Recipe of the Week

Dark Chocolate & Pumpkin Cheesecake

This is the time of year for lots of parties and sometimes it is hard to come up with something new or special. So if you are looking for something impressive and yummy to take to your next get-together? This recipe is a bit of work, but it is guaranteed to be the hit of any party! Be sure to read through the whole recipe before starting so you know what your game plan is before you start, i.e. you will need two springform pans for this one!




Ingredients

CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIE CRUST
1 c pecan pieces
6 deep dark chocolate fudge cookies (Peppperidge Farms or other type)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
8 oz semisweet chocolate, broken into 2-oz pieces
1/4 Chocolate syrup
3/4 lb cream cheese, softened
3/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 ts salt
3 eggs
1 ts pure vanilla extract

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
2 ts unsalted butter, melted
1 lb cream cheese, softened
3/4 c granulated sugar
2 tb all-purpose flower
1/2 ts salt
3 eggs
1 ts pure vanilla extract
1 c pumpkin puree
1/4 ts ground cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast the pecan pieces on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, chop the cookies and the pecans until they are in crumbs (to yield 2 cups) about 20-30 seconds. Add in 2 tbls melted butter and blend well. Set aside until needed.

Coat the bottom of a 9-by 3-inch springform pan with melted butter. Use your hands to press l cup of crumbs to a uniform and level thickness on the buttered bottom of the pan. Set aside.
To prepare the chocolate cheesecake, heat l inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium-high heat. Place the semi-sweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler.

Tightly cover the top with film wrap and allow to heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Place 3/4 pound softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on low for l minute and on medium for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat on medium for 2 more minutes and on high for 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl. Add 3 eggs , one at a time, beating on high for 20 seconds and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Then beat the mixture for 1 minute more on high. Add l teaspoon vanilla extract and beat on medium for l5 seconds. Add the melted chocolate mixture, chocolate syrup and then beat on medium for 30 seconds.

Pour the cheese cake mixture into the prepared springform pan, spreading evenly. Keep at room temperature while preparing the pumpkin cheesecake batter.

To prepare the pumpkin cheesecake, coat the inside of a springform pan with l tsp butter. Line the pan with parchment paper. Coat the parchment paper with the remaining tsp butter. Set aside until needed.

Place l pound softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, the flour, and 1/2 tsp salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle . Beat on low for l minute and on medium for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat on medium for 2 more minutes and on high for 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl. Add 3 eggs one at a time, beating on high for 20 seconds and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add l tsp vanilla extract and beat on medium for l5 seconds, then beat for 2 more minutes on high. Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, allspice and cloves, then beat on medium for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl for the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the batter until it is smooth and thoroughly combined. Pour the pumpkin cheesecake mixture into the prepared springform pan, spreading evenly.

Place a 9 by 1 1/2 inch cake pan partially filled with 4 cups of hot water on the bottom rack of the 300 degree oven (the bottom rack should be at least 3 inches below the center rack). Place both cheesecakes on the center rack of the oven and bake for l hour and l0 minutes, until the internal temperature of the cheesecake fillings reaches l70 degrees. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecakes to remain in the oven for an additional 20 minutes. (Do not open the door - it will let out all the moisture and cause your cheesecakes to crack.)

Remove from the oven and cool at room temperature for 20 minutes. Refrigerate the chocolate cheescake for l hour, but keep the pumpkin cheesecake at room temperature (do not remove either cake from the pan).

Pour l cup of Semisweet Chocolate Ganache over the top of the chilled chocolate cheesecake. Spread the ganache evenly over the top of the chocolate cheesecake. Remove the pumpkin cheesecake from the springform pan, leaving the bottom on - invert the pumpkin cheesecake onto the layer of ganache. Gently press down on the cake to set in place. Wrap the entire cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours to set.

The cheesecake can now be released from the springform pan. Remove the plastic wrap and insert a knife vertically around the outside edge of the cheesecake. Carefully release and remove the springform pan. Place the cheesecake on a wire rack and pour remaining ganache over the top and smooth it over the sides. Press the remaining cookie/pecan crumbs into the sides of the cake, coating evenly. Remove the bottom of the springform pan and place on serving dish. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

To cut and serve heat the blade of the serrated knife under hot water before cutting, and run it under hot water after making each slice. Place a piece of cheesecake in the center of each plate and serve. Yield: 12 Servings

Thankful Thursday

Since today is Thanksgiving and there are SO MANY things to be thankful for so I won't make a big long list but I want to just name a few:

• I am thankful for Scott; for his constant love and support, for his sense of humor, for his help around the house - doing dishes, laundry and helping out with whatever he can. I am thankful he has a job during this time of economic uncertainty.
• I am thankful for my wonderful, beautiful children: For Brooke's unfailing loyalty and help. She works hard everyday, many times without pay. She is a joy to be around, she is my best friend, a good little mother and hard worker. Brent is so awesome! I am so glad to have him home with us so we can love him and help him heal. He is such a gentle soul and so easy to please. I am thankful he is filling our home with his music again. Ashley is a joy and is sweet in every way (most of the time). She has a good heart and lots of love. It makes me sad that they are so grown up. But I am thankful that they have grown up better than I could have ever imagined.
  
