Tasty Thursday: breakfast for a crowd

Oh, Thanksgiving is almost here!! I don’t cook the turkey on this holiday (but my tip if you’re roasting it is to roast it upside down – then all the juices from the dark meat run into the breast). I do cook a side and some desserts and this is the one holiday where I don’t vary much from year to year in what I contribute to the feast:

• Pumpkin Squares
• Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
• Corn Bread & Sausage Dressing

I also have delicious recipes for pecan pie squares and pumpkin cookies. After all, I’ve been writing this blog for more than five years – that’s a lot of opportunities to talk about food!

This year though I’d like to talk about the holiday breakfast. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving you might find yourself with a houseful of family the morning after the holiday and they’re not going to want to eat leftovers for breakfast. Here’s an idea that feeds a group of people (and is also quite tasty for dinner – in fact, we’re having it for dinner tonight).

Andouille Breakfast Skillet

2-3 TB olive oil
2 russet or large red potatoes, peeled & shredded
1 sweet potato, peeled & shredded
1 medium red onion, diced
1 poblano chili, seeded & diced
1 bell pepper, diced
12 oz cooked Andouille sausage, chopped
12 eggs
2 cups shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Heat oil in one large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat and cook the potatoes, onion and peppers until golden brown – 8 minutes on one side and then flip for another 8 minutes. I salt & pepper the veggies while they are cooking.

3. Stir up the potato mixture and add sausage. Cook until sausage is heated through, about 5 minutes.

4. Make 12 indentations with the back of a spoon in the potato-sausage mixture. Carefully break eggs into each indentation. Put the skillet in the oven (if your skillet handle isn’t oven-proof, wrap it in foil first) and bake until eggs are set – 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and put back in oven for another 2 minutes to melt the cheese.

---

Want some make-ahead breakfast ideas to feed a crowd? Check out this breakfast recipe round-up.

firing up the urgency

Still trying to keep things at a slow, relaxed pace around here. Giving the kids plenty of free time, snuggling up to read a stack of books we just picked out at the library, taking the oldest to a movie she’s been dying to see. But in the back of my mind I have a nagging voice that is saying…

– laundry! you are days behind in the laundry
– presents! you haven’t wrapped a single present yet
– cookies! where are the Christmas cookies – you haven’t baked any
– food! and you’re about to run out of milk & bread. Not to mention ingredients for the cookies and Christmas dinner
– cleaning! you haven’t done a thorough cleaning in a week and people will be here in a matter of days
– work! you have a h-u-g-e work deadline looming

The nagging voice started as a slight whisper on our trip home from Christmas at the grandparents. It picked up some volume after a very lazy Monday morning. I’m trying my best to ignore it but I can’t completely, I just can’t. So, today I’m hoping to take care of some of those nagging thoughts but I’m also really hoping for a 90 minute break in the middle to watch a Christmas movie with the kiddos. Balance – it’s all about the balance these days. (here’s hoping I don’t find myself pulling an all-nighter later this week when the nagging voices get the better of me)

tis the week before Christmas

Dear Santa,

My six year old woke up the other day, climbed in my lap for a hug and in all seriousness told me that he thinks you have cameras in every Santa picture, ornament or figurine and that’s how you can keep an eye on us. If that’s true then you’ve probably already noticed that I’m trying to keep things a little more low key than usual around here.

The timing of Christmas has worked out so that we don’t have to go anywhere or do anything over the kids’ break. I’m not sure I’ve ever left a winter break so loosely planned. I’m sure we’ll take at least one trip to Chicago for some fun. I would like to treat the kids to a movie some afternoon. But I’m going to try very hard to give them a relaxing break filled with some family bonding and true resting.

Cookie baking. Puzzle making. Picture coloring. Book reading.

These are the things I’m wishing for this Christmas. So, Santa if you’re watching me through this collection of Santas on the shelves behind my desk please help remind me to leave the computer from time to time. To spend a few hours soaking up time with these kids. Perhaps to even slow down and relax myself.

We’ll have your favorite cookies out on Christmas Eve. Safe travels!

Sincerely,

Quick Like A Bunny – trying valiantly to slow down for a few days

food thursday: the holiday party

For years, my husband & I held an annual eggnog fest. Some of those parties were legendary in their own right but when we moved a few years ago the parties died down. This year – we are resurrecting the fest with a shiny new theme: Christmas Cocktails! Which brings me to the topic of today’s food post:

How to plan a holiday party
Just because it’s the holidays people think they need to come up with some sort of elaborate festivities. Not true! You can have a holiday party that is very fun, works for all ages and doesn’t involve huge effort or crazy ingredients.

