Tag Archives | Thanksgiving

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Twitter Party & Giveaway!

By on November 10, 2011 in Giveaways and Promotions

Join us tonight on Twitter as we share ideas for Thanksgiving #melaplanning. Toni will share some tips from her 12 Days of Thanksgiving series with make ahead dishes and tips to help you reduce Thanksgiving Day chaos!

As you know, we at The Organized Cook, love fresh and easy foods that reduce our prep time. In Salt Lake City on NBC last week, Toni shared the secret to her Mushroom Shallot Green Beans is the new Steamfresh bags from Birds Eye. You can watch the video below to start gathering other great tips on spending more time with your family and less time in the kitchen this Thanksgiving!

We are happy to give you the opportunity to try the new Steamfresh Vegetables from Birds Eye. Read below for how to win!

Prize: 

15 winners will receive 5 free product coupons for Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables (16 oz bag). Expiration 12/31/2011. Maximum value of $3.29

How To Enter:
You do not have to be in attendance at the Twitter Party tonight to win. But, of course, we would love it if you are. We will even give you extra entries for joining in #mealplanning!


 If you’ve never been to a Twitter Party, and are not sure what to do, it’s simple:

  1. RSVP in the commments section to ensure your eligibility to win hosted giveaways
  2. Login to your Twitter account Thursday at the times below and search #mealplanning to join the party.
  3. Join in on the conversation.  We will be talking about family meal planning for busy moms, asking questions and listening to your questions and comments.  The more you engage in conversation, the greater your chances of winning the giveaway.
  • Date/Time: November 10, 2011 11-12 PM EST, 10-11 PM CST, 9-10 PM MST, 8-9 PM PST *NOTE this is one hour later than our usual party time
  • Hashtag: #mealplanning
  • Tweet Grid: http://bit.ly/nzcffv
  • Hosted by: @OrganizedCook, @tonispilsbury, @chaotic_barb
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Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch with Cranberry Ice Ring

By on November 4, 2011 in Beverages, Holiday Recipes, Recipes

Thanksgiving Recipes

What’s nice about my Thanksgiving cranberry punch recipe is that it can be made well in advance and stored for Thanksgiving Day as part of my Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

thanksgiving cranberry punch

 

Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch Recipe

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Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch with Cranberry Ice Ring

Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch with Cranberry Ice Ring

Ingredients

  • cinnamon sticks, whole- 2
  • whole cloves, 1 tbspn
  • ground ginger, 1 tbspn
  • cranberry juice- 1 quart, chilled
  • lemon-lime soda- 1 liter, chilled

Instructions

  1. Bring one quart of water to boil with cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger (you can also put cloves in a tea steeper, or directly in water).
  2. Once boiling, reduce heat and let steep for an hour.
  3. Strain cinnamon sticks and cloves from the tea.
  4. Transfer tea to a container to chill in the refrigerator.
  5. Before serving, combine tea with juice and soda.
  6. Wait until just before guests arrive to place Cranberry Ice Ring.
https://tonispilsbury.com/sparkling-spiced-cranberry-punch-with-cranberry-ice-ring/

 

 

Cranberry Ice Ring Recipe

You will want to make and freeze your Cranberry Ice Ring for your Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch ahead of time and today is the perfect day to do it.

To make the ring, I use a plastic chip-and-dip server because it has the hole in the middle, like a bundt-cake pan.