• I am thankful for my sweet little grandchildren who love unconditionally. These little sweeties bring love, laughter and true joy into my life. It is so fun to watch them grow up and love everything they do (good or bad) and be able to laugh at their antics and spoil them rotten.
• I am thankful that our family is so close. Moving a lot has made us closer than most families. For many years all we had was each other. And because we are so close I always know who I can count on...who will be there...and who keeps their promises. Where other fail, we are ALWAYS there for each other.
• I am thankful for Craig and Cyndy and our long standing holiday tradition with them. It has been truely relaxing, fun and enjoyable!
• I am thankful for Elliot's Preemie Tees and the opportunity we have to touch and bless so many lives.
  

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the March of Dimes...

Because this month is Prematurity Awareness Month I have been thinking a lot about the March of Dimes and all the ways they were helpful and instrumental in helping to save Elliot's life. I know that they sometimes get a bad wrap because of their research on birth defects and the results being used by abortion groups to terminate pregnancies. But that was not the intent of the research. Their mission has always been about saving babies. So now I want to tell you that EVERYONE who has EVER had a baby in America should thank the March of Dimes for their work! If you have had a baby then look over the list of what they have done for you too! I highlighted all the ones that affected Elliot...tell me how they have helped you?

March of Dimes Milestones and Timeline

January 1938
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt establishes the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis - a unique partnership of scientists and volunteers - to conquer polio.

Eddie Cantor creates the first grassroots fund-raiser for the National Foundation, asking the public to send dimes to President Roosevelt at the White House. The effort was called the March of Dimes, which later became part of the official name of the foundation.

March of Dimes first research grant goes to Yale University.

1939
March of Dimes first chapter is established in Coshocton, Ohio.

1941
March of Dimes provides first iron lung to assist polio victims.

1949
March of Dimes selects Dr. Jonas Salk to lead research on classifying polio viruses.

1950
First Mothers March launched in Phoenix, Arizona., to raise emergency funding during a serious polio outbreak.

1952
Virginia Apgar, M.D., develops the Apgar Score, a clinical system for evaluating an infant's physical condition at birth. By the end of the decade, it becomes the standard practice in obstetrical care throughout the world, and remains so today. Her scoring system was the crucial first step in the evolution of medical subspecialties focused on newborns. Dr. Apgar worked from 1959 until her death in 1974 for the March of Dimes.

1953
Dr. Salk confirms the feasibility of a killed-virus vaccine for polio.

1954
March of Dimes runs field trials of Salk vaccine with 1,830,000 schoolchildren participating. The test is the largest peacetime mobilization of volunteers in history.

April 12, 1955
Salk vaccine is declared "safe, effective and potent."

1958
March of Dimes initiates the first concerted efforts to save babies from birth defects.

1960
March of Dimes establishes The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.

1961
Earlier March of Dimes work pays off in the development of the PKU test. This allows some forms of mental retardation to be prevented.

1962
Oral polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Albert Sabin with funding from the March of Dimes is licensed.

1968
March of Dimes funds the first successful bone marrow transplant to correct a birth defect.

1970
First WalkAmerica events take place in San Antonio, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio.

1973
March of Dimes researchers discover that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes birth defects.

March of Dimes funds first in utero treatment for a birth defect.

April Murphy is first baby to be successfully treated in the womb for birth defects

1976
March of Dimes calls for creation of a regional system of newborn intensive care units to save sick babies.

1978
March of Dimes funds first prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia.

1981
March of Dimes funds first successful surgery to correct a urinary blockage in an unborn baby.

1982
March of Dimes launches "Babies & You" program to bring prenatal education to the workplace.

1984
March of Dimes funds development of a newborn screening test for biotinidase deficiency, which can cause mental retardation and death unless treated promptly.

1985
March of Dimes funds research leading to the use of surfactant to treat respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Danielle Cofey is one of first infants to be treated with life-saving surfactant therapy.

1989
March of Dimes grantee performs the first in utero surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia in an unborn baby.

Blake Schultz is first baby to undergo lifesaving fetal surgery to correct a diaphragmatic hernia.

1991
March of Dimes funds research showing that delivering babies with spina bifida by cesarean section may save them from paralysis.

March of Dimes grantees identify genes responsible for Marfan syndrome -- an inherited disorder of connective tissue, and fragile X syndrome -- the most common known familial cause of mental retardation.

1992
March of Dimes grantee locates a gene connected with 70 to 80 percent of cases of acute leukemia in infants.

1993
March of Dimes grantees clone gene responsible for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy — a rare and often fatal hereditary disease characterized by adrenal failure and paralysis.

