tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31655397541788867002024-03-13T08:09:57.400-04:00The Rumbling TummyMary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-82583096281573305032012-03-03T08:26:00.002-05:002012-03-03T09:13:36.891-05:00This Bread is Bananas!Winter weekday mornings are tough. Not only is it dark when I wake up, it's still dark when I leave! Getting out of bed when the hardwood floors are cold and the dog has to be walked outside in the snow makes it hard to leave the covers behind.<br />
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I have always forced down breakfast before leaving for work. It IS the most important meal of the day according to the cereal commercials. (And c'mon, who is eating a bowl of cereal, napkin ready with a big glass of OJ and an unripened banana on the side on a Tuesday morning at 5:30 am anyways?)<br />
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But in all seriousness, starting your day off with breakfast gives your metabolism a boost. And starting with a healthy breakfast gives you extra points. After all, YES YOU CAN! begin your day with a cold slice of pizza and a side of leftover chicken wings, but why not jump start your day with something that is both delicious AND good for you!<br />
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I have gotten into the (good!) habit of quadrupling (yes! it's a word - spell check said so!) recipes of quick breads to slice and eat on the go. I've been starting with a basic traditional recipe from cookbooks like Old Faithful (also known as "<a href="http://jducoeur.org/Cookbook/Banana_Bread.html">The Joy of Cooking</a>") and tweaking them to fit my clean bill of health.<br />
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I've tried tweaking Zucchini bread, Blueberry Lemon bread, Pumpkin bread and Banana bread. My all time favorite is the banana bread recipe I have included below. If you're a Gwen Stefani fan, you'll appreciate the moniker. If not, haters gonna hate. (The latter will probably also dislike the previous pop culture reference and every other PInC PC reference (read: Politically Incorrect Pop Culture reference) in this blog. Why are you reading this again?)<br />
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Ahead of time I want to warn you: this recipe uses only WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR! Two types of people are going to dislike this - celiac sufferers (I'm sorry!) and the faint of heart. I promise you this - when it comes to sweets, I don't mess around. Please believe me that this is NOT a dry, crumbly form of astronaut food (you know, sold at the Museum of Science, oddly delicious...). It is moist (because of the eggs and oil) and melt in your mouth! Don't wuss out. Put away the All-Purpose white flour and nobody gets hurt!<br />
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Give this dynamite recipe a try and I promise you'll be jumping out of bed for a hearty slice. To up the chocolate ante, pair this with a hefty glass of Silk's Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Heaven.<br />
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<b><u>*This Bread is Bananas* Banana Bread</u></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWzpHrdOoyc/T1E91PlzfGI/AAAAAAAAANM/aODSJaV4zmA/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWzpHrdOoyc/T1E91PlzfGI/AAAAAAAAANM/aODSJaV4zmA/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>2 cups whole wheat flour<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/3 cup ground flax seed<br />
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg<br />
2 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
5 medium over-ripe bananas, mashed<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil<br />
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips<br />
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Sift dry ingredients - flour, baking powder and soda, flax seed, salt and spices. Make a well in the dry ingredients and put aside.<br />
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In a separate bowl mix eggs, sugar and oil until well incorporated. Pour into dry ingredients. Stir dry and wet ingredients together, be careful not to over mix. Stir in chocolate.<br />
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Pour into two loaf pans (or one for a GIANT loaf!) lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.<br />
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It is important that the bananas are over-ripe! By leaving out half of the sugar (usually cookbooks suggest 1 cup!), using over-ripe bananas will add sweetness that you may miss. If you're a foodie, freshly grated Nutmeg tastes even better! The added flax seed gives you an extra dose of fiber. Your body will appreciate this. Enjoy!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-39138528724629471672012-03-03T08:21:00.001-05:002012-03-03T08:37:21.601-05:00You like me!Wow!! I've been so busy I have neglected my poor blog, and what do I find when I finally revisit The Rumbling Tummy??<br />
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An award!<br />
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Thank you to my fellow blogger Charlene at <a href="http://itsacharmlife.blogspot.com/2012/01/liebster-award.html">It's a CharM'd Life!</a> for honoring The Rumbling Tummy with a Liebster Award!<br />
