Tuesday, November 20, 2012
If you need a new recipe for your Thanksgiving turkey, give one of these non-traditional twists a try.
There are many ways to cook everyone’s favorite holiday bird. Each family has its own special technique for cooking a turkey, whether it's using an old family recipe, adding a secret ingredient or shopping at a certain store in town that helps make the turkey taste all the better. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you can try any of the recipes below to add a new kick to your feast. If you're attending someone else’s dinner, hopefully their turkey will taste as good as one of these! • Greek Traditional Turkey (with Chestnut and Pine Nut Stuffing) Just the name of this recipe makes my mouth water. An Allrecipes.com user contributes this Greek take on turkey, which combines ground beef and pork with tangerine juice, rice and other …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Here are some recipes for Thanksgiving's most popular side dishes.
What would a turkey be on Thanksgiving without its faithful side companions? Often more popular than the turkey itself, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other favorites are staples of the food coma-inducing meal. Try one of the recipes below to bring a new taste to your Thanksgiving feast. Roasted Winter Squash Gauge the amount of squash you’ll need by allowing 1 small squash (acorn and butternut are good choices) for every four people. Cut each squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Brush sides and inner cavity with olive oil and place flesh-side down on a lightly-oiled baking sheet. Roast for approximately 45 minutes or until flesh is very soft and easy pulls away from the skin. After removing squash from oven, let …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Let our Patch Pro answer your cooking questions.
The holidays are almost upon us! With Thanksgiving next week and then a month of parties and celebrations to follow, many of us are about to spend some serious time in the kitchen. Whether you've made a turkey for the past 50 years or it's your first attempt at stuffing, there's always something that can turn a normal dish into an award-wining crowd pleaser. So, go ahead and ask away. What would make your cooking better? Here to help with our Thanksgiving preparations is a "Patch Pro"— a local chef who has agreed to answer your questions about cooking in the comments section below. Meet our expert: • Executive Chef Kevin Petroske has been with Redstone American Grill for eight years, specializing in upscale American fare. He takes …
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Don’t let the hype of ‘official’ shopping days send common sense out the window.
Minnesota consumer advocates and state officials have two words for shoppers who can’t wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Be careful. “For people trying to find holiday deals, Black Friday and Cyber Monday hold a lot of allure,” says Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota. “What we’re aiming to do is remind people to think ahead, make a budget, be aware of store policies—particularly return policies—and not get so focused on potential bargains [that] they fall victim to scams or fraudulent websites.” Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is traditionally known as the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season. The term Cyber Monday was coined in 2005 after online …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sometimes our kids are the ones who have the best answers.
I grew up with four older brothers and two younger sisters, and our house was never quiet. We were always asking for things or for permission, and it could drive my mom nuts. We now jokingly recite one of her famous phrases: "Gimme, gimme, gimme; I want, I want, I want!" But there's another thing she used to say when we'd be going over our wish lists of things we wanted to do, to have, to be, to see, etc. "Be thankful for the things you have, and be thankful for the things you don't have," she'd say. At first it made no sense. Why on earth would I be thankful that I didn't have my own phone or that we didn't have cable TV? I shared a room for a few years with my younger sister, Stephanie. One night, as my mom settled us down and turned off…
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Not going over the river and through the woods? Here's how to make the most of home sweet home.
For families who don’t want to hassle with long lines at airports or slick roads on the interstate, there’s plenty to do close by. A few examples: The Depot The old Milwaukee Road Depot in Minneapolis has been transformed into a destination for family fun and includes a waterpark, skating rink and arcade. Families can make a day trip of it or check in to either the attached Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel or the Residence Inn Minneapolis at the Depot. The hotels also have party rooms available for private events. Their Escape Family Waterpark Package is good on Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 31 at rates as low as $154 and includes: • Either one king or two queen beds in a deluxe guestroom • Water park passes for four • A large…
Have a dish that's to die for? Let other Patch readers know your secret.
The holiday season is upon us, which for many means a time of great meals with the ones we love. And great meals start with great recipes, passed down from generation to generation. These family cooking traditions bring people together during the holidays. Patch editors and readers from across Minnesota have rounded up a few of their favorite family recipes, which we are sharing with you. If you have a great holiday recipe of your own to share, please post it in the comments section below. You can also add a photo of your delicious dish by clicking on the "submit photo" button below. Happy holidays, from all of us at Patch. *** Pumpkin Pie Dip Mix pumpkin with brown sugar, vanilla and spices, blend well. Mix in yogurt. Fold in Cool Whip …
Monday, November 21, 2011
However you plan to arrive at your holiday destination, we have a definitive guide.
According to the American Automobile Association, 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday season. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, November 23 – 27, AAA estimates that 90 percent, or 38.2 million people will take to the nation’s roadways; 8 percent will take to the air and 2 percent will take a bus, train or ferry. By Plane Melissa Scovronski, public affairs and marketing manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, says the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after will be the busiest flying days of the year. Travelers who can leave on Thanksgiving day and return the following Monday will be able to avoid most of the crowds—and the ensuing hassle. Scovronski recommends opting for an …
Friday, November 18, 2011
Food ideas for people whose Turkey Day involves zero turkeys.
In six days all of us will be scrambling to the in-law's, the store for some last minute cranberry sauce or to the kitchen to check on the bird every five minutes. The best meal of the year, fit for kings and gluttons, is centered around meat. Not all of us, for varying reasons, choose to eat meat, though. What is one supposed to prepare for those who don't eat turkey on Turkey Day? The answer is easy, and the options are unlimited. Whether you're cooking for a vegetarian guest, or are a vegetarian yourself, Patch helps you out this week with five tasty recipes for a vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving. 1. Tofurky: Funny sounding name, seriously tasty substitute. What you need: 1 Tofurky Roast (can be frozen), 1 can cranberry sauce (chunky or …
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Pick some of your favorite apples at these local apple farms
1. Aamodt’s Apple Farm At Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater choose from Fireside, Connell Red Fireside, Regent, Jonathan, Cortland, Haralson and Honeycrisp Apples. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 2. Applewood Orchard Appplewood Orchard in Lakeville is one of the only pick-your-own farms in Dakota County. Over 14 varieties of apples. Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 to 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the apple season. 3. Fireside Orchard & Gardens Fireside Orchard & Gardens in Northfield is open August through December daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They offer over 20 varieties of apples so everyone leaves happy. 4. Nelson’s Apple Farm Around 14 different apple varieties available at Nelson’s Apple Farm …
Kevin Petroske
11:35 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Joanna, I would suggest after removing the giblets and washing the inside cavity lightly season with S&P and placing some rough chopped yellow onion, celery and carrot and trussing it tightly. Not necessary but it definitely adds to the flavor and aroma also add more depth to the pan dripping if you are making a sauce from them. The most important part is the time and temperature of the turkey. … more ›