2017 Thanksgiving at Susan's

Sharing a few photos From last years Thanksgiving
 dinner.  l1/23/17


nother Thanksgiving has come and I am so thankful to have spent time with our daughter and her family.  Our son stopped by and had dinner too which was awesome. As with other years I have many things to be grateful and thankful for and feel very blessed..

Our Hostess

It has been a tough few years with losses in both my hubby and my families. We both lost siblings younger than us within a year of each other and this year I lost my mom so the holidays aren't quite as joyful as they've used to be but I am grateful I am here to enjoy my family. My hubby feels the same.

Dinner was our usual traditional feast. I really favor traditional meals for the holidays. Good home cooking with recipes from our families that have been passed on from generation to generation.

Our dinner always starts with a prayer. Today it was my turn to offer a prayer thanking God for our great dinner and being with our family. 

Here are a few photos of our meal and a few of the family. 

 Incidentally we enjoyed our meal on Christmas dinner wear. 

Might as well enjoy it while we can. Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close to each other and really go so quickly we must make use of all holiday decor we can.  Enjoy!

Cappelletti Soup

Festive

My daughter and I

Plentiful

My dish ....I couldn't fit anymore. lol

Mark and Daniel

Al and Mark

Susan's special chocolate cheesecake.

Sour cream apple pie tart and coffee with lots of cream.

Another Thanksgiving Tradition: Castagna (Chestnuts)

Every year this is a tradition.  Roasted chestnuts!!!



Castagna (kass- tan-ya) also know as chestnut.  Fresh chestnuts may be poached in wine, roasted or fried in butter as a garnish..   We love them ! Grandpa made sure his wine jug was close by.  It was usually under his chair!  Miss him and his stubborn ways!  My father took after him being stubborn as well  but I have to say they were gentle and loving and the memories I have will stay in my heart forever! 

Bake at 400 degrees approx 15 to 20 minutes

Now this is a perfect chestnut..Baked and easily removed from the shell.

In early November we usually see chestnuts in the grocery store or market in large baskets or bins.  Every year since I can remember we would have fresh chestnuts.  Grandpa or Nonno would have his wine jug next to his chair and Grandma or Nonna would be roasting them on the Coal Stove.  I remember Grandma putting a slight cut or X in the center of the chestnut  so it wouldn't pop open and splatter all over the oven..  If we didn't put a slight cut we'd have chestnuts pieces all over the kitchen..

My Mom baked them in the oven and so do I making sure to remember to make that small slit for sure.  I can't say that often enough.   After they are baked (around 20 minutes at 400 degrees) she took them out of the oven(those little slits have spread and you can see some of the chestnut) and placed them in a clean dishtowel that was slightly moistened ,wrapped them up tightly for a few minutes to insure those chestnuts could be easily removed from their shell.  Most times it worked on all of them.. Some times there were duds and we had to pick them out of their shell.. Phooey!  Frustrating because I was so eager to get one that was whole.  I never minded really any of that because I just loved those chestnuts and still do now..

I bought some for our Thanksgiving feast(I seek out the plumpest largest chestnuts I can find) and of course I had to bake some for the hubby and I as an early treat.. Yummy!

If you have never tried them try a few..  Hopefully you'll enjoy them and want to make chestnuts a part of your holiday tradition..

I don't know if  chestnuts are as popular as they were when I was growing up or when my children were little but in most  Italian households Castagna or Chestnuts are a part of your Thanksgiving feast.  A Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!


.11/22/11
11/5/13

Sour cream, apple pie tart/squares

Holiday Baking!

I have seen versions of this recipe lately but my mom made this recipe for many years and she always made it in a cookie sheet and we called it a tart/or squares.

I have her original version in my cookbook that I made several years ago and today I'm making it for the first time since Mom passed in February.

Hers was wonderful..Everyone who ate it raved and she so loved getting compliments on her baking and cooking.

The recipe is easy and using the refrigerated pie crust cut preparation time greatly.  I had no trouble making it. Using the refrigerated pie shell package(2)I was able to adapt to the cookie sheet with a little maneuvering. Photos demonstrating how to below.

Here's my version of her recipe. Hers dates back to the 80ties or before.

1 package refrigerated pie crust (you must use the 2 rolls. inside).
1 cup sugar
4 T flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 pt. sour cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups finely peeled and diced apples(I used Pink lady, and Gala)(I think mom used Macintosh)
1 egg beaten well

Roll first crust slightly on wax paper and transfer to cookie sheet.(Photos illustrating how to)
then roll second crust and place next to first crust.Illustration will show exactly. Set aside


Mix the sugar, flour and salt. In another bowl place sour cream, vanilla and egg. Mix well. Add all to the flour sugar mixture and toss well so that all apples are coated.

Pour apples slowly onto crust. Spread mixture evenly. Bake 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees and bake 30 minutes more. After 30 minutes take out of oven and top with below mixture.

Topping

Topping:

1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar packed
2 tsp. cinnamon or less
1/2 cup softened butter(I melted it slightly)

In a small bowl mix above until fine crumbs using a pastry blender or fork. Sprinkle on top of pie and return to 350 oven for an additional 15 minutes. Upon removing from oven place immediately in refrigerator until completely cooled.

When cooled cut in squares and serve. Delicious!

Enjoy!

Apple pie

If I have apples I make an apple pie!  I used gala apples this time around but have mixed apples too. Macintosh apples are my favorite along with Granny Smith for baking.

Wonderful anytime dessert. Hubby loves fruit pies. I like them too but adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes me happier. Enjoy!

Still a little warm so it's perfect!

I have no willpower and I admit it.

Apples 3 lb. (Gala )peeled cored.
(Using my hand chopper made this a breeze) photo below
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup dried oats or 2Tablespoons Minute tapioca
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 box refrigerated pie crust
1  T butter
Sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top

Bake 400 degrees 50 minutes. I covered edges so as not to burn.

Waiting for it to cool takes patience...

I used the larger section to dice the apples. I love this gadget. I do carrots, celery, onions, peppers and a whole lot of veggies and fruits to store in my freezer in bags for quick add ins.

Apple Cream Pie!!!! Oh so easy!

 I am trying to give a little variety and selection to some different and easy pies. Today I made a really good Apple cream pie.  I adapted it a bit to my liking. Easy to make and another pie to add to my favorites.. 

Happy Baking from my kitchen to yours!!!

Lovely to look at and delicious!!  I added some whipped cream to it..

I brushed my pie with heated strawberry jam but apricot preserves were recommended.

Easy to make using 1 refrigerated pie shell.  Baked ahead of time so it can cool
4 cups thinly sliced apples
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup butter

1- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 1/2 cups milk
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup apricot preserves (I used strawberry jam, heated, because I didn't have any apricot)
Note:  I would suggest doubling the cream cheese and pudding for a fuller pie.

Place apples in a large bowl.. Toss with sugar and lemon..Melt butter in a saucepan and add apples..Saute until tender..Set aside to cool

Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually add 1 cup milk, pudding mix, and vanilla..Add remaining  1/2 cup milk and beat until smooth..Spread mixture into cooled pastry shell..Arrange apples over cream cheese mixture..

In a small saucepan, heat preserves /jam until runny. Using a pastry brush lightly coat apples.  Refrigerate until set.  At least 1 hour.  Enjoy!


11/8/11 
5/2/13