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Oddly, both my mother and my husband took German in high school, so while most would be quick to assume NONE of my followers speak German - you're incorrect. This gal's blog has quite the international following.<br />
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For my non-German speaking followers, liebster is German for dearest or favorite. The Liebster Award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers. I guess it DOES pay off to be hipster and obscure (read: unpopular)!<br />
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Now... this is sort of a "pay it forward" deal. So now it's MY turn to award my favorite blogs less traveled. It's a CharM'd Life would be an obvious choice, but I don't want to be an Indian Giver (sorry - Native American Giver). So... who to award? here are my top picks:<br />
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<a href="http://cookwithabandon.wordpress.com/">Chocolate and Wine</a><br />
<a href="http://mama-who.blogspot.com/">Mama Who</a><br />
<a href="http://anamericangirldoll.blogspot.com/">an american girl doll</a><br />
<a href="http://thecakechica.blogspot.com/">The Cake Chica</a><br />
<a href="http://lifebakedfresh.blogspot.com/">The Sweet Life</a><br />
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Now you all have to follow the rules too!<br />
1)Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.<br />
2)Link back to the blogger who awarded you.<br />
3)Copy and paste the blog award on your own blog.<br />
4) Reveal your 5 blog picks.<br />
5) Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.<br />
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Thanks for following me!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-84678444610766376482012-01-16T20:00:00.000-05:002012-01-16T20:00:14.899-05:00For the DogsOh dear. It's been too long my friends! I've been busy cleaning up after the holidays and getting a handle on my calamitous classroom!<br />
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This long weekend I was searching far and wide for the perfect recipe for treats - not for me, but for my pup!<br />
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Mona is also recovering from holiday overkill. While I am consistent with feeding her only dog food, Hubs is not so conscientious. I've not only seen him slip her bits of chicken or bacon, but recently walked in on him letting the pup lick his yogurt container clean! Both parties looked very guilty.<br />
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It was then that I had the idea to get her back on her canine diet (hopefully Hubs will not help her cheat).<br />
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I found a few recipes for biscuits and came up with my own by mixing and matching ingredients. Also- MonaPup does not at all have a sensitive stomach, but for doggies that do, you may want to substitute brown rice flour for whole wheat (like some people, certain dogs have a hard time digesting wheat products). You know your pet- if your dog has food allergies, always ask a vet before introducing new foods!<br />
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MonaPup's Munchies<br />
2 cup puréed pumpkin<br />
2 Tablespoons Dry Milk<br />
2 Tablespoons peanut butter<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 1/4 cup whole wheat flour<br />
Beat pumpkin, eggs and peanut butter well. Add dry milk and mix. Slowly add flour to wet ingredients. Dough should be crumbly. Chill for 30 minutes. Roll out on flours surface and use biscuit cutter to make small cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let color on wire rack.<br />
Makes 30- 40 biscuits.<br />
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I doubled the batch and froze half of the biscuits to replenish when needed!<br />
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For those pet less followers out there- I promise my next post will be for humans, but I couldn't resist sharing! And Mona couldn't resist pigging out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0Ii6xeL6Cc/TxTH8QMyVfI/AAAAAAAAANE/j4X7QxTyWhM/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0Ii6xeL6Cc/TxTH8QMyVfI/AAAAAAAAANE/j4X7QxTyWhM/s320/IMG_0316.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-86339125186767098052011-12-22T11:00:00.001-05:002011-12-22T11:01:34.656-05:00Cookie ChaosSuccess!<br />
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</div><div>The SullyGirls Cookie Exchange produced massive amounts of holiday treats. Spice cookies, sugar cookies, drop cookies... there was just too much to list here on one page. But it was all delicious! I came home with two cookie tins stuffed to the brim. What to do with all these cookies? Well, I ate some and gave the rest to co-workers! It's a genius idea, really. I create miniature tins to send to Hub's bosses and my own at school. Hence, I look as if I've slaved away over a hot stove all day to bake 20 varieties of Christmas cookies when in reality I ate massive amounts of food, mingled with cousins and spent 2 hours helping my Great Aunt from her Assisted Living home to the party (despite the fact that it should only take 12 minutes door to door...). </div></div><div><br />