Ashanthi DeSilva and Cynthia Cutshall become first Americans to undergo gene therapy.

1994
March of Dimes launches nationwide campaign urging women to take the B vitamin folic acid to help prevent neural tube birth defects.

1995
March of Dimes grantees share Nobel Prize for research on fruit flies that identified master genes that control the early structural development of the body.

March of Dimes funds research showing that treating certain infections with antibiotics reduces the risk of preterm delivery.

1996
March of Dimes-supported research on nitric oxide leads to a new treatment to save premature babies from persistent pulmonary hypertension, a deadly lung disorder.

March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the Mothers' and Newborns' Health Protection Act, guaranteeing a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours following delivery.

With March of Dimes support, the FDA approves fortification of grain products with folic acid.

1997
March of Dimes grantee successfully uses deactivated HIV viruses as delivery systems for healthy genes in gene therapy.

March of Dimes grantee finds that gene abnormalities in the development of certain enzymes involved in folic acid metabolism may contribute to susceptibility to neural tube defects.

March of Dimes grantee identifies a gene for Alagille syndrome, a rare inherited disorder that causes abnormalities in different parts of the body.

March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), to provide health care coverage for up to 5 million children.

1998
March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the Birth Defects Prevention Act, establishing a nationwide network of birth defects monitoring and research programs.

March of Dimes research leads to one of the first successful surgeries to treat spina bifida before birth. Noah Kipfmiller is one of the first babies to undergo this pioneering open-womb surgical procedure.

1999
March of Dimes grantees successfully use gene therapy to treat hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa in the lab.

2000
March of Dimes volunteers developed key provisions and worked to enact The Children's Health Act of 2000. The law creates a National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and helps states to expand newborn screening.

2001
March of Dimes launches a partnership with the Dutch-based de Waal Foundation to provide prenatal care and birth defects prevention information to women in Ecuador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

2002
March of Dimes grantees win the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for their discoveries on genetic regulation of organ development and programmed cell death (apoptosis).

The March of Dimes promotion of folic acid fortification and awareness contributed to a 21 percent decline in the occurrence of neural tube birth defects between 1995 - 2000.

2003
March of Dimes launches a multimillion dollar, multiyear campaign to prevent premature birth and raise awareness of its serious consequences.

2005
The North Building at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is dedicated to March of Dimes volunteers, as part of the 50th anniversary of the polio vaccine.

2006
Nobel Prizes are awarded to March of Dimes grantees Drs. Roger D. Kornberg and Craig Mello for groundbreaking discoveries on RNA and its role in human development.

March of Dimes advocacy leads to passage of the PREEMIE Act to bring together experts from the private and public sectors to speed development of prevention strategies for preterm labor and delivery.

2007
March of Dimes volunteer efforts lead to increase in newborn screening. Nearly 90 percent of all babies born in the U.S. – more than double the percentage in 2005 – live in states that require screening for at least 21 of 29 life-threatening but treatable disorders.

During November, Prematurity Awareness Month, the Every Baby Has a Story campaign and bus tour enable families everywhere to tell their baby's special story and become part of the March of Dimes online story community.

Three recipients of the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology are awarded Nobel Prizes: Mario R. Capecchi, PhD; Sir Martin I. Evans, PhD, DSc, FRS; and Oliver Smithies, D.Phil. FRS

Recipe of the Week

ALL THINGS HOT CHOCOLATE



It is no secret that I love Chocolate! So I decided that sharing my passion with you is the best gift I can give to you this Christmas. Chocolate is a very diverse and multifaceted epicurean delight. It would be impossible to share all there is to know about chocolate here…I would have to write a book!

So during the season of snow and cold what better way to warm the body and soul than a wonderful cup of hot chocolate or hot cocoa…Yes! There is a difference between the two! Hot cocoa is made of dry ingredients like dry milk and cocoa powder. Hot Chocolate is the real deal…milk and real chocolate. Most people prefer one of the other and it just depends on your taste as to which one you think is better.

I have included here some of my favorite recipes. The first one is my own concoction… the others I have found over the years. I consider them the “best of the best.” All of them are wonderful and worth the effort to try them. I say worth the effort because fine chocolate, like fine wine, is sometimes hard to find and takes a little bit of effort to find really GOOD chocolate. When you find it – it makes all the difference! Today with the use of the internet it is not as hard as it once was. Also, fine chocolate has recently become fashionable; most grocery stores are starting to carry quite an array of them. Every chocolate is different. How it tastes depends on where it is grown. Valrhona (from France) is considered one “the best” chocolates in the world. It is grown exclusively on one cocoa plantation and picked and prepared by hand. If you get your hands on some you will know you have died and gone to chocolate heaven. But if you can’t find this one near you then you might opt for some of the more easily available variety. Scharffen Berger is excellent and available at William-Sonoma. Some others are Amedei, Domori, Pralus and Valrhona to name a few. Try some of them out or find others not mentioned here and you will see what I mean. And for heaven sakes, DO NOT use Hershey’s chocolate unless you just really like it! Be adventurous and try something new! Break out of your comfort zone and you might be amazed at what you find! Enjoy!

