Holiday: Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year Thanksgiving Day falls late in November. If you read our blog from last year then you know all about our family traditions for Thanksgiving. It is a fun day starting with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Family, Football and Food, Food, Food.

http://doubledeckersistercooks.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html

The main dish for Thanksgiving is always always always TURKEY!!!

This year Connie & Jenn both decided to make "Turkey" appetizers.
Jenn made a Turkey out of fruit...

"Turkey" Fruit, Cheese & Veggie Platter

You will need:

• 1 pear (for the head)
• 1 cantaloupe or melon (for the body)
• red grapes (for the tail feathers)
• cheddar cheese chunks (for the beak and tail feathers)
• red bell peppers (for the feet and side feathers)
• toothpicks
• bamboo skewers

First you will need to cut a slice off the cantaloupe so that it is stable. Set it on a serving platter. Then attach the pear to the melon with a bamboo skewer as shown below. Then attach raisins as the eyes with toothpicks. Once finished with that cut a red pepper as the gobbler and a triangle cube of cheese as the beak.

Next, attach grapes and cheese cubes to a bamboo skewer and attach them to the cantaloupe as the tail feathers. then using toothpicks attach the peppers to the cantaloupe as side feathers. Finally create feet using the bell peppers. See my finished product below. It took me under an hour to create this festive appetizer dish. I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I do.

 

 

And we both made rolls, with a special twist.

Thankful Rolls

 

 

As your family gathers around the table to give thanks these "thankful rolls" will help spread thanks.

You will need:



• Pillsbury crescent rolls (1 can)
• Foil or Parchment Paper
• A page of thankful notes and/or questions, cut to fit inside rolls

This is so easy! There are many ways to do this, you can have everyone write a note of what they are thankful for on a piece of paper. Everyone will have a 'thankful" note to read at the table. BONUS: make a game out of it & try to guess who wrote the note you got.

We chose to make a list of thankful statements for guests to read or questions to answer. Here are a few of the ideas we used:

• I am thankful for _____________ . (have the guest answer)
• My favorite part of Thanksgiving is _____________________ .
• My favorite food at Thanksgiving is _____________________ .
• We are thankful for ________ the wonderful host.
• We are thankful for the Pilgrims & Indians celebration of good harvest in 162.
• Thank you for the food before us, the love between us and the friends & family beside us.
• Happy Thanksgiving!

When making your rolls cover the "thankful" paper in foil or parchment paper before rolling.  Then follow the directions on the crescent roll package or you can create a homestyle roll.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!
Until we blog again, Happy Thanksgiving Day, XoXo Connie & Jenn

Food: Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal

First off we want to say happy Monday and week of Thanksgiving. This blog post was inspired by wanting a change to our morning breakfast. We often get sick of having the same thing over & over so we always look for new recipes. We found a way to spice up your normal oatmeal recipe and wanted to share with you all. This is perfect for the week of Thanksgiving. 

Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal

Ingredients you will need:
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup of Steel Cut Oats (Trader Joe's)
1 LARGE Tbsp. pure pumpkin, canned
1 Tbsp pecans toasted & chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
a pinch of  nutmeg
a pinch of ground cloves
1 tsp brown sugar





In a saucepan over high heat bring water to a boil, add in oats and lower heat to medium stirring for about 90 seconds. Then stir in the pumpkin and the remaining ingredients. Keep stirring for about 6 more minutes. Once done, pour into serving bowl, let cool and enjoy your fall morning oatmeal treat.

Until we blog again, Happy Fall, XoXo Connie & Jenn

Event: The Fit Foodie 5k

The San Diego Fit Foodie 5k is a 3.1 mile race along the Bay. This was the first year of the race and I'm really happy I signed up. Doing a race is such a great way to start your Saturday morning. The view was amazing all along our run because it was along the waterfront.

 

 

 

After the race we got water, breakfast yogurt, granola, mini smoothies, beer and wine tastings and a lot of other food samples at the "finisher's village". Which is a mini San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival area. That area was at the Hilton San Diego Bay Front. We got A LOT of goodies! The shirts are awesome too, "will run for food".

 

 

Cooking Light and Health Magazines were there providing cooking demonstrations, Yoga, Dance & Fitness Exercises and food tastings.

 

 

Citi, Health Magazine & Cooking Light Magazine were the main sponsors of the event and they had a booths set up for all the racers. One of our favorite booths was the Cupcake Vineyards booth. Here is a photo of my friend Kelly & I after our race.

For more details & if you want to do it next year visit their website: http://www.sandiegowineclassic.com/thefitfoodie.html

I always feel good running and knowing the race is benefiting a good cause. This race benefits Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Until we blog again, Stay Fit, XoXo Sister Cook Jenn

Food: Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Are you wondering, "What the heck is bread pudding?" Well it's basically an old fashioned dairy based dessert. This is a yummy recipe is perfect for the week before Thanksgiving. To make the Pumpkin Bread Pudding you will need:

• 4 cups of white bread cut into cubes
• 4 eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp Brandy or Rum
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Dry bread cubes on cookie sheet in oven 10 - 15 minutes, then place bread cubes in pan.

In a large mixing bowl stir together everything except butter & bread crumbs. Once creamed pour mixture over breadcrumbs. Let sit for 10 minutes until bread is fully soaked.

Dab butter slices over top. 

Bake 40 - 50 minutes until the bread pudding mixture is set in center. Make sure you do not cook too long or it will be dry. You may add whip cream & cinnamon to top for added sweetness.

