The Kitchn Archive
2014
November

The Kitchn Archive: Nov 2014

A Teeny-Tiny Thanksgiving
We ended up with a much smaller Thanksgiving this year due to the unexpected injury of our host and main cook. A cozy, thrown-together meal was served up on the kitchen table which had been moved into the living room to be closer to The Patient who was convalescing on the couch. Brined heritage turkey, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, honey and thyme carrots, and cream roasted fennel. And cranberry sauce.
Dana Velden
Nov 30, 2014
Bless Your Food Today with One of These Graces from Around the World
Every year at Thanksgiving I write about this book — an inclusive and beautiful collection of prayers and blessings from all over the world, gathered thoughtfully from many eras and traditions of belief. It’s a rich volume of 160 poems, prayers, and songs that express gratitude for the table and the life it brings. If you’re in want of a quiet moment today or a special grace to say over your feast, I highly recommend downloading it and spending a half hour in its pages.
Faith Durand
Nov 27, 2014
Here’s Your Thanksgiving Dinner, Made Out of Balloons
Are you cooking up a storm in the kitchen tonight? Well, we thought we’d inspire you with a very accomplished Thanksgiving meal just coming out of the oven. And if you think it’s tough making a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner, well then. You just haven’t seen a turkey made out of balloons. And it doesn’t stop there — want to see our new favorite turducken? Meet the best turducken of all time.
Faith Durand
Nov 26, 2014
We All Make Mistakes in the Kitchen, Even Food & Wine Editor Dana Cowin
The book: Mastering My Mistakes in the Kitchen by Dana Cowin The angle: Tired of feeling defeated in the kitchen, Food & Wine editor-in-chief Dana Cowin has turned to the top restaurant chefs for help — and you can learn right along with her. Recipes for right now: Pork Meatball Sliders, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Caper-Raisin Sauce, Broccoli Rabe Pizza, Halibut with Red Coconut Curry Who would enjoy this book? Cooks who secretly bury their cooking mistakes beneath the potato peels.
Emma Christensen
Nov 26, 2014
Here’s a Tip for Cleaning Up Every Last Shard of Broken Glass
From Apartment Therapy → Quick Tip: How to Easily and Safely Clean Up Every Last Shard of Broken Glass Miniscule, hard-to-see pieces of broken glass are difficult to clean up, but with just a roll of masking tape, you can pick up every little piece safely and easily!
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 26, 2014
Listen to NPR’s Feel-Good Thanksgiving Playlist This Year!
When the meal is done, the candles are lit, and everyone is ready to sit down at the table, the only thing left to do is put on a little background music. But what to play? Let the music minds at NPR show you the way. NPR’s ‘Songs for Stuffing’ playlist is totally food-focused, and comes to you with a little wink and a smile.
Cambria Bold
Nov 26, 2014
A Felt Thanksgiving Dinner
(Image credit: Carrie McBride) From Apartment Therapy → Play Food Felt-A-Long Week 3: Dinner’s Served!
The Kitchn
Nov 26, 2014
Peychaud’s Bitters: A New Orleans Take on Aromatic Bitters
In the past, we’ve written about aromatic bitters and covered some brands to fit your budget. But one well-known bottle was noticeably absent from the mix: the storied New Orleans original, Peychaud’s Bitters. The omission was intentional. Yes, Peychaud’s belongs to the broader category of aromatic bitters — of which Angostura is a member, too.
Roger Kamholz
Nov 25, 2014
Here’s What You Should Do with Your Turkey Immediately After Dinner Today
Yes, that leftover Thanksgiving turkey, carcass and all, is going to be staring you in the face on Thursday night. Do you know the best way to take it apart and store it? Or do you just loosely drape some plastic wrap or foil on top, shove it into the fridge, and plan to deal with it another time? Let’s walk through the best ways to take apart and store your leftover turkey! The first thing you have to ask yourself, before you even touch the turkey, is what you plan to do with it.
Christine Gallary
Nov 25, 2014
Long & Low Holiday Centerpieces
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Style Secrets: 4 Ways to Create Long & Low Thanksgiving Centerpieces Long, low centerpieces add color and drama but don’t impede conversation at the dinner table. Here are five tutorials to help you put one together!
The Kitchn
Nov 25, 2014
5 Smart Ways to Salvage an Overcooked Turkey
Like it or not, turkey is the star of Thanksgiving dinner. If you pull your bird out of the oven to find it’s overcooked, you may have the urge to shed a few tears (been there, done that), but don’t panic. You’re not the first person to overcook a turkey and you certainly won’t be the last. Unfortunately there’s no way to turn back the clock and undo what’s been done. The good news, however, is that there are a few ways to salvage your overcooked turkey.
