Happy Friendsgiving!
My first turkey
Apple-Cranberry Sangria
Appetizers & Drinks
A few weeks ago, my husband, Matt, and I hosted Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving celebration for our close friends; siblings included! I love hosting and cooking, so aside from me fretting about cooking a turkey for the first time and being neurotic about getting everything out at the right time and in the right place, it was a success! I took the day before to prep and cook as much as I could but still had plenty to do the day of. I can’t complain though, there is nothing like smelling sweet and savory dishes baking for two days.
For appetizers, I made a vegetarian version (replacing spinach with the ham) of the quinoa cups found here:
http://iowagirleats.com/2012/02/16/mini-ham-cheese-quinoa-cups/
This is a great recipe and it can be used for a base for so many recipe inspirations. It is very popular with anyone that has tried it when I made it! We also had the famous guacamole made by Matt, and an array of other appetizers such as brie, spanakopita, dips, and of course, fresh mozzarella (made fresh from a local Italian shop).
For dinner, we enjoyed turkey, homemade mashed potatoes (using butter and heavy cream), green bean casserole, traditional stuffing, apple cranberry stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce, corn pudding, baked ziti, and a spinach puff (I found the recipe here: http://www.marthastewart.com/339340/spinach-and-cheese-puff).) The spinach puff was a hit and is great for a side or as an appetizer. I did not add nutmeg but used other spices and it was still delicious!
For dessert I made:
French coconut pie
Chocolate Chip Cake with a Homemade Chocolate Frosting:
I used the Betty Crocker Mega Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe for the cake and found the frosting recipe online. (I am not sure where but it contained cocoa powder, confectionary sugar, and evaporated milk)
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/mega-chocolate-chip-muffins/0988d74d-d278-4a88-9ad0-e985e4c4ed2a
Pumpkin Pie (I used the recipe on the pumpkin can)
Peanut Butter Cookies
(This recipe is one I have been using since I was young. I got it from a kid’s cookbook. It is quick, easy, and delicious and uses ingredients most people have around the house already! As an added bonus, it is gluten-free!)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter (I used Skippy natural chunky)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sugar
Directions:
- Mix together
- Put spoonfuls of dough on baking sheet
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Bake for @ 8-10 minutes
* Optional-when halfway cool, add a Hershey’s Caramel kiss to the center for an extra boost of flavor.
Our friends also brought along some amazing desserts including apple crisp with homemade maple whipped cream, caramel coated apples (some stuffed with nutella and covered and some with port wine cheese, with crushed pretzels on top of the caramel), and delicious cupcakes from Crumbs Bakery in Manhattan.
In addition to cooking traditional Thanksgiving-inspired dishes, I had a fun time concocting Autumnal drinks, such as an Apple-Cranberry Sangria. I had previously only made sangria in the Summer so was accustomed to using berries, peaches, and other summery fruits in this delicious drink, however this Fall-take on it was amazing! Here are the ingredients for the recipe…Since I do a lot of experimenting in the kitchen, I don’t often write down the exact measurements but I put approximated amounts below.
Apple-Cranberry Sangria
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles of of a fruitier red wine
- Sparkling cranberry drink (I used the Trader Joe’s one)
- Cane sugar
- 2 large or 4 small apples, cubed
- Whole cranberries
- Cinnamon sticks
Directions:
- Pour the two bottles of wine in a pitcher
- Add between ¼ to ½ of the bottle of the sparkling cranberry drink
- Add the apples
- Add approximately a cup of the cranberries
- Add two cinnamon sticks
- Stir
- Depending on how sweet you want the sangria to be, gradually add small amounts of sugar. *Note: the apples and juice will also sweeten the drink over time so it is better to start out with a small amount of sugar and add more if necessary after the drink.
- Cover and refrigerate the sangria for at least an hour
- Serve with or without ice
- Enjoy!
The drink tasted wonderful the day of…and even better the next when I had some with my leftovers. The apples soaked up the cinnamon permeated wine for an amazing combination of flavor and texture. In addition to the sangria, we also made Pumpkin Pie Martinis. This simple recipe is a quick and easy Fall crowd pleaser. You can use any variety of flavored vodkas to alter the taste. I meant to buy the whipped cream vodka but mistakenly grabbed the cinnamon sugar one and it was just as amazing! Here’s the recipe:
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Pie liquor
- Cinnamon Sugar Vodka
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Cinnamon Sugar
Directions:
- Mix equal parts schnapps and vodka
- Pour into martini glasses
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on each drink
- Add a cinnamon stick to each drink
- Enjoy!
I am happy to say that Friendsgiving turned out to be a wonderful event. The food was delicious and the company was wonderful. I highly recommend throwing a Friendsgiving event. I hope you enjoy some of these recipes for Thanksgiving as well!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Spice, Simmer, Eat,
Jessi
Cumin & Going 
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