Debbie’s Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup high quality cocoa powder*
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup non-dairy creamer
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Allspice
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
Hot water
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.
Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk for a richer treat.
* Use Ghirardelli at the least (trust me it makes a difference!) and for an extra treat William-Sonoma carries Valrhona cocoa.


Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate
It's famous, it's infamous, it's notorious. It has destroyed diets and led to love affairs. Marriages have been proposed over it, couples have been wed in it, princes have been made from it. People have traveled from all corners of the world for just one sip of our creamy, dreamy, icy blend of chocolaty goodness. It'll make you want to blow bubbles through your straw. It makes everyone a child again.

For years, fans begged and plead and offered firstborn sons for the recipe, but we three princes guarded the formula with our lives. It was such a closely kept secret that not even the White House could gain access to it. Jackie Kennedy once requested the recipe so that it could be served at a gala evening at the While House. I offered to travel to Washington to make it myself, but when my security clearance didn't come through in time, I refused to hand over the secret formula — not even to the First Lady herself!

When customers asked how it was made, we would respond that we had a Rube Goldberg machine churning it out in the back — a hodgepodge of arms, wheels, gears, handles, paddles, and even canaries in cages working in concert to concoct the magic elixir. We would never let on that it was as simple as a blender and some magnificent chocolate.

And now, to thank our customers for fifty great years, we've finally decided to share the secret recipe with the world. For truly authentic Serendipity taste, throw a sprinkle of magic in the mix. For this and all the frozen drinks that follow, the recipe yields one gigantic Serendipity-sized serving, which is perfect for sharing. Enjoy.

6 half-ounce pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates
2 teaspoons store bought hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups ice
Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings

Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted. Add the cocoa and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

In a blender place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy with a spoon or a straw. . . .or both!


White House Hot Cocoa
This was gleaned from whitehouse.gov, "from Mrs. Bush's kitchen"

Ingredients:
6 T. Unsweetened cocoa
6 T. Sugar
Pinch of Salt
2 1/2 cup Milk
2 1/2 cup Light Cream
1/2 t. Vanilla (or more)
Pinch of Cinnamon Powder (optional)
Whipped Cream
Orange Zest

Mix cocoa, salt, and sugar.
Add milk. Heat to dissolve.
Add light cream, cinnamon, vanilla. Heat to just under boiling.
Mix very well and pour into warm mug.
Top with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and fine orange zest.


Chocolat Chaud
(From It Must've Been Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten — adapted from Pierre Hermé)

Ingredients:
• 2-1/4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup bottled still water
• 1/4 cup (generous) superfine granulated sugar
• 1 100-gm bar (3-1/2 ounces) dark bittersweet chocolate, Scharffen Berger, Valrhona, or Lindt (see note, below), finely sliced with a serrated bread knife
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce or 28 gm) cocoa powder, loosely packed, preferably Valrhona
Instructions:

In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together the milk, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the chopped chocolate and the cocoa and bring to a boil again, whisking until the chocolate and cocoa are dissolved and the mixture has thickened. Reduce the heat to very low.
Blend for 5 minutes with an immersion mixer or whirl the hot chocolate in a standard blender for half a minute, until thick and foamy.
Yield: Four 6-ounce cups of hot chocolate.

Note: I [Steingarten] use a dark chocolate containing close to 70 percent cocoa, though Lindt bittersweet also works just fine. The Mayans and the Aztecs considered the froth the best part. Today, five minutes with an immersion mixer or a blender accomplishes what a half hour of beating did long ago.


White Hot Chocolate
Recipe created by Martha Stewart for Oprah Winfrey

Ingredients:
2 cups of heavy cream
6 cups whole milk
12 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 block of dark chocolate

Using a vegetable peeler, shave chocolate into curls; set aside.

Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl; set aside. Place milk and cream in a medium saucepan set over medium heat until bubbles begin to form around edges of pan (about 4 minutes). Do not boil.

Remove mixture from the flame. Immediately pour over white chocolate. When chocolate begins to melt, gently stir to combine.

Whisk in vanilla. Continue whisking until light foam forms.

Serve immediately. Garnish with chocolate shavings or Homemade Marshmallows. Serves 8


Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows
For an extra wonderful treat make your own marshmallows! Yes!...I am serious...just try it!

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 4 packages (1/4 ounce each) unflavored gelatin
• 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 large egg whites
• 2 teaspoons red food coloring
• Vegetable-oil cooking spray
1. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray; line bottom with parchment paper. Coat the parchment with cooking spray, and set pan aside. Put sugar, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring; let mixture come to a boil. Raise heat to medium-high; cook until mixture registers 260 degrees on a candy thermometer.
2. Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over 3/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Set the bowl with the gelatin mixture over a pan of simmering water; whisk constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in extract; set aside.
3. Beat egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Whisk gelatin mixture into sugar mixture; with mixer running, gradually add to egg whites. Mix on high speed until very thick, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Pour mixture into lined pan. Working quickly, drop dots of red food coloring across surface of marshmallow. Using a toothpick, swirl food coloring into marshmallow to create a marbleized effect. Let marshmallow stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut into squares.

