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Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you haven’t already put together your shopping list, you still have some time. For those that are ahead of the curve like me, here are some Thanksgiving tips to use in the kitchen to save you time and from stressing out. More time to spend with your friends and family!

1. Add a little baking powder to make mashed potatoes extra fluffy. Apparently, the heat of the potatoes triggers the baking powder’s chemical reaction, and the CO2 produced = extra fluffiness.

2. Freeze rolled out pie crusts so they hold their shape in the oven. Just pop them in the freezer for 20 minutes to an hour while you make the fillings, then bake (without thawing). This will let the gluten in the dough relax and minimize shrinkage during baking. This is mainly for single-crust pies like pumpkin and pecan; if you’re adding a top crust you don’t really have to worry as much about shrinking.

3. Slow roast your turkey overnight. Sounds crazy, but apparently it works like a charm: Put the turkey in before you go to bed, turn the heat down, and wake up to a falling-off-the-bone tender bird in the morning.

4. Prep all your vegetables a day before. You can peel potatoes and carrots, chop onions, wash greens, and do basically any other prep steps called for in the recipes you’re using. This is the kind of thing that will feel crazy when you’re doing it, and AWESOME the next day when you realize you already did.

5. Use rice to weigh down pie crust for pre-baking. Most people don’t have actual pie weights around, and using beans is annoying because they get funny-smelling after baking, and you probably won’t want to eat them.

I hope you found these tips helpful and they help make your Thanksgiving day/dinner that much easier and more enjoyable.

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

Taking a break from your regularly scheduled food posts to wish all of those who serve and continue to serve a Happy Veteran’s Day! Because of them, we are able to live peacefully in this great country we call America. I am forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. Today, I salute YOU!

15955-veterans-day-soldier-flag

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

 

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

Thanksgiving is going to be here before you know it. If you’re like me, you’ve already started making your dinner and guest list and going over it three times to make sure you didn’t miss a single ingredient. While it’s still early in your holiday planning, here are some tips and tricks I’ve gathered from the Food Networks pros that could help you along the way.

1. Start three days out with dicing your onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Keep them in Ziploc bags or in airtight containers.
Michael Cimarusti

2. Make sure all of your side dishes are done the day before. That’s right, you heard it here: They all should be done. There is no reason to stress about cooking the big meal!

3. Serve a couple of dishes that you know how to make just in case you mess up the turkey. That way, you will still have something good to eat.

4. Create a delicious holiday aroma throughout your home by boiling a pot of water with orange rind, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise and whole cloves.

5. Leave your turkey unwrapped in the refrigerator overnight. You’ll get crispier skin when you cook it.

6. Before you roast the bird, insert several metal skewers into each turkey thigh. They direct heat to the thighs more efficiently, and the faster the thighs cook, the less time the breast has to dry out.

7. Don’t try to serve the entire meal hot—you usually don’t have enough space or burners. One of my favorite dishes is a green bean salad that you can serve at room temperature.

8. Serve your meal in cast-iron pans or other heavy-duty cookware to keep things warm.

9. Plan ahead for leftovers. Organize and empty your refrigerator before the feast starts so you don’t waste time trying to jam in the leftovers after the meal. Have plenty of tin foil and containers on hand.

10. Make a list of all the things for which you are thankful.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family. I hope you found these tips helpful and they help to make your Thanksgiving a fantastic one.

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Good morning on this gloomy Monday here in Austin, TX. I know it’s hard for most people to get out of bed when the weather is telling us to stay in and watch movies all day. But to everyone that made it this morning, I commend you! And to reward you I’m showing you 4 delicious vegetable side dishes that are easy to make. Save it for your dinner this week, or find a way to jazz it up for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks.

Cheesy Garlic Broccoli

broccoli

INGREDIENTS

Serves 6-8

3 broccoli crowns
1 ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF/190ºC.
2. Spread out broccoli in a medium rectangular casserole dish.
3. Stir the garlic and cheddar cheese together in a separate bowl.
4. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over broccoli and add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

Honey-Roasted Carrots

carrot

INGREDIENTS

Serves 3-4

6 whole carrots, peeled with tips and ends cut off
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons honey
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF/200ºC.
2. In a medium casserole dish, evenly coat the carrots in butter, honey, salt, and pepper. (TIP! If you prefer bite-sized pieces, simply chop the carrots instead of leaving them whole.)
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
4. Enjoy!

Parmesan Corn

corn

INGREDIENTS

Serves 6

6 half ears corn, cleaned and husked
2 tablespoons butter, softened
½ cup grated parmesan
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF/190ºC.
2. Coat each ear of corn in a thin layer of butter and roll in the parmesan cheese to coat.
3. Place corn in a square baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 25 minutes.
5. Enjoy!

