Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Turkey Day - Only Two Days Away!

    Only two more days to complete the preparations for Thanksgiving. Since one of my dear friends has so kindly offered to fry a turkey for me, this year, that will relieve me of a huge responsibility and the rest of the meal will be a piece of cake. But when you're talking about making everything from scratch, including appetizers, sides, rolls and muffins, and desserts, it can be a bit labor intensive. But, I will have my dear cousin helping me and it will be SO worth all the effort. I haven't finalized my menu, yet, but here is what I have so far. Do you think I'll have enough or should I add more items?

    Appetizers   
    Jalapeno Chicken Poppers   
    Creole Sausage Bites 
    Broccoli Cheese Dip w/ pastry shells   
    Fresh Veggies w/ ranch dip 

    Dinner 
    Cajun Fried Turkey w/ giblet gravy  
    Cajun Oyster Stuffing  
    Mama's Cornbread Dressing 
    Cajun Rice Dressing  
    Spinach Madeleine  
    Cajun Corn Casserole  
    Nanny's Sweet Potatoes w/ Praline Topping  
    Candied Cranberries
    Add to this: 
    Garlic Butter Rolls  
    Mama's Cornmeal Biscuits 
    Cranberry/ Orange Muffins  
    Pumpkin Muffins

    Desserts  
    Pecan Pie  
    Pumpkin Cheesecake  
    Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Praline Sauce  
    Kahlua Brownies

    *******
    These delightful muffins are the perfect finishing touch for your Thanksgiving dessert table. I love to make and freeze these ahead of time and take some out to have with coffee, in the mornings. Cest bon, cher!

    Spiced Pumpkin Muffins w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

    1 1/2 cups flour
    3/4 cup sugar
    2 tsp.'s baking powder
    1/2 tsp. salt
    1/2 tsp. each, ground cinnamon and nutmeg
    a sprinkling of ground cloves
    1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
    1/2 cup canned pumpkin
    1/4 cup melted butter
    1 large egg
    1/2 cup chopped pecans

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Grease 12 muffin cups or use paper liners. Mix all ingredients, until just mixed.

    Fold in pecans and stir gently. Fill muffin cups, 3/4 full and
    bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

    Cream Cheese Frosting
    1 stick butter
    2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
    8 oz. cream cheese
    1/2 tsp. vanilla

    Cream the butter and the cream cheese together for about 3 minutes . Stir in vanilla. Add the powdered sugar, gradually until desired consistency is reached. Frost cooled muffins.

    Here is the recipe for my dear mother's Cornmeal Biscuits. Enjoy, these are fabulous!

    Mama's Cornmeal Biscuits
    1 1/2 cups flour
    1/2 cup cornmeal
    3 tsp.'s baking powder
    1 tbsp. sugar
    1/4 tsp. salt
    1/4 cup butter
    1/2 cup milk, plus a little more if needed

    Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture becomes coarse. Stir in milk. (dough will be stiff )

    Place dough on lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Use a 3 inch round biscuit cutter to cut the biscuits. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake in a 450 degree oven for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Serves 4.



    Hope that everyone has a wonderful and fun holiday! I am so thankful for each and every one of you! Merci beaucoup for visiting!

    Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll !

    15 comments:

    Kathryn Magendie said...

    Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

    I haven't ever made cornmeal biscuits - not sure I've had them but now I want to try them!

    and I loooovveeee muffins - just about any kind of muffin...

    Always makes me HONGREE coming by here.

    Next time I'm in So La we should try to say hello!

    Joanne said...

    Your guests will be very lucky people indeed. Each one will be so well-fed with these amazing delicacies. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with love and cheer and happiness!

    Midlife Roadtripper said...

    OOh, Oh, Oh! I want some of the oyster dressing. I've never had it and would love to try it.

    Enjoy your family and your Thanksgiving.

    Cathy said...

    How much for a flight from Calgary to you for Thanksgiving??

    Owen said...

    Oh and there you go again !

    I can see that you are simply incorrigible when it comes to good eating...

    John said...

    I think there's enough food! No mention of the cold beer to wash it all down, or the band to dance to to work it all off. Have a good Thanksgiving.

    GYPSYWOMAN said...

    oh, girl, your menu looks a lot like ours here! well, you covered all the basics as far as i can see, plus some!! sounds divine!!! and i know it will taste even better! have a wonderful turkey day! and thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful experiences sights sounds smells from "home"!!!

    and i know your camera is ready to go!!!

    happy happy turkey in louisiana!

    Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

    hey sweetheart... I just made a deal with a neighbor, we are frying our turkey also...

    but your sides sound better than mine

    Cloudia said...

    oooooWEEEEE!


    Delish looking, Cher



    Aloha, Friend!


    Comfort Spiral

    Laura said...

    Miss Marguerite- I am so glad to have found your blog.
    This Thanksgiving feast sounds amazing.

    I want ALL of the recipes so I am going back in your archives.

    Have a great day with your family,

    Laura

    Vagabonde said...

    Chère Marguerite I have been busy reading all the posts I missed while I was away from my computer. I have also been busy copying some of your delicious sounding recipes. Unfortunately while we were away there was a leak in our kitchen which destroyed the floor plus the sink and dishwasher are not working, so this year Thanksgiving will have to be at a local restaurant for my husband and me. But we are going to my daughter’s at Christmas and I’ll be able to cook some of your recipes then. It may be as well that I can’t cook those sinfully looking deserts as my cousin in France cooked gourmet meals everyday and we did a lot of eating. Thanks for coming to my blog while I was on my trip and posting some comments. Have a great and happy Thanksgiving.

    Eddie Bluelights said...

    Happy forthcoming Thanksgiving and enjoy your turkey tuck in plus all the other goodies but ma cher do not eat too much because you are teaching me the Cajun Two-Step at my place!!! LOL . . and the Jitterbug!! ~ Hugs - Eddie

    Marguerite said...

    Kathryn- Hope you try the biscuits, oh, so good with a good cup of Community coffee. And the muffins, too! Happy Thanksgiving, sha!
    I would love that!

    Joanne- Merci beaucoup for all of your lovely comments. It is quite a Cajun spread! Wishing you all the best in life, on Thanksgiving and always! Cheers!

    Julie- So nice to hear from you, cher! The oyster dressing is fab! The recipe is on an older post, November 13, 08, entitled "Cajun Thanksgiving Feast". Have a great holiday!

    Cathy- I don't know, but it would be worth it, I promise you, cher! Wish you were here! Happy Turkey Day!

    Sniffles and Smiles said...

    Those muffins look tres bon...Too bad my computer has been down, and I didn't get the recipe before tonight!! Will have to try them for Christmas...Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, dear Marguerite!!! Sending you much love!!! Janine XO

    Marguerite said...

    Owen- Merci for the sweet compliment, cher! Incorrigible, indeed! Thanks for stopping by!

    John- The cold beer and dancing was last night and tonight, after the family Thanksgiving! Thanks, it was great!

    Gypsy- Thanks so much for your sweet comment. It was a splendid day! Hope that yours was too! You're very welcome, it's my pleasure, cher!

    Dave- I saw your Fried Turkey post and loved it! You really are getting the hang of being a Cajun! Thanks, cher, I am flattered!

    Cloudia- Merci, glad you liked them! Hope your holiday was happy! Aloha, cher!