Cranberry Sorbet

Cranberry Sorbet

I used to have Thanksgiving dinner at my house and I would cook and cook... and cook. Not that I minded. I really like spending time in the kitchen. Now, we go to a friends house (thanks Jeanne) and I only make a couple of dishes. This year I have so much extra time, we are running a 5K in the morning. I know it is amazing (1) that we have that much time and (2) that we are choosing to run outside in the cold. On the other hand that is 300 calories burned. 

So what will I be making? I have my Thanksgiving dishes that I make every year, chocolate bourbon pecan pie (it is incredible and it even has a nut crust) and cheese garlic grits. Yes, I will make these this year, because otherwise I would have a family mutiny. I am also making candied bacon (maybe I should run the one mile fun run after the 5k as well).

In addition, I decided to make something different this year, cranberry sorbet. (Yes, it sounds like a Prince song.) It took awhile to get the recipe right. I wanted a tart sorbet but not too tart. I wanted the sorbet to have some sweetness as well. So I decided on a pink grapefruit / cranberry sorbet. The result was right on. It is tart but not too tart and not too sweet like an earlier version I made. I can already imagine the sorbet in a glass with champagne for the adults and ginger ale for the kids. Yum!

Pink Grapefruit Cranberry Sorbet

1 1/2 Cup (300 g) of Sugar

1 1/4 Cup (300 ml) of Water

3 Pieces of Grapefruit Peel

12 oz. (340 g) of Cranberries

3/4 Cup (175 ml) of Grapefruit Juice

Bring water, sugar, and peel to a boil. Add cranberries and boil for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. 

Boiling the cranberries

The cranberries will have popped and will be tender. Remove the grapefruit peel. Puree in a blender or a food processor. Add  the grapefruit juice and pour through a sieve. 

Straining the cranberries

Refrigerate overnight. Pour into an ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. 

The bottom line: will I make this again? Yes. It is awesome. 

Sausage Balls

Freezing the sausage balls

I love sausage balls. They are so easy and so good.  I like the fact that I can make a bunch of them and freeze them.  If I have some unexpected guests, I have a delicious appetizer ready to go.  I have also serve these for breakfast with biscuits.  Yum!
I like them spicy. If you want them to be spicy, use spicy sausage. So easy. You don't have to worry about adding additional spices they are in the sausage.  If you want to go all out you can make your own sausage. (Yes, I have made my own sausage and yes it is amazing).

Sausage Balls

1 lb (.45 kg) of Sausage
8 ounces (227 g) of Cream Cheese
1 1/4 Cups (175 g) of Baking Mix
1 1/4 Cups (155 g) of Cheddar Cheese

All of the ingredients ready to mix

Mix all of the ingredients together with a dough hook.

All of the ingredients mixed together

Make into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in a 400F/204C/ Gas Mark 6 oven for 20-25 minutes. Or freeze and then place in a plastic bag.  When ready to cook, bake in a 400F/204C/ Gas Mark 6 oven for 30 minutes.

The bottom line: will I make this again? Yes, I love them. I have a couple of bags of them frozen in my deep freezer.

Spinach Balls

Spinach Balls

Need a really awesome appetizer that is easy to make? I love these.  People who hate spinach love these.

Spinach Balls

1 Package (283 g) of Spinach, Cooked, Drained, and Squeezed
1/4 Cup (57 g) of Butter, Melted
1 Cup (200 g) of Stuffing Crumbs (I like Pepperidge Farm)
1/2 Cup (50 g) of Parmesan Cheese, Grated
Salt and Pepper, To Taste
3 Whole Eggs, Beaten

Mix all of the ingredients together and refrigerate until mixture sets up.

Just dump the ingredients into a bowl.

Form into balls.  Bake in a 350F/176C/Gas Mark 4 oven for 10-15 minutes.

All mixed together

If you are going to freeze them, put on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once they are frozen, put into a plastic bag. When ready to bake, do not defrost bake in a 350F/176C/Gas Mark 4 oven for 20 minutes.

The bottom line will I make these again? Yes.  I love these. I make a double batch and freeze them for later.

Cheese Olive Puffs

Cheese Olive Puffs

I like these a bit spicy. I make a double batch of these and freeze them.  Right now, I have a whole bunch of these in my freezer ready for last minute guests or a special occasion.

Cheese Olive Puffs

2 Cups (225 g) of Grated Cheddar Cheese
1/4 Cup (58 g) of Butter
1/2 Cup (63 g) of Flour
1/4 Tsp of Salt
1/2 Tsp of Paprika
Cayenne Pepper, to Taste
24 Pimento Stuffed Olives

Mix all of the ingredients together except for the olives.

Pinch off a bit of dough and wrap it around the olive. Place the dough covered olive on a cookie sheet. Bake in a 400F/204C/Gas Mark 6 oven for 10-15.

Or freeze on the cookie tray and then transfer to a plastic bag. When ready to serve, do not defrost, place on a cookie tray and bake in a 400F/204C/Gas Mark 6 oven for 20 minutes.

The bottom line, will I make these again? Yes, I love these. I might have make them a bit to spicy this last time.  Next time I am going to try using smoked paprika.