I’ve been playing with twists on the traditional holiday fare…potatoes, cranberries, sweet potatoes/squash, pork/beef/turkey and veggie side dishes. We’re actually going out to a fancy Thanksgiving dinner at the St. James Hotel this year, so all I really have to do for that is get dressed up…but I’m thinking outside the box for our Christmas…
Holiday-Thanksgiving
honey candied oven roasted carrots
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
sparkling cranberry apple crisp martini
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
A lovely little libation for Ladies Night! Pink drinks are so pretty! Apple, cranberry and cinnamon sparkle in this yummy drink. Enjoy! In a martini shaker, mix: a handful of ice 1/4 cup cranberry juice cocktail 1 and 1/4 oz. Dr. McGillicuddy’s Intense Apple Pie Liqueur cinnamon, sugar and red cookie sugar for rim of…
sweet potato & apple latkes
by Melissa • • 9 Comments
One of my favorite flavor combinations is sweet potatoes mixed with apples and onions. These little hashbrown-style latkes are a beautiful accompaniment to pork loin stuffed with apricots or a hearty beef roast that’s been slow cooked in a Dutch oven with horseradish. 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and grated 1 cup grated apple 1…
“apple pie” turkey brie panini sandwich
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
I invented another sandwich! It’s exactly what I was going for. A grilled, cheesy panini with the flavors of autumn in every bite. The harvest apple jam and buttery, rustic bread are reminiscent of apple pie… thus the name. serves 2 4 slices rustic sourdough bread 8 slices maple glazed, roasted turkey breast, sliced thin…
homestyle turkey and noodles
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
melissa placzek’s cornbread stuffing
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
~ Melissa Placzek’s Cornbread Stuffing ~ Now I realize stuffing is a touchy subject. Kind of like potato salad. Everyone believes their stuffing is the best. I grew up on the traditional (sort of greyish) white bread stuffing mixed with butter, turkey giblets, stock, onion, celery and loads of sage. Because there are so many…
cosmopolitan cranberries
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
~ cosmopolitan cranberries ~ An easy, delicious way to add pizzazz to canned cranberry sauce. The addition of orange and Grand Marnier! 2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce zest and juice of one orange 2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier Liqueur Combine the cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice and 1 Tablespoon of the Grand Marnier in…
crabtree’s kitchen swedish apple pie
by Melissa • • 39 Comments
Who remembers Crabtree’s Kitchen located in Marine on St. Croix? Originally this pioneer building was a general store, boat works, gas station and even a prohibition brewery! In 1949 Crabtree’s moved in as a convenient roadside cafe. A place where people who were enjoying a drive in the scenic St. Croix River valley could stop…
Thanksgiving Wrap
by Melissa • • 8 Comments
This is a great sandwich to serve with tea at a girlfriends’ lunch this time of year. Almost everyone seems to love the combination of flavors, and I’m always asked to write down the recipe. ~Thanksgiving Wrap~ (serves 6) 6 large, plain or flavored sandwich wraps 8 oz cream cheese, softened (you can use light…