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

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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 !