STUFFING

Have you ever noticed how many variations to Stuffing are in cook books? My mom always made the same stuffing every year she used crackers and it was wonderful ( I'll post it later) but this year I wanted to experiment,My Husbands family always made Oyster dressing, he does not like it and neither do I ( I just can't see putting oysters inside my turkey) Don't get me wrong I love oysters just not in my turkey!
So I kept seeing all the Bob Evans commercials on TV and the sage sausage stuffing sounded really good so I thought I would give it a try. It was very good I only used 1/2 of the sausage it called for when I made it and I used 1/2 seasoned bread cubes and 1/2 corn bread cubes. Safe to say I can use this again we enjoyed it but something was missing so I guess I'll go back to Moms cracker stuffing again just didn't seem like thanksgiving without it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (1 pound) package Bob Evans® Sage Sausage Roll( I used 1/2 of the sausage roll)
  
• 1/2 cup butter
• 6 celery stalks, finely diced
• 2 medium onions, finely diced
• 1 (12 ounce) package herb flavor stuffing mix (I used 1/2 herb flavor and 1/2 corn bread)
  
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth( I used the broth from cooking my neck and giblets)

DIRECTIONS

1. In large skillet, crumble and cook sausage until browned. Remove from pan. In same skillet melt butter over medium heat. Saute celery and onions until softened, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine celery, onions, sausage, stuffing mix, cranberries and salt. Add the broth and stir until well combined. If desired, loosely stuff some of the mixture into a turkey just before roasting. Place the rest of stuffing mix into a casserole dish. Cover and bake in a 325 F. oven for 1 hour or until hot.

Enjoy!!
Allison
Allisons Kitchen

CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY

It's that time of year again, I wait all year for the day I walk through the doors at work and my resort is transformed into a winter wonderland. Each resort has its own unique decorations, We like to hop on the monorail and stop at all the resorts and look at the decorations, It's hard to beat the Grand Floridian Resort with the Giant Gingerbread House. The cast members work inside to sell gingerbread treats and smaller houses to take home. enjoy the pictures and in case you feel the urge to bake a life size gingerbread house I've included the recipe.
ENJOY!!!
Allison
Allisons Kitchen

BETTY CROCKER FIBER ONE

Well every one can use a little Fiber in there diet, and I like Betty Crocker Fiber One apple and cinnamon muffin mix, of course I have to doctor it up a bit( I do that a lot) not that its not good on its own, but thats just me. So I add 1 apple chopped and 4 Tab apple sauce, and 1/4 cup bisquick.
just follow the directions on the box and add these few ingredients and you will have moist muffins every time. Just be sure to set your timer on the oven, and don't get involved on the computer I set off the smoke alarm( hey, I told my husband that I was just checking the smoke alarm Ha Ha.)
No one is Perfect
Enjoy!
Allison
Allisons Kitchen.
Here's a tip I use a ice cream scoop to put my batter in my muffin cups that way you get the perfect amount in each cup every time!!!

ROASTED BANANAS

We grilled some beautiful pork chops the other night and I made some roasted bananas as a side dish, These are soooo easy and they go great with pork.
Melt some butter and put into a bowl, add a little curry powder. Peel your bananas and dip them into butter mixture, then roll in crushed corn flakes to coat. put on cookie sheet and bake in oven at 350 for about 15 minutes you don't want the bananas to get to soft, serve with pork. I've also done this with cinnamon and ginger instead of curry.
Enjoy!!
allison
Allisons Kitchen.

SWEET BANANA MASH

Hi, It's still cold down here, in the 40's at night (well that"s cold for us at least) So I'm thinking about my side dishes for Thanksgiving. One will be Sweet Banana Mash, This recipe was given to me from one of my friends who is a chef at one of Orlando's top restaurants. I made it for the first time last year and it was a big hit the children liked it also. So I think this is a keeper for this year.

SWEET BANANA MASH
10 to 12 servings.
5 pounds sweet potatoes
4 bananas
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 pint heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
Peel and dice sweet potatoes. Place in Pot. cover with water and simmer until tender. While potatoes are cooking preheat oven to 350F Place unpeeled bananas on cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. (Hint: Put foil on baking sheet first for easy clean up) .
Drain cooked potatoes Place in large
mixing bowl. Remove peel from baked bananas. Add to bowl along with sugar, butter and heavy cream. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!
Allisons Kitchen

CRANBERRY ORANGE CHUTNEY

Well it's getting cold down here in Fl again tonight, so I have my fireplace lit and I can't believe it but my favorite radio station is playing Christmas Carols already, Did I miss Thanksgiving? Ha Ha
oh well I guess I'll go with the flow and start posting some Holiday Recipes. My mom would make Cranberry Orange Chutney this smells so good and she used to do it on top of the stove but it works great in the Microwave as well. This tart and tangy chutney goes well with turkey,chicken,or ham and is quick and easy.

CRANBERRY ORANGE CHUTNEY:

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 large orange, sectioned
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup golden raisins
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 teaspoon finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe bowl, combine all ingredients, cover with waxed paper. Microwave on HIGH for 6 1/2 to 9 minutes or until cranberries pop open, stirring twice during cooking. Let stand until thickened and cool. Store in refrigerator. makes 2 cups.
This also makes a pretty hostess gift. just pack into a pretty glass jar.
Well I think I'll put on a pot of chicken soup it's still going to be cold tomorrow
Enjoy the Cranberry Orange Chutney
Allison
Allisons Kitchen

THE DOCKSIDE LOUNGE

The Dockside Lounge located at 35 Sombrero Blvd Marathon Fl. 305-743-0000.
Is another one of our favorite hangouts. You just can't beat the view and the fantastic sunsets
this is a popular hangouts for the locals. So you see some pretty colorful characters hanging out here.
They have to have the worlds smallest kitchen but they really put the food out fast. Good happy hour specials and they have live music every night.
Although one of the nights we we're visiting they had some youth bands playing and we could not hear ourselves think!
So we had to leave but we enjoyed a drink as we walked along the boat slips looking out into Boot Key.
If you ever get a chance to go to the Fl Keys stop in Marathon and check it out.