</div><div>As always, I try to come away with one new recipe from any party I attend. I am going to surprise you all by saying that I did not come away from the Cookie Exchange with a cookie recipe. Instead, I picked my Aunt's brain about her delicious Squash puree! The secret? She purees a butternut squash and turnip mix. Genius! I am a big fan of turnip myself, though some find it to be too bland both in name and taste). Mixing the two root vegetables, now that is something that I have to try! </div><div><br />
</div><div>I'll let you know how it goes. </div><div><br />
</div><div>As for Christmas dinner, I promised to bring corn casserole and Pecan Pie. I am a traditionalist, but while searching for a good version I came across this baby - </div><div><br />
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</div><div><a href="http://mattbites.com/2007/11/24/mess-with-the-pie-youll-get-theoh-just-give-me-a-damn-fork/">Deep Dish Pecan Pie</a>! Now that looks dynamite. I think I will make one traditional, and one of these. I should stop now, I am getting too wild for my own good. Before long I'll be googling variations on Apple Pie, that's enough to Gramma Sully a heart attack.</div><div><br />
</div><div>3 days left!!</div>Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-55470879772964900142011-12-15T21:56:00.000-05:002011-12-15T21:56:46.639-05:00Delight-mint!Phew! These <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peppermint-molasses-cookies-10000000682739/">molasses peppermint cookies</a> were super easy and SUPERBLY delicious!<br />
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They really epitomize all the tastes of the season - a gingerbread-like base and an icy peppermint frosting. I know it sounds like a funny combo, but it works!<br />
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Now this is a recipe that will be come a tradition in our house... despite the fact that Hubs dislikes mint... he'll just have to suck it up.Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-32410567677651020022011-12-14T20:48:00.000-05:002011-12-14T20:48:40.004-05:00Improv in the KitchYikes! Those Samoas did not go as planned. I baked 5 dozen shortbread rounds... the photo does not convey their pure buttery deliciousness, but they do look pretty!<br />
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The next step in the recipe called for a caramel coconut mixture made from vanilla Kraft caramels. I've tried using Kraft caramels before. I didn't like them then, and I now know I don't like them now! Ugh, they have a grainy texture and a bad after taste. Ina Garten ruined me with her<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/fleur-de-sel-caramels-recipe2/index.html"> homemade salted caramels</a>, after trying my hand at those, Kraft just doesn't cut it! I wish I could trade places with Jeffrey for a night so she could make me a batch before bed...<br />
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Wait, you're not getting the Food Network reference? If you're not a foodie, the only other reason you're reading this blog is because you are related to me, but hey, no complaints here! I love the Sully faithful.<br />
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Rather than tossing out all of those beautiful shortbread rounds, I improvised! I sliced and diced some baking chocolate and melted it in a double boiler (baker's secret - add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the melted chocolate to make it nice and shiny when it hardens!). I dipped each cookie in chocolate and sprinkled the top with crushed candy canes. Success!<br />
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I'll be whipping up 5 dozen more cookies tomorrow night, hopefully the Molasses Peppermint cookies will go more smoothly.... if not, I'll bring the dregs to my firsties. I'm telling you - those kids will eat anything.Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-53144789717981372992011-12-11T17:41:00.000-05:002011-12-11T17:41:38.790-05:00Yuletide PrioritizingYikes! Christmas is two weeks away! I've spent this past week ironing Christmas Pageant costumes for the firsties and wrapping their Christmas gifts - a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-at-Christmas-Caralyn-Buehner/dp/0803729952">Snowmen at Christmas</a>, so cute!<br />
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OF COURSE I give books as a gift. Even more important, I also give the gift of the ability to read, that is my job after all and I'll take all the credit for their mastery of short vowels this fall. Thank you very much.<br />
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On Tuesday night we perform the Nativity at the school Christmas Pageant. One problem, Mother Mary has a broken arm. I've tried my best to finagle (LOVE that word!) her costume to hide the injury as best I can, but instead of hiding it, I'm debating on maybe just bedazzling the sling instead. Now that is one way to make this pageant our own. The Nativity has been performed over 1 million times (a guess, but I'd be willing to put money on it), it's hard to make it original, but I can't imagine it has ever had a bedazzled, broken-armed Mary. Now that is innovative.<br />
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We did fit in a trip to Boston for Brunch on Charles Street and a walk through the Common. So beautiful even with the greenery faded until next Spring!<br />
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Despite a busy beginning of the week, Hubs and I have four Christmas parties to attend next weekend. I have numerous Yankee Swap presents to wrap by Friday, not to mention 5 dozen cookies to bake for the annual Cookie Exchange on Sunday! I'll be baking up a storm on Wednesday and Thursday, but I've done a little prepping so that the baking will go a little more smoothly!<br />
