| Welcome to my home. Happy Thanksgiving Week In our family, we have an annual discussion about making something new and exciting, a different recipe at least, for Thanksgiving Dinner. We each argue for the one or two things that have to stay the same and by the end of the planning, we have come up with–the same menu. This means we have to have Sarah’s Green Bean Casserole and Len’s (e)Scarole Soup, and Megan’s Creamed onions and Corn pudding and of course stuffing and turkey and gravy and sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes. And pies. And cranberry sauce. We just can’t seem to break free and declare we are having something totally different. I guess we can leave the lobster dinners, to those who will enjoy them more. You will find us stuffed next Thursday. In Cooking This Week Recipe of the Week-Thanksgiving Flat Bread This week I am featuring a bread I often make at Thanksgiving. This replaces the old cranberry quick bread from the back of the Ocean Spray cranberry bag. our copy should address 3 key questions: It is a yeasted bread but requires no kneading, just a bit of patience as it rises first at room temperature, then is refrigerated for a few hours to make it easy to handle. It is perfect for baking at the last minute when the turkey is finished baking and resting. It is also good if made early in the day, or on a different day altogether. You can see the possibilities for variations, too, Roll whatever sounds good into it and bake- grated cheese and parsley, rosemary, and garlic, you get the idea. Thanksgiving Flat Bread Make the dough several hours in advance, You need a cast iron pan-10 or 12 inches should both work for this. Grease it on the sides and bottom with about three tablespoons of softened butter, lard, or bacon grease. Or use a neutral-tasting oil (avocado, etc). Mix together 1½ teaspoons of instant yeast, 1½ teaspoons salt, ½ cup cornmeal, and 1 ¾ cups flour. Add one cup of lukewarm water. Stir together and let sit at room temperature for about two hours. You can use it immediately at this point or refrigerate it for several hours, which makes it easier to handle. To prepare the bread, Roll the dough onto a counter or breadboard, shape it into a ball, using a little more flour if needed. Flatten the ball to ½ inch. Sprinkle the dough evenly with ½ cup fresh or dried cranberries (I like the taste of the fresh berries, dried are sweeter and also good).Sprinkle dough with 4 tablespoons sugar and the grated zest of an orange (another citrus would work too). Roll up like a jelly roll to incorporate these and then reshape into a ball and flatten to fit the size of your cast iron pan. Allow the bread to rest for about an hour. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. When ready, heat the skillet and bread on medium heat for a minute to get things started and really heat up the pan. Place in the oven and bake for about 20-30 mins. The loaf should be a rich yellow-brown when it is finished. I like to leave it in the pan and cut it into narrow wedges in the pan.   In Writing This Week I wrote a story about my long relationship with Don A Conventional Husband is Highly Overrated – So Who’s Complaining After 52 Years? Read more here What is the Meaning of Life? Am I Finally Ready to Give up on This Question?In my Seventies, I have different priorities Read the story here I have added another story in my series about piano practice: The Greatest Challenge is to Remain Attentive and Practice Effectively Through the Entire Hour I succeed some of the time Read the story here What is it About November That Chills the Blood? A Seventyish Woman watches the dark ascend. Read the story here Five Common Habits That Lower Your Chance of Satisfaction in Your Senior Years Read the story here 5 Things for Older and Wiser Americans to Consider About the Upcoming Holiday Season A Seventyish Woman’s — perhaps old fashioned — perspective read about this here   Would You Rather Have an Autographed Paperback Copy of Dear Milly? Sure you can get my book on Amazon as an ebook or paperback. But if you’d rather have me autograph it, I will mail you a paper copy. Just $20, postage included. Email me at empowermepeople@gmail.com for info. OR Here’s the Amazon link to Dear Milly Dear Milly: a love story ’til the end of time’ I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving Want to get in touch with me? empowermepeople@gmail.com |
Jean Feldeisen 