I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
One of my absolute favorite holiday traditions is my family’s Christmas Day brunch. Right after the presents have been opened, but before we settle in for the inevitable mid day nap we gather together, pajamas still on, and brunch. And this year will be extra special because I’ve had a little help from VIETRI. For over 30 years VIETRI has been bringing handcrafted tableware and decor straight from Italy and in to our homes. And this year I fell in major love with their Rosso Vecchio Dot collection.
The Rosso red is the perfect red, which means it can translate well past the Christmas season (think Fourth of July and summer BBQ’s), and pairs perfectly with their classic Bellezza Holiday accent plates and reindeer bowls. I completed the table with VIETRI’s classic pewter flatware, my favorite linens from the Shop, and more food than any one family can eat and voila. The table couldn’t get any more festive.
And because we want to help make your holiday table just as merry we’re giving away 6 of VIETRI’s Santa canape plates (pictured above with Williams Sonoma’schocolate peppermint bark croissants). Later this week I’ll also be sharing how I made the fabby wreath chandelier and the recipe for my goat cheese and spinach quiche. Now that’s how I like to kick December off. Merry merry Loves. truly, MKR
This post was sponsored by VIETRI, however my opinion and love of VIETRI brand is 100% my own.
The legal mumbo jumbo...this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and will run through Sunday the 8th with our winner announced Monday the 9th. We’ll be running this all through Rafflecopter (below) which allows you to earn points for each item completed with a simple click of the button. The more points you earn the more likely you are to win (and remember you probably already have entry points if you’re a regular reader of the blog).
As promised, and in preparation for Thanksgiving I wanted to share the recipes that will be gracing my table. Starting with the star of the show, my buttermilk brined smoked turkey with foccacia and chestnut stuffing. My husband started brining and smoking his turkey (c/o Joyce Farms) on the Big Green Egg 2 years ago, and he’ll never go back, (in case you don’t have a smoker, I promise you this turkey is not burnt, that’s just how the smoker makes it appear). The brine, while an extra step, is a complete game changer whether you’re smoking it or not. I promise you the most flavorful and tender turkey you’ve ever tasted! Happy holidays Loves! truly, MKR
2 oz. turkey brine, I prefer Williams-Sonoma's Apple & Spices Brine (just use the entire jar)
1 quart water
4 quarts buttermilk
1 fresh turkey (preferably organic and/or free range), 12 to 18 lb., neck, heart and gizzard removed
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 Lemons (cut in half)
1 head of garlic (cut in half, leave the peel on)
2 white onions (cut into quarters)
Twine
Extra large brining bags
1 small bottle of apple juice
mesquite chips for the smoker
1 disposable turkey pan
Instructions
In a large pot over high heat, combine the turkey brine and water and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until the majority of the salt dissolves, 5 to 10 minutes.
Let the brine mixture cool to room temperature. Add buttermilk and mix.
Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water, pat dry, and place in a large brining bag.
Carefully pour the buttermilk brine mixture into the bag. Seal the bag, pressing out the air, and place in a large stockpot or other container large enough to hold the turkey.
Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
Remove the turkey from the brine; discard the brine. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off and discard the excess fat. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan.
Add lemons, garlic, and onions to the cavity of the turkey and truss legs with kitchen twine.
Melt the butter and rub the skin evenly with a basting brush.
Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
...Smoking the Turkey
Soak mesquite chips for a few hours in water.
Heat egg to 600F-700F degrees, add soaked chips. Set place setter with legs up (this allows for indirect heat smoking). Place turkey on turkey rack and place entire turkey and rack in disposable turkey pan. During this process the chips will naturally bring temperature down to desired temp of 250F.
Smoke turkey for 60 minutes at 250F, check periodically to see if the legs or breast are burning, if so tent with tin foil. Please note when smoking a turkey the skin will appear much, much darker than roasting, this is a not a sign of being burnt. Refer to pictures above.
Continue smoking for 10 hours at 250F, checking periodically and basting with apple juice. Turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature of the breast reaches 175F.
Transfer the turkey to a carving board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 to 60 minutes before carving. While resting, turkey will continue to cook reaching a final internal temperature of 180F.
