Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apple Caramel Sauce

Every Thanksgiving my mother-in-law serves the same sweet potato puree topped with marshmallows. I don't like sweet potatoes this way so I am constantly on the lookout for new recipes. I found the one I'm sharing today in Fitness magazine almost 10 years ago and it's a great one!
You will need:

• 1 1/4 lbs sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups apple juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 quarter-size slice of fresh ginger
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 tsp butter, cut up

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place potatoes (leave the skins on) in a 2-quart microwave-safe baking dish and cook in microwave on high for 5 minutes turning potatoes once halfway through.
3. Let stand 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
4. Combine juice, sugar. cinnamon and ginger slice in a small saucepan.
5. Over high heat, bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved.
6. Boil 10 more minutes or until mixture thickens to a light syrup consistency.
7. Let cool.
8. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and ginger slice.
9. Stir in cider vinegar.
10. Peel potatoes and cut into half-inch-thick slices.
11. Coat baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray.
12. Arrange potatoes in three overlapping rows in prepared dish.
13. Dot with butter and drizzle with 2 tablespoons syrup.
14. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes until just tender.
15. Remove foil and drizzle with 2 more tablespoons syrup.
16. Bake potatoes 15 minutes or until tender.

You will probably have leftover syrup. I use it on waffles or something else later. I love sweet potatoes this way and so do my kids. Let me know what you think!

Disneyfamily.com

Once again http://www.disneyfamily.com/ has some amazing crafts and recipes for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lots of ideas for kids' table! Check it out.

Decorating "Wishes"

Sometimes we only see some of our extended family once or twice a year - around the holidays. Here is a holiday decorating idea that will keep them close to you each day you have this hung in your home... You will need:

• one grapevine (twig) wreath (found @ Michael's or Jo-Ann's craft stores)
• red Sharpies or markers
• white cardstock cut into 2x3 sizes
• 1 yard of beautiful, bold, wide green ribbon (for hanging the wreath)

1. Hang the twig wreath in a spot where arriving or departing guests can't miss it.
2. Set the markers and cards under or next to it on a writing friendly surface.
3. Post a little sign asking guests to write or draw a greeting or holiday wish along with their name and slip into wreath.

You will have a one of a kind wreath to enjoy throughout the holidays! I have tried this with holiday cards sent through the mail, but because of the multitude or colors and sizes of cards it never turns out quite the way I had planned. I have also tried it with the photo cards sent as holiday greetings - I end up mounting them on cardstock, turning it into a bigger project and still unhappy with the outcome because of the colors... I use this simple color blocking idea of red on white with the bold green ribbon because it's so pleasing to the eye.

Sometimes it's our friends we only see once or twice a year. Whoever you choose to participate in this activity I assure you will enjoy the greetings and wishes.

Decorating for the Holidays

I love decorating in stages for the holidays. Getting ready for Thanksgiving is easy with evergreens. Take any fresh evergreens and hang them around doorways and windows inside your home for your open house or Thanksgiving. It will encourage your guests to venture into different rooms improving your party's flow. I like to purchase the white-pine garlands when I can. They have long, soft needles and really full boughs. Hanging the fresh evergreens are easy with just a hammer and a couple of nails to create a swag over the doorway too. 

Roasted Smashed Potatoes

I found this recipe in the Costco Connection magazine. I am planning to have these out for my Thanksgiving dinner and open house.

IMPORTANT:

• Do not use any potatoes larger than 2 inches in diameter.
• Cook potatoes thoroughly so they will smash.
• Remove the potatoes from the baking sheet as soon as they are done browning to avoid toughening.

You will need:

• 2 pounds small red potatoes
• 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cups water
• 2 baking sheets

1. Adjust oven racks to top and bottom positions and preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Arrange potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Pour 3/4 cup water into baking sheet and wrapped tightly with aluminum foil.
4. cook on bottom rack until paring knife slips in and out of potatoes easily (poking through the foil) 25 - 30 minutes.
5. Remove foil and cool for 10 minutes. If any water remains, blot dry with paper towel.
6. Drizzle 3 Tbsp oil over potatoes and roll to coat.
7. Space potatoes evenly on baking sheet.
8. Place second baking sheet on top and press down firmly on baking sheet, flattening potatoes until 1/3 to 1/2 in thickness.
9. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper to taste and drizzle evenly with remaining 3 Tbsp of oil.
10. Roast potatoes on the top rack for 15 minutes.
11. Transfer potatoes to bottom rack and continue to roast until well browned for 20 - 30 minutes.

I made these for dinner last night and the kids loved them. It's faster to use the second baking sheet to smash the taters but you can use an old-fashioned potato masher. I assure you your family will too.

Open House Menu

This is just one menu idea. I like it because it sounds fancy but is pretty easy.

THE MENU - serves 30

Supper

• Pepitas and Pistachios
• Warm Rosemary Olives
• Smoked Salmon with Creme Fraiche Sauce on Shallot Toasts
• Cheese Platter
• Frisee, Bacon, and Goat-Cheese Salad
• Potato-Apple Gratin
• Grilled Sausages with Pickled Onions ans Assorted Mustards

Dessert

• Coconut Snowballs
• Magic Cocoa
• Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches

Drinks

• Juices
• Still and Sparking waters
• Red and white wine

I originally found it in Real Simple magazine. Let me know if you need any of the recipes.

Open House

An Open House over Thanksgiving (or even between Thanksgiving and New Year's) where family and friends come and go gives you more time to enjoy their company. So here's the plan:

1. Send out the invitations NOW! Today! E-vites are informal. If you're looking for something more formal Target or Office Depot have some package sets you could run through your printer. Make sure to having an ending time so guests aren't arriving while your mopping up. 4 to 7 p.m. is perfect.
2. Plan for 2 plates, 2 forks, and 2 glasses for every guest. I mentioned yesterday about stores having great deals right now if you're in need of these items. Don't forget your coupons!
3. Order some evergreens and amaryllises for decorations. Or head out to Michael's or Jo-Ann's to make your own. Don't go without your weekly circular of coupons!
4. I order bulbs for party favors, but you might have a different idea. (Add them to this as comment if you do)
5. Decide on menu (Ideas will be posted tomorrow).
6. Two weeks prior, do a grocery haul for all your ingredients minus produce, breads, and dairy. Don't forget beverages: sparkling water, juices, red and white wines. Watch for weekly specials!
7. Decide on serving dishes. Yesterday I mentioned stores having these items at low prices. You could borrow from people you know too!
8. 2 DAYS BEFORE: buy ice (1 pound per person), breads, produce, and dairy including cheeses.
9. 2 DAYS BEFORE: decorate party rooms. Set up the buffet table with flatware, plates, platters, and serving utensils. Make sure the table is accessible from all sides. Set up the "bar" away from the buffet table.

I have presented the majority of a timeline you need. Tomorrow I'll have some ideas about the menu and wrap up the timeline with the preparations of food to be served. This gets you started so put your mind at ease. I assure you your open house will be a hit!