Little Harper Grace - A New Book for Preemies

Little Harper Grace is a shy, pint-sized girl who meets an unlikely friend in her backyard. It takes a little birdie to show her that being different is okay and that each of us has our own unique talents--we just have to believe in ourselves.

Explore the story of Little Harper Grace and make sure to share this site with friends, download free screen savers and don't forget to buy the book! Five percent of the purchase price of each book sold will be donated to the March of Dimes.

Little Harper Grace

written by Jessie Preza
illustrations by Meghan Daly

I Can't Stand it Any More!!!

I just have to decorate for Christmas!! I don't know what is wrong with me, but I need a little Christmas...right this very minute! Scott always makes me wait until after Thanksgiving, but it is driving me crazy to wait...so I guess I will just have to decorate my blog for Christmas...

So here we gooooo!!!!

Recipe of the Week

Thanksgiving Turkey Brine

This is just about the BEST turkey you will ever make! It comes out so moist and flavorful. The gravy is fabulous (it can be on the salty side). Directions for brining is at the bottom of the recipe. Be sure to read the entire recipe days before you plan to cook the turkey so you understand all the steps involved, have all the ingredients and have enough time! This takes some work...but it is sooooo worth it!!!

1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey
For the brine:
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 gallon vegetable stock
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/2 tablespoon allspice berries

1/2 tablespoon juniper berries
1/2 tablespoon candied ginger
1 gallon iced water
1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
For roasting:

3-4 cloves garlic cut in half

1 onion cut in half
4 sprigs rosemary

8-10 sprigs of thyme
6 leaves sage

Whole lemon, cut in half

Salt

Pepper
Olive oil

Combine all brine ingredients, except ice water, in a stockpot, and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve solids, then remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Early on the day of cooking, (or late the night before) combine the brine and ice water in a clean 5-gallon bucket. Place thawed turkey breast side down in brine, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area (like a basement) for 6 -10 hours. Turn turkey over once, half way through brining.

A few minutes before roasting, heat oven to 500 degrees. Remove bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard brine.

Place bird on roasting rack inside wide, low pan and pat dry with paper towels. Rub bird skin with garlic cloves and onion, toss inside the cavity. Rub skin with lemon juice and toss the rind into cavity. Chop ½ of the remaining herbs. Loosen skin around the breasts and spread chopped herbs over the breast pieces under the skin. Stuff remaining herbs into bird cavity. Tuck back wings and tie legs together, coat whole bird liberally with olive (or other neutral) oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

Roast on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cover breast with double layer of aluminum foil, insert probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and return to oven, reducing temperature to 350 degrees F. Set thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. (Roast 15 minutes per pound) Let turkey rest, loosely covered for 15 minutes before carving.

Make gravy from drippings. Carve turkey just before serving.

Poultry Brining 101

The best way to get flavorful poultry, regardless of how it is prepared, is to start with a brine. Brining adds moisture and flavor to poultry and helps to keep it from drying out. A turkey can be a serious investment in time so you want to make sure it is perfect, especially if you're entertaining. Whether you grill, smoke, fry, or roast your turkey, you should use a brined bird.

To properly brine a turkey you need to start the night before you plan to cook. You will need 10 to 12 hours (or more), a container large enough to hold your turkey and enough brine to cover it. You'll also need salt, water, sugar, seasonings, and enough room to refrigerate it. A large stainless steel stock pot or even a 5 gallon clean plastic bucket Whatever container you choose the turkey needs to have enough room to be turned so it should be big. Both Reynolds (Oven Roasting Bag for Turkeys) and Ziploc (XL Storage Bag) make very large food safe sealable bags that are great for brining.

Now let's get to the turkey. The turkey should be cleaned out, completely thawed, and should not be a self-basting or Kosher turkey. Self-basting and Kosher turkeys have a salty stock added that will make your brined turkey too salty. A fresh turkey works best, but a completely thawed, frozen turkey will work just as well.

To make the brine, mix 1 cup of salt in 1 gallon of water. You will need more than 1 gallon of water but that’s the ratio to aim for. One way of telling if you have enough salt in your brine is that a raw egg will float in it. Make sure that the salt is completely dissolved before adding the seasonings you like, making sure not to add anything that contains salt.

Sugar is optional to any brine, but works to counteract the flavor of the salt. While you may choose a brine without sugar, I do recommend that you add sugar (any kind of "sweet" will do) to maintain the flavor of the turkey. Add up to 1 cup of sugar per gallon of brine. Like the salt you need to make sure that the sugar is completely dissolved.