By Mandy Kellogg Rye @Waiting On Martha
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
1 package (1 lb.) La Brea Bakery focaccia stuffing
4-6 cups vegetable, turkey or chicken stock, warmed
Thyme
Butter
Instructions
Preheat an oven to 375°F.
In a large fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic, onion, celery, salt and pepper and sauté until soft and translucent, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the chestnuts. Transfer the onion mixture to a very large bowl.
Stir in the stock 1/2 cup at a time, making sure it is completely absorbed into the croutons and does not pool in the bottom of the bowl. Taste a crouton; it should be moist throughout but not crunchy or mushy. You may not need all of the stock.
Transfer the stuffing to a buttered 3-quart baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden brown and crisp, 25 to 35 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with thyme
By Mandy Kellogg Rye @Waiting On Martha
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
Second to football at a tailgate is of course the food. And let me tell you, did we have some amazing food. From deviled eggs, to cornbread casserole, wings and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies…well let’s just say no one left hungry. Below you’ll find all the recipes for the Tennessee side of things and head on over to Danielle’s to find all of the Alabama recipes. Oh, and don’t forget about our little contest we’re hosting (details HERE) and if you didn’t catch part 1 of our tailgate find it HERE. Happy Wednesday Loves. truly, MKR
Dueling Deviled Eggs
yd: 6 servings
18 large, free range eggs
3/4 c mayonnaise (preferably Duke’s)
2 tsp vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tsp curry powder
2 tsp water
1 tsp paprika
1 bunch fresh chives
Place eggs in a large sauce pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, turn off heat and cover the pot with a lid for 12 minutes. Drain hot water, add cold water and ice, let eggs sit for 5 minutes. Peel eggs and cut in half longways.
Combine curry powder and water in a small bowl, let sit for 5 minutes. Place yolks in a KitchenAid mixing bowl and add mayonnaise and vinegar. Season well with salt and pepper, mix well for 1 minute.
Split filling in half, and mix curry powder to one and paprika to the other. Check for seasoning then fill egg whites. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Garnish with chives cut into 2 inch segments.
Chicken Wings
yd: 6 servings
2 dozen wings, (I prefer whole, including wing tip)
1/2 of an 8 oz light beer (lager)
1/2 lb butter
2 cups Texas Pete
2 c ranch dressing
1 head celery, sliced for dipping
Preheat grill.
To prepare wing sauce melt butter in a pan on the stove, being careful not to cook too much, just long enough to melt. Place beer and hot sauce in a blender, then with the blender on slowly drizzle in the butter to emulsify. Reserve.
Grill wings to an internal temperature of 165*, about 16 minutes. Remove using tongs and toss in a bowl with the wing sauce.
Serve immediately with ranch and celery sticks.
Ranch
1 c sour cream
1 c buttermilk
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chopped parsley
1 tsp chopped chives
Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Refrigerate until needed.
Collard Green and Cornbread Casserole
yd: 6 servings
For Cornbread:
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
2 tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
.5 cup water
1 egg
2 tbs melted butter, plus 1 tsp butter
Preheat oven to 375*
Mix all dry ingredients, then add egg. Next add water and buttermilk, and then drizzle in melted butter.
Place cast iron skillet on medium high heat and melt the teaspoon of butter. Add the batter, cook for 30 seconds and then transfer to the oven. Cook until the top is firm, about 12 minutes.
For Casserole:
2 tbs butter
1 cup chopped raw bacon
1 red onion
3 cloves garlic
5 cups finely chopped young collard greens
3 cups chicken stock
1 recipe cornbread
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 c roasted red peppers
1 cup shredded cheddar
Preheat oven to 375*
Melt butter in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add bacon and cook for 3 minutes, then add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 7 minutes.
Add the collard greens and 2 cups of the chicken stock, cook for 5 minutes. Dice the cornbread and add to the pot when collards are cooked.
Mix the last cup of chicken stock with eggs, salt and pepper and herbs, add to pot and incorporate.
Finely dice red peppers and mix with mayonnaise and shredded cheddar and top the casserole.