2018 Holiday Cooking
It's been quite hectic at the Bubblestead. Had the family over for the weekend which involves eating. Did some beef tacos with fire roasted tomato and black beans on Friday night, and my honey brined turkey along with a cranberry and orange chutney glazed ham on Saturday. Also made oatmeal cherry cranberry walnut cookies, chocolate chip and some coconut macaroons. I might do some Gizzis later tonight if I'm feeling up to it.
On a side note, Christmas came early this year and I scored two things on my wish list; a 5qt enamel cast iron Dutch Oven and an induction burner!! This is gonna be my new go to crafting station for deep frying, candy making, green butter and isopropyl hash, along with whatever else seems to be appropriate. I can't wait.
For WHATEVER REASON, I did a piss poor job getting photos of everything. There is a few, but I was slacking hard.
Let's go in chronological order. I started with cookies. Made all the dough for the three and put it out on the porch till Friday, which is a great way to have fresh cookies on demand without the headache of making em right then and there. Are you guys using silicone mats or parchment paper like good little elves?
This is what I started with:
Friday night was the fire roasted tomato and black bean tacos. Complete with fresh shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, sour cream and shredded sharp yellow cheddar.
I finished the last of the cookies last night while I was doing early Christmas and dinner all at the same time. Here is a little basket of dumplins.
This guy didn't even flinch. Like Christmas just happens. YA GOTTA MAKE IT HAPPEN DOOOOD.
I didn't get any cooking shots of the Saturday Christmas feast except for this one quick plate shot. Clean plates around the table....always a good sign. The honey brined turkey was fucking phenomenal. I just used olive oil, salt and pepper. Did it in a small Pyrex pan, 450° for 18m then 350° for 1½ hours, with the last hour being wrapped up. I made super denk juicy turkey with a crispy skin that was to die for. HIGHLY recommended....not the cheapest way to eat turkey, but there was zero weirdos anywhere, and the whole carcass has been picked clean by the vultures....the ham is gone too. I did this one with a cranberry and orange chutney with some Chinese 5 spice, brown sugar, and a little cider vinegar. The glaze ingredients don't seem to be so critical as long as the viscosity, sugar, and acid are right. The 5 spice has star anise, cinnamon and cloves, so it screams "Put me on some ham." I listened and the 5 spice was right.
Here is my new toys!!!!
I've always heard that animals are like their owners. Well Mr. Felix here is living up to that stereotype. He only eats super high end cat food. I figure if we're gonna eat good, he can too. He turns his nose up at anything less than the best. He also is the only cat I've ever seen that doesn't have a water bowl. His water intake comes strictly from following us into the bathroom where he only drinks running water. I like my water ice cold and still flowing said that cat.
Tried some BBcode at the top, let's see if it works. Happy Festivus y'all.
And HERE is a cookie recipe you can win contests with. Give this a shot if ya dare, they are the definition of perfection.
- 3/4C White Sugar
- 3/4C Packed Brown Sugar
- 3/4C+ Butter (1.5 Sticks + 1T )
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2T Milk
- 1tsp Baking Soda
- 1tsp Baking Powder
- 1tsp Salt
- 1¼ tsp Cinnamon
- 1¼ tsp Vanilla
- 1C A.P. Flour
- 3C Quick Oats
- 1C Walnuts
- 1C Dried Tart Cherries
- 1/2C Craisons or Chocolate Chips
-Cream sugars and butter
-Beat eggs and stir in
-Add remaining dry and wet down to vanilla and stir
-Add flour and stir until mixed
-Add oats one cup at a time and fold them in
-Fold in nuts and cherries
-320°F ON PARCHMENT for about 13-16m depending on size.
BOMB!!!!!
THEY'RE called KAAAAHBS Joe's dad's stuff