Place the turkey in a container and pour in enough brine to completely cover the turkey with an inch or two to spare. You do not want any part of the turkey above the surface of the brine. Now you put the whole thing in the refrigerator. If you are like me, making enough room in the fridge is the hardest part of this project. The turkey should sit in the brine for at least 1 hour per pound of turkey. You can leave the bird in the brine for as much as 24 hours but the amount of moisture the turkey will absorb decreases over time. 10 hours should be the minimum for brining a large turkey. Brining for too long can ruin the flavor and make the turkey too salty. 24 hours should be the maximum amount of time you brine. If you are using a smaller turkey use the hour per pound rule.

Don't have room in the refrigerator? Try a cooler. A cooler big enough to hold your turkey makes a good container for your turkey and brine. The cooler will help keep it cool and allow you to brine your turkey without taking up precious refrigerator space. If the weather is cool, but not freezing you can put the whole thing outside until you need the turkey. If the weather is warm fill a half gallon milk carton with water and freeze it. Place this in the cooler with the turkey and brine and it will hold down the temperature during the brining process.

When you are ready to start cooking your turkey, remove it from the brine and rinse it off thoroughly in the sink with cold water until all traces of salt are off the surface inside and out. Safely discard the brine and cook your turkey as normal. You will notice the second you start to carve your turkey that the brining has helped it retain moisture. The first bite will sell you on brining turkeys forever, and after you've tried this you will want to brine all your poultry.

Thankful Thursday

I am Thankful for Eternal Marriage

Scott and I were married on January 23, 1979. I know, we are really old! Our next Anniversary will be our 3oth. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Like most husbands, he drives me crazy some of the time, but I love him anyway!

We were married in the Arizona Temple. Back then the Arizona Temple was in our temple district even though we lived over 1,000 miles away in Dallas, Texas. We had to make great sacrifices to marry in the temple. I remember packing up our whole wedding and transporting it to Arizona. We had to give up some things to get married in the temple. Most of our friends couldn't be there because it would cost too much for them to come. And for that reason our reception was held a week later in Dallas. But we were surrounded by our family and it was a wonderful day...everything I'd hoped it would be. I think many of us now don't realize what a blessing it is to have so many temples all over. President Hinckley was amazing, wasn't he?

When we drove to Arizona, I got to ride with Scott in his little red VW Bug. We enjoyed spending that time together. Our parents followed us in a caravan. My dad had a CB radio at the time and he told every trucker on the road that we were going to Arizona to get married. Every 18 wheeler that passed us honked and we didn't understand until later why they were honking!

A lot has happened in the past 30 years... three beautiful children, two amazing grand children, lots of moving, lots of love and lots of life! I think the thing that keeps us going through the good and the bad is knowing we have an eternal marriage...one that will last forever! Knowing the eternal truth behind eternal marriage is more important now than ever...

In April General Conference 2006, Elder David A. Bednar gave a wonderful talk called "Marriage is Essential to His Plan" in that talk he says:

"Two compelling doctrinal reasons help us to understand why eternal marriage is essential to the Father’s plan.

Reason 1: The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.

The eternal nature and importance of marriage can be fully understood only within the overarching context of the Father’s plan for His children. “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and … has a divine nature and destiny.” 3 The great plan of happiness enables the spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Father to obtain physical bodies, to gain earthly experience, and to progress toward perfection.

“Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” 4 and in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary.

After the earth was created, Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden. Importantly, however, God said it was “not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18; Moses 3:18), and Eve became Adam’s companion and helpmeet. The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness. Alone, neither the man nor the woman could fulfill the purposes of his or her creation.

By divine design, men and women are intended to progress together toward perfection and a fulness of glory. Because of their distinctive temperaments and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen and bless each other. “Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:11; italics added).

Reason 2: By divine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children.

The commandment given anciently to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force today. “God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. … The means by which mortal life is created [are] divinely appointed.” 5 Thus, marriage between a man and a woman is the authorized channel through which premortal spirits enter mortality. Complete sexual abstinence before marriage and total fidelity within marriage protect the sanctity of this sacred channel.

A home with a loving and loyal husband and wife is the supreme setting in which children can be reared in love and righteousness and in which the spiritual and physical needs of children can be met. Just as the unique characteristics of both males and females contribute to the completeness of a marriage relationship, so those same characteristics are vital to the rearing, nurturing, and teaching of children. “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”

I am grateful for the great Plan of Happiness, for Eternal Marriages and for my wonderful husband and his commitment to me and these principles! I am grateful my children are committed to gaining these blessings in their lives too!

Prematurity Awareness Day!

Today is National Prematurity Awareness Day
I must admit that 4 years ago I didn't know what it was either. Now, thanks to Elliot, I am very much aware of prematurity and it's impact on the children of our nation. Over 500,000 children are born premature every year in the United States of the 500,000 approximately 150,000 of the don't make it. It is just a matter of time before everyone is impacted by a premature birth.

