Sweet Potato Gratin with Marshmallows

Sweet Potato Gratin - unfortunately this is the only picture I have.

About 30 minutes before the turkey was supposed to come out of the oven I realized that I had not yet started the maple glazed sweet potatoes, which, according to the recipe, took 50 minutes @ 375F. I could feel a slight feeling of panic breaking out since I have not even peeled the potatoes yet and I had to come up with a fix - quickly!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011.

This past Thanksgiving was great! It took me all of 20 minutes to pick the recipes; 1 hour of grocery shopping (not including the 3 additional trips to the market on Thanksgiving day); 2 days or prepping (making stock, porchini butter, cheese cake, and cranberry sauce); and cooking for 6 straight hours in Thanksgiving day. We had a few close calls by a kitchen novice who burned his fingers and cut his thumb (not me :), which luckily did not lead us to the emergency room (this time).

Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula Salad

Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula Salad

I love to eat pizza! Not just any pizza - my own thin-crust prosciutto pizza topped with Arugula salad. If you have not tried a little fresh Arugula salad on your pizza you are in for a treat! I usually make my own pizza dough, but if I don't have time I cheat and use Trader Joe's pizza dough which works just fine.

Potato Hash

Potato Hash with Bacon, Pork Sausage, Spinach, and Red Peppers

Yesterday was a cold November day and we did not feel like leaving the house to go to the market and get lunch supplies. A quick rifle through the vegetable drawer revealed a couple of red potatoes, piece of red pepper, handful of spinach, and a small onion. Combined with 2 slices of smoked bacon and a little sweet Italian pork sausage.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Who doesn't like a grilled cheese sandwich?! It is easy to make, inexpensive and so delicious. I just love biting into that warm, crunchy crust with that melted, gooey cheese center. But to get it just right there are a few little tricks that if followed will get you perfect cheese sandwiches every time.