Yummiesta

Recipe: Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan and Sage — Turkey Alternatives

November 01, 2017

Recipe: Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan and Sage | Kitchn

Want an easier solution to the main course for your Friendsgiving feast this year? Me too! That's why I'm saying no to roasting a whole bird, and yes to a big batch of juicy turkey meatballs stuffed with lots of nutty Parmesan and all the earthy, herby flavors you expect from a Thanksgiving turkey, like fresh sage. Partner them with cranberry sauce or gravy for dipping, a slew of sides, and you'll have an impressive meal to remember.

Get Your Fill of Turkey Without Roasting the Bird

Sure, turkey meatballs aren't totally traditional fare, but Friendsgiving is the meal made to go beyond the classics your family usually cooks up. Not only are meatballs the easiest way to get your fill of turkey at Friendsgiving and your office Thanksgiving, but they're also quicker cooking, cheaper, and can be made well in advance.

Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan and Sage

Makes about 48 meatballs; serves 8 to 10

3/4 cup unseasoned dried breadcrumbs
1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh sage leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds ground turkey
Cranberry sauce or chutney, for serving (optional)

Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds and heat to 375°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, egg, garlic, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add the ground turkey and mix with your fingertips until just combined. Do not mash the meat or overwork the mixture, or else the meatballs will be dry and tough.

Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each) and place on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake until the meatballs are browned and an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F, 15 to 18 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make ahead and freezing: Make the meat mixture the day before, form into meatballs, and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Alternatively, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and cook according to recipe instructions.

0 Comments

The Best (and Cutest) Friendsgiving Ideas from Pinterest — Friendsgiving

November 01, 2017

The Best Friendsgiving Ideas from Pinterest | Kitchn

The beauty of Friendsgiving is that it's Thanksgiving's cooler, more casual cousin. No family fights about politics, no cranky aunt inspecting your glasses for water spots, oh, and it's totally fine to make it a potluck or a buffet instead of a more formal sit-down occasion. Plus, you get to invite whoever you want! It's fun, it's laid-back, and it's full of delicious food. So what's not to love?

This casual-ness extends to your decor and setup, too. Playful decorations and ideas that maybe wouldn't fly (much like a turkey!) at a more formal dinner can shine amongst friends. With that in mind, here are some of the best — and cutest — Friendsgiving ideas from Pinterest.

1. Skip the good stuff.

You have enough laundry as it is, so there's no need to whip out the good linens — or any linens. Swap in brown craft paper instead. You can even use a white marker pen to dress it up if you want. And if you don't have enough forks and knives for everyone, go with disposable. This is your friend family — not the royal family.

2. Make a simple sign.

This banner couldn't be easier to make and you certainly don't need to be able to draw in order to copy it for your own dinner. You don't even need to get that fancy when hanging it up. Stick a piece of washi tape across all four corners to stick it to the wall, or hang it with a pants hanger and a single nail.

3. Use wheat as a centerpiece.

Ditch your traditional cornucopia in favor of some colorful fun. Wrapping stalks of wheat with colorful string may seem fussy, but it's worth it. The beauty of this project is that it will last all season long. Plus it's less expensive than a fresh bouquet of flowers.

See it on Pinterest: DIY Color Wrapped Wheat from Inspired by Charm

4. Create a signature cocktail.

Avoid having to create (and stock) a big bar setup by premixing a signature cocktail that you know your friends will love. If you make a batch or two of a single drink, everyone else can be on wine or beer duty.

See it on Pinterest: Apples and Tequila Cocktail from Freutcake

5. Decorate with punny balloons.

Thanksgiving might not typically be a holiday you associate with balloons, but Friendsgiving is all about fun and balloons are fun — especially these balloons, with their clever holiday-themed sayings written on them and a playful mix of colors and styles. The slightly non-traditional colors help pile on the pretty too.

See it on Pinterest: DIY Thanksgiving Balloons from Studio DIY

6. Have a thankful pumpkin guest book.

While some evidence may be pointing to the end of the world, we all still have many things to be grateful for. Instead of putting people (especially shy ones) on the spot going around the table, dedicate a white pumpkin as a place for guests to write their thoughts. You'll be surprised to see what shows up on it by the end of the night.

See it on Pinterest: Fall Home Tour 2015 from Yellow Prairie Interior Design

7. Set up a pie bar.

Tell everyone to bring a pie instead of a side dish and have a massive pie party instead of a real Thanksgiving meal. Or have a dozen pies in addition to the main course. It's your call!

