Grandma Strobeck's Stuffing, revised

Stuffing or dressing? Me? Stuffing all the way. What is Thanksgiving without the stuffing? When I think of the turkey and Thanksgiving, I always remember loving the exact moment my grandmother would pull that turkey out of the oven and we all stood around waiting to taste the crusty skin and the stuffing that was falling out of the turkey. It was always perfect.
My attempt last year, not so perfect. It was soggy. I think I cried. I remember all I wanted was to have the perfect stuffing falling out of my turkey and instead, it was a lumpy soggy mess.
So, this year, I am making the stuffing but not stuffing the bird. I cant bear to have it turn out like it did last time!
Anyway, my grandmothers recipe always seemed to be amazing. And, to my delight, I found out that it was super easy! She likes to add raisins, and I personally cant stand raisins, so I like to add some cranberries. It gives it just the right kick.

Thanksgiving Stuffing (picture to come)
1 bag of Pepperidge Farm seasoned stuffing
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 stick of butter
1 cup finely chopped apple
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2-1 cup chopped cranberries (more or less depending on how you like it)

Prepare stuffing according to directions on package.
In a saute pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onion and celery and saute until transparent.
To the stuffing, add onion, celery, cranberries and apple. Mix well. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. (or, at this point stuff the bird)
Remember, if you ARE stuffing the bird, use LESS chicken broth because the juice from the turkey will plump up the stuffing. If you are NOT, you can add more, if needed, so it doesn't dry out. Tip, it is always easier to add more, but you cant take it out once its is in!!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

I know, I have been slacking on the posts. And, with it being Thanksgiving, THE cooking holiday, I apologize 10 times over.
Lets get to some food, shall we? I have been busy in the kitchen preparing the pre-Thanksgiving food. And, during this time, you can always be sure to find this pie in my kitchen. I am not a traditional pumpkin pie lover. I came across this recipe about 12 years ago (wow, has it really been that long?) and after I made it the first time, I knew it was a keeper. Only problem, I threw away the magazine where the recipe was and I could not find another one anywhere. So, after years of trying to come up with it myself, I finally got it. And, it is perfect, if I do say so myself! It has a layer of cheesecake on the bottom with pumpkin cheesecake on top. Just the right amount of pumpkin, just the right amount of cheesecake.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie (picture to come)
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
dash of clove and nutmeg
graham cracker pie crust

Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time.
In another bowl, mix pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Add 1 cup of cream cheese mixture.
Pour cream cheese mixture into the pie crust. Top with pumpkin mixture. Bake for 40 minutes or until set in the middle.

Pomagranite Spinach Salad

Quick poll for my readers...do you eat the whole pomegranate seed or do you chew it and spit the tiny seed in the middle out?

I eat the whole seed. I thought that is what you do. Maybe I am too lazy to chew every one and spit each little seed out. But, apparently, according to someone who was over at my home, that is not how you are supposed to eat pomegranates. I disagree. I say, eat it, seed and all.

OK, that's that.

I have many recipes that I just don't post because I think they are so simple, and who would want to see that recipe? And then, I either find myself looking for the simplest of recipes in other blogs, or I make those simple dishes and have people begging for the recipe.

That is this one. I was trying to find a quick salad to make for a Thanksgiving Feast at school without having to run to the grocery store. And, this salad was the outcome. I've made it before. I just usually use dried cranberries instead of pomegranates. If you want to hearty it up a bit, some grilled chicken would work perfectly as well!

Pomegranate Spinach Salad

4 cups (or so) baby spinach or mixed greens

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp crumbled bacon

Serve with creamy poppy seed dressing (recipe to come soon!)

Or, I found this wonderful pomegranate dressing at Publix that goes perfectly with it!

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Like I need another reason to make something pumpkin. I think, no, I KNOW Bryan is getting tired of it. He HATES fall only because he knows everything I bake has pumpkin in it and he is not a fan of pumpkin.

But I am. And the kids are.

So, I found a recipe for pumpkin cookies a little while back. Tweaked it and perfected it, made it a little easier, and here we go!



Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 egg

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt



In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and pumpkin. Add egg.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Add flour mix to pumpkin mix.

Here is where I like to add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Everything is better with chocolate.

Drop spoonful on to greased cookie sheet. They don't rise much or change shape, so if you are concerned how they look, fix them before you cook them.

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before frosting.



Cream Cheese Frosting
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 lb powdered sugar
1 stick butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
Beat all ingredients together until creamy. Frost cooled cookies.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

When I came across this recipe I knew it was something that had to be tried. And, it was a hit with the kids, and me. I am not a big pizza fan, so this was perfect. And, I will be honest, this recipe didnt go over too well with Bryan. He likes his pizza, full of sauce and all. But, I got the kids to eat it, and really, that is all that matters, right? (and I am providing you with the link. Its a little easier that way today)

Stuffed Pizza Rolls