I didn't take any pictures, I was so busy cooking right up until we ate. I'm not a real blogger, what can I say :P
Both the appetisers were a BIG hit
Spinach and Sundried Tomato Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Buttermilk Biscuits :: I've been using this recipe for YEARS. Love it. I usually fold in parmesan and rosemary, and this time I threw in the chive and garlic cream cheese I had left over from the mashed potatoes
Mushroom Gravy :: Just made my own, through years of being a vegetarian I guess, lol. Mushrooms, onions, garlic, flour, homemade mushroom stock, and some wine.
World's Best Green Bean Casserole
Best Mashed Potatoes :: Added some chive and garlic cream cheese and it was DELICIOUS. I also used my great grandmother's ricer/food mill. That was kind of cool :) Probably the first person to use it in 75 years. And it really did make a difference in the texture of the potatoes!
Couldn't find the recipe for the roasted roots online, so I typed it up. They were surprisingly delicious! And I used a TON more cheese than they suggested because, really, why not? ;)
Crispy Roasted Roots
- 1lbs swede, peeled
- 1lbs sweet potatoes, peeled
- 1lbs parsnips, peeled
- 2 tbsp olice oil, plus extra for mashing
- 1 head garlic, cloves seperated, skin on
- rosemary, thyme (fresh or dried)
- 2 thick slices white bread
- 1 oz parmesan cheese
1) Heat oven to 200C (~375F). Cut veg into large chunks and toss in the oil with the garlic and herbs in a large roasting pan. Roast for 40 minutes or until softened. Meanwhile, graet the bread into crumbs (or use a processor), mix with the cheese and set aside.
2) Pick the garlic cloves from the pan and using the back of a fork, squish the flesh from the skins. Return the flesh to the pan and lightly crush the veg with an extra glug of olice oil. Season to taste. Sprinkle the breadcrumb and cheese mix over and return to the oven for 10 minutes until crisp and golden.
Tofurkey
Stuffing
Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars :: BEST EVER.
Classic Tarte Tatin :: What a disaster! Took me three tries to get the caramel before it burnt, then I put the apples in before the caramel caramelised, and then overcooked the apples in waiting for it to start to caramelise. UGH. It looked awful, I didn't even want to serve it, but I had some for breakfast and it was pretty good, actually - more like an apple sauce pie. I'm going to get this recipe down, it would be good to be able to do.
And drinks. My specialty :)
Holiday Irish Coffee Eggnog :: Less coffee-like than I was expecting, more like warm eggnog (I warmed it up on the stove), but delicious all the same. I'll add some whiskey next time. You can never have too much alcohol!
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
1 c. Cranberry Juice
3 Tbls Grand Marnier
Chilled Champagne
Fill half the glass with juice mix, rest with champagne. I doubled the batch and it made just enough for 5 people. Well, me and 4 people ;)
