Apple Cup '11

I love college football and the best game of the year is between the Washington State Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies.

As in any bitter rivaly the stakes are always high.  The Huskies think they are "all that" and the poor Cougs get no respect. 

Both teams are a little beaten up this year so bragging rights are really on the line.  I wish I was at the game, but I will have to settle for watching at home (which is considerably warmer than the stadium so not a totally bad thing)

I'm just hoping the Cougs fair a little better than the Buckeyes and Beavers. 

Go COUGS!!!!

T-day countdown

So Thanksgiving is just around the corner. 

Even though we will have all ten of the usual suspects for dinner, I'm not feeling too stressed

(at least right now) 

Last night we bought our turkey, all 26 pounds and now I'm waiting for it to thaw. 

Now turkey is pretty simple to prepare, but I truly believe brining make all the difference. 

Such a simple step, but if you are looking for a really juicy bird it is an absolute must.

Basic Turkey Brine

• 3 gallons cold water
• 1 1/2 cup salt

Soak for 24 hours

This one also looks pretty good.  I may just have to try it. You gotta love Alton Brown.

For the brine:

• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 gallon vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger
• 1 gallon heavily iced water

My only additional advice for turkey brining is be careful where you leave your turkey.  A couple years ago my turkey wouldn't fit in the fridge so I left the bucket containing the turkey on the back steps.  I thought I had secured the lid, but apparently that was not the case. When I went out to get the turkey at  O' dark hundred I noticed some critters had started their Thanksgiving early. Yeah, not good.  Lesson learned, the garage is a much safer place.

:0)

Check this out

It seems like I'm always making cupcakes for some reason or another. 

While blog hopping I came across this video (Cue the Angles singing)

I absolutely HATE cleaning my pastry bags.  It isn't difficult, but it is a major pain. 

Well no more.  You can skip to the 1:20 mark.

If you are a frequent froster you will thank me. 

:0)

Watch

Just Around the Corner...

Is it just me or has November been on hyperdrive. Where has the month gone? Crazy!!
I just realized that Thanksgiving is a week from Thursday. Yikes, I have to get on it. Thankfully we keep things simple but it is a reminder that the holidays will be in full swing very, very soon.
Are YOU ready??
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