Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner can certainly cause angst especially if time is limited. Procrastinating only increases this feeling. Yep, this is me! My best advice (to myself and anyone else) is to create a schedule. And depending how much you need to accomplish, you may begin this schedule several weeks out from your first guest arrival. I include housecleaning, decorating, menu’s (if multiple meals for guests), shopping, baking, table setting, and main meal preparation. I get pretty detailed. This really helps. And a glass of Pinot Noir helps too!
My daughter is carrying on the tradition of a beautifully set table. It just makes the food taste better. That’s not my opinion, apparently there’s research on the subject!
One of Will’s favorites for breakfast! My oldest son is a little more particular now that he’s decades older. This doesn’t mean the taste of this favorite has changed. BUT the presentation has. The white bread has been replaced with any number of breads depending on our mood or availability. Cranberry Nut and Raisin Bread are favorites. Really dress this up with sanding sugar or pearlized sugar crystals (not too many) for that special brunch or breakfast. This is really simple and on the table in about 15 minutes. That’s pretty important especially for those Holiday breakfasts when you need to get family out of the kitchen fast, and move on to dressing the turkey. Enjoy!
Dan and David have done it again. My brother, Dan, has been cooking Deep Pit Style for decades. It’s always for a special event where there’s going to be a big crowd. It began with the Willitts’ Pump Company Christmas Celebration. Now he’s asked to do this for wedding receptions, picnics and school or church functions. Even a rodeo! David, his youngest, has taken these photos, and provided much help too. David’s our family’s official chef.
Dan’s going to tell us about the materials to use and how to use them to achieve the right temperature and cook to perfection!
Dan’s going to tell us about the materials to use and how to use them to achieve the right temperature and cook to perfection!
It’s that time! I have the full instructions. This is pretty foolproof. But Dan has some funny stories about first timers. Like a friend who had hoped for succulent pit style turkeys for a Thanksgiving celebration. The pit hadn’t been successfully sealed and the fire kept smoldering. When the pit cover was opened hours later only ash was left. It’s important to bring the dirt right to the very outside edges of the metal pit, the complete depth, as seen here. Otherwise air will leak into the interior and the fire will continue.
Just to clarify, we are cooking with hot ash/coals and with the heated surrounding earth. Not flame. With this said know the initial fire is key. In this 30″ diameter by 40″ deep pit Dan makes a hot oakwood or other hardwood fire and maintains this hot flaming fire for 8 to 10 hours, usually starting at 6am. Once this fire is well underway the pit is filled to the top with hardwood adding more wood as the day progresses. (Do not use pinewood.) After the 8-10 hours of burning, the coals are ready for the meat. (During the fire preparation have your burlap bags soaking in a large bucket of water for the same amount of hours.) Dan places (drops it carefully) a 26″ diameter metal plate over the ash … Lowers the wrapped meat with a hook (wrapping discussed later) onto the metal plate … Places a lid over the top of the metal pit to totally cover … And covers the lid and immediate surrounding area with dirt, packing it tightly to keep air out. Follow this packing with a good sprinkle of water. The fire and burning coals inside will eventually go out. The meat can stay in this underground oven 24 hours without overcooking or becoming cold. If the meat is placed into the pit at say 5pm it can be removed the following day anywhere from 10am to 6pm.
Showing off what Our Family does best! Celebrating (a little wine, a little beer), decorating, barbecuing and enjoying each other’s company. Yep, the traditional Fourth of July meal too, hot dogs and hamburgers!
Missy’s blog is up and going strong! See the latest styles coming out of LA and Orange County. You can shop right on her blog! When she says she is a lifestyle blogger her interests cover her home as well. She’s going to be showing home remodeling in the near future. And while she’s a bit private expect a little about family too.
Missy, my daughter, has always been my role model. Ha! Typically the other way around with mothers and daughters.
Enjoying these is just minutes away. Make both without hassle. The recipes are almost exact. Yet they’re deliciously different. Can you imagine … Not everyone in our family likes brownies! Bake the dough in a lift out bottom pan, tart pan, to make it easy to use your heart shaped cookie cutter.
What a great day to whip up a special treat! Here are some of my favorites or are they his favorites! Any one of these recipes will make Valentine’s Day special. From red wine sauce over ice cream to amazing waffles … it’s the perfect day to try out an incredibly simple delicious recipe. Hey, even if it’s just for you!
This is my absolute favorite Decorated Cookie Recipe. It tastes like a mini-cake. Decadent! If your sweetheart is not into coconut … it’s still amazing!
Oatmeal Raspberry Cookies Just so you know, this is no backup! You know what I mean, don’t you? Who wants a backup! Different look, different taste but oh so delicious! Oatmeal Raspberry Valentine’s Day Cookies