Bacon & Onion Roasted Potatoes

bacon

INGREDIENTS

Serves 6-8

½ pound bacon, chopped
6 medium red potatoes, chopped into ¾-inch pieces
1 2-ounce packet onion soup mix
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF/220ºC.
2. Cook bacon in a cast iron skillet until crisp.
3. Remove any excess grease, if preferred.
4. Add the potatoes and onion soup mix to the skillet and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bake in the skillet for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through.
6. Enjoy!

Hopefully these delicious recipes help make your Monday a little more bearable. Not to worry, only 4 more days until Friday!

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Mash-Up Friday!

Another week in the books my friends. I thought I would shake things up a bit this Friday or should I say “mix up”. These dessert recipes I’m about to blow your mind with combine two of your favorite desserts into…ONE! Yes such a thing is possible and it is a beautiful pairing. So you’re craving a cookie and cake? Well now you can put the two together to satisfy both of your cravings. Get inspired to do so with these recipes.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

red

http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2016/02/10/red-velvet-cheesecake-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars/

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

carrot

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2016/03/carrot-cake-cinnamon-rolls-with-mascarpone-icing/#_a5y_p=5644063

Brownie Mosiac Cheesecake

brownie

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/brownie-mosaic-cheesecake/

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

chocolate

http://www.averiecooks.com/2016/07/chocolate-chip-cookie-pie.html

Oreo Churros

orea

http://dinnerthendessert.com/oreo-churros/

Cookies and Cream Bread Pudding

bread

http://cookiedoughandovenmitt.com/cookies-and-cream-bread-pudding/

Bananas Foster Waffles

waffle

http://bromabakery.com/2016/08/bananas-foster-waffles-recipe.html

Happy Mixing!

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

Happy November everyone! WOW! Can you believe how quickly the year is flying by. Before we get to all of the delicious posts about Thanksgiving, lets talk about a superfood that I have found myself using more and more lately.

Flaxseed

flaxseed

The fiber in flax is what gets its foot in the superfood door, but it’s also packed with omega-3, which you’d usually find in a fish source. Men and women both benefit from its anti-cancer benefits, men with prostate cancer and women with breast cancer. Toss in the evidence showing this can help ward off heart disease, diabetes, and stroke and this is a bona fide winner.

So not only does it have amazing benefits for your body; it also has a very mild taste so you can throw it in anything. I like to incorporate into my morning smoothies, or cookies or muffins. Both nutritious and delicious, you can’t go wrong with this particular superfood.

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

 

Happy Friday Everyone and Happy Halloween! If you’ve been following my blog this week, then you know we have been talking about pumpkins all week long. From pumpkin appetizers, to savory pumpkin dinner recipes; we have FINALLY reached my favorite way to utilize pumpkin of all: in desserts! From pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin scones even; the possibilities are endless. While you’re out celebrating Halloween all weekend long, think about making one of these delicious pumpkin recipes for that Halloween party or for the whole family to enjoy!

Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches

ice-cream

http://www.thetarttart.com/2012/11/pumpkin-ice-cream-sandwiches/

Pumpkin Cheesecake

cheesecake

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Pumpkin-Cheesecake

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

brownies

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/brownies/marbled-chocolate-pumpkin-brownies/

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

cookie

http://www.buildingbuttercream.com/2012/10/pumpkin-pie-cookies.html

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

coffee-cake

http://www.portuguesegirlcooks.com/2012/09/pumpkin-coffee-cake-with-brown-sugar-streusel/

Pumpkin Donuts

donuts

http://www.turntablekitchen.com/recipes/multi-grain-pumpkin-donuts-with-spiced-sugar-freedom/

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

cinnamon

http://www.eatliverun.com/vegan-pumpkin-cinnamon-rolls/

And that completes our pumpkin week! I hope you had as much fun reading (and hopefully eating) some of these posts as I did making them. Have a fun and SAFE Halloween everyone and I’ll see you back here bright and early on Monday morning.

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

Welcome back to my blog! In case you missed Monday’s blog, this week we are all about Pumpkin. With it being the week before Halloween and everything, it only seemed fitting. Even more fitting is today is National Pumpkin Day. So here are some more delicious pumpkin recipes that you can enjoy at dinner.

Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup

coconut

http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a44147/coconut-curry-pumpkin-soup-recipe/

Pumpkin Pizza

pizza

http://lovelolablog.com/savory-pumpkin-pizza-aka-the-best-pizza-you-will-ever-eat-ever/

Pumpkin Chili

chili

http://juliasalbum.com/2013/11/pumpkin-chili-recipe/

Pumpkin Sage Biscuits

biscuit

http://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2014/09/pumpkin-sage-biscuits.html

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes

potato

http://reluctantentertainer.com/pumpkin-mashed-potatoes/

Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta

pasta

http://domesticsuperhero.com/2015/10/26/one-pot-cheesy-pumpkin-pasta/

Pumpkin isn’t just for desserts anymore; it can be enjoyed in savory dishes as well! Come back Friday for my last blog post celebrating pumpkins. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

Happy Halloweek! It’s the weekend before Halloween and we are going to celebrate this spooky holiday all week long; with food of course! So let’s begin with the best part to any meal. Some ghouly appetizers for you and your guests to enjoy.

Finger Hot Dogs

hot dog.png

INGREDIENTS
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns
ketchup

PREPARATION
In a skillet, cook hot dogs until golden brown.
With a knife, carefully make 3 slits in the middle of the hot dog, 3 towards the end of the hot dog, and cut the casing off of the tip of the hot dog to make it look like a finger.
Spread ketchup in the hot dog buns, and place the hot dogs.
Enjoy!

Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

eggs

INGREDIENTS
6 hard-boiled eggs
3 tablespoons dijon mustard
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon paprika plus additional for garnish
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Chives for garnish, finely chopped

PREPARATION
Peel and slice hard boiled eggs lengthwise. Separate yolks into a separate bowl.
Add mustard, mayonnaise, paprika, salt, and pepper to the yolks, and mix thoroughly.
Fill a piping bag with the yolk mixture, and pipe into the empty egg whites.
Sprinkle with paprika, and place a piece of chive to make it look like a pumpkin.
Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Skillet Dip

 

chicken

INGREDIENTS
2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup monterey jack cheese
⅔ cup cheddar cheese
½ cup buffalo sauce
½ cup ranch dressing
2 tubes refrigerated pizza dough
4 ounce block cheddar cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons melted butter

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
In a bowl, combine chicken, cream cheese, monterey jack, cheddar, buffalo sauce, and ranch.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one can of pizza dough. Cut out triangles for eyes, and a mouth.
Bake for 12 minutes, or until the pieces are golden brown, slightly risen and cooked through.
Cut the remaining dough into 16 squares, place a cube of cheese on each one, and roll into balls. Place in a ring around the edges of a greased oven-safe skillet or dish.
Fill the middle of the dish with the dip filling. Bake for 35 minutes.
Place the dough face pieces on the dip.
Enjoy!

Layered Dip

dip

INGREDIENTS
1 16-ounce can refried beans
½ cup salsa
½ cup sour cream
1 cup guacamole

Garnish
Lettuce
Tomato
Black olives

PREPARATION
In a bowl, mix the beans and salsa. Spread onto a plate.
Spread guacamole over the beans.
Put the sour cream in a plastic bag. Cut off the end of one corner of the bag, and pipe out a bullseye pattern of sour cream over the guacamole.
Run a toothpick through the sour cream from the center outward, until it looks like a spiderweb.
Garnish with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and black olives. Serve with tortilla chips.

Start off your night with these devilish appetizers and join me Wednesday to see what other spooky recipes I have up my sleeve.

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~ Kathy

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! Don’t you just love those days when you’re in a good mood for no reason? Well that is definitely how I am feeling today. Maybe it’s the air finally beginning to feel like FALL but nothing can bring down my mood today. What better way to share that with all of you then sharing some recipes that just make you feel good deep down in your soul.

Cheesy Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli

pepperoni

http://southernbite.com/easy-stromboli/

Bacon, Avocado, and Aspargus Salad

bacon

http://carlsbadcravings.com/grilled-caprese-chicken-salad-recipe/

Spicy Shrimp with Kale and Cauliflower Mash

shrimp

http://pinchofyum.com/spicy-shrimp-cauliflower-mash-roasted-kale

Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole

beef

http://damndelicious.net/2016/09/17/one-pot-mexican-beef-and-rice-casserole/

Orange Chicken and Rice

chicken

http://www.thegunnysack.com/orange-chicken-30-minute-skillet-recipe/

Don’t these recipes just make you wanna jump up and do a happy dance.

Happy Friday and Everyone and Have a Safe FUN Weekend

Your Realtor and Friend for Life~Kathy

Keywords: “Austin homes for sale, Austin real estate luxury homes for sale, houses, properties, luxury, Austin real estates condos, town homes, townhomes, mansions, luxury fine houses estates, search listings, Austin MLS, executive, custom, new homes builders, residential, commercial, single family, buyers, agents, listing agents, relocation, relocating, Austin MLS, REIA, neighborhoods, subdivisions, FSBO, Travis County, homes for sale, housing, real estate, realty, realtor, rental, houses, apartments, condos, lofts, commercial, property, residential, renovated, remodeled, historic, homes by owner, buy, owner, for sale by owners, Remax, Remax of Texas”

 

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