Pies and the Like

I pride myself on making desserts from scratch, or at least buying from a place that you know makes them homemade. That's why on Thanksgiving morning, when I asked Amy where that homemade pumpkin pie she promised to bring was, I was directed to an ENTENMANN'S BOX!

The nerve! I give up one of my greatest joys- bringing a homemade pie with homemade pie crust, even if it isn't that good, to the table- and what does she do? Humiliate me! Embarrass me! The only reason I had even allowed Amy that one dessert responsibility was because she knew of a pie-sale fundraiser in her hometown. Fine, I thought, it's for a good cause...

I'm usually a fan on Entennmann's- for a mass-produced baked goods company, they actually make some not half-bad stuff. But never good enough for Thanksgiving!

As I placed my homemade desserts on the table at Thanksgiving, my Apple Pie got some covetous looks. My Pecan Tart even got a couple of "oohs" and "ahhs." The Pumpkin Pie got a cool glance. (Which I was secretly happy about.)

I also had made these delicious Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, which I found on the "Baked Perfection" blog. They are amazing! Mine came out a little chewy on the inside, and when heated in the microwave for a few seconds, remind me of delicious brownies. Perfect with a nice tall glass of milk, and I think good enough for Santa!

I got pretty into the whole pie dough this year- I tried very hard to keep my butter cold, and I made the stuff on Sunday to reheat on Thursday. I think they turned out pretty great, but I'm still learning. I even used little fall-themed cookie cutters to make great decorations on top. Check out the photos below! (You can see the decorations on my Apple Pie got a bit burnt...but still tasty!)







What do you pride yourself on during the holidays! And do you think a homemade pie or other dessert is worth all that trouble like I do?

Thanksgiving Prep!

It's has been such a long time since I last posted! I am pleased to say that I am gainfully (and happily) employed, and will be moving out of the parents' house in a few months. I don't really have much time for cooking anymore, and I rarely go grocery shopping. It's been a bummer, but I'm pysched for thanksgiving!

So usually every year, it's just my immediate family- mom, dad, sister. This year, however, our aunt, uncle and cousin are coming! This means that I won't get to wear PJs or sweatpants to dinner (bummer), but it's really exciting planning a real menu and cooking for people other than my direct family. My sister and I, being the nerds that we are, created a Google docs spreadsheet to organize what we're serving, what needs to go in the oven when, and what ingredients we need to buy. I keep adding and changing the menu everyday, which she gets pissed about. She literally said that we have too much food. What?! Never!

Here's what's on the menu. Suggestions would be GREAT.

Appetizers/Apertifs
-Prosecco with cranberries in the bottom of the glass
-Martinis (amy doesn't know about this yet. but i might want to make a martini.)
-Salmon and dill with creme freche on toasts
-Datiles (dates wrapped in bacon)
-Shrimp cocktail
-Gougeres (Amy might make them)
-Cocktail Weenies (my dad still loves them)
-Cheese and grape platter (cheddar, muenster, brie, gouda)

I think that's simple enough for 7 people. I'm not a cheese person, so I'm going to rely on my sister (Amy) to help pick out crowd-pleasers. I'm hoping it won't be anything too stinky. I am proud to announce I have broadened my horizons and enjoy non-melted cheddar cheese. BIG step for me.

Dinner
-Turkey (I think we're doing a brine- something Amy will be in charge of)
-Cranberry Jelly (my aunt is bringing)
-Cornbread (my aunt is bringing)
-Thyme-Sourdough stuffing
-Yam Casserole (would it be thanksgiving without it??)
-Mashed Potatoes (the best ever, with the use of my new food mill!)
-Green Beans (probably just plain steamed)
-Glazed carrots
-Homemade traditional gravy
-Corn with Mint (from a NYTimes article here)
-Ready-to-bake rolls

We're mostly traditionalists when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, but I'm trying to push it a little bit this year. I love trying new things! I'm still convincing my sister on letting me make a Mushroom and Sweet Potato stuffing. With the dinner, we plan on serving Gewurstraminer wine, and maybe Riesling if people prefer that. We served the Gewurstraminer last year, and it went quite well.

Dessert
-Pecan Tart (I will make this tomorrow and keep it in the fridge until Thursday. I am told this will be fine)
-Splenda Apple Pie (I made it for my dad last year, and it was so delicious, my sister asked for it again this year!)
-Sugar-free and regular Vanilla Bean ice cream)
-Pumpkin Pie (Amy is bringing this up from a D.C. fundraiser)
-Cookies (Amy doesn't know this yet, but I am TOTALLY making this amazing-looking Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. I hope they last until Thursday!)
-Bailey's
-Coffee
-Blueberry Sour Cream Cake (my aunt is bringing)

Dessert is pretty much my territory, and I pride myself on not buying store-baked goods, although they are sometimes just as delicious. I am still debating if I want to make a homemade pie-crust this year. Last year, I used a box mix, and it was actually fluffy and delicious. (I know it sounds ridiculous, but trust me.)

Well as I said, we have quite a bit of preparation to do! I would also love to spruce up the table with some great decorations from Target, but I'm reluctant to go to the store. It's going to be nuts!

What dishes do you make on Thanksgiving? Anything special you're looking forward to?

A New Love

My boyfriend took me out to dinner for my birthday a few weeks ago, and I have to admit... I think I've found something new.

PORK BELLY.

I've been hearing all about the amazing pork belly, and so when Alex took me to the new Aureole in NY, I had to do it. The price of the meal was definitely not ideal, but it was completely worth it. The service, all of the little extras, and, of course, the food, were all amazing.

When it came time to order, I was undecided. I asked the waitress what pork belly was like- I'm pretty adventurous, but still want to know I'll enjoy my food. She simply asked me if I liked bacon, and that was that.

The dish was a "Lobster vs. Pork Belly"

The lobster had an almond foam over it, and the pork belly just melted in my mouth. I usually don't like fatty meat, but this wasn't just fat. It was silk.