Kelli Foster
Nov 25, 2014
10 Tiny Steps to Get Your House Ready for Thanksgiving Guests
Hosting Thanksgiving is a big deal. With everything you’ve got going on in the kitchen, who has time to deep-clean the house? We’re here to say you shouldn’t stress about washing your windows or mopping the floors. Instead, just do these 10 little things to ensure your guests feel relaxed and comfortable in your home. Consider this your low-pressure checklist to making things comfortable for your guests. If you don’t get to it all, no big deal!
Cambria Bold
Nov 25, 2014
Partner
9 Things We Always Forget on Thanksgiving #facepalm
We tend to get so focused on the big stuff when prepping for Thanksgiving that little things can fall through the cracks. (After all, picking up peppercorns to refill your pepper grinder is easy to forget; a 22-pound turkey, not so much.
Sponsored Post
Nov 25, 2014
3 Things We Love About This Gorgeous Thanksgiving Table
Hush. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of all other holiday tables bowing down to the glory that is this Thanksgiving table from Apartment 34. In case it’s not obvious, here are three things we love about this table (and totally plan on stealing for ourselves at some point this holiday season). This is mix-and-match at its finest! If you look closely, you’ll notice that every place setting is a little different.
Cambria Bold
Nov 25, 2014
Why You Should Invite a Stranger to Thanksgiving Dinner
(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Apartment Therapy → 5 Reasons Why You Should Invite a Stranger to Thanksgiving Dinner
The Kitchn
Nov 25, 2014
The Best Ways to Store Leftover Pie
Deciding where to put leftover pie has always been tricky for me. On one hand, I would love to put everything in the fridge just to be on the safe side, but the leftover turkey and side dishes are usually also battling it out for space. On the other hand, I wonder if I’m ruining the texture of certain pies by refrigerating them when most people would just leave them out on the counter. So what’s the answer?
Christine Gallary
Nov 24, 2014
5 Tips to Help You Actually Enjoy Your Own Holiday Party
(Image credit: A Thanksgiving Dinner Outdoors: The Feast!) From Apartment Therapy → How To Actually Enjoy Your Own Holiday Party: 5 Tips for Entertaining with Ease Stressing out and not enjoying your own party makes you wonder why you’re throwing it in the first place. Here are five tips that will help you actually have
The Kitchn
Nov 24, 2014
Oyster Dressing, Just Like My Mother (and Grandmothers) Made
This Thanksgiving, we’re doing something different. After sharing almost every Thanksgiving of my life with my parents, I was at a loss this year because they’re both now gone. I am (so very, very) lucky to have a dear friend who is willing (enthusiastic, even!) to lump us in with her family for the holiday, and I can’t wait. (She throws a great party, and this will be no exception.) I offered to bring the oyster dressing, and planned to use my mom’s recipe.
Anne Wolfe Postic
Nov 24, 2014
Dinner Party Reminder: Put a Pitcher of Water on the Table
Whether you’re throwing Thanksgiving dinner this week, or just looking forward to cozy parties this winter, take a tip from us: Don’t forget the water! So simple, and yet we rarely take the time to do it. We make sure the wine bottle is on the table, for goodness sake, but a pretty carafe of ice water? Hardly ever. We love restaurants that leave a bottle of cold water on the table after the waiter fills our glasses.
Elizabeth Passarella
Nov 24, 2014
Do Not Self-Clean Your Oven Before Thanksgiving. Here’s Why.
With Thanksgiving just a few days away, you may be thinking now is the time to push that self-clean button on your oven so that it’s spick-and-span and ready for cooking. Here’s why that’s a very bad idea. As we’ve written before, self-clean cycles can be really hard on your oven.
Cambria Bold
Nov 24, 2014
Can You Actually Thicken Gravy with Stuffing?
Most recipes use flour or cornstarch to thicken gravy, but a number of years ago there was an interview on NPR with cooking guru Shirley Corriher who mentioned that her mother used to thicken their Thanksgiving gravy with uncooked stuffing. And not only that, it was also the best gravy she remembered eating. Is it really possible to use stuffing to thicken gravy? And, does it taste good? We decided to test it and find out!
Kelli Foster
Nov 24, 2014
Partner
A Warm, Relaxed Autumn Dinner
We’ve been following artists and designers Corrin and Jake as they plan a casual fall dinner party for friends, with a comforting menu that uses dairy-based solutions to feature milk, yogurt and three different cheeses and still be friendly to lactose-intolerant guests. Today, we’ll reveal how it all came together, from National Dairy Council’s cooking tips to one stellar DIY project.
