Thanksgiving

24
Nov

Buttered Leek Tartine

in Sandwiches, Snacks

I try to be a good person on the daily. When I’m going into the coffee shop, I always hold the door for the person behind me. I smile at strangers. I smile at cute babies…and even more at cute doggies. I give people the benefit of the doubt. I call my mama on the regular. I try to tell the truth even when it sucks. I eat my vegetables and I like it.

So, if all that doesn’t work and I’m sent to hell at the end, I guarantee it’ll look like a mall on Black Friday. There will be people and shopping carts everywhere. Babies will be crying (because they know what’s up!). There might even be a few lil’ people toppling over each other fighting over some game console I’ve never heard of. People will be outside in tents camping to get the best deal on a TV. It will look a lot like the weekend of Thanksgiving. That’s what my hell is.

My idea of heaven is cooking soup in colorful socks. What? Yes. Maybe even Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas will be blaring in the background. Cooking soup and making snacks! It’s my favorite pastime. This lil’ tartine is a perfect snack/breakfast/lunch meal.

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{ 23 comments }

20
Nov

Thanksgiving Madness!!!

in Dinner

Thanksgiving Madness. It’s totally a thing. When I was younger, I used to take Thanksgiving VERY seriously. I’d cook the entire Thanksgiving meal including dessert, and since I had way too much on my plate, something would inevitably fail or not turn out and I’d get super bummed.

But now I’m just like, so what, who cares. There’s a chance that the turkey might be on the dry side, you might burn something, heck, I dunno, you might even drop a whole dish on the floor (I’ve done this). I recommend to treat those moments with laughs and shrugs…and then proceed to pour a ton of gravy over the turkey–that’s what it’s there for anyway. Thanksgiving cooking is supposed to involve lots of wine, laughs and way too many cooks in the kitchen. All that makes it Thanksgiving.

If you’d like some ideas for sides and stuffing and dessert, I got some.

Stuffing Muffins – People will think you’re the most adorable person in the world if you make stuffing muffins. I mean, look at them! Cuteness central.

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{ 20 comments }

19
Nov

Sage and Fontina Buttermilk Biscuits

in Biscuits

I often times imagine how I’ll be as a grandmother. And seeing as I’m not married, nor have kids of my own, I’ll admit it’s a lil’ weird of me to plan how I’ll be with my hypothetical children’s children. I understand this. But hear me out…

I’ve decided that I’m gonna be a super chill grandma. Like, my grandkids are gonna come to my house and know they can get away with murder. I don’t wanna just be “the good cop” I wanna be the burglar alongside them, you know?

Oh mom doesn’t want you sucking on that pacifier anymore because you’re three and it’s embarrassing? Here, go to town…do it while watching Elmo, too. I don’t care, no judgement from me, dude.

Oh dad thinks it’s time for you to give up the bottle and move up to a sipee cup? Listen, you’re only three once. I mean…it’s not like you can suck on a bottle when you’re 25 and not have people think you’re way crazy, you know, so get in on it now.

The only thing I’m absolutely going to insist on is teaching them how to make homemade biscuits. It’s an important life skill…I think.

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{ 26 comments }

16
Nov

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

in Desserts

If you’re looking to make new friends, salted caramel is a good place to start. Combine salted caramel with apples and put them in a pie? An even better start.

This Thanksgiving is going to be the first T-Day I’ve ever spent away from home. EVER! And I know I’m like a full-grown adult and should have been having “Friendgiving” like for years now, but I dunno…I like my family. Even though I live across the country from them, I’ve always figured out a way to get home. I’d either cry poor and they’d feel bad and buy me a ticket or I’d save my pennies and get myself home or even cash in on some airline miles I didn’t even know had. It was all in the name of making 10 Thanksgiving dishes with too little time and too little kitchen equipment. But every time the effort to go home was worth it.

This year I’m going to San Francisco with my dude (!!) to spend it with his family. I’m nervous. I don’t know them; they don’t know me. But naturally, I want them to like me. For this possibly awkward, sweat-inducing situation I’ll need a pie.

I’m thinkin’ this salted caramel deliciousness will do the trick.

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{ 88 comments }

15
Nov

Pancetta, Leek and Apple Challah Bread Pudding

in Dinner

Challah!

(Sorry. Had to.)

I’m VERY stoked about this savory bread pudding. I’ll admit, it ain’t the prettiest thang on the block, but it’s delicious. Like, dang delicious; think crispy on the outside and soft and moist hydrated on the inside. There’s salty, sweet and butteriness going on, too.

This savory bread pudding situation has officially replaced normal stuffing in my brain. Like, why would I ever go back? I can’t. I won’t!

If you’ve never had stuffing made with eggs before, you are missing out, my friends. This bread pudding combines rich, buttery challah bread with a custard mixture of sorts: eggs, heavy cream, milk and the perfect amount of nutmeg.

Also, can we all just talk about how pancetta is the cinnamon roll of the meat world? I mean…look at that swirl. I see a cinnamon roll in my pancetta. RIGHT?

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{ 18 comments }

11
Nov

Braided Bourbon Pumpkin Pie

in Desserts

Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a particular kind of animal?

When I was in 2nd grade the “mean kid in class” stood up in front of everyone and said I looked like a turtle. I remember my brain immediately thinking of cute animated sea-turtles that swim underwater and have adorable little feet. I didn’t take it as an insult…at first. But then all the other kids started laughing and I quickly realized what was going on. Always remember that when a boy tells you that you look like an animal, it means he hate/likes you.

Then when I was in 6th grade a boy told me I looked like a squirrel. Again, I think squirrels are pretty cute (minus the rabbies part) and took it as a compliment, sorta. Until…I realized that I shouldn’t. For the remaining school year he called me squirrel instead of Adrianna. I didn’t mind it nearly as much as I should’ve.

