Italian Sausage & Polenta

I was once at a cooking class where the chef was preparing grits as one of the side dishes.  A woman in the class blurted out, "I don't like grits!"  The chef smiled and asked, "Do you like polenta?" and her reply was, "Oh yes, I love polenta."  Then he kindly explained that they are pretty much the same thing.  I grew up with grits at my house.  Never polenta.  Our grits were more like the breakfast kind that you added a little sugar and butter to.  Then I grew up and discovered this wonderful thing called polenta that becomes the ultimate rich side dish when combined with Parmesan cheese.  Like mashed potatoes.  Only Italian.  And better.  This meal is a very simple, but elegant entree.  All you need is bread and a dessert and you have the makings for a wonderful dinner party.  So whether you call them GRITS or POLENTA, it doesn't matter here at The Devilish Dish, I just want you to call them DELICIOUS!

An elegant Italian alternative
to Meat & Potatoes...

Only 6 ingredients...
7 if you count the water...

Cook sausage in a skillet with water
until the water evaporates.

Brown sausage and onion
in olive oil.
(Action Shot)

Add tomatoes and season with
salt and pepper.

Add polenta to salted water.
Stir constantly about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese.

Serve sausage mixture
on top of polenta.
Garnish with additional cheese and
fresh basil.

This recipe is featured at the Foodie Friday Linky Party.  Check out some other great recipes there too!

Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup Mix

I love crafting up little treats.  Many years ago when my Little Devil was really little, I was in charge of Teacher's Appreciation at her school.  That meant I got to come up with all of the little presents and meals for the teachers.  I loved it.  Though my budget was small, and sometimes it was challenging, I really enjoyed making little gifts for them to show how much they meant to our kids.  For their Thanksgiving treat one year, each teacher got a little bag of Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup Mix in their mailbox.  All the bouillon, herbs and noodles are included to make a yummy soup.  Just add turkey, water and a few veggies and you've got a great Post-Turkey Day meal.  These are so simple your kids can even whip them up.  A perfect little gift for your guests, and definitely and terrific little hostess gift if you're eating away from home.

Save a little turkey for the soup!

Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up

Due to my foot surgery, and the new lovely red cast that I just got today, I'm not cooking Thanksgiving at my house this year.  Which is a bittersweet thing.  On one hand I can sit with my foot propped up, drinking a Diet Coke, and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  On the other hand, I'll be missing about my favorite thing on the planet, which is cooking.  Even though it's a lot of work, and pretty grueling to prepare such a huge meal, it's really satisfying to watch the family over-indulge on things I've made.  Soooo since I'm not doing that this year (We are going to my in-law's to eat) I'm living vicariously through my foodie friends and all of the yummy things they'll be cooking.  Here are a few things I've found while perusing the blogs.  I hope you enjoy them, and are encouraged to try at least one new dish this year.  I'd love to be in the kitchen trying some of these out this year.  I might just have to prepare a belated Thanksgiving meal when this cast comes off and I can walk again.  These recipes look too good:

***THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUND-UP***

APPETIZERS:  Here are some great things I found to get your Turkey Day meal started, or to hold your starving guests off while you finish up in the kitchen...

Serious Food For The Soul: Bacon Jam Bruschetta-Bacon Jam?  Be still my heart.  That sounds deliciously dangerous.  Taken one step further and made into a yummy bruschetta appetizer.
Lark's Country Heart:  Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms-This one has all of my favorites...Sausage, Hot Sauce and Green Chiles.  And it's SPICY!  You know I'm Devilish...
The Newlyweds Blog:  Cranberry Caramelized Onions Cheese Spread-Nothing says Thanksgiving like cranberries.  And combining them with blue cheese makes for a sweet, tart and tangy little starter that can't be beat!
A Healthy Jalapeno:  Baked Cranberry Apple Brie-Brie always makes for a simple, but elegant appetizer for any meal, but with the Fall flavors of apple and cranberry, it's the perfect appetizer for your Thanksgiving holiday.

BEVERAGES:  It's a holiday.  It's festive.  You have guests coming.  How about serving something to drink besides the usual coffee and tea???

