Still Talkin’ Thanksgiving Dinner and Hot Cocoa!
I am still sooooo full from our huge Thanksgiving Dinner!
I really did not eat a lot at dinner.
Seriously, I really did not,….
…….in fact I left quite a bit on my plate, even though I placed a couple teaspoons of this and a couple teaspoons of that for my personal servings.
However, here comes the confession time.
I love to sample foods as I prepare them.
And this is especially true when preparing our Thanksgiving Dinner.
Well, in my defense, I don’t want to serve something to my guests that is not tasty and delicious.
So while preparing the pistachio salad…I had a couple bites before clamping down the lock and lock container and putting it in the fridge.
AND…perhaps I had a few tastes of the stuffing before I stuffed the turkey. (Don’t judge, I happen to like raw stuffing)
And ok, I did taste the green bean casserole before placing it in the oven. OK!!!! I know it was cold, but I had to make sure the soup and onions and green beans were well mixed, didn’t I???
And you know one has to be careful of the tartness of the cranberry and orange salad, so of course I had to taste that. Actually, I had to taste that salad several times. After all, I wanted the cranberry salad to be perfect.
And the ham….yes, the ham was delicious with the wonderful orange glaze oozing down and around the cloves that I placed in a diamond pattern in the large bone-in ham.
I just had a small piece.
Can I tell you that I make amazing turkey gravy? But the only way to be sure it is perfect in flavor is to use the rich, drippings from the turkey roaster and the broth that I made last week from my chicken/turkey stock. And I seasoned it perfectly. I know because I took a small amount of mashed potatoes and drizzled a bit of gravy over it just to be sure.
In defense of my sampling of foods ….I managed to eat a few healthy snacks. I ate a few celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter and one or two stuffed with cream cheese….and that artichoke and spinach dip was to die for. I sampled a few of the chips and dips which were my nibble, finger foods that I prepared for my guests to munch on before dinner.
So you see, by the time the home made rolls were out of the oven and we sat down to eat…..I really did not eat much at our Thanksgiving Dinner table.
Just a little of this….. and a little of that. 🙂
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Dinner…..and just in case it is cold in your neck of the woods…I found a great hot cocoa recipe that also makes a nice gift for your mailman or teacher or anyone for that matter during this Holiday season.
Since I made and set up my Hot Cocoa Bar a couple weeks ago, I have been enjoying a cup of hot cocoa on those cool evenings we have been having lately. If you missed that post, you can see it here
Making up this hot cocoa mix is so easy and really is very tasty. All you need is powdered milk, cocoa,sugar, salt, chocolate chips and peppermint candy…everything is in the jar, just add hot boiling water.
Easy-Peasy and soooo sooooo good!
Oh, and I have a bit of trivia for you.
“Contrary to popular belief, eating turkey isn’t the main reason you feel sleepy after a Thanksgiving dinner feast. The oft-repeated turkey myth stems from the fact that turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which forms the basis of brain chemicals that make people tired. But turkey isn’t any more sleep-inducing than other foods. In fact, consuming large amounts of carbohydrates and alcohol may be the real cause of a post-Thanksgiving-meal snooze, experts say.”
Now, if you will excuse me….I need a nap!!! 🙂 !
Blessings and hugs to all.
- 1 cup cocoa (unsweetened powder)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy or a candy cane
- *If you are giving this mix as a gift then you will use a quart mason jar.
- Layer the powdered milk, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, chocolate chips, and peppermint candy.
- If you are making the hot cocoa mix for yourself, just mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour into a quart jar or airtight container. This mix makes 12 cups
- To make one cup of cocoa, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water.
- Serving suggestion: Top with whipped cream, additional marshmallows, crushed peppermint or candy canes.
- *If you are giving as a gift, find a cute tag and write the directions on the back for preparing the cocoa.
- Directions: To make one cup of cocoa, place 1/3 cup of cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of boiling water. If desired, add a dollop of whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint or a candy cane.
Please comment, I'd love to hear from you.