November 21, 2012

November 21, 2012

Tuesday was a day of preparation.  I cooked from the moment I got into the kitchen. 
I prepared Reese's cheesecake, boiled custard and orange jello (a Poole family custom except for the orange jello) for dessert on Thursday.  Then I made macaroni and cheese for Tuesday's dinner and a Johnny cake for the dressing on Thursday. 

Steve worked in the yard after lunch.  He cleared the driveway of all the pine needles that had covered it completely while we were away and then used it in the flower beds.  He plans to pressure wash the porches and garage and clean the screen porch.  The weather is supposed to be perfect on Thursday, so we plan to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner on the screen porch. 

Lainey came home on Tuesday.  I met her at Chateau Elan.  She enjoyed seeing how our area had changed in the three months she has been away at school.  As soon as we turned into the drive way she began looking for her yellow Labrador retriever, Jack.  He was happy to see her and happy to get the bath she gave him.  She was quick to tell us that we needed to bathe him more often.  I need to remind her that the last time I washed a dog was in 1988 the day before Katy was born. 

Michael came over for dinner and to see Lainey.   Michael has been Lainey's friend since they were in kindergarten.  He keeps us up to date on all the local news.  On occasion he lets something slip that we weren't really supposed to know, but are thankful for the information.   Don't worry Michael; we know how to keep our lips buttoned.  We had teriyaki pork chops from a crock pot recipe I found, Mama's macaroni and cheese, green beans with potatoes, fried okra, and cornbread. The only thing missing was Caroline.  She had to finish a project at school but promised me she would leave Furman at 8:00 this morning so she should be home by mid morning.

Katy left us a note this morning asking us to pray for the safety of her patients today. She started her career in September as a nurse.  She has worked with a preceptor until today, her first day on her own.  Katy is living at home again after being away for six years.  After graduating from high school, she has worked or gone to school during the summer and has not lived at home.  We are happy to have her at home for several reasons.  The most important reason is that we enjoy being around her.  She has a great sense of humor and tells the funniest stories.  The second reason is that she takes care of the pets and house while we are away.  We will miss her when she finds a place of her own closer to the hospital. 

My mother, (aka Mama, Granny, Faye, Aunt Faye, and to some Alice Faye) is coming over this morning to help me set up for Thursday.  We are having 19 people for lunch.  It helps to have another set of hands to get organized. 

I found this recipe on the internet.  Click on the name of the cheesecake to go to the website to see the pictures.

 Reese'sPeanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

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Ingredients

1. 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2. 3/4 cup sugar
3. 4 eggs
4. 2 tablespoons flour
5. 1/2 cup sour cream
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla
7. 16 Reese's cups, chopped

Crust

1. 1 cup Oreo cookie crumbs
2. 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
3. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Mix together and press onto bottom and sides of greased 9" spring form pan.

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
4. Add flour, sour cream and vanilla.
5. Pour half of batter in crust lined 9" spring form pan.
6. Sprinkle Reese's on top.
7. Pour remaining batter over top.
8. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 225F and bake for an hour.
9. Chill cheesecake in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
10. Garnish with Reese’s cups and drizzle warmed chocolate over the top.

The boiled custard recipe comes from Steve's mother (aka Mama, Suzy, Gramma, and Aunt Suzy).  She got the recipe from her mother, Helen Springer.  Steve's family serves this over red or green jello at Christmas.  I use it for banana pudding.  My daddy tells me that his grandmother used to make boiled custard also. 

Boiled Custard

Ingredients:

1/3 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 cups milk

3 egg yolks

2 TBS butter

2 tsp vanilla

Preparation:

Mix flour and sugar, gradually add milk.  Cook over medium heat until thick.  Beat egg yolks, add small amount of hot mixture to eggs.  Stir then add eggs to milk mixture in pan.  Cook 2-3 minutes more.  Add 2 TBS butter.  Cool slightly and add 2 tsp vanilla. You may want to add 1/2 tsp almond flavoring if you like almond.   Chill and serve over jello or cake or use as a pie filling.

The macaroni and cheese recipe comes from my mama.  This is what we had growing up.  My girls ask for this every time they come home from school.  It is the perfect comfort food. 

Mama's Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni                                       2 cups milk

2 cups grated cheese                                     1 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter                                                   1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 cup all purpose flour

Preparation

Cook noodles and drain.  Layer 1/2 noodles and 1/2 cheese twice.  Melt butter in sauce pan and blend in flour.  Add milk and seasonings.  Bring to a boil and let thicken. Boil for 1 minute.  Pour over macaroni.  Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Notes

I usually double the recipe and use bow tie noodles.  I sometimes top with crushed Ritz Crackers and drizzled with melted butter. 

Luke 24:36   Matthew 28:20    Hebrews 13:15

The message of thankfulness and praise is an appropriate one for any time of the year, but especially during the Thanksgiving season.  The scriptures teach that man was made to praise God, and Jesus' presence brings peace