Happy Thanksgiving From EMM

Only 3 more days until the biggest foodie day of the year. I can smell the aromas now, and my keyboard might be a little wet from drool just thinking about all the yummy things that are about to hit tables across the country.

Each year I try to give you a little inspiration for your holiday meal. That last one dish that completes your menu. When I am hosting I fill our table with classics, family favorites, and always one or two new dishes to keep it interesting too.

This simple, delicious fruit salad is begging to be a part of your Turkey Day celebration. Filled with fresh autumn flavors and pretty as can be, your guests will love it.

One of the reasons I chose this to be my 2019 Thanksgiving post is many of the ingredients, you might already be buying for other favorite holiday dishes, so now they can do double duty. Oh, and I think it would taste terrific with some turkey sandwiches too, so even if your big menu is full, whip up a batch for the day and weekend after!

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with bountiful blessings, amazing food, and most of all the love of all those who matter most to you in this world. From our family to yours,

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Autumn Apple Fruit Salad

4 large gala apples, chopped

2 cups red grapes, halved

3/4 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c.dried cranberries

1 (15 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained well

1 c. vanilla Greek yogurt

3 TBS mayonnaise

2 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl combine apple and lemon juice. Toss to coat well. (This will prevent browning.) Add grapes, oranges, pecans and cranberries. Carefully toss to combine. In a medium bowl whisk together yogurt, mayo, brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour over fruit. Gently stir. Chill until serving. 

Inspired by The Country Cook

Downsized Holiday

I have talked many times about growing up with Thanksgivings spent in Pennsylvania, at my Grammy's house, with her massive holiday table filled to the brim with every holiday dish you could possibly want. From the beautiful turkey, variety of sides and of course the desserts that made her famous, those meals were truly legendary and what all others will be compared to for me.

But when I got older, and school, work and life got busier, my parents made the decision
we couldn't make the trip every year. We needed to stay home, and start our own traditions. I won't lie. Going from those big family gatherings, to just the three of us sitting down at the table was a little depressing. We of course loved being together, and mom and dad always made sure our meal was delicious, but it just wasn't the same.

Plus, when you are just cooking for a few, the huge spread isn't practical, so you have to find ways enjoy the holiday flavors you love, on a smaller scale. That is where this chicken comes in!

This is something my mom would do for us in place of a large turkey; and if you are only cooking for a small group this Thanksgiving, it would be perfect for you as well. Tender, juicy, bursting with flavor, and perfectly complimented by cranberry sauce, and your favorite mashed taters, it is absolutely holiday worthy.

But the truly great thing? It's simple enough for any day of the week too! Sunday supper maybe?

However you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, how many you plan on celebrating with, or how big the meal is, the important thing is to make sure we all take a minute to remember how truly blessed we are and have so much to be thankful for!

Oven Roasted Chicken

4-5 lb. whole chicken, patted dry

2 TBS butter, melted

1 TBS kosher salt

2 tsp. pepper

1/2 TBS garlic powder

1/2 TBS garlic salt

1 TBS onion powder

1 TBS paprika

1 tsp. dried thyme

2 c. chicken broth, divided use

Dried Parsley

Preheat oven to 300. Tie chicken's legs and wings. In a small bowl combine all seasonings, except dried parsley. Mix well. Baste chicken with butter. Sprinkle with seasoning mix, rubbing into the chicken. In a large roasting pan with a rack, pour 1 cup broth into the bottom. Place chicken on rack. Roast for 2.5 hours, basting with other cup of broth 2-3 times. Increase heat to 400 for last 30 minutes. When chicken reaches internal temperature of 165, remove from oven to allow to rest. Baste with broth once more, and sprinkle with parsley. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Full Holiday House

Last week I gave you a recipe to help you get supper on the table for those holiday house guests that are about to descend! This week? I've got a delicious breakfast or brunch dish to do the same thing!

This is one of those side dishes I make morning, noon or night! It's great for a big holiday breakfast or brunch, but just as delicious for dinner too. We love it with everything from eggs to ham! In fact, I started making it after going to my husband's aunt's holiday party every year...where a huge ham and this were the main attractions!

Sure the big holiday meals are what everyone looks forward to, but you've got to eat other times too! Your full house will love waking up to this, or even coming home to it after that 4am shopping run on Black Friday.

And if you happen to be a planner, this would be amazing on Christmas morning too!

One of the best things about the holidays is having a house full of those people we love most in the world; but it can be one of the most stressful too. It's okay. It doesn't mean we love them any less, it just means we have to be creative when it comes to meal times...and make sure we've got some yummy, simple dishes in our back pocket, just like this!

Hashbrown Casserole

32 oz. bag frozen diced potatoes

2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c. sour cream

1 tsp. onion salt

Salt and Pepper

Dried Chives

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl mix frozen potatoes, soup, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, onion salt, salt and pepper. Transfer to baking dish. Bake 40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and dried chives. Bake 5-7 minutes more until cheese is melted. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving. *NOTE* No need to thaw the potatoes. Just break up any large chunks before mixing. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Holidays Mean Company

With November upon us, can we finally start talking about the holidays? Look, anyone that knows me knows I am an early Christmas shopper, I wrap presents in October and look forward to the holiday season so, so much.

But honestly, to me, when I think about the "holidays" it starts November 1st and ends January 2nd. After Halloween has come and gone, I am 100% in Thanksgiving and Christmas mode. And while I am totally obsessed with all things Holly Jolly, I do make sure celebrate and enjoy each holiday for it's own.

That being said, let's talk Turkey Day. Okay, not really, but the time surrounding it. No, this isn't a post to inspire something new on your Thanksgiving table, but instead something you can make before and/or after the actual holiday, when you've still got those house guests to feed.

It never fails, every year I get messages from fans asking for simple meals to plan while that holiday company is hanging out for a few days. Let's face it, leftover turkey is only going to go so far. Plus, many times, the host/hostess still has to work while guests are filling up the house, and coming home to a hungry mob isn't very festive!

If this describes what you'll be dealing with in a few weeks, or even a few more weeks after that, how about a delicious pasta bake supper that will feed a crowd easily, and on budget? Plus, you could even prep this before leaving the house for work, or maybe Black Fridays shopping, pop it in the oven when you get home and have supper on the table in under an hour!

I adore the holiday season. The entire holiday season. And while some celebrate for weeks and weeks, and others can't wait for it to be over, the one thing we can all agree on is there is enough to stress about with the hustle and bustle of the season, dinner time shouldn't be on the list too!

Sausage Alfredo Pasta Bake

1 lb. rotini pasta

1 (26 oz.) jar marinara sauce

1 (16 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce

1 lb. pork sausage

1 TBS Italian seasoning

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use

Dried Parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking dish. Cook pasta according to directions for al dente. In a large skillet brown sausage. Drain if necessary. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper, salt and pepper. Add marinara and Alfredo. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cheese and stir until melted. When pasta is cooked, drain well. Add to sauce mixture and stir. Transfer to baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 25 minutes until cheese melted. Sprinkle with parsley. Allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Inspired by Big Bear's Wife