Baking Bad:  Pumpkin Spice Cocoa-Get your Turkey Day started off right with a comforting cup of this yummy cocoa.  Or finish off the evening with a cup before your guests leave.
Everyday Mom's Meals:  Autumn Apple Brew-If your holiday kitchen doesn't smell good enough already, a pot of this simmering on the stove will make it smell wonderful!
Carolina Heart Strings:  Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider-Let your guests relax with a mug of this yummy brew while you work your magic in the kitchen!
Forkful of Comfort:  Candy Corn Cordials-Candy Corn Vodka?  Candy Corn isn't just for the kids anymore.  As if Thanksgiving isn't indulgent enough, try a little sip of this festive drink!
  

SALADS:  As if there's not enough to eat at the Thanksgiving spread, but I love a good salad.  Maybe I'm tricking myself into not feeling guilty about the extra piece of pie.  But I think a yummy, flavorful salad is a great addition to any special meal.

The Devilish Dish:  Salad Men Love-Men will love it, but so will everyone else at your Thanksgiving table.  Simple, so flavorful, and easy to prep in advance!
The Country Cook:  Classic Carrot Salad-This may or may not be one you remember from your childhood.  If it isn't a family favorite, it will be now.  Carrots, raisins and pineapple.  Healthy on Thanksgiving?  Yes.  And sooo good too.
Mommy's Kitchen:  Holiday Cranberry Salad-To me, cranberries are the quintessential Thanksgiving food.  No holiday spread is complete without it.  And incorporating cranberries into as many dishes as possible is a great idea.  Creamy, fluffy, yummy.  And a little bit sweet.  Have a spoonful next to your pie too.
Sumptuous Spoonfuls:  Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Sweet & Spicy Nuts-Pears and blue cheese are a classic pair.  Added to mixed greens with Sweet & Spicy nuts makes for a delicious, Fall combination.

SOUPS:  Starting your Turkey Day meal off with a cup of one of these delicious soups is an ideal way to get the meal started.   Your guests will not be disappointed.

The Devilish Dish:  Pumpkin Bisque with Nutmeg Sage Croutons-This is one of my most favorite Fall recipes that I've created.  The soup is thick, rich and so delish topped with the herb-y croutons!
Chindeep:  Butternut Squash and Apple Bisque-Slightly sweet, slightly spicy with just a hit of curry and saffron.  A great way to celebrate Fall!
Basilmomma:  Potato Leek Soup-Basilmomma pays homage to everyone's favorite chef, Julia Child with her version of this yummy, hearty soup.

That Skinny Chick Can Bake:  Spiced Squash, Fennel and Pear Soup-That Skinny Chick can also make the most delicious soup!  Full of Fall flavor...



BREADS:  Go ahead and splurge and make some homemade rolls.  It's a special occasion and they are not hard to make.  Don't be intimated.  These blogs will walk you right through it.

Goodeness Gracious:  Monkey Bread Muffins-Okay so these may not be your choice for the bread you're serving beside the turkey, but I think these yummy muffins would make a great breakfast treat for your out-of-town guests.  How about sending your guests home with a little basket of these???
Deep South Dish:  Perfect and Easy Old Fashioned Cloverleaf and Crescent Yeast Rolls-I consider myself a little bit of a Southern Girl.  I call almost every type of bread and dinner roll a "biscuit."  And if there is one thing a Southern Gal knows, it's how to make a biscuit.  Or a Cloverleaf Roll or a Crescent Roll.  You can't go wrong with these.
Sharing Recipes:  Simple Corn Bread-Nothing says you have to make a yeast roll for your Thanksgiving meal.  Your guests will enjoy a great cornbread muffin just as much.
Isabelle at Home:  Wine Bread with Figs and Nuts-A quick bread means no yeast and no rising.  How simple is that?  This quick bread with wine, figs and nuts may be simple to prepare but the result is oh-so-elegant.

SIDE DISHES:  You can't enjoy that turkey all by itself.  No Thanksgiving Day meal is complete without a few side dishes to compliment that turkey and stuff yourself on!

