A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 Half & Half, Part II

That's soooo funny, Vanessa - I really like the whole cubes and prefer the extra dressing that my husband cooks "out" of the turkey to the one that is too "mushy" that was cooked inside! The best part for me, is the toasty brown cubes that happen to be on top of the pan-cooked stuffing!

Different strokes for different folks I guess!

That's why I don't stuff the bird Lynne. By the time the stuffing is done..the turkey is way over cooked.
I think you aquire a tast for what you are raised around. Although I try new things constantly.

~V~

I like mine a little mushy. Wonder if it's a southern thing. I'm roasting a chicken today and I'm going to make cornbread stuffing.

Here, hear!

I don't do much to my dressing.....let the turkey do the work. I use a few different kinds of good bread...season it and let it sit over night, then simply sautee onions, celery, mushrooms and garlic, mix it all together, add fresh thyme, rosemary and parsley, lotsa salt and pepper and thats it. I like the saying "KISS"..keep it simple stupid. Less is more when it comes to my stuffing...mmmm...can't wait for Christmas!
Christina

Oh...sometimes add cooked bacon to the mixture.

Must be Sheri...I don't use much bread in mine at all...just good ol' cornbread. Although I did run across a recipe for spinach and artichoke dressing that is sounding really good! But when it comes to having turkey...I'll just stick to the ol' favorite! Save those fancy smancy ones for later!


~V~

You guys are rubbing off on me. I haven't cooked so much in years. (Johnny says thanks) Today I roasted a chicken, made cornbread stuffing, gravy, brussels sprouts, salad, and opened some cranberry sauce. And, I'm already thinking about dinner tomorrow night!!!

Sheri,we can eat a ton of brussel sprouts! I messed up a few years ago and steamed some fresh ones...now I can't hardly eat the frozen ones...there is such a difference.
Dressing is a real comfort food for me...I think it is all the rosemary & sage. When I have a headache...I want dressing..it just helps for some reason!


~V~

My children won't eat brussel sprouts but Johnny and I like them alot. I saw a show the other day where the chef took the them all apart and fried the little leaves. Have you ever done that?

Vanessa ~ you and I will never have to fight over food - those are the 2 spices I DISlike the most!!!

Lynne, do you eat stuffing then cuz those are the 2 best spices for yummy stuffing.

I cannot imagine dressing or turkey or chicken without Rosemary and sage...that's just wrong! Sage is what dressing is all about...and Rosemary & chicken...OMG...I wouldn't be able to cook with out it. Rosemary is my FAVORITE herb (the herb of remembrance)....basil running a close second.

Sheri, I have never heard of frying brussel sprout leaves...but it does sound kind of interesting! I fry cabbage all of the time..and it is really great, so why wouldn't brussel sprouts be...

Vanessa, I have friends that smudge with burning sage (NOT sage brush) when they do an outdoor party they have every year. It is to help bring out good thoughts and be conducive to good conversation. It seems to work wonderfully.

I had chicken salad for lunch today and I've got the chicken bone from yesterday in a pot for soup tonight. I feel just like 4Ruddy with all this cooking.

Fernie ~ Many people I know burn a tiny bit of sage inside the house as well, to "clear the air".

Sheri ~ How industrious you've become in the kitchen, my friend! You must be feeling better?

Merme

I didn't know that about sage...Rosemary is the herb of remebrance. I always take a bouquet of Rosemary when I go to the Cemetery where Dayne was buried. And, I keep some in a simmering pot...hoping it will help me REMEMBER something...anything!!!!
I also have some essntial oil called holy basil that I use on my joints...man it smells wonderful. I actually pretty much like all herbs!
I hate it that I am going to have to start over...I had my 3 herb gardens well established...and I'm missing them already!


~V~

3 herb gardens? Why 3?

A) I cook a lot

B) I dry them and that is what everyone gets for Christmas

C) They are SOOO pretty!

I guess I might add, that I usually have about 4-5 varieties of basil, 3 of Thyme, basil, oregano & fennal take up a lot of room. I kept expanding the chives (2 types). I have to have marjoram...and 6 Rosemary bushes...and then I got on this mint kick...you know there is only a million flavors of mint!!! Well...I was actually needing to add another bed...I was running out of room!


~V~

I started some herbs this past summer. The lavender, parsley and cilantro are doing wonderfully, the basil is the only plant some kind of bug ate to ribbons. I am starting some indoors this spring and adding rosemary, marjoram and chives to my herb garden. I love to cook with fresh herbs. yummmmmmm

Makes all the difference in the world!!!!


~V~

I want to start some inside herbs. I don't have a lot of counter space. This house has 28 windows but doesn't get a lot of sun because of the oaks. How big are your inside pots usually.

TK, since you've moved does this mean I won't get my herbs this years for Christmas?

Hi ~

I thought you all would be amused by this...

I do not watch much TV; I can go for months without even turning the thing on because I forget about it if Maxi isn't home.

This morning while I was preparing his breakfast he said something to me about Rachel Ray. I stopped stirring the bowl and looked at him to be sure I'd heard him right. I had.

He went on to tell me all about her show and her cooking philosophy and compared her to other cooking shows he'd seen. He actually gave a reasonable defense of her (apparent) fondness of using packaged foods for something he called "Thirty Minute Meals".

I was pretty amazed as I've never watched the cooking shows!

Merme

I love thirty minute meals!

I have several herbs in pots that I drag in for the winter. I set them on the floor right in front of the window that gets the most sun...most are in 6" pots.

I was doing really well using them for cooking, until I got the bunny. He needs fresh greens, and I'm out of carrot tops and such. He LOVES parsley and basil!

Yep, it's hard not to share with those sweet little creatures. Last year, I had all my herbs in the backroom ready to be planted outside..I made the mistake of leaving the door open to the room while I was at work...well, needless to say, the rabbit had a feast on my basil, cilantro and parsley..lil bugger!

I just started more herbs indoors for the winter. I'm growing basil, cilantro, oregano, thyme and rosemary. All doing well and adding a lovely scent to my kitchen!!

Christina

I'm going to start some herbs after Christmas. Like I said, I don't get a lot of sun so I'll have to move them from room to room and see what happens.

Where is Vanessa? Tonight I'm fixing cornish hens with finger potatoes (saw those on 30 minutes meals). I'm sooooo domestic.