Taking Orders~

Thanksgiving is coming quick and I am getting slammed with holiday orders.  So anyone wanting pumpkin rolls, cookies, breads or cakes Let me know....No job too big or small, just want to make sure I have everyone taken care of in a timely fashion. Send messages to my inbox or email. Thanks!
Please leave me your E-mail address in my inbox so that I can e-mail you a menu!
Mangia~

TURKEY DAY COUNTDOWN~

Well good day everyone, oh how I missed you!  I thought the perfect way to get back to the blog is to chat about our upcoming fav holiday in the Brandi fam and that is Turkey Day!~
My mom is the most organized woman when it comes to planning a holiday gathering.  She will start making her plans, for dinner at my sisters in a few days.....and everything I have learned was taught to me by who else?  Mom! 
So to those out there that maybe having their 'first' Thanksgiving Dinner or to those that want to get more organized.  Here are some tips for you!
*  3 weeks before----- Let's think about how much space to you actually have.  Do you have a double oven?  Do you have a spare fridge in the basement or garage?  Start planning your menu.  How much can you make ahead? How much will have to stored?  Are you cooking the turkey in the oven or on the Weber grill?  We began cooking the turkey on the Weber grill because we had no more room in the oven.  It turns out so nice and juicy!  Now if you are cooking the turkey in the oven you have to choose recipes that will fit in the oven with the turkey and cook at the same temperature.
----If your guests ask what they can bring, answer very carefully.  Where are you going to put it, while socializing?  In the fridge that is full?  Is the spare fridge full?  Or maybe it will be cold enough to set outside or in the garage.   If your fridge and oven will be full then let them bring dished you can heat or reheat in the microwave.  Or have them bring something that can be brought in a crock-pot.  Or better yet, have them bring the rolls from the bakery or fresh homemade bread!
---Let's start making the list of menu items. Note off to the side how long those specific dishes take to bake.  What time should you put them in the oven.  Keep this handy for Turkey Day also.
2 weeks before----Start shopping.  Ok I know you think I am crazy however I of all people know what it is like in these stores the week prior.  So please save yourself the hassle and please start shopping now.  You can buy your non-perishable groceries this week.  Buy the turkey this week.  I am sure there are some deals. If not who really cares how much it cost for a little sanity?  Also, pick up some extra storage containers and zip-loc baggies! 
4 days before---  Start thawing your turkey.  You have no clue how many people do buy in advance and try to thaw out the day of Thanksgiving.  ALLOW 24 HOURS FOR EVERY 4 POUNDS.  SO A 15-16 POUND TURKEY WILL TAKE 4 DAYS TO THAW IN THE FRIDGE!
3-2 days before---  Final shopping.  Buy your veggies and perishables and anything you forgot.  Remember the stores are open in the AM on Thanksgiving but seriously you should be organized.  You can also set your table.  Cover with a clean old sheet.  Also, buy some extra carrots and celery and other items that you may need to make Turkey Noodle Soup!  PS don't forget the garnishes, parsley or kale for a veggie tray, napkins or of course the Coca-Cola!
1 day before---  Make ahead day.  Mashed potates, dressing, salad dressing, sides, desserts and breads.  Check out my sample menu.
TURKEY DAY--  Double check your list.  What time does the turkey have to go into the oven or grill?  Prep your turkey and start your appetizers.
What is on the Brandi Menu for TURKEY DAY? -- this is our standard menu
Turkey of course on the Weber grill.
Dad's secret homemade Italian Dressing.  I changed the name to Wop loaf.   My grandma use to stuff the turkey with this dressing, however we make it in loaf pans as serve it sliced.
Mom's homemade dressing.  She has put a little twist on it now and has added Italian Sausage and it is so yummy.
Make a head mashed potatoes.
Sweet Potatos
Corn Casserole (like corn bread)
Gravy
cranberries (for my mom yuck)
Salad with homemade Italian Dressing
Rolls from Hamilton Bakery!
Dessert--- My brother in law makes homemade pumpkin and pecan pie.  I wonder if my friend Barb will make me a Lemon merigue pie since the whole family will be here this year!
I will make some truffles and I think I will attempt a Pumkin Roll.....
Need any other pointers let me know~

Well as always Mangia!~ 

Brandi Reunion~~

On August, 21, 2010 we traveled to Northville for a Brandi Reunion!  One thing we all can do is cook ~  Had some wonderful eats with wonderful family.  It went by soooo fast.  But I do believe a good time was had by all!  Next reunion will be in Saginaw!  ~MANGIA~!