Southern Plate:  Sweet & Sour Green Beans-This is one of my all time favorite side dishes.  It's a totally different alternative to the traditional green bean casserole.  Tangy, with a hint of bacon and onion.  So good!
Running With The Devil(ed) Eggs:  Spiced Roasted Candy Carrots-If the kids at your holiday table are turning up their noses at brussle sprouts, give them a big helping of these delicious carrots.  The kids will love them, but they are elevated in flavor so much that adults will too!
Bakeaholic Mama:  Loosen Your Belt Mashed Potato Casserole-Isn't loosening your pants what Thanksgiving is all about?  Is it wrong to wear pajama pants to the Thanksgiving table?  You'll want to if your meal inclues this yummy mashed potato casserole.  Rich and easily made ahead.  It's perfect.
Mandy's Recipe Box:  Baked Risotto with Asparagus and Spinach-I love the traditional dishes of the holiday like mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, but I always like to add another side or two that brings something new to the holiday.  Last year it was Parmesan Marinated Mushrooms.  If I were cooking this year, it would be Mandy's Risotto.  Everything about this looks so yummy!


To Turkey or Not to Turkey:  I debated about having a main course section in my Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up.  Everyone has their own way of making a turkey.  Roasted, Fried, Brined, Stuffed.  Or no turkey at all.  But then I decided what about folks that either don't want turkey or just want to try a new approach.

Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen:  Turkey Saltimbocca Roll-Ups-Most of the time we do up a big traditional meal with the whole extended family.  But back in Mr. Devilish' Air Force days, there were a few holidays that we spent alone, or with the company of just one or two guests.  These roll-ups are totally something I would make for that occasion.  Be sure and check out everything Bobbi made to go with it.  Out of this world!
A Dash of Thyme:  Roast Chicken with Meyer Lemon Shallot Sauce-There is no law that says you MUST make turkey for Thanksgiving.  Be a rebel, make chicken instead.   Personally I think turkey can be dry if not prepared correctly and the idea of a juicy roasted chicken with a lemony-shallot sauce would make me re-think the whole turkey thing.
Recipes for My Boys:  Chicken and Corn Bread Dressing-There is no recipe more comforting than chicken and dressing.  It's a Southern staple and this version would be a terrific alternative to the traditional turkey and dressing.  Rich, Comforting and Delicious.  Can someone make this for me NOW?
The Southern Lady Cooks:  Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham-Okay I'll confess, I'm not really much of a turkey girl.  Now you know why I've been wowing you with traditional turkey alternatives.  I am a ham girl at heart.  Whether it's Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas, no holiday table is complete without a juicy ham!

DESSERTS:  You may have noticed by now that I post more desserts and sweets on my blog than just about anything else.  I love to bake and I love dessert.  When we go to dinner, I want to see the dessert menu first.  I will judge the entire meal and the restaurant based on their desserts.  I personally think it is the most important part of the meal.  It's the last thing folks eat, and what they'll be talking about for days after.

An Affair From The Heart:  Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip-In addition to not being the biggest turkey fan on the planet, I'm not the biggest pumpkin pie fan on the planet.  (I know, blasphemy!)  I do however LOVE these cookies and pumpkin dip.  I think it would be a great addition to your holiday meal, with or without pie.  I mean who doesn't love a cookie???
The Pioneer Woman:  Nantucket Cranberry Pie-As I mentioned before, pumpkin isn't my all-time favorite.  Honestly neither is pie.  Sorry, I'm sorry to admit it to you all.  I made this last year and it was a HUGE hit.  I personally loved it.  It's called a pie, but it's more of a cake-like crust.  No pie crust rolling out.  THAT is my kind of pie.
Not Rachel Ray:  Bruleed Carrot Souffle-This recipe is right up my alley.  Something that not only sounds elegant, but tastes spectacular.  Something that will really cap off the meal and knock the socks off my guests.  I would totally make this!
Spoons N Spades:  Chocolate, Pumpkin and Honeycomb Cake with Toffee Sauce-No meal is complete without a chocolate dessert option.  I know everyone else is indulging in pecan pie and pumpkin pie, but I cannot resist a lucious chocolate cake.  And toffee sauce?  Hello.  Love.