See it on Pinterest: Pie Bar from Shiny Happy Sprinkles

8. Hang lots of pictures.

What better way to welcome your friends than by hanging a ton of pictures of them? Print out (like, on actual paper!) all the pics from your Insta feed and string them up amongst fairy lights. It'll be fun for your guests to walk around and look at all of them.

See it on Pinterest: Friendsgiving in Washington from Urban Outfitters

9. Use leaves as place cards.

Head out to your yard and gather an armful of leaves to create completely custom place cards. Obviously look for bright colors and a full leaf shape. Write your guests' names in tasteful calligraphy and add a gold dipped section. If you mess up a few, it's no big deal! You can just run outside and grab some more leaves.

See it on Pinterest: Inexpensive Thanksgiving DIY from Lark & Linen

10. Get crafty with your to-go containers.

In the interest of being a good friend, let your attendees take some deliciousness home with them too. Have them load up disposable (but sturdy) containers and top them off with these adorable printables. It'll be a surefire smile-inducer when they pull it out of the fridge later that evening.

0 Comments

Recipe: Pasta with Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta — Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners

November 01, 2017

Recipe: Pasta with Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta | Kitchn

If you love Brussels sprouts and big bowls of pasta, this is the dish for you. This made-for-fall meal is simple enough to throw together any night of the week, yet fancy enough to totally impress friends when they come for dinner. Because we all know that these green-hued globes are better with bacon, we're pairing wispy strands of Brussels sprouts with crispy cubes of pancetta.

It's All About the Veggies

This is a fast-and-fancy weeknight pasta dish that's just as much (if not more) about the veggies and meat than the strands of spaghetti laced throughout the bowl. A little pancetta or bacon (even sausage) is the quickest way we know to add spectacular flavor to pasta. You could use any of these meats in this dish, although it's hard to deny how perfectly those crisp nuggets of salty pancetta work here.

Pasta with Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta

Serves 4

8 ounces dry spaghetti
6 ounces pancetta, small dice
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and very thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, place the pancetta in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and most of the fat has rendered, about 10 minutes.

When the water is ready, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until soft and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the Brussels sprouts, season with the salt and pepper, and stir to coat.

Add the wine and simmer until reduced by about half, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved pasta water and butter, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta, then toss to coat with the sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the pancetta and pine nuts.

Divide among bowls or plates, top with the cheese, and serve warm.

Recipe Notes:

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

0 Comments

15 Thanksgiving Appetizers and Snacks for Maximum Overeating

November 01, 2017

[Photographs: Vicky Wasik, Morgan Eisenberg, Daniel Gritzer, Emily and Matt Clifton]

When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was always a marathon day of food. Sure, dinner was an elaborate affair, but we actually started eating hours before sitting down at the table, and the appetizers were as important as the turkey and mashed potatoes. We blamed the snacking on the fact that dinner always took longer than expected, but we probably could have finished cooking earlier if we weren't so busy stuffing ourselves with deviled eggs, cheese, dips, and more. I wouldn't have had it any other way, though—those extended Thanksgivings were some of the best days of my childhood. If you're on board to spending all of Turkey Day eating, check out 15 of our favorite Thanksgiving snacks and appetizers, like chicken liver pâté, roasted pumpkin seeds, and cheesy butternut squash dip.

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

If you're looking to pull out all the stops on Thanksgiving, you can't do much better than this creamy chicken liver pâté. To make the appetizer especially seasonal we add bourbon and apple cider to the pâté and top it with a tart cranberry gelée. Despite the dish looking and sounding fancy, there isn't much more to it than a sauté pan, a food processor, and a mesh strainer.

Get the recipe for Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée »

Silky-Smooth Vegetarian Pâté With Roasted Cauliflower and Pecans

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Vegetarians don't need to be left out of the fun—this recipe uses roasted cauliflower and pecans to make a satisfying meat-free pâté. If you want to keep the dish vegan you can swap out the butter for oil and omit the cream, but the result won't be quite as rich.

Get the recipe for Silky-Smooth Vegetarian Pâté With Roasted Cauliflower and Pecans »

Easy Pork Rillettes (Slow-Cooked Pork Spread)

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Pork rillettes feel festive in a similar way to pâté, but are easier to make for a crowd—all you have to do is slow-roast pork shoulder until it starts to fall apart, then whip it up in a stand mixer. For something even more elegant, try making our salmon rillettes instead.

Get the recipe for Easy Pork Rillettes (Slow-Cooked Pork Spread) »

Whipped Salt Cod Spread (Brandade de Morue)

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

We're not done with the whipped meat spreads just yet—brandade is a cousin of rillettes that's made by whipping up salt cod with olive oil and half-and-half. You can add potatoes if you want to make it milder, but I'm partial to the more aggressive all-fish version. Either way, the brandade is best if you brown it under the broiler before serving.

Get the recipe for Whipped Salt Cod Spread (Brandade de Morue) »

Hoisin-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs

[Photograph: Emily and Matt Clifton]

Our take on this retro party snack uses a mixture of beef and pork, which we bind with panko and egg and glaze with a sauce made of hoisin, ketchup, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The meatballs can be made with dark meat turkey instead of beef and pork if you want something extra Thanksgiving-appropriate.

Get the recipe for Hoisin-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs »

Black Olive Tapenade With Garlic, Capers, and Anchovies

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

While I prefer an old-school tapenade made with equal parts olives, capers, and fish, when most people think of tapenade their mind goes straight to olives. Our recipe for a modern tapenade uses mostly black olives, with just enough capers and anchovies to give the dip a briny bite.

Get the recipe for Black Olive Tapenade With Garlic, Capers, and Anchovies »

9 In-Your-Face Deviled Egg Variations

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

If you've been bringing the same deviled eggs to Thanksgiving dinner every year, it might be time to try something new. We have nine recipes to dress up the classic, ranging from a carbonara-inspired version made with pancetta, parmesan crisps, and black pepper to a spicy Buffalo twist.

Get the recipes for 9 In-Your-Face Deviled Egg Variations »

Basic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Don't let the seeds go to waste next time you buy a pumpkin to make pie—roasting them makes for a tasty snack. You won't go wrong seasoning them with just salt and pepper, but there are lots of other options—how about ginger and orange zest, brown butter and sage, or even anchovy bread crumbs?

Get the recipe for Basic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds »

Smoky Candied Almonds

[Photograph: Daniel Gritzer]

Making the best spiced nuts is about more than a dusting of spices—we typically (but not always) prefer to coat the nuts in an egg-white glaze to give them a crisp shell. For these barbecue-inspired almonds, we make the glaze with brown sugar and flavor it with smoked paprika, Old Bay, and cayenne.

Get the recipe for Smoky Candied Almonds »

Stuffing Fritters

[Photograph: Joshua Bousel]

I love stuffing so much that I don't want to have to wait for dinner to be served to start eating it. This recipe brings my favorite side dish into the appetizer course by mixing a flour and cornmeal batter with stuffing ingredients like onions, apple, and celery and frying until golden brown.

Get the recipe for Stuffing Fritters »

Stuffing-Flavored Potato Chips

[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Another one for stuffing lovers, this recipe flavors homemade potato chips with celery leaves, sage, rosemary, and marjoram. To give the chips a meaty flavor that brings them firmly into stuffing territory we use powdered chicken bouillon and MSG—I know MSG makes some people nervous, but it adds a savoriness that the chips really need.

Get the recipe for Stuffing-Flavored Potato Chips »

Homemade Cheez-Its

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Cheez-Its might seem like an odd Thanksgiving snack, but our homemade ones are delicious enough that guests will request them every year. Using cream instead of butter gives the crackers a deep, nutty flavor, and depending on what kind of cheese you use, you can go with a more classic Cheez-It experience or mix things up.

Get the recipe for Homemade Cheez-Its »

Baked Brie en Croûte With Apple and Pear Compote

[Photograph: Emily and Matt Clifton]

Baked brie en croûte was a staple of my childhood Thanksgivings, but we would get ours from the freezer section. To make the dish at home, wrap a wheel of brie up in puff pastry with apple-pear compote and bake until the crust is crispy. Go with a triple cream here, which will melt the best.

Get the recipe for Baked Brie en Croûte With Apple and Pear Compote »

Updated Cheese Ball Trio

[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]

Forget about the waxy, pre-shredded cheddar—this recipe treats cheese balls right. Each one starts with cream cheese, which is paired with another cheese, mix-ins, and a crust. My favorite of the three is also the simplest: It's made with just goat cheese, lemon zest, black pepper, and fresh herbs.

Get the recipe for Updated Cheese Ball Trio »

Warm Butternut Squash and Cheddar Dip

[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]

Squash isn't the most common ingredient in dips, but maybe it should be. This festive appetizer pairs butternut squash with melty cheddar and rich cream cheese, plus onion, garlic, and plenty of sage. We also add in sour cream, which cuts through the sweetness of the roasted squash and caramelized onions.

Get the recipe for Warm Butternut Squash and Cheddar Dip »