November 19, 2009

Are you girls making cannolis again?

Ha ha ha.... one memory my family won’t ever let my sister and I forgot...

In my opinion Thanksgiving is an American holiday. But the way I grew up, my family might of had me thinking otherwise. My family is Italian, very Italian, and they can’t help but feel comforted by a bowl of pasta next to the potatoes and stuffing. So it is only natural that we have Italian desserts. We usually have the family from New York pick up a box of assorted cookies and cannolis from Arthur Ave before making their trek up north to our house in Mass. But one particular year my mother decided it was be a good idea for my sister and I to make our own cannolis.

My mother, also being a health food freak, wanted “healthy” cannolis so she purchased ingredients such as fat-free ricotta and Splenda. BAD IDEA. (Mom if your reading this, I love you but some things you just got to go big or go home) Desserts aren’t suppose to be all that healthy for a reason that’s why they’re so good!

The filling never thicken and it slid right threw the shells as we tried to “freshly fill the cannolis”. Our family was in hysterics over our efforts but there might have been a slight disappointment in not having them to eat because they seem to never let this story go. Maybe next year...

So here’s a recipe for the good stuff! You can buy the canoli shells at any local bakery cheap.

3 c. very dry ricotta
1 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Chocolate chips




Drain ricotta in a colander until very dry, overnight or longer if necessary.
Mix with sugar and vanilla.
Beat with electric mixer at high speed for 8-10 minutes.
Fold in some chocolate chips and use to fill cannoli.
Fills about 15-18 cannoli.

November 18, 2009

Look Who's Coming to Dinner!

One of my more memorable Thanksgiving dinners was when I invited my vegetarian boyfriend for dinner. It didn't occur to me that I should have mentioned this little fact to my mother before we all started serving ourselves. I have two older brothers, who like most boys in their teens, could eat everything in site in seconds flat as if they were competing for a world record. Louie, being the polite guest, didn't get in their way and waited patiently for things to get passed his way. By the time we all started eating, my mother looked at Louie's plate and noticed that there wasn't much on his and told him to help himself to some turkey and not to be shy. Louie spoke up and said that he was all set and did not eat turkey because he was a vegetarian. I saw my mom's jaw drop, as she looked from me, to my brother's overflowing plates loaded with mashed potatoes and veggies and then to the almost empty dishes on the table. By now I was thinking, 'Just run, I can outrun her right?!' She managed not to choke me. She apologized for her rude and gluttonous family and then told poor Louie to take the little bit of mashed potatoes and veggies that were left. I think he was a little embarrassed and still hungry because he ended up having a small piece of turkey. Needless to say I apologized up and down to both Louie and my mom.

To this day, we still tell that story at every Thanksgiving dinner and my mom continues to give me a look that could kill. Do you have any memorable Thanksgiving stories that get passed along each year? I hope that you all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving and many laughs!

by Izzy

Poll: What will you wear on Thanksgiving?

What is your fashion "must" on Thanksgiving?
- A fabulous festive outfit
- Comfortable casual clothes
- Team colors (hometown or NFL)
- Anything with an elastic waist



Results from the previous poll:
Special thanks to all who voted for the Steal of the Day. The winner was posted on metrostyle.com on Tuesday, 11/17.

Skirtsuit 132 (57%) winner
Knit Cami 37 (16%)
Poplin Shirt (25%)


By: Bren B

November 16, 2009

Fruit Pizza (Kids Love It!)

How about this as a kids' dessert on Thanksgiving? I love these, and you cut them up like a pizza.

Ingredients
1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice cookie dough and arrange on greased pizza pan, overlapping edges. Press dough flat into pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. In a large bowl, soften cream cheese, then fold in the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. You can chill for a while at this point, or continue by arranging the fruit.
3. Begin with strawberries, sliced in half. Arrange in a circle around the outside edge. Continue with fruit of your choice, working towards the middle. If bananas are used, dip them in lemon juice so they don't darken. Then make a sauce to spoon over fruit.
4. In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn starch, orange juice, lemon juice and water. Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat, and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool, but not set up. Spoon over fruit. Chill for two hours, then cut into wedges and serve.

By: Lisa

November 13, 2009

My Favorite Thanksgiving Dessert!

Pumpkin cheesecake is a must in my house for Thanksgiving. If you love pumpkin pie and cheesecake you will love this double layer pumpkin cheesecake! Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) packages cram cheese, softened
½ Cup white sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
½ cup pumpkin puree
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
½ cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a large bow, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
3. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

By Diane

November 12, 2009

New Addition to this Thanksgiving!!

This is a recipe I found online, because I was craving apple crisp. It seemed to have a lot of prep work but let me tell you… well worth it!!
In my family there ends up being like 5 pies, so I am pretty happy to have something a little different and delicious this year!

Happy Eating!!



Apple Crisp

Ingredients:
10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored
and sliced
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water


1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.
3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

by jani

November 11, 2009

My Favorite Thanksgiving Dish!!

Broccoli Casserole is one of my favorite side dishes on Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

Ingrediants:
2 packages (16 oz each) frozen broccoli florets
1 can (10- 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 can (6 oz) french-fried onions, divided

Directions:
Cook broccoli according to package directions; drain well. In a large saucepan, combine the soup, the sour cream, 1 cup of cheese and 1 1/4 cup onions. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until heated through. Stir in the broccoli.

Pour into a greased 2-qt baking dish. Bake uncovered at 325* for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with the reamining cheese and onions. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. 6-8 servings