Today the March of Dimes released the National Report Card on Prematurity. This report card shows how each state is doing on the goal to reduce the risks of prematurity to 7.6% Overall America gets a "D." Check out how YOUR state is doing and then sign the Petition for Preemies. Help to raise the awareness for preemies and their families! This is a problem that we all can help with if we just take a few minutes to become aware.

There are many reasons babies are born too soon. If you are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant or know someone who is pregnant learn the facts about prematurity. For example: Did you know that a low grade infections such as periodontal disease can trigger early labor? If you didn't know that then you owe it to yourself and your baby to become educated! Knowledge is Power! The more you know the better!


Elliot was born weighing 1 pound 12 ounces. He had single umbilical artery: one artery in the umbilical cord instead of two. Eventually that artery gave out completely. Because of great medical care and early intervention Elliot was saved. Babies like him are usually still born. Because Brooke saw her doctor and kept her regular appointments the problems were caught in time to save Elliot.

Thank you ...Aprilyn!

The better part of yesterday I spent reading the comments on the news articles published online regarding the fallout of the passage of Prop 8 in California. It was then that I learned the protesters were coming to Utah... to march on Temple Square.

I read with horror the hateful comment by those who wished to "kill Mormons." I read one chilling remark from a man who said, "I can't wait until Mormon Missionaries come to my door again, they will wish they had never met me!" Having had two of my children serve full time missions it sent shivers down my spine.

I read comments from valiant Saints who tried to calmly and rationally explain the beliefs of the Church,it's members and it's leaders. And some not-so-great comments from the well meaning but misinformed types.

But then came the dissenters - those who said they were good upstanding members of the Church who cannot follow the Prophet any longer and because of the results of this election and the position of the church they have no choice but to leave. There was even a website set up to denounce your membership in solidarity with the gay and lesbian community. What!!!?? You are kidding me, right?

As I sat there stunned and amazed I kept hearing the words of a Prophet of God foretelling this event in my head. I could hear the words and the voice but I was totally unable to place the talk. Then this morning, in answer to prayer, a friend of mine posted it to her blog. She had a different, but similar, take on the same event that caused her to post the talk.

What is the most stunning to me is the talk was given in 1978 while I was still in college! Somehow the words stayed with me down through the ages to be brought to the forefront of my mind by the power of the Spirit just when I needed them most. Reading all that garbage was simply horrible but I just couldn't stop myself in the disbelief of it all!

As I read, the words of the talk rested like dew distilling peace to my soul - I am so thankful for Prophets of God, and in this case, Apostle Neal A. Maxwell. I miss him, but I am so glad his words were recorded for all to hear and remember. So before anyone goes crazy-off-the-deep-end and wants to denounce their membership they should read this -

"Discipleship includes good citizenship. In this connection, if you are a careful student of the statements of the modern prophets, you will have noticed that with rare exceptions—especially when the First Presidency has spoken out—the concerns expressed have been over moral issues, not issues between political parties. The declarations are about principles, not people; and causes, not candidates. On occasions, at other levels in the Church, a few have not been so discreet, so wise, or so inspired.

Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.)

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ!

“What the secularists are increasingly demanding, in their disingenuous way, is that religious people, when they act politically, act only on secularist grounds. They are trying to equate acting on religion with establishing religion. And—I repeat—the consequence of such logic is really to establish secularism. It is in fact, to force the religious to internalize the major premise of secularism: that religion has no proper bearing on public affairs.” (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, pp. 51–52, 60–61.)

Brothers and sisters, irreligion as the state religion would be the worst of all combinations. Its orthodoxy would be insistent and its inquisitors inevitable. Its paid ministry would be numerous beyond belief. Its Caesars would be insufferably condescending. Its majorities—when faced with clear alternatives—will make the Barabbas choice, as did a mob centuries ago when Pilate confronted them with the need to decide.

Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. M. J. Sobran also said, “A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it” (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, pp. 58–59).

This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.

It may well be that as our time comes to “suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41), some of that special stress will grow out of that portion of discipleship which involves citizenship. Remember, as Nephi and Jacob said, we must learn to endure “the crosses of the world” and yet to despise “the shame of it” (2 Ne. 9: 18; Jacob 1:8). To go on clinging to the iron rod in spite of the mockery and scorn that flow at us from the multitudes in that great and spacious building seen by Father Lehi, which is the “pride of the world” (1 Ne. 11:36)—is to disregard the shame of the world. Parenthetically, why, really why, do the disbelievers who line that spacious building watch so intently what the believers are doing? (See 1 Ne. 8:33.) Surely there must be other things for the scorners to do. Unless deep within their seeming disinterest. … Unless. …

If the challenge of the secular church becomes very real, let us, as in all other relationships, be principled but pleasant. Let us be perceptive without being pompous. Let us have integrity and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash.

Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.

There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, “summer is nigh” (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!"

Read the entire talk here.

Recipe of the Week

Pumpkin Dessert
This is a great recipe for those who are not so fond of pumpkin pie. Everyone loves this dessert so give it a try even if you don’t like pumpkin pie!

