THE PERFECT GIFT BASKET

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Every extended family has that one person that champions Christmas. That person that rallies the troops for holiday baking, sets a date to see Christmas lights or plans the secret Santa gift exchange. I have someone like that in my family. It's my sister-in-law, Nicky Vender. Her home is always decorated beautifully for the holiday, she bakes the best cookies and she gives the best gifts wrapped to perfection. She is always the person you secretly hope picks your name for the gift exchange because you know your gift is going to be awesome. Well, this year Coca-Cola has asked me to highlight my unsung heroine of Christmas as part of their #ShareACoke campaign, and I would like nothing more than to #ShareACoke with Nicky. Truthfully, her jolly Christmas actions go unthanked a lot, and I want to thank her with the ultimate gift basket!

Her energy and excitement for the season is what keeps me going because I think my energy peeks shortly after hosting Thanksgiving or maybe it's because my kids tire me out...Either way, her holiday spirit and joy make Christmas much more fun. To honor her, Coca-Cola personalized her favorite drink, Diet Coke, with her name on it, and then I put together the ultimate gift basket.

Gifts always feel more special when they are personalized. Wouldn't you agree? You can get 40% off a personalized six pack of Coca-Cola using shopping code HOLIDAY40 at checkout.

To take the personalization one step further, I had a wooden sign made for her family that she can hang on a wreath year round. In addition, I packed some more of her favorite things in a lovely basket. 

1. Diet Coke - Her favorite drink
2. Madonna ornament - Her favorite 80's pop star
3. Chocolate and caramel - Her favorite treat
4. Bottle opener  (similar)- To help her enjoy her Diet Coke, of course
5. Personalized wooden sign for any wreath or basket - It can be used in many ways
6. Hand cream - Beauty products always win.
7. Nail files - Her toes are always painted to perfection
8. Wrapped soap - Who doesn't like to bathe in the scents of Christmas?! Haha!
9. Throw - To keep her warm and cozy
10. Beautiful basket - Something that she can use to store things in her home
11. Boxwood wreath - It's a beautiful and neutral gift for the season.
12. Bouquet of Holly - Everyone loves flowers, especially Christmas ones. 

I left the basket on her doorstep like a good little elf to let her be surprised, and she sure was! I got a call with tears and joy. I'm sure Santa would be proud. The fun doesn't stop there though. I want to give you something special too.

You can win your very own six pack of Coca-Cola that's personalized with your name, as well as a $100 gift card. The total value of the prize is $130. To enter, please tag your Christmas hero or heroine in my Instagram post (click here). Contest ends on December 11th at 11:59 PM, and one winner will be chosen by December 12th and contacted via direct message on Instagram. Please make your Instagram account public so that I can contact you if you win.

This prize was provided by The Coca-Cola Company. The Coca-Cola Company is not a sponsor, administrator or connected in any other way with this campaign.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

BAKED STUFFING CUPS

Thanksgiving is so close I can almost taste it. I don't think I am alone in saying this, but I look forward to eating stuffing even more than I look forward to eating turkey. I'm always looking for yummy new recipes, and here is one that is not only delicious but gives you a different way of serving stuffing for your holiday.

Brendan McCaskey created these delicious stuffing cups, and I had the pleasure of devouring them.  They were so moist! The opposite of what I would think, honestly. My tastebuds are proof that this method is just as good and prettier. I hope you enjoy.

Baked Stuffing Cups
by Brendan McCaskey

Yields 12 servings

Overall Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 medium sized yellow onion, chopped

- 6 stalks of celery, chopped

- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into half moons

- 2 cups mushrooms, chopped

- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

- 1 tablespoon worcestershire

- 16oz loaf of country bread, cut into cubes

- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (can substitute w/ vegetable stock)

- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

- 1 egg, lightly beaten

- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Method:

Preaheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat olive oil in large saute pan. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots and cook for another 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, and cook until mushrooms are tender, about 4-5 minutes.  Add vinegar and worcestershire to pan. 

Remove from heat and transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl with bread cubes. Add chicken stock, parsley, and egg. Mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper.

Place parchment squares into a standard muffin tin cups tray (12). Fill each parchment cup with a heaping mound of stuffing.  Place in the oven in the middle rack and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tops of cups are crisp and golden brown.

Remove from oven, and set aside to slightly cool for 2-3 minutes. 

Serve cups on cooling rack or tray.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

SLOW COOKER TURKEY BREAST

Thanksgiving is a month away. WHAAAAT?! I know I'm freaking out a little bit because this time of year always seems to go by so fast. Every year we host Thanksgiving for our extended family. I love making the turkey. The smells of sage, butter and citrus bubbling in the oven are heaven to me. I remember being SO nervous when I made my first one. I think I read the directions for the recipe 20 times to make sure I didn't miss anything. 

If this is one of the first times you are making a turkey or if you are hosting a small dinner gathering for friends and family I highly recommend simply cooking a turkey breast in your slow cooker instead. It's faster, easier and a no fail approach to making delicious turkey for your Thanksgiving feast. Plus, your over is free to cook all of your tasty sides.

When creating a Thanksgiving feast for my Home for the Holidays post a month back, Brendon discovered this amazing recipe on Pinterest. We tried it and it was SOOOOO good. It looked beautiful too because you crisp up the skin in the oven after it has fully cooked in your slow cooker. Just make a tasty gravy to go with it, and you're set! These are pictures of how ours turned out. Be sure to visit Recipe Tin Eats for their recipe notes, nutrition information and various cooking times depending on how large your turkey breast is. 