Print
Cranberry Ice Ring

Cranberry Ice Ring

Ingredients

  • frozen cranberry juice cocktail- 1 canister, thawed (you can also use bottled cranberry juice)
  • cranberries, fresh- 16 oz.
  • water- 2 cups

Instructions

  1. Pour thawed juice into mold.
  2. Add water to about two inches below rim.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Add cranberries to float on top.
  5. Freeze.
  6. Wait until just before guests arrive to place in punch bowl.
https://tonispilsbury.com/sparkling-spiced-cranberry-punch-with-cranberry-ice-ring/

 

Punch Bowls

You must have a punch bowl large enough to fit the ice ring in.  Here is a great suggestion at a great price:

Punch Bowl

Anchor Hocking Presence 18-Piece Punch Bowl Set with Ladle $35.74 (regular price $44.99)

 

 12 Days of Thanksgiving

For more Thanksgiving Holiday inspiration, visit Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving Decor

Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving


 

 

Sparkling-Spiced Cranberry Punch with Cranberry Ice Ring

 

 

 

 

 

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Steamed Green Beans with Mushroom White-Wine Shallot Sauce (wine optional)

By on October 7, 2011 in Recipes, Survival Guide for Busy Moms

Thanksgiving Recipes

My recipe for Mushroom White-Wine Shallot Sauce is part of my Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving.  It can be made well in advance before Thanksgiving and stored in the freezer.

Thanksgiving green bean recipe by Toni Spilsbury The Organized Cook

enter to win customized party decor printables from Bella Grey Designs

Mushroom White-Wine Shallot Sauce Recipe (wine is optional)

 Ingredients for Mushroom White Wine Sauce: (double this recipe for a large group)

  • Butter-1/2 cup (1 stick or 8 tbspns)
  • Sliced mushrooms- 1 bag
  • Shallots- 2, peeled and minced
  • Flour- 3 tbspns
  • White wine, like cooking wine or a Chardonnay like Mirassou Chardonnay
  • Chicken broth- 1 cup
  • Heavy cream- 1 cup

Directions:

  1. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat
  2. Add shallots and mushrooms; saute until tender, approximately 3 minutes
  3. Add flour and saute for 1 more minute
  4. Add wine and stir until flour is dissolved (or skip if not using wine)
  5. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes

Store in airtight container until Thanksgiving Day to pour over steamed fresh green beans.

Thanksgiving Day

For fresh steamed green beans, they’re making it really easy for us these days.  I use fresh ready-to-steam green beans that are found in the produce section that are washed and ready to steam in the bag in the microwave.  Also, Bird’s Eye Steamfresh frozen green beans are easy to pull out of the freezer and cook in the microwave.

Or you can buy fresh green beans in bulk from the produce section to wash and trim yourself.

Warm the Mushroom White-Wine Shallot Sauce in the microwave or a slow-cooker to keep warm for serving.

Green Bean Thanksgiving recipe

Steamed Green Beans with Mushroom White Wine Shallot Sauce

 

Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole: Classic or Contemporary?

Many people prefer the classic Green Bean Casserole.  Here is a post I wrote last year about classic versus contemporary green bean recipes for Thanksgiving.

Green Bean Casserole Thanksgiving recipe

Classic Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving

 

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Not-So-Sweet Potato Casserole

By on October 7, 2011 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

Thanksgiving Recipes

Call me crazy, but I prefer my Thanksgiving side dishes to taste more like dinner and less like dessert.  I created this recipe last year after a half-decade of trying to come up with a sweet potato recipe that I liked.

And here it is- my Not-So-Sweet Potato Casserole.  This easy recipe is also a part of my Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

Toni’s Not-So-Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

  1. Sweet potatoes- 2 1lb cans
  2. Butter- ½ cup (1 stick) plus a few tbspns more to pour on top
  3. Marshmallows- 1 bag
  4. Brown sugar- ¼ cup
  5. Dried sage and thyme- 1 tspn each

 Directions:

 

  1. Melt butter in microwave
  2. Combine sweet potatoes, melted butter, ½ of marshmallows, sugar and herbs
  3. Beat until smooth
  4. Transfer to casserole dish and pour remaining marshmallows and drizzle melted butter on top

This recipe can be made in advance and stored before bringing out on Thanksgiving Day to bake.  I make mine about two days in advance.

  1. Bake on 375 for 30-45 minutes
Sweet Potato Casserole easy make ahead recipe

Toni's Not-So-Sweet Potato Casserole

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