Hold On Summer

 Anyone else feel like the days are passing at supersonic speed and summer 2022 is on course to be one of the quickest ones yet? 

July 4th came and went, and now I'm sure it is only a matter of days before school supplies show up in the store aisles where the fireworks and Americana displays were just a week ago. 

I am sure part of my need for a pause button is the fact that once August comes, I have to face the reality of my babies going back to school. If you don't know, Max will start Kindergarten this year, about a week after his big brother begins his Senior year of high school. Yeah, that week is going to be a tear-filled, blubbering, Mommy is a wreck time. I've always said the 12 year age difference has been perfect, allowing me the best of both worlds, except for this one week when I have to send them both off for BIG years and sit alone in the house wondering what to do with myself. 

But enough about what isn't coming for another month (see, I can totally be in denial just a bit longer). In reality, there is still plenty of summer left and absolutely plenty of reasons to gather in the backyard for a cookout, barbecue or pool party. 

If I have being honest, I wanted to post this recipe as an idea for your Independence Day celebration, but with the whole "tree fell into our house" ordeal, I am a little behind on my work. 

So instead you are getting a tasty, easy, side dish idea perfect for that next cookout, or just for supper this week. 

Broccoli Slaw is one of those dishes that takes a classic summer dish and puts just enough of a twist on it that makes it new and fresh. Coleslaw just isn't for cabbage anymore! 

This is a great summer take-along too because you can make it ahead and leave it in the fridge until you're ready to eat. 

If the summer gods are reading this, I beg you to make time slow down a little. Please. From a mommy who wants to suck every last bit out of this summer as she can before some big changes come our way. 

 

 Broccoli Slaw 

2 (12 oz.) bags broccoli slaw mix

1/2 cup + 2 TBS mayonnaise

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup dried cranberries

2 TBS white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 TBS celery seed

Salt and Pepper

In a small bowl whisk together mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, celery seed, salt and pepper. In a large bowl mix slaw mix, cranberries and nuts. Pour dressing over and fold gently to combine. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Stir before serving and garnish with extra nuts and cranberries if desired. 

Try Something New This Turkey Day

 Is your Thanksgiving menu set? Hopefully it's getting close. We are down to less than 2 weeks and with the way the grocery store shelves have been looking lately, I have fears of fights breaking out over the last package of stuffing mix or can of green beans. 

So that menu you're planning...is it more traditional or are you switching it up a bit with some new dishes? A mix of both perhaps? I think most of us fall into that last category. We want all the favorites we look forward to every year (bring on the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole) but love to incorporate some new things to try too.  

This recipe is one of those that is new, but contains familiar flavors in a new, updated way. If you've never eaten raw Brussels sprouts, it might seem a little strange to you, but I promise they are delicious! We love my Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, and they make a terrific holiday side dish as well, but for this one, I wanted something a little lighter and fresher. 

With the pecans, dried cranberries and golden raisins, this salad really takes on an autumnal flare. The lemony dressing is refreshing and will cleanse your palate after all that heavy Thanksgiving food we love so much!

When using raw Brussels sprouts, you just want to make sure you chop them or shave them as thin as possible. A mandolin works great, but I just use a really sharp chef's knife to achieve the same thing. They are very crunchy, but as the acid in the dressing sets in, they will soften just a bit. 

The only downside to this salad, since I believe in complete transparency, is it doesn't work well left over.  But I guess in the world of Thanksgiving leftovers, that might not be such a bad thing since the fridge will be overflowing with containers of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and more! 

If you're looking for that one new side dish for your holiday this year, I would be so happy if this was it. I love sharing new ideas with all of you and sharing in your holiday memories! 

Autumn Brussels Sprout Salad

1 lb. Brussels Sprouts, ends trimmed and thinly sliced, raw

2 red delicious apples, finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 TBS lemon juice

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

1 TBS maple syrup

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Salt and Pepper 

In a large bowl mix sprouts, apples, cranberries and golden raisins. In a medium bowl whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over salad. Add pecans and mix again. Top with cheese and serve. 

 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
 

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2020

 We have arrived at the biggest foodie week of the year. My turkey is thawing in the fridge and my menu is set. (If your turkey is still in the deep freezer, consider this your friendly reminder!) 

There is no doubt Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year, for so many of us. But I am determined to make sure it is still a special, and delicious day for my family. A big (all 18 lbs of it!) beautifully roasted bird, green bean casserole, fluffy mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and dinner rolls will be hitting our table. Oh, and thanks to a delivery from my mom, her pumpkin pie complete with a tub of Cool Whip! 

No matter if your celebration is scaled back this year, or like me, you are cooking the same amount of food and just thankful for leftovers, if you're still searching for one more side dish, that one last thing to round out your menu, this tasty squash recipe could definitely be what you are looking for! 

We are big squash lovers around here. All kinds, Cooked all ways. But when I saw the addition of cranberries and pecans to this one, I knew it had to be the annual EMM Thanksgiving recipe. Squash, cranberries AND pecans...that screams turkey day to me! Autumn inspired flavors and such a pretty dish too. 

The maple syrup gives this a little extra hint of sweetness, and you can even serves some extra warmed syrup on the side for drizzling if your guests want more. 

However you are choosing to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, there is no doubt it has been a HARD year; but we all still have so much to be thankful for. Sure, there are days when those things are hard to focus on when it seems like the world is on fire. But for this one day, I hope we can all take a breath, look around at all we've been blessed with, tell those we love how much they mean, and eat ourselves into a happy food coma! 

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries

1 4-5 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed

1 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c. dried cranberries

2 TBS olive oil

3 TBS maple syrup, extra for serving

Salt and Pepper

 Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl combine squash, oil, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Transfer to large baking sheet.  Roast for 20-30 minutes. Drizzle with syrup and sprinkle with pecans and cranberries. Bake for 10-15 minutes more until squash is fork tender. Serve with extra maple syrup on side if desired. 

 Shared at Weekend Potluck

Inspired by Sue Bee Homemaker