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I've crushed candy canes in preparation for my <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peppermint-molasses-cookies-10000000682739/">Molasses Peppermint</a> cookies - a funny combination, I know, but absolutely delicious!<br />
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I found a copycat recipe for Girl Scout Samoas (now called Caramel DeLites in order to avoid any animosity from Samoans, though I have got to say, all of you Samoan people should be damn proud of any association with this delectable cookie). I tediously unwrapped 50 caramels and toasted a bag of flaked coconut tonight in preparation for this baking experiment.<br />
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Thanks to Mama Sully, I have a gorgeous container of Paperwhite bulbs sprouting in my kitchen. Next to cooking, gardening is my favorite hobby and it is so nice to be able to watch flowers bloom in the dead of winter. I'll be sure to post updates on their progress!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3gF89t_46s/TuUxY5Y5KvI/AAAAAAAAALo/eMCEQu5Mq_c/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3gF89t_46s/TuUxY5Y5KvI/AAAAAAAAALo/eMCEQu5Mq_c/s320/IMG_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-57639817368725541782011-11-29T20:41:00.001-05:002011-11-29T20:43:39.144-05:00Besame mucho!It was Italian night in our house last night. For me, that just means cooking meatballs and speaking with an atrocious Italian accent (as in "passa me the moozadella"). While I am not a big fan of pasta (don't get me started, noodles are not my thing), I love tomato sauce. Paired with meatballs or chicken cutlets, tomato sauce is a staple in the D-family's household pantry. I have made my own version of Giada DeLaurentiis's turkey meatballs. The only reason I stray from the original recipe is because of what I do (or do not) have available in my pantry!<br />
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These turkey poultryballs are so fab that you'll never miss ground beef, and that's a promise! While I am no Italian, I am related to a few and they also are big supporters of the turkey meatball (shout out to Sara and Joe!). Here's the dynamite recipe ( a variation of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mini-turkey-meatballs-recipe/index.html">Giada's original</a>):<br />
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1 package of ground turkey ( I use extra lean, but if you want more flavor - do otherwise!)<br />
2 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
2 Tablespoons milk<br />
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs<br />
1/3 cup parmesan cheese<br />
3 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley OR 1 teaspoon dried parsley<br />
pinch of salt and pepper<br />
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Mix all ingredients by hand in a large bowl. Roll tablespoon size turkey balls and set aside (should be enough for 12-18 balls). Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Working in batches of 5 or 6, cook on each side for 3 minutes. Keep cooked turkey balls in the oven on 200 to keep warm. Serve over spaghetti and homemade tomato sauce (I promise I'll follow up with my easy-peasy tomato recipe!).<br />
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Even Mona wanted a taste!<br />
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Voila! Wait... that's not right, "Ecco!" (I think?) Either way, enjoy!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-89159490308180175912011-11-24T08:08:00.000-05:002011-11-24T08:08:52.205-05:00The DilemmaHappy Thanksgiving! If you can believe it, I am up early to finish baking before heading to the Earn Your Turkey 5k in Wakefield Center! And boy am I going to need that run before digging into the goodies that await later today. Look at this decadent goodness -<br />
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I offered to bring dessert to my mother-in-law's for Turkey Day. Now I need to give you some background info before delving right into my list of desserts. My own family is one of tradition. We've had the same 10 foods at every holiday meal, and dessert is not something we alter. My grandmother's pies are a staple, as they should be - they are heaven in your mouth! We have an array of homemade apple, pumpkin (actually, we only refer to this as squash), chocolate cream, pecan and (gasp!) mincemeat (for the strong stomachs). As tradition dictates, plenty of vanilla ice cream and homemade whipped cream is served on the side. And then I got married...<br />
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My husband's family is NOT one of tradition, though I am not sure they are even aware of this fact. While they do stick to the "basic" turkey (fried, of course) for dinner, dessert is another matter. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the dining room on my first Thanksgiving with the in-laws 3 years ago to find NOT ONE PIE ON THE TABLE! Instead there was an array of cheesecakes, Christmas cookies, brownies, chocolate covered pretzel and ... Jell-o? Yes, Jell-o. For a moment I wasn't sure we were celebrating the correct holiday.<br />
