PAULA DEEN'S TOP TEN HOLIDAY SIDES

Apple - Cranberry Stuffing

If you haven't figured out what to serve with your turkey for Thanksgiving, here is a link to Paula Deen's top ten holiday sides.

THANKSGIVING TABLE CENTERPIECE

So many different ways

in which to decorate

 the

 Thanksgiving 

dinner table!

TABLE SEATING TIP

When setting the dining table for a sit-down dinner, allow at least 24 inches of table width per guest for comfortable seating in a side chair. If using armchairs, allow 30 inches.

HOW TO CARVE A TURKEY BY PAULA DEEN

Carving A Turkey

A lot of people celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas by roasting a turkey.  I always let the carving up to my husband since it was a chore.  After seeing Paula's step-by-step instructions, I think I will try it this year.  

CRANBERRY - WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Cranberry - White Chocolate Cookies

Fans of classic cookies will love the accents of sweet-tart cranberries and gooey white chocolate in these treats.  This is one of Southern Living's "70 Best Loved Cookies and Bars" recipes.

HOMEMADE SEAM ALLOWANCE SEWING TOOL

Seam Alowance Tool

by

Five Green Acres

It just so happens that, in their infinite wisdom, the creators of The Pencil engineered the distance between two pencil tips held side-by-side to equal 1/4.”  As they were no doubt good friends with the engineer of the standard sewing machine foot, the two parties concurred that 1/4″ was indeed the divine proportion, forever marrying the utility of pencils to the needs of sewing.

So you have a pattern that does not include a seam allowance?  Problem solved.  Two pencils and a few pieces of tape are all you need to add 1/4″ to the pattern before cutting your fabric.  Simply trace the innermost lead along the perimeter of the pattern and the other lead will add an adjacent line 1/4″ from the pattern’s edge.  You could trace directly on to the fabric or on to a larger sheet of paper, making a new pattern piece.

This is also useful for making your own patterns, as long as you roll with a 1/4″ seam allowance.  If not, dig deep into your school pencil bag and pull out the compass you haven’t used since geometry class and measure and mark your desired seam allowance width.

SALUTE TO VETERANS

ELECTION DAY

I hope everyone takes the opportunity to vote today. This is such an important election since it will determine what the next 4 years will be for fellow Americans. Personally, I am ready for a change.

BHG NOVEMBER STORAGE PROJECTS: DINING AREA

DINING AREA

Wrinkle-free Linens. Iron all table cloths and drape over padded hangers. Place coordinating napkins in gallon-size plastic bags and clip to hanger with clothes pins.
Hanging Glassware Storage. Install top-mount glassware racks in a cabinet or china hutch. Arrange glassware by type and size.
Corral Disposables. Fill one compartment of a serving buffet with paper party supplies. Use letter holders to organize plates by size and style and mugs to corral plastic cutlery.
Stash Platters. Place larger platters in oversize plastic bags and slip between appliances or behind a hutch.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS TODAY

I love waking up to the morning sunlight. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour since daylight saving time ended today at 2 A.M.

SIX DECORATIVE PIE CRUST EDGES

How To: Six Deocrative Pie Shell Edges

Six Decorative Pie Edge Techniques

By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

Put your forks away! Instead of the usual “pressing of the tines” ritual around the perimeter of your holiday pies, let these six suggestions be your inspiration and get your creativity flowing. The possibilities and pies are endless. Check the link to see how the techniques to make braids, checkerboards, cutouts, points, scallops and spoon pressings pie edges.

LADY AND SON'S LASAGNA

Lady and Son's Lasagna

I want to try this recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
12 ounces cottage cheese, mixed with 1 beaten egg and 1/2 cup Parmesan
6 to 9   Long strips lasagna noodles
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2   bay leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon Paula Deen’s Seasoned Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen's House Seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen’s Sweet Italian Herb Blend
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 cup green bell peppers, diced
2   cloves garlic, diced
1/2 cup onions, diced
1 cup water
2 cups tomato sauce
2 cups canned, diced tomatoes
1 cup Swiss cheese, grated
2 cups cheddar, grated
1   (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup mozzarella, grated

Directions

To make the sauce, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar and bay leaves in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Crumble the ground beef in a saucepan. Cook until no pink remains, then drain off the fat. Add the ground beef to the stockpot. Simmer for another 20 minutes. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package directions. (If sauce is too thin, for your taste, you can thicken it up at this time by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and a 1/4 of a cup of cold water. Bring sauce back to a boil. Stir in cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly.) Remove bay leaves.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

To assemble lasagna, place a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan. Layer 1/3 of each, noodles, cottage cheese mixture, Gruyere, Swiss and cheddar cheeses. Pinch off small pieces of cream cheese and dot over other cheeses. Add another layer of sauce. Repeat layering 2 to 3 times, ending with sauce. This may be covered and refrigerated. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with mozzarella and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Note: If lasagna has been refrigerated, bake for 40 minutes total.

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

TRANSFORM YOUR HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS

If you have pumpkins left over from Halloween that you didn't use as jack-o-lanterns, turn them into a fall or Thanksgiving centerpiece.