Sponsored Post
Nov 24, 2014
5 Ways to Turn Extra Thanksgiving Ingredients into Dinner
Apartment Therapy
Nov 24, 2014
Make a Corn Husk Wreath
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → How To Make an All-Natural Fall Wreath from Corn Husks
The Kitchn
Nov 24, 2014
Thanksgiving Inspiration: The Modern Relish Tray
Is the relish tray passé? It seems that they’re a nostalgic memory from Grandma’s table. But many of the relish tray elements are popular again, namely the pickle. So why not bring it back? Read on for some ideas on how to revamp the relish tray just in time for its traditional appearance: the Thanksgiving table. As with all the classics, we get into tricky territory when we explore a more modern approach. Some things are just too sacred to change!
Dana Velden
Nov 23, 2014
Partner
Recipe: Hazelnut Eggnog with Homemade Hazelnut Liqueur
Every Christmas I come up with one fantastic homemade gift idea to really blow my friends’ minds. One holiday included hand-cut pappardelle with a divine Bolognese recipe attached. Another year I made Nutella from scratch, which unfortunately I loved so much I wasn’t willing to share. This year I think the gift’s in the bag — an infused hazelnut liqueur along with my hazelnut take on a decadent eggnog.
Sponsored Post
Nov 23, 2014
Hot Tea Is the Best Way to End Thanksgiving Dinner
We spend a lot of time planning and cooking the Thanksgiving meal, but what happens when the feast is over? The late afternoon hours at the table are my favorite part, after the rush of the meal, lingering over a last bite of pie and talking with relatives I rarely get to see. But if you just can’t handle one more pecan bar and another glass of wine is a bad idea, cup your hands around a hot cup of tea instead — and make enough for everyone as they sit back and digest.
Faith Durand
Nov 22, 2014
How Produce Gets from the Farm to a Farmers Market
Mallory Samson
Nov 22, 2014
5 Easy Ways to Make Pumpkin Pie Even Better
Apartment Therapy
Nov 21, 2014
Apartment Therapy’s Best Floor Cleaning Tips, Tricks & Methods
(Image credit: Rebecca Bond) From Apartment Therapy → Your Cleanest Floors Ever: 55+ of Our Best Tips, Tricks & Methods Whether you’ve got hardwood, carpet, laminate, or rugs in your house, here are some tips for how to clean all of them! Hop to it before the Thanksgiving entertaining begins.
The Kitchn
Nov 21, 2014
Let Sunday Suppers Help You Plan Your Holiday Parties (and Beyond!)
The book: Sunday Suppers by Karen Mordechai The angle: Cozy meals with friends and loved ones for every hour of the day. Recipes for right now: Tea and Ginger-Cured Sea Bass, Cinnamon-Sugar Popcorn, Potato Tart with Black Olives, Apple Cider Cakes, Mushroom Toast with Soft Cooked Eggs, Buttered Brussels Leaves, Scallop and Sausage Paella Who would enjoy this book? Cooks who enjoy planning low-key meals and simple celebrations with friends.
Emma Christensen
Nov 21, 2014
How Bruce Springsteen Helped Me Organize My Kitchen Drawers
For years, there’s been this beautifully organized drawer photo floating around the internet. It’s special because it’s not arranged vertically or horizontally; it’s all diagonal! That’s cool and all, but I hate design solutions that involve me buying anything. So this morning, my main man Bruce and I sat down to rectify the situation. Well, I sat and he stood lookin’ oh so fine in those jeans as usual. The best projects in my home happen at 7am or 2am.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 21, 2014
Partner
Recipe: Flank Steak with Yogurt-Horseradish Sauce and Blue Cheese Sauce
With fall sweeping in, Corrin and Jake were ready for a cozy evening at home with friends, but they didn’t want anything fussy or formal. The best compromise? A warm, relaxed Autumn dinner with lots of homey flavor that — with the help of our sponsor, National Dairy Council — pleased all their guests, including those with lactose-intolerance, without eliminating the delicious dairy foods Corrin and Jake love. Yesterday, we showed off their party plan (and a killer DIY).
Sponsored Post
Nov 21, 2014
Making It Work: Hanging Pots and Pans in Front of a Window
Finding a place to store everything is challenging in a small kitchen, so it’s sometimes necessary to make creative use of what you have. Lauren’s Chicago kitchen doesn’t have a lot of cabinet space, which means she has to hang her pots and pans in front of the window — and it actually looks pretty great!
Cambria Bold
Nov 21, 2014
Things to Keep Within Arm’s Reach of the Stove
Apartment Therapy
Nov 21, 2014
7 Natural Ways to Add Fragrance to Your Home
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → 7 Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Great for the Holidays
The Kitchn
Nov 21, 2014
Yes, You Will Love The Portlandia Cookbook. You Might Even Cook From It, Too.