Have you ever been told you look like a horse? A rabbit? A sloth? If you have, don’t take it as an insult, just think of the cutest most animated horse out there. They’re most likely super pretty. Random lessons from me on this Monday!

Ok enough, let’s talk pie/pretty braids/bourbon!

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{ 50 comments }

07
Nov

Cranberry-Goat Cheese Honey Cornbread

in Scones & Muffins, Sides

I love a free sample at the grocery store. Like, LOVE. I mean, it doesn’t mean I always like them, I usually don’t, but that doesn’t stop me from snacking. Sometimes my grocery lists are exhaustive and I need a lil’ snack break, you know?

A few years ago I was perusing Whole Foods around the holidays and they had one of those goat cheese logs rolled in dried cranberries out for the public to sample. You’ve tried this, no? It’s the simplest/most genius concept in the world: tangy goat cheese cheese rolled in sweet and tart dried fruit. SO GOOD!

I stood there and ate like half the log of goat cheese by myself hoping no one would realize that this girl couldn’t pry herself away and leave. That thing became a problem. After that when I needed a quick appetizer for guests (also known as just myself), I’d copycat that appetizer from Whole Foods.

A few days ago I was in the mood to make cornbread. (I don’t get in good moods, bad moods or sad moods. Instead I get in biscuit moods, roasted chicken moods or, what brings us here today, corn bread moods. It’s weird.)

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{ 34 comments }

18
Nov

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

in Drinks

Thanksgiving is next week…didyouknowthat? Of course you did. UGH.

I’m not ready, guys. I’m not. I’m not ready to brine a turkey. Not ready to pretend to watch football. I’m not ready eat stuffing (I mean…I already did this, remember?).

Maybe on Monday I’ll feel differently…but right now I just can’t handle.

One thing that might get me through is the leftover situation. I loooove Thanksgiving leftovers.
Thanksgiving sandwich? Amazing.

Seriously why don’t we do this year-round?! What other time of the year would we deem it totally acceptable to put mashed potatoes and stuffing in between two slices of bread. HELLO!! I love this!!

I know restaurants do it but I dunno–it’s just better homemade. Fact.

Guess what else you’re gonna have leftover?! Pumpkin puree, I’m guessing. You’ll have some ice cream. You’ll have some spices laying around. And when you bake some pie…you’ll have pie crust scraps, too. (This year save them!!)

This is where this dude comes in…

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{ 35 comments }

16
Nov

Pancetta and Sage Stuffing Muffins

in Scones & Muffins, Sides

Hi. I’m baaaaack.

I actually never left, but sometimes the one day breaks between posts make me miss you a lot. I can say this because we’ve moved past the whole newness in our relationship. I don’t care if I love you more at this point. It just is what is…you know?!

Wait, do you think it’s weird I’m talking about our relationship in public like this? Whatever. DEAL!

I feel like you know me pretty well at this point. You understand who I am as a person. You know I have an affinity for glitter nail polish. You know I cry sometimes and make pancakes. You know I think fantasy football is stupid. You ALSO know that I loooove to try and make stuff cute.

I made churros (that sometimes can look like…I don’t have to say it. You know)…into Churro Tots! And complicated pretzels into Pretzel Tots. And sloppy, meat sandwiches into Sloppy Joe Sliders! I’m starting to think my life calling is to take normal dishes that are totally minding their own business and give them a “cute” makeover.

Almost like that scene in Clueless when D and Cher take Ty from rough and stoner-like to cute and dumb. Just like that…but with sandwiches and fried things…and now, stuffing.

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{ 71 comments }

11
Nov

Garlic Parmesan Top Knots

in Sides, Snacks

How high-maintenance of a lady/dude are you?

I want us to talk make-up. Blush and eyeliner. Hairz routines. Eyelash curling situations (they’ll forever scare me). I want us to share!!! And be real life friends. And boyz (all two of you that read this blog), you too! What’s your haircut life like? How does it feel to just never have to worry about makeup? Freeing…?

Me, over here, I’m kind of easy breezy. I wear make-up pretty much everyday. But I only use, like, three things. And these few things have my loyalty probably for life. I’m gonna be 60 years old with this same routine, I have a feeling. If I’m going about my business during the day, I’ll throw on some concealer; mainly for under my eye balls. I have sleeping issues. I dunno. I hear lavender helps.

I rub some blush on for good measure. A little color makes people look like they aren’t dead. That’s a plus.

And a few swipes of the greatest mascara to have ever been created is a total must. I don’t leave the house without it. It’ll sometimes take me 10 minutes to put it on. I’m technical with it.

Every now and then I’ll put a swipe of liquid eyeliner on. It’s usually reserved when I wanna look cute. Like solidify the cuteness, you know?

Lipstick? Not for me…I don’t do it. I’m always drinking something, eating something, etc. Too high-maintenance for me. And plus, one of my greatest fears in life is to be the girl with lipstick on her teeth. Not cute. Eyeshadow? Nah…not really.

Now my nails…OMG…that’s a whole other post in of itself. Nail game has to be tight. Nail polish has a special place in my heart. You know this.

My hairz? Bangs. Straight…with a dab of this and a few sprays of this.

If I’m feeling really lazy, but want to fake like I tried, I totally do a top knot. Hair WAY up. And it being a little messy makes it cuter. It’s the 5 minute trick of tricks. I recommend it.

This recipe is inspired by my fake “I tried but didn’t” hair situation. These rolls are a hellavah lot more interesting than my hair…mainly because butter and carbs are involved.

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{ 73 comments }

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