Until we blog again, Enjoy your bread pudding, XoXo, Connie & Jenn

Food: Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

A scrumptious winter soup.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 1 stick butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 cups half & half
• 1 large head broccoli or 1  frozen package 
• 3 cups cheddar cheese
• 4 cups broth
• salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne pepper

 

1) First things first, pour yourself a glass of wine!

Personally, I love to cook while enjoying a glass of my favorite vino.

 

2) Steam or boil broccoli until just cooked.

Then chop into smaller pieces. This is where a mini food processor comes in handy.

I also did this with the onion because my husband likes the flavor, but will only eat anything with onions if he can't see them.

3) Next, heat butter in saucepan.

 

4) Add onion & cook until translucent.

 

5) Mix in flour.

Then add broth and half & half, heating until just boiling and thickened. 

Then add broccoli.

 

7) Next, add cheese, stirring until melted.

 

 7) Lastly, season with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper (if you like).

 

Enjoy!

 

Until next time, XoXo

Sister Cooks Connie & Jenn

 

Party: Baby Shower Ideas

These past few years have been the years of babies. A lot of our friends have been having little ones and that has inspired us to create this blog entry. This is mainly for anyone going to a shower and deciding what to get, throwing a baby shower or having a baby & deciding what kind of shower you want.

 

A few ideas for a luncheon are to rent a space at a restaurant and have a full service luncheon with custom menus or have a lunch of your choice at someone's home.

Baby Shower Location Ideas:

Restaurant of your choice

Luncheon at a friend or family member's home

 

 

 

Baby Shower Game Ideas:

You will want to have at least 1 game or activity for guests to complete that revolves around babies.
 

*Have guests create a onesie
 

 

Other Ideas:

*children's books trivia with a prize

*Photobooth fun

 

 

What to serve at a Baby Shower:

Usually serve something light and have a dessert of some sort.

Salad bar

Sandwich bar

Cake, cupcakes or pastries

 

 

Baby Shower Gift Ideas:

 

Diaper Cake
 

(we made this cake with our mom using an easy YouTube instruction video, couldn't find the exact one we used, but there's a bunch out there)

 

 

TuTu

 

 

 

The host can have each guest bring an outfit for the baby & hang it up as bonus décor.

 

 

Baby Shower Gift Station:

Pick a nice area for the Mother to Be to open her gifts and make sure she is comfortable.

 

 (Host Amanda Wolcik)
 

We hope you liked our ideas on how to throw a successful baby shower.

 

Until we blog again, XoXo, Connie & Jenn

Food: Zucchini Farfalle

Food: Zucchini Farfalle

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked organic farfalle

3 cups low fat/1% cottage cheese

A dash of basil, oregano, tarragon, garlic salt & pepper

1 large (or 3 small) shredded zucchini's

1 can diced salt-free tomatoes

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup black olives, sliced

 

Directions:

Prepare Farfalle according to package, drain & set aside. Grate zucchini using a cheese grater.

PRE-HEAT oven to 375 degrees.

Line a baking safe dish with cottage cheese & spices, add the Farfalle and sliced Zucchini. Add in tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and top with black olives.

 

 

 

Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Or until dish is cooked throughout and cheese is slightly golden. Let cool, then serve up and enjoy. This dish will taste fresh and fill you up.

 

Until we blog again, XoXo, Connie & Jenn

Food: Cinderella Cheesecake

Who doesn't love peanut butter & chocolate? Want to make everyone's fairytales come true? Well, what are you waiting for bake this CINDERELLA CHEESECAKE at your next event !!!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups creamy peanut butter

You can either buy or make your pie crust. I chose to buy a pre made chocolate pie crust. The directions for the cheesecake filling is below.

Directions:
Beat cream cheese and 1 cup brown sugar at medium speed with a hand mixer until blended. (You may do this by hand it will just take a lot longer for it to get fully mixed and creamy). Add 3 eggs 1 at a time, beating until yellow yolk fully disappears. Beat in sour cream until fully mixed then beat in peanut butter until all ingredients are mixed up.

Pour filling into the crust, leave a little room for the Sour Cream Topping in the crust. Bake at 350 degrees or until center is almost set.

Remove pie from oven. Spread the Sour Cream Topping (directions below) over center of cheesecake, leaving a small border around the edge. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 -2 more minutes. Remove from oven, let cool completely.

Sour Cream Topping
Stir together 3/4 cup sour cream and 2 tsp granulated sugar in a small bowl until smooth.

Cover & chill 8 - 12 hours. Top with chocolate baking kisses and enjoy!

Until we blog again, enjoy your pie, XoXo Connie & Jenn

Event: The Electric Run

The electric Run (http://electricrun.com/) is a 5k race that took place at the Del Mar Racetrack on November 9th, 2013 to support the Boys & Girls club. The Run was at night and the whole trail along the track was lit up and glowed. Our team name was, "Shine Bright Like a Diamond".

 

The shirts we created: I (Jenn) bought 5 matching team shirts & created a design to go on the front of our shirts. I (Jenn) took them to a local screen print shop, "The James Gang" in Ocean Beach, CA to get them made, they were about $10 each. Here is how they turned out.

 

The race was so much fun. I want to do it every year it comes to San Diego. At the starting line they tossed out a bunch of "glow" items down to the crowd like rings, necklaces, big wands and other glowing items. Once the race starts you run through different "glowing" stations/LED light areas. It was awesome!!

 

 

 

 

Here is a photo to sum up my experience at the Electric Run event:

Until we blog again, Keep Racing, Xoxo Connie & Jenn!