JUICY SLOW COOKER TURKEY BREAST
by Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

PREP TIME 15 mins

COOK TIME 8 hours

TOTAL TIME 8 hours 15 mins

Serves: 8-12 depending on size

INGREDIENTS

• 2 kg / 4 lb turkey breast bone in (if using frozen, thaw it)
• 1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally
• 1 onion (brown, yellow or white), unpeeled, cut in half
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• 5 sprigs of thyme (or 2 tsp dried thyme leaves)

Rub

• 1½ tsp garlic powder
• 1½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 5 grinds of black pepper
• 1½ tbsp olive oil

Gravy

• 1 - 2 cups chicken stock/broth (or water)
• ¼ cup flour
• Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place Rub ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
2. Pat the turkey dry all over with paper towels. Slather with the Rub, using most for the side and top.
3. Place the garlic, onion, thyme and 1 half lemon face down in the slow cooker. Place the turkey breast on top so it is elevated.
4. Squeeze over the remaining ½ lemon and then push it down the side.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
6. Remove turkey from the slow cooker and let it rest for 20 minutes before crisping the skin.

Crisp the Skin

1. Preheat gril/broiler to high.
2. Place in oven 1 foot from the heat source.
3. Remove turkey breast from the slow cooker into a heatproof serving dish.
4. Place on the oven shelf and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Keep an eye on it - it browns very quickly!
5. Serve immediately with gravy on the side.

Click here for the tasty gravy recipe. 

Photos by Rennai Hoefer; Recipe prepared by Brendan McCaskey 

TRI-COLORED SCALLOPED POTATOES

Potatoes cooked in any shape or form are always a "yes" in my home. Scalloped potatoes is a dish I grew up with, and when I have a bit more I like to make them instead of mashed potatoes. Often times you see scalloped potatoes made with golden Yukon potatoes, but I thought it would be really pretty to make this dish with purple potatoes and sweet potatoes. 

This is definitely a side-dish that is pretty enough to serve for dinner parties, and will always win people over with taste because it's comfort food. When you pour a cheesy cream sauce on top how can you not win? Am i right? haha!  In fact, I may just make this dish for Thanksgiving instead of mashed potatoes. Although I anticipate the traditionalists in the family may need the gravy and mashed potatoes too. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Tri-Color Scalloped Potatoes
by Brendan McCaskey

Yields 6 servings

Overall Time: 1 hour & 30 minutes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour & 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Potatoes:

- 3 yellow potatoes, peeled & sliced 1/4" thick

- 3 sweet potatoes, peeled & sliced 1/4" thick

- 3 purple potatoes, peeled & sliced 1/4" thick

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cream Sauce:

- 3 tablespoons butter

- 3 tablespoons flour

- 1 1/2 cups milk

- 1 teaspoon salt

- pinch of cayenne pepper

- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, separated

- 1 cup bread crumb

- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
 

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Toss potato slices with olive oil, salt, & pepper in a large bowl. Spread evenly on two parchment lined baking sheets. Place in oven for 10-15 minutes, switching and rotating baking sheets half way through cooking time. Potatoes will be tender, and a fork should be able to go through easily. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Lower oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small sauce pan on medium to high heat, melt butter and add flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes creating a roux. Whisk in milk and lower heat to low to medium. Stir and cook sauce until it begins to thicken, and is smooth and boiling, about 8 minutes.  Remove from heat and whisk in salt, cayenne, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.

Layer potato slices in a casserole dish on their side, alternating each color, in rows.  Carefully pour sauce over potatoes, and top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Toss bread crumbs in melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the potatoes.  Place in 375 degree F oven for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Remove pan form oven and set aside to cool for 4-5 minutes. Serve family style from pan.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer; Recipe by Brendan McCaskey

SPICY ROASTED GREEN BEANS

Sides are sometimes the hardest part of dinners. Have you noticed that? I always can come up with a main dish, but I have a habit of leaving sides to the last minute. I usually default to salad because it's easy and fast and doesn't require cooking. But my kids don't eat salad (duh, what kid does?). So, as long as I remember to buy a bunch of fresh green beans at the store I'm set. This side is fast, simple and doesn't require much cooking either!

In fact, this is a dish you'll want to substitute your traditional green bean casserole for when you host Thanksgiving or other dinner parties. Spicy, garlic green beans can be as hot as you want or as "garlicy" as you want. We like a bit of kick here in the southwest, and I'm Italian. So, you can bet I like a lot of garlic.

This recipe was created by my friend Brendan McCaskey who has culinary training and is an artist in the kitchen. He gladly shared it with me and I get to share it with you! I hope you love it.

Spicy Roasted Green Beans
by Brendan McCaskey 

Yields 6 servings

Overall Time: 20 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 pounds whole green beans, trimmed

- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and shaved

- 1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced

- 2 tablespoons oilive oil

- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

- 1 teaspoons salt

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
 

Method:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix green beans, garlic, & shallots with olive oil. Add red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and mix together.  Spread beans evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place in oven for 15 minutes, stirring half way through cooking. Beans will be tender, and lightly golden brown and caramelized.

Serve family style on a long platter.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer