Daisy Chains and Picnics

(Does anyone else find it difficult to get a decent photo of a brown Turkey!!, believe me, it tasted better than it looks 😁) Another recipe from The Christmas movie cookbook. This one is from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold is at it again, trying to create the perfect Christmas surrounded by his slightly dysfunctional extended family. Not unexpectedly loads of mishaps ensue, and the holiday dinner culminates with the overcooked, dry turkey cracking wide open. This turkey recipe uses dry brining for a moist flavourful bird. Fresh turkey's are ideal; otherwise, thawing time must be built into your schedule if using a frozen one. Ingredients 3 tbsp kosher salt 3 tbsp dark brown sugar 1 tbsp dried sage 2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp paprika 1 12-14 pound whole  fresh turkey 2 cups water 2 tbsp olive oil Method 1.  In a small bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, sage, black pepper and paprika. 2.  Remove giblets and neck from turkey. Place the turkey in...

I bought the Christmas Movie cookbook a few years ago. I have made a couple of the recipes, so decided to make another. This recipe is from the movie ELF. Buddy the Elf pours maple syrup over his bowl of spaghetti to the horror of his stepmum and the delight of his stepbrother. Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 large, sweet onions,  finely chopped 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 2 tbsp dried Italian seasoning 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp fine sea salt 1/2 cup red wine 6lbs fresh ripe tomatoes coarsely chopped and deseeded 2 tsp sugar (optional) hot cooked spaghetti  for serving freshly grated Parmesan  for serving chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil for serving Method 1.  Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over a medium-high heat. Add onions. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, cocoa powder, red pepper f...

  I love themed cookbooks and trying the recipes. This recipe is from the Disney Villains cookbook. These drumsticks would fit right in on the menu at Gaston's favourite tavern!. They're the perfect dinner to satisfy a hearty appetite. Ingredients 8 chicken drumsticks 3 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, grated 1 tsp lemon zest 2 tbsp mixed herbs 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper Method 1.  Heat oven to 220° C. Fit a baking tray with a baking rack. 2.  In a large bowl, toss together all the ingredients until the chicken is evenly coated. Arrange the pieces on the rack. Bake until golden and crispy, about 40 minutes. Serve immediately. I made these for Halloween. STAY WICKEDLY GOOD!

  This recipe is from the Disney Villains cookbook. The queen used an apple to cast a spell, but the fruit in this recipe supplies nothing more than a touch of sweetness to an already yummy golden soup. Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1 large onion 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 garlic cloves,  minced 1 tsp grated fresh ginger 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper About 6 cups butternut squash, chopped 2 medium apples,  peeled, chopped 4 cups chicken broth Method 1.  In a large pot over a medium heat, melt the butter and oil. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, salt and pepper, cook for 1 minute. Stir in the squash and apples, then add the broth. 2.  Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, then let cook until vegetables are completely softened, about 12 minutes. 3.  Use a blender to puree the soup in batches. Serve im...

If there's no problem that can't be solved with a little cheesecake, that must mean there's no international crisis that can't be solved with a double fudge chocolate cheesecake! This latest recipe from The Golden Girls cookbook is one of Rose's. For the crust 1 packet Nabisco famous chocolate wafers 1/3 cup sugar 5 tbsp melted butter,  at room temperature 1/4 tsp salt Method 1.  First eat a few of the cookies!. You know you will anyway. Then grind the cookies and sugar in a food processor until very fine, stopping once or twice to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Set 2 tbsp of the crumb mixture aside and move the rest of the crumb mixture to a 10-inch nonstick spring form pan. Using a flat bottom glass wrapped in clingfilm, make an even layer of crust across the bottom of the pan, working the crumbs outward toward the sides of the pan. Then, with the sides of a glass, press the crumbs about 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Place the cake pan on a baking shee...

No, we're not talking about Rose and her St. Olaf neighbours, we're talking about the classic mix of pork and beef meatballs with a simple dill sauce. This recipe from The Golden Girls cookbook is one of Rose's. Rose's cooking is perfect for hearty appetites. Ingredients for the meatballs 1 tbsp butter 1 cup finely chopped onions 3/4 cup bread crumbs or panko 1/4 cup milk 1lb ground pork 1lb ground beef 2 eggs 1 1/4 tsp fine sea salt 1/2 tsp ground allspice or nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground black pepper vegetable oil for browning on the stove Method 1.  Melt butter in a medium saute pan over low heat. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened but not brown, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the milk over the bread crumbs in a small bowl. Let stand, stirring once or twice, until you need them. 2.  Crumble the ground beef and pork into a large bowl. Crack in the eggs and sprinkle the salt, allspice or nutmeg, and pepper over the meats. Add the s...

Another delicious recipe from The Golden Girls cookbook. These cookies are one of Dorothy's recipes. These oat-y buttery treats, like most homemade cookies, best eaten warm. Rose loves them with a glass of cold milk; Dorothy has them with a cup of coffee or strong Earl grey tea. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not instant) 3/4 cup white whole-wheat flour 3/4 cup raisins 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 113g unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract Method 1.  Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick cooking oil. 2.  Stir oats, flour, raisins, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. 3.  Using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together in a medium bowl until fluffy-the batter will take on a lighter colour. Beat in the egg together with the vanilla extract. Stir the oat mixture into the butter mixture by hand. 4.  Use a tablespoon...

Not just for breakfast!. Seve them with roast chicken, meat loaf, or a burger. These were definitely on Rose's breakfast menu when Dorothy's friend Jean came to visit the girls and fell hard for Rose, much to Blanche's surprise. Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces 1 tbsp butter 1 large baked Russet potato, cut into 3/4-inch chunks Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method 1.  Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the butter and, when it has melted, add the potatoes. Season lightly with salt and pepper and gently stir, occasionally, until the potatoes are browned and crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, about 15 minutes. Adjust the heat as you cook so the onion doesn't burn. Go by the sound, you should hear a mild protest coming from the potatoes, not an all out frenzy. 2.  If serving right...

  An over the top yet delicious cocktail from The Golden Girls Drinks on the Lanai recipe book. I received this book as a Christmas gift one year and love it, but then again, I love anything to do with The Golden Girls, I am a huge fan. I decided to try one of Rose's cocktails first, this one is most certainly one of the most over the top in the garnish department but looked so awesome I just had to try and recreate it. Ingredients for 1 45 ml vodka 2 tsp dry sherry 2 tsp rich red wine 25 ml freshly squeezed  lemon juice generous few dashes hot sauce pinch celery salt freshly ground black pepper 90 ml tomato juice  pitted black olive, gherkin, cooked cooled prawn, fried bacon strip and celery stalk for garnish Method 1.  Combine the vodka, sherry, wine, lemon juice, hot sauce, celery salt and pepper in a large glass. Stir. Fill with ice. 2.  Check flavour and adjust to taste. 3.  Thread an olive, gherkin and prawn onto a long skewer with a strip of bacon an...