The book: Portlandia by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein with Jonathan Krisel The angle: A celebration of foodie culture in true Portlandia style. Recipes for right now: Wild Mushroom and Artichoke Tartines, Nacho Cheese Popcorn, Autumn Market Basket Salad, Korean Short Rib Stew, Smokey Bacon Pizza Bianca with Wild Greens, Y2K Apple Pie, Two-Banana Daiquiri Who would enjoy this book? Portlandia-loving cooks.
Emma Christensen
Nov 20, 2014
10 Snacks for Last-Minute Guests
Apartment Therapy
Nov 20, 2014
10 Fun Games to Play on Thanksgiving
(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Apartment Therapy → 10 Thanksgiving Games to Make the Holiday Fun for Everyone Need some activities for everyone to do before or after the big dinner? Here are 10 fun ways to enjoy the time together.
The Kitchn
Nov 20, 2014
My Favorite Quick and Easy Non-Alcoholic Drink
I’m not usually much of a soda drinker. If I drink anything other than water, it’s likely to be a cocktail or a glass of wine. But when I was pregnant, and those weren’t options anymore, drinking yet another glass of sparkling water just didn’t cut it. I wanted something that felt like a treat, a drink I could open like I would a bottle of wine. That’s when I discovered this Blood Orange Italian soda.
Cambria Bold
Nov 20, 2014
Recipe: Dark Molasses Gingerbread Cake
This is a cake that should come with a warning: Only proceed if you love molasses. If you do love molasses and its dark, bitter sweetness, then proceed immediately, and with haste. This cake is dark, fudgy, damp and rich. It’s like a chocolate cake for people who don’t like chocolate. I am one of those people who loves molasses even more than chocolate — I love how it balances sugar sweetness with bitterness and a cascade of funky sour notes.
Faith Durand
Nov 20, 2014
Is It Worth It To Cook a Practice Turkey Before Hosting Your First Thanksgiving?
Do you remember how you felt the first time you hosted Thanksgiving dinner? Were you nervous? Excited? Perhaps none of the above? This year my friend Meghan is hosting her first Thanksgiving dinner. Despite hosting other holidays and dinner parties, she confided in me that she’s nervous about this one, and feeling some added pressure. Her nerves are coming from one place — the turkey.
Kelli Foster
Nov 20, 2014
Partner
A Warm, Relaxed Autumn Dinner: The Party Plan
We like to think of Autumn as dinner-party season: that time of year when the wind picks up, the light dims and the best way to pass an evening is around a candlelit table full of food and friends. For artists and crafters Corrin and Jake, that means a warm, welcoming gathering in their gorgeous Williamsburg, Brooklyn loft — complete with a delicious, comforting menu and cozy, homey decor. This week, we’ll be showing you how they did it, from planning to prep to the party itself.
Sponsored Post
Nov 20, 2014
Do I Need to Pre-Bake My Quiche Crust?
Q: Do you have to pre-bake a quiche crust before filling? I used a flour-butter-water crust and I see that most recipes require pre-baking, but I never remember my mother doing this step. Sent by Alexia Editor: Yes, I recommend pre-baking the crusts for quiches because I think it helps keep them from getting soggy from the filling. Here’s a little more information on blind baking: How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust Readers, any other thoughts?
Emma Christensen
Nov 20, 2014
My Favorite Kitchen Hand Soap
From The Kitchn → My Favorite Kitchen Hand Soap (I’ve Been Using It for Years!
Apartment Therapy
Nov 20, 2014
Here Are 4 Ways to Rescue Thanksgiving Gravy
A good gravy is really what ties all the elements on the Thanksgiving plate together. It can rescue dry turkey, liven up mashed potatoes, and perk up bland stuffing, so there’s a lot riding on the gravy turning out well. Here are four tips to help you rescue a gravy that isn’t quite perfect! Here are the four typical problems you can encounter when making turkey gravy and solutions for fixing them!
Christine Gallary
Nov 20, 2014
Apartment Therapy’s Thanksgiving Guide
(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Apartment Therapy → Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, Decorations, Crafts, & More
The Kitchn
Nov 20, 2014
What Can I Make with a Big Harvest of Pomegranates?
Q: When we moved into our house last year, I was thrilled that we had a pomegranate tree in the backyard. It gave us about 15 pomegranates last year and that was exactly the right amount. This year is a different story! Thanks to some fertilizer and adequate watering, we’ve got a booming harvest of about 50 pomegranates (in my mind a good problem to have). I’ve already created two large batches of pomegranate jelly and I’m still swimming in them … I need help!
Christine Gallary
Nov 19, 2014