Step 1: Pick a date. The holidays are crazy for everyone so be flexible – Sunday afternoon parties can be fun too you know.

Step 2: Come up with the beverages. We will be having eggnog, red martinis (cosmos and peppermint – not in the same glass, that would be gross… there will be two separate red options) and green martinis (midori). The kids will be having something equally festive like red punch. Don’t feel like alcohol at your shindig? How about hot cider?

Step 3: Plan a menu and ask your guests to pitch-in. It’s more fun that way and less work for you. My suggestion for a lively holiday party: small plates! A feast of appetizers is a great way to celebrate the holidays. Why? It’s not nearly as stressful as a meal – and this time of year, it’s nice to have something that is more focused on the gathering & celebrating than the preparing. Plus, it’s something different; it provides a variety of tastes for all palates; and it’s fun!

Here’s a menu to get you started:
For the kids (though they are welcome to share in all the goodies, most kids will want a few more kid-friendly options on the buffet): homemade chicken fingers, pizza rolls, mini pigs in blankets.

For everyone: chicken satay with various dipping sauces (don’t be intimidated by the name, it’s chicken tenderloins on a stick), meatballs, tomato bread, stuffed mushrooms, veggies, cheese & crackers.

For dessert: stick with the small bites theme – mini sundae cups, cookies, brownie bites.

We’ll be having some of the above and a few other things at my party this weekend. But the main ingredient for our party? Getting together. Our Christmas Cocktails is focused on good friends relaxing and celebrating together. You know what it’s not focused on? Worries about what to wear, trying to find a babysitter, or if we have enough fancy place settings.

Ho – Ho – Ho! Let the party begin!

the youngest always gets ripped-off

I first started taking K to see Santa when she was 3 years old. That was the first year she really got some Christmas spirit – she was in love with the whole notion of Santa, Christmas and everything. We lived in Indy then, so our Santa of choice was the one at the Children’s Museum. My kids will be the first to tell you – that Santa is the real one.

My kids are well aware that even with his magic, Santa can’t be everywhere at once. He has lots of helper Santas and each night they call or email the North Pole to register the requests they’ve heard. That never mattered much, because we always went to see the real one. Even after we moved two hours away, we still visited Santa at the Children’s Museum and it was worth the drive and wait every year.

Then this year we had a lot of stuff going on while in Indy the weekend after Thanksgiving. Our traditional Children’s Museum visit and Santa chat didn’t make the cut. And I found myself not so worried about it since only one of three children are still true believers. No big deal – there’s a free Santa every Saturday in our little town, I thought. We’ll just head to the courthouse square and pop in to see him. I’m sure it’s quaint and will be just as good.

Well… it was free. There was no waiting involved at all. Santa and Mrs. Claus were perfectly nice (particularly since my camera was acting up and we had to take our group shot four times before one actually worked). But his beard was obviously fake. J said you could even see the ‘sticky stuff’ attaching it to his face and the wig to Mrs Claus’ head. Sigh…

He’s only six years old and I’ve taken away some of the magic. He knew instantly that this was not the real Santa. You could tell when he talked to him that he was just playing along. It broke my heart a little bit.

I redeemed myself the next morning however when a personalized video message from Santa Claus was found in my email inbox. There was the man in red talking directly to J. He told J that Santa knew he was working hard to be a better listener at school. He showed J the book with J’s name, picture and other important stats. Santa even commented on the nice summer vacation we had this year. J was in awe. He stared at my computer screen with his mouth wide open – nodding when Santa asked him a question. Santa even had a picture of exactly what J requested for Christmas and told him that if he keeps up the good work, he’ll probably see it under the tree on Christmas morning.

When it was over, J looked at me and said “Mom that helper Santa must have called the North Pole right after we saw him – he did a really good job.” Christmas wonder re-established.

If you’ve got a child in the 3-8 age range, this video message is fantastic! It’s totally free and you customize it with enough detail that it is honestly convincing. Very, very fun idea: The Portable North Pole. And heck, even if you’re not in that age range – it’s still a fun way to spread a little Christmas cheer.