Pumpkin Bisque with Nutmeg Sage Croutons

I've always been guilty of envisioning these over-extravagant holiday celebrations that somehow never really pan out.  I always thought when I grew up, Christmas would be a scene out of a soap opera.  My perfectly dressed children would be stringing popcorn and cranberries to adorn our tree, while I baked PERFECT gingerbread men and my handsome, rugged husband chopped down the perfectly shaped tree.  Yeah right.  Rugged?  No way.    He is handsome though.  And if black fingernail polish is considered perfectly dressed we have that covered.  They wouldn't string popcorn to save their lives.  And I don't even like gingerbread.  So when Halloween rolled around, I envisioned an early dinner of this delicious bisque.  Then later, me in my adorable Old Navy pajama pants with the pumpkins on them curled up on the couch with my husband watching scary movies.  Maybe some popcorn popped in an old-fashioned popper.  Pausing to hand out candy to the cute little trick-or-treaters that rang our bell.  Yeah right.  The only thing that came true in that scenario was the Pumpkin Bisque.  Those trick-or-treaters?  More like teenage boys in their football jerseys that maybe bothered to throw on a mask.  And my husband hates scary movies.  And popcorn.  He hates that too.  But the Pumpkin Bisque was PERFECT!  It's creamy and rich, and the unique flavors of the nutmeg and sage on the croutons are the ideal compliment to the soup.  It is delicious on its own, but it would be a lovely first course to any Thanksgiving or Fall meal.  Really.  Whether you have one of those soap opera Thanksgiving meals or not!

Creamy, rich Pumpkin Bisque!

The Line-Up

Saute onion in butter until tender.
Add garlic.

Add chicken broth, bring to a boil.
Simmer then puree in blender.

Return pureed mixture to pot and
add pumpkin.

Add seasonings.

Simmer about 10 minutes.

Stir in half and half,
heat through.

Toss bread cubes with melted butter.

Coat well with seasonings.

Bake until golden and crunchy.

Perfect for any Fall meal!

Beer Cheese Pretzel Dip

My husband used to rave on about Beer Cheese Soup.  Finally I broke down and made a batch.  Needless to say, not my favorite soup.  And I like beer.  I went to college.  Keystone Light was one of my majors.  I've only made Beer Cheese Soup once in two decades for him.  That's how unimpressed I was by it.  He loved the stuff, but I just couldn't bring myself to make it again.  When the World Series rolled around, I planned a week of guy-friendly food for him to enjoy in front of the tv.  Something about boys and beer just goes together.  Beer, cheese and pretzels are the ultimate man food.  And guess what?  I actually enjoyed it too!  I might just give that soup a try again.  Only four ingredients, you can't go wrong with this one on game day!

Your guy will love this!

Only 4 ingredients...

Combine dip mix and
softened cream cheese.

Add beer and cheddar cheese.

Mix until well combined.

Chill a couple of hours before the big game!

Operation Desert Fox Cookies

When my husband and I were first married he served in the Air Force.  And he was deployed around the world A LOT.  As in 65% of the year A LOT.  So I stayed up all night, watched CNN to try and see what was going on in his world and baked goodies for him all day.  I am proud to say I am a Care Package Expert.  Little Devil and I mailed Daddy a package every other day.  In between we mailed him a letter or post card.  The idea was he would get some kind of mail every day.  It didn't always work out that way.  Sometimes he would get two weeks worth of mail at once.  Sometime he would never get it at all.   But the packages that he did get, he truly treasured.  We sent him all sorts of things.  From baked goodies to love letters.  I named these cookies Operation Southern Watch/Operation Desert Fox Cookies after the mission he was serving on.  Talk about a cookie that travels well!  They're almost like a banana bread cookie, and the addition of coconut and raisins keeps them super moist all the way around the world.  Perfect for your soldier, camper, or college student.  My best friend's little brother is currently serving in Afghanistan.  When her 10-year old daughter and I decided to make Uncle Matthew some cookies, I had just the recipe.  They should withstand the APO/FPO mail system and be moist and tasty when Uncle Matthew receives them. 