Crust:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 cube butter (softened)

Empty the contents of the cake mix in a bowl, reserve 1 cup for topping. Cream the egg and butter with the remaining cake mix. Spread mixture evenly across the bottom of a greased 9x13’’ baking dish.

Filling:
1 16 oz. can pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. cloves
Mix all ingredients together and pour over the crust.

Topping:
1 cup reserved cake mix
¼ cup butter (softened)
2 T Sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Cut ingredients with a pastry knife until crumbly and pea sized. Sprinkle on top of filling. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Serve warm or chilled with a dollop of whipped cream.


Pumpkin Bread
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
5 eggs
1 16 oz. can pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 3 oz. packages vanilla pudding mix (regular or instant)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Sift together dry ingredients. Add pumpkin mixture to dry mixture and mix until blended. Pour into greased large loaf pans. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees.


Optional Cream Cheese filling:
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Thankful Thursday

This week I am so grateful for those amazing, courageous and heroic Saints in California, Arizona and Florida who worked so hard to keep that sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. You have my highest respect and gratitude! Thank you!

This has been a hard fought battle and it is not over! But it is important that we continue to protect the family and marriage. California is especially in need of our prayers and support. Many lawsuits have been filed there and I am sure the battle will go on for a long time. What is more disturbing is there have been riots in the streets and attacks against the church. Now that those who opposed Prop 8 know the involvement of the Saints and the Church we are starting to see more and more attacks against the Church. Let the persecution begin!

This disgusting photo was posted on Fox News today -



And here is a news story on a commercial that ran the last few days before the election. It portrays two Mormon missionaries ransacking a lesbian couple's home and tearing up their marriage license and taking their wedding rings -



I am also thankful for the knowledge we have been given by inspired prophets on these issues so that we know what the Lord would have us do. I pray that we will ALL have the courage to uphold these principles when we are called on to do so!

The Family: A Proclamation to the World
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Voting: Our Duty and Our Right

Every election year we get a letter sent by the First Presidency of the Church telling us that we should exercise our right to vote. I have listened to this letter read many times over the course of my voting years. But I never really understood what they were trying to tell us until now.

It has been said that every answer to life's questions can be answered in the scriptures. I believe this to be true! So can we find anything about voting in the scriptures? The answer is a resounding YES!

In the Book of Mormon King Mosiah was faced with the challenge of finding a ruler to take his place. None of the Sons of Mosiah wanted the job. So the people, under the direction of King Mosiah, began a process of finding a Chief Judge to rule over the people:

"Therefore, choose you by the voice of the people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws...Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast their voices concerning who should be their judge." Mosiah 29:25-39

King Mosiah recognized that even self-government is not flawless and even though the laws were established by just men on the principles of the Law of Moses, they were still subjected to corruption by men. Mosiah warned: " Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything that is contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people." (Mosiah 29:26)

When sensible laws are upheld and sustained by the will of the majority of the righteous people, society functions smoothly. It is true that it may be difficult to find unanimity of opinions on any one issue. Righteous people may disagree or have differing opinions on a number of issues. So how do we overcome this difference of opinion?

The best course of action was in the counsel given by this wise Nephite King - to make and sustain laws by the voice of the people - the majority. When most of the people are righteous, sustain equitable laws, and elect officials who conscientiously sustain existing laws while the judiciary interprets the laws without regard money or power - chances are good for harmony in the populace.

There is also a weakness in self-government; "And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity; then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land." (Mosiah 29:27)

Here in is the key component! If the majority upholds, honors and sustains the law then society keeps moving along. BUT if the majority becomes fuzzy about what is right and what is wrong OR if they relinquish their rights to the minority through pacification then a democracy can become as corrupt as a wicked kingship! Our ONLY assurance against this happening is for us to vote; not just a few people, but everyone!

We, the righteous majority, cannot afford to become passive in these times of decaying morality and loss of our liberties - We MUST exercise our vote - it is our duty and our right. It is the only way that we can preserve our values and our nation! We must stand up and be counted so that the voices of the decent, moral and righteous majority are heard. We cannot subjugate our rights to a vocal minority. It is my duty and your duty to - VOTE!

For more information on this subject I recommend this book to you "America's Hope" by Douglas E. Brinley

Pro Life

This election some serious issues will be decided. One of them is abortion. This is a powerful video that will shed some light on this important issue. Please watch it and then vote your conscience.

Elliot was born at 29 weeks and 6 days - The law allows for live birth abortions to take place up to 30 weeks and these babies are allowed to die with no medical intervention, there was no protection because these babies were meant to die. If they are born alive they could and should be saved! Hundreds of couples are waiting to adopt!

Elliot survived his planned premature delivery because it would be the ONLY way to save his life! (I find this so ironic!)He survived because he had the best medical care available. Today he is a happy and healthy 3 year-old with NO long term effects of prematurity. We hope that ALL babies are given the same chance at life.