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Since that first holiday spent with my in-laws, I have seen the occasional pie or two, but it is by no means a staple to the D-family's Thanksgiving. While I miss my Grandma's squash pie, I have to say, a slice of Turtle Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory is really not so bad.<br />
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When I offered to make dessert for today I put a lot of thought into my decision. If I was traveling to my own family's Thanksgiving I would have whipped up a variation on tradition - maybe a pumpkin streusal pie or an apple crisp. But for the in-law's I had to take a tradition and make it completely un-traditional. And so... the <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/candy-bar-pie-10000001806866/">Candy Bar Pie</a>. A perfect blend of tradition and downright rebellion.<br />
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I got this recipe from a co-worker just yesterday as I was in a panic about what to bring! She told me about this pie and I knew it would fit right in o the D-family's holiday table. It's pretty simple, and I highly recommend making it with an old family pie crust recipe (my Grandma's is so flaky!). The refrigerated Pillsbury pie crusts work well too if you are in a hurry.<br />
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Grandma Sully's Pie Dough<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
3/4 c shortening<br />
3 T cold water<br />
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Sift dry ingredients. Add 1/2 c shortening and knead until fine. Add the final 1/4 cup shortening and knead until less fine. Gradually add 1 Tablespoon of water at a time until the sough is a comfortable consistency. Chill 1 hour before rolling.<br />
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Have a happy Thanksgiving! I'l leave you with some fun first grade level Thanksgiving facts -<br />
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Did you know the main course of the first Thanksgiving consisted of deer, lobster and clams?<br />
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In fact, the Wampanoags in a way, crashed the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims invited Massasoit to join them for a harvest feast, not knowing he would bring along 90 of his closest friends!<br />
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The first Thanksgiving lasted for THREE DAYS. It was changed because the coined term Black Friday sounded much better than Black Sunday, which is easily confused with Black Sabbath, not appropriate for a holiday soundtrack. Enjoy!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-79987749568460951202011-11-17T21:59:00.000-05:002011-11-17T21:59:32.090-05:00A Clean SweepYikes! I actually did it - deleted my entire blog and started over! I actually <b><u>deleted</u></b> over 2 years of time consuming blogging (which was very well written I might add). Sometime though, hitting the delete button causes just as much relief as stress. I'm still trying to decide what direction I want to go in with this new set up. Wow! Such freedom! Shall I write about school? Housewifery? What strange thing my neighbors are up to this week? With a new blog, I could write about it all! The one thing I know that will come up regularly is... food! Baking, cooking, serving and eating - it's all too good to pass up!<br />
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One thing I would really love is a new camera so that I can take pictures of the goodies I am whipping up (and putting down!). Maybe Santa will bring me something special... One thing that really pushed me in the direction of re-vamping (pun intended) my blog is this - tonight is the opening of the fourth installment of the Twilight movies, Breaking Dawn.<br />
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That was a joke, I was simply bored! But hey, this new template is looking pretty good, though I am still unsure about the font, is this making anyone else dizzy?<br />
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Enough small talk. Onto food, this is the creative genius of a constantly Rumbling Tummy, after all. I promise a festive Thanksgiving entry before T-Day (c'mon people, Turkey Day). BTW (Mom, that means "by the way"), my *firsties are putting on a Thanksgiving skit in honor of Abraham Lincoln (don't know of his contribution to Thanksgiving? Check it out <a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm">here</a>!). We will have included in the audience the K-8th grade students and teacher, parents and 29 Korean teachers visiting from Seoul (don't ask, but for this reason we will be "singing" a song in sign language, which is universal... right??). So, the pressure is on. After Tuesday I'll be much more rested and ready to post. Until then, have a snack.<br />
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*firsties = first graders, but a much cuter way to say it!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165539754178886700.post-20323896915709659732011-11-15T21:12:00.002-05:002011-11-15T21:12:58.172-05:00New and ImprovedGiven the fact that I teach first graders by choice you should know that I have a short attention span. Therefore... new blog, new design!<br />
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I needed a refreshing change. Hope you like it!Mary Catehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973593069253151414noreply@blogger.com0