Vampire Wine
“Not all Vampires disintegrate in the sun!”
Beverly Van Pelt – The Gothic Gourmet with her bottle of Vampire Wine.
Photo from April 25, 2010.
Turkey in a Nesco Roaster Oven
For the first time, I cooked a 14 lb. turkey in my Nesco Roaster. It was incredibly easy and was the best turkey I’ve ever roasted. I did have the concern that I wouldn’t get the beautiful color that conventional oven roasting delivers, yet my modest poultry came out perfectly. Here’s how I did it.
TURKEY IN A NESCO ROASTER OVEN
14 lb turkey
Several sprigs rosemary; washed, dried, & tied with string
1 tbsp butter, melted
Salt and pepper
1 c water
Directions:
Place Nesco roaster on sturdy surface. Turn roaster to 400 degrees. Preheat 10 minutes.
Rinse turkey and pat dry. Place rosemary sprigs in cavity. Brush melted butter over turkey, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the turkey on the roasting rack.
Carefully remove roaster lid and place the rack with the turkey into the main cooking well. Being careful of steam, pour in 1 cup of water. Cover.
Cook for 15 to 20 minutes per pound. If you choose to stuff your turkey, add 30 minutes to cooking time.
One hour into roasting, reduce heat to 350 degrees.
Baste frequently to prevent the turkey from drying, about every 30 minutes.
Remove lid and lift roasting rack with turkey. Place on platter or cutting board. Cover with foil. Allow to rest 20 minutes before carving.
*** My turkey browned beautifully but if your turkey is not browning as you like, try these options.
- About an hour before the turkey is finished, increase the heat to 400 degrees.
- Very large turkeys may not brown deeply in the Nesco roaster. Move turkey to conventional oven for final 45 minutes of cooking time.
Thanksgiving Past
I was going to start off by saying that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday… but the truth is EVERY Holiday is my favorite. Ha!
The other day I came across photos from a simple yet elegant Thanksgiving dinner from a couple of years ago. It was lovely!
One thing that I find really helpful is to use small notes to remind me of the simple things that are so easy to forget.
I love to decorate with a mixture of candles, usually tea lights and tall tapers in interesting candlesticks.
The traditional America Thanksgiving feast!
And then there is the Cat sunning herself on my place-setting! She is a special vintage!
Halloween Costume: Space Cadet
Boy’s Space Cadet costume. This was such a F-U-N project largely because I did not have a pattern so I had to design one using a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt as my guide for the pattern pieces.
The “Atomic Age Jet Pack” was constructed using empty 2 Liter soda bottles, copper spray paint, black tubing, and straps made from silver tape. Constructed by Patrick Golden of Monterey’s dark rock band VULTURE KING
The “Retro Ray Gun” was constructed using wooden finials, wooden candle stick, brass napkin ring, and spray paints in white and silver. Constructed by Patrick Golden of Monterey’s dark rock band VULTURE KING
Boy Not Included!
Breast Cancer Awareness
The Monterey Bay Youth Football League is sponsoring a Breast Cancer Awareness theme at the Steinbeck Cub’s Homecoming day on October 2, 2011. Come out to watch excellent football and support a great cause!
MUNICIPAL STADIUM
175 Maryal Dr, Salinas, CA 93906
Gifts From Our Growers Lap Quilt
The Monterey County Fair has a yearly theme and one year the theme was “Lettuce Entertain You”. Well, that just seemed fun so I cobbled together a fun lap quilt that I called, “Gifts From Our Growers”. This small quilt won an Honorable Mention and a lovely ribbon.
Fabrics featured Lettuce, Garlic, Artichokes, Strawberries, and Blackberries – all famous produce from Monterey County, CA.
I used traditional block that, to me, represented the produce in the block. The strawberry are in a “basket”, the garlic is in a “twist”, the lettuce is in a “head”, the blackberries are in a “flat”, and the artichoke is in its classic “thistle” form. The artichoke is my favorite!
Hugin and Munin
It was almost a desperate journey. We had traveled every winter for three years in search of snow only to be foiled by rain or sun. This winter past was shaping up to be the same. The road to Yosemite was cold but snow-free.
I remember the moment we rounded the corner somewhere in Yosemite Valley and beheld a field of snow. Excitedly we pulled over and played.
As we climbed back into our vehicle, Hugin and Munin, the two messengers of Odin, landed next to us. They were HUGE, and they squawked and cawed, demanding to deliver their message. I rolled down the window and greeted them. Still, they called to me. I got out and kneeled down. One of them hopped nearer and looked me straight in the eye.
I asked him if he would allow me to take his photo, and he bustled up, so I snapped a shot from his good side.
Speed Carving – Pumpkins
I have a confession to make! This past Halloween I decided to show off for the large group of kids at our neighborhood block party. Yep! I spread a large black plastic bag out and sat down on it with my giant pumpkin… and a steak knife and soup spoon.
It was my first time to SPEED CUT a Jack O’ Lantern.
Wheee… what F-U-N it was to wantonly wield my blade, slice off the top, scrapping out squash guts. Then, with a wicked grin, I stabbed then sawed out eyes, nose, and mouth.
Ta-da! I was done! I was done in minutes.
Speed Carved "Tiger" Jack O'Lantern
The children uhed and ahed. I beamed! The children began chanting, “Do it again! Do it again!”
Proudly I picked up the next pumpkin and performed the feat again slashing up a tiger.
My young audience cheered.
What a wonderful Halloween it was!