Operation Desert Fox Cookies

The Line-Up
(Don't be scared, it's mostly fillings like
nuts and raisins)

Cream together shortening and brown sugar.

Add egg.

Add dry ingredients that have been
sifted together.

Add mashed bananas.

Stir in coconut.

Add oats.

Don't forget raisins and chocolate chips.

Last but not least, the pecans.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a
lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake until light golden brown,
about 12 minutes.

Pack in an air-tight bag
and cushion with bubble wrap.

God Bless Our Troops
for
keeping us safe.

The Devilish Dish~Why I'm taking a Hiatus...

I'm going to be away from blogging for a bit, and I wanted to fill all of you in so no one thinks I've fallen off the face of the earth.  (Although we currently have tornadoes and earthquakes going on at the same time here in Oklahoma so it's entirely possible.) 

You may or may not have heard me talk about the auto accident I was in almost two years ago.  I was less than 2 miles from my house.  An obviously distracted 20 year old girl failed to yield and turned out in front of me.  I was driving a large SUV and she was in a small car.  To give you an idea of the magnitude of the crash, ALL of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I was the only occupant of the vehicle.  When I kind of "came to" and realized what had happend through all of the smoke, and powder from airbags, a kind lady who happened to be a nurse was at my window, along with two very kind college-aged boys.  My first reaction was to get out of my car and check on the other driver, but my right knee wouldn't move. 

(WARNING:  If you're easily grossed out, it's time to stop reading.) 

In fact it wouldn't bend at all because the knee cap was sticking out of my pants.  The skin wasn't broken, it was just this very weird, very not-supposed to be there bump.  Of course I was crying from pain, but mostly I was crying because I wanted my husband.  The young men were kind enough to move my seat back to get me away from the dashboard and steering wheel, and the nurse tended to my cuts and abrasions and tried to calm me down.  Then the boys looked allover my vehicle and gathered up the contents of my purse that had scattered everywhere.  Finally, they found my cell phone.  The nurse took charge, grabbed my phone, calmly explained the situation to my husband and in about 12 seconds flat he was at my window. 


Now I've told you before my hubby is a guy's guy.  He's always been an athlete, and had his fair share of sports-related injuries.  He's a very calm, level-headed person.  I've known him since 9th grade.  And when I looked at him he was 94 shades of white and had the collar of his sweatshirt pulled up around his face like he was watching a scary movie.  It was quite an experience being extricated from my car.  The most vivid memory I have of the entire event is looking around as they removed me to a stretcher and seeing smoke and glass everywhere in the headlights.  And the girl that hit me, standing in the street, wrapped in a leopard-print fleece blanket with her mother's arm around her screaming at the top of her lungs, "MY CAR, LOOK AT MY CAR!!!"  She didn't have a scratch on her, and according to the police officer on the scene, she was at fault.  The only other thing I remember before being loaded into the ambulance was my husband's voice yelling, "MY WIFE, LOOK AT MY WIFE!!!"  (He's a man of few words, but they are pretty funny words.)

Autumn Apple & Sausage Quiche

My husband said, "Real men don't eat quiche."  Of course this was while he was warming up the leftovers.  Did I mention he rarely eats leftovers?  I'm not sure what that says about his manhood, but it does say that he really enjoyed it.  Enough to eat it for dinner and lunch again the next day.  It's the perfect balance of savory sausage and sweet-tart apple.  With the holidays around the corner this would be ideal for Thanksgiving or Christmas brunches.  Or just make it for dinner like I did.  Even the "real men" in your family will enjoy it!

Perfect for holiday brunches...

The ingredients

Combine eggs with half and half.
Add mustard and celery seed.
Season with salt and pepper.

Combine shredded cheese with flour,
coating well.  Add to egg mixture.

Stir in chopped parsley.

Place browned sausage in bottom of
pie crust.

Top with onion and apple.

Pour egg and cheese mixture over.

Bake approximately 40 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes before
slicing and serving.