There is nothing worse than dry breast meat.
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Because my pieces of chicken were on the large side size-wise, mine took about 10 minutes longer. They are done when your chicken juices run clear when pierced with a fork or a skewer.
I know that in the UK they don't have orange juice concentrate. When I was there and needed to use orange juice concentrate, I would take 1 cup (240ml) of orange juice and boil it until it had reduced to about 1/4 cup. (60ml)
I confess, I have also used orange squash drink concentrate. (I miss squash!)
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I like to use a medium strength curry powder. If your family doesn't like things too spicy, use a mild curry powder. If they love the heat, then use a strong one like a madras. I prefer to stay somewhere in the middle.
The original recipe called for discarding the skin at the end, but I like to keep it on and crisp it up. It looks better presentation wise and for those who are not bothered by the calories or fat, they get a tasty piece of crisp chicken skin as a treat.
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Nothing could really be simpler to make than this quick and easy dish. I know I say that all the time, but it is true. This is a very easy bake. It's the perfect dish to just throw in the oven at the end of a hard day.
Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Butter a baking dish (large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer) really well, or spray generously with canola cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts into the baking dish.
Whisk together the orange juice concentrate, liquid honey, curry powder and salt, combining everything well.
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Gently lift the skin away from the chicken, leaving it attached at the bone. Brush all but 1 TBS of the orange juice mixture onto the flesh of the chicken. Pull the skin back over top. Brush the remaining orange juice mixture over the skin.
Roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, basting the chicken occasionally with the juices in the pan. If you wish you can run the chicken under the broiler for the last five minutes to really crisp up the skin.
The chicken is done when it is golden brown, and the juices run clear. Serve with your favorite sides, and the pan juices spooned over top.
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It had been a long time since I had made this chicken and I really enjoyed it on the day. I keep pouches of ready cooked rice in my larder and so I enjoyed mine simply with a portion of one of those (the butter and garlic one) and a salad on the side.
Rice really does go well with this, but you can also enjoy this chicken with pasta, or potatoes. Baked potatoes are especially nice as is buttered noodles!
If I have any leftover I discard the skin, remove the bone and store covered in the refrigerator. The leftovers make a great curried chicken salad sandwich. You can also freeze the leftovers.
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CURRIED CHICKEN CASSEROLE - Fruity and delicious, chicken, fruit, vegetables and rice cook all together in one dish. You will need a flameproof casserole or dutch oven for this. Another handwritten recipe from my Big Blue Binder. It says three servings, but I think it could easily serve four.
CURRIED CHICKEN SAUTE - Seasoned strips of chicken are sauteed in butter and oil until golden brown and then finished off with onions, some garlic . . . of course . . . and then aromatics . . . grated fresh orange zest and juice, curry powder, fresh grated ginger root . . . and coconut milk. Delicious.
Yield: 4
Sweet & Easy Curried Chicken
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 40 Min
This is not only delicious but very simple to put together. I always use skin on bone in chicken. Bear in mind if you use boneless, skinless, it will cook much faster.
Ingredients
- 2 TBS frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 TBS liquid honey
- 2 tsp curry powder (you decide the strength you want to use)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 medium bone in, skin on chicken breasts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Butter a baking dish (large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer) really well, or spray generously with canola cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts into the baking dish.
- Whisk together the orange juice concentrate, liquid honey, curry powder and salt, combining everything well.
- Gently lift the skin away from the chicken, leaving it attached at the bone. Brush all but 1 TBS of the orange juice mixture onto the flesh of the chicken. Pull the skin back over top. Brush the remaining orange juice mixture over the skin.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, basting the chicken occasionally with the juices in the pan. If you wish you can run the chicken under the broiler for the last five minutes to really crisp up the skin.
- The chicken is done when it is golden brown, and the juices run clear.
- Serve with your favorite sides, and the pan juices spooned over top.
Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again!
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