Handy Pantry List

Well it is almost time for the kids to go back to school and that means it is time for you to get your pantry back in order.  Here is a list of some good pantry stocking items to keep on hand.  Start building up your baked goods ingredients, so when your kids say mom can you make some cookies or brownies you can say sure!

What I would do is cherry pick your sale items until you get your pantry built back up.  Watch the sales at the stores.  A lot of the stores have "in house" specials, which are unadvertised.  Just take 10-20 minutes and walk through a store and look at the things that are on sale, that you didn't know.  Trust me I know we don't all have time.  But once you start doing it.  It will become part of your routine.  It only takes 21 days for something to become a habit!

Have these items in your pantry and you will always have what you will need for almost any recipe I post on here! 

Dry Goods:
Baking supplies:  Different kinds of chocolate chips, chocolate squares.  Baking powder and cocoa.  Baking soda, Biscuit mix, aka, Bisquick.  Canned frosting and Boxed cake mixes.  Brownie mixes.  Coconut Corn syrup, Cornstarch, Cream of tarter, Flour, Food coloring, J-ello, Honey, Pudding, Marshmallows, Rice Krispies, Evaporated Milk, Condensed Milk, Muffing mix, Pam cooking spray, Olive oil, Vegetable oil.,  Oats, Salt, pepper, shortening, Brown sugar and white sugar..

Canned goods:
Applesauce, beans: all kinds, black, northern, kidney, green etc., chicken and beef broth, creamed soups, fruits and fruit cocktail, green chilies, canned jalapenos, mustard and ketchup, mushrooms, olives, peanut butter, salsa, sauces: Alfredo, picante, process cheese, spaghetti and taco, tomatoes: diced, whole, sauce paste and stewed.  Canned tuna and Chicken.

Seasonings:
boullion granules, beef and chicken, Tabasco, onion soup mix, taco seasoning, ranch dressing seasoning.  Vinegar: cider, red wine, rice and white.  Worcestershire sauce.

Starches:
Bread:  pita or sandwich
Crackers:  graham, butter saltines, Garlic Triscuits, croutons, dry bread crumbs, Noodles: variety, small shells, big shells, spaghetti, elbows, rotini etc.  Rice, Stuffing mix.

Refrigerator Items:
Butter, Cream cheese, eggs, Parmesan Cheese, Jelly, Syrup, Mayo, Milk, Juice, Minced Garlic, Fresh Garlic, mustard:  Dijon and yellow, relish, biscuits, crescent rolls, pizza crust, salad dressings, shredded cheeses, mozzarella, shredded cheddar, Mexican blend, sour cream, soy sauce, tortillas and whipped cream!

Frozen Foods:
Bread dough, Chicken breasts, Fruits, ground beef, Meatballs, pasta, pastry shells, Pork chops, frozen veggies, cool whip, vanilla ice cream!

Dugeon office Part 2

Ok so I think I may found something to put the cookbook magazine's in.  I found these at where?  The dollar store!  Are they not cute, I mean they were only a dollar! I spent $40 bucks on some baskets however they did not fit, and yes I did take them back!

So I am going to post a pic side by side tell me which is better?
I think  I like it with the blue baskets and I think I will go get 2 more for the bottom shelf!

"The Dungeon Office"

I got home from work tonight and I said to myself, 'self, no wonder you can't finish your cookbook, look at the mess you have been living in.' So I decided to tear apart the dungeon office.  I definitely have not been organized!  So I am really embarrassed to say that I took 2 before and 3 after pics.  At least I am  organized now!  Only so much you can do in a 6x6 space!

Did I do OK?  I have a hard time keeping my fav cookbook mags away from the desk. 

Let me know what I can do better here!

Looking for something to put the mags in.  I bought the top basket thinking they would fit and they won't!

This is sooo bad that the calendar on the wall said APRIL!

after. and i bought a new lamp!

New lamp on top of some cookbooks. 
It is a little short, but better than the
clunker that I had before!

And of course,

 Mangia!

Thanks to the Woodington's

Everyone knows that my dream is to finish my cookbook, but I also have a dream of being a caterer.  I love to cook for family and friends and most of all I love to see their happy faces after they eat!   On Friday my friends Becky and Jeff Woodington, along with Brad, Mary, Bob and Sue allowed me to cook for  their parents anniversary party.  I had a great time from planning to shopping to organizing and finally cooking the food.    The most pleasing part of Friday is that everyone came up to me and said that everything was wonderful and that is very pleasing to hear.  Could this  be a beginning to a wonderful thing?  A special thanks to my mom and dad for their help I couldn't have done it without them.  Also, a special thanks to Becky and Jeff, one of the nicest couples in the world! 

Congratulations Bev and Bob on 50 years together!

Mangia~