Neglected Thanksgiving foods

When you look at a "traditional" Thanksgiving spread, there are definitely some dishes and foods that are associated with the holiday or the time of year. My problem is, some of these foods are really only associated with Thanksgiving, when they could be enjoyed the whole year round. In my Thanksgiving-themed post, I would just like to list off some of these things and try to state a case.

TURKEY.
Yes, whole or fresh turkey only seems to be consumed on or around Thanksgiving. It seems to be second fiddle to the chicken, which is readily available and easier to cook. Yes, I think the reason why the turkey isn't eaten regularly is its big, takes a long time to thaw, and takes a long time to cook. Plus, some people may associate turkey with being dry and flavorless. Truth be told, if you have a well-prepared turkey, I could eat it on a regular basis. Plus, the leftover options; you've got soup, sandwiches, turkey ala king, pot pies. As a bachelor though a whole turkey is way too much for me. I actually prefer deep fried turkey myself (if you haven't tried it yet, do yourself a favor and try it when the opportunity arises), but of course being in an apartment I can't use the equipment necessary.

But you don't have to have a whole turkey to enjoy turkey. Pilgrim's Pride has a large line of turkey products. You can get turkey breasts cutlets (perfect for picatta), ground turkey (which I use in place of hamburger), and others. Don't let "fake" turkey, used in many lunch meats, turn you off to turkey the year round.

SWEET POTATOES (aka Yams).
Whether you call them sweet potatoes or yams (even though technically they aren't the same thing), these vegetables are generally only thought of around this time of year, which is a shame. At our dinner table we typically had candied yams, which were peeled yams cooked in the oven with some brown sugar and marshmallows. Now, that's all well and good, but when I started really getting into cooking, I found that sweet potatoes were alot more versatile, and are good year round. A good sweet potato pie recipe can beat a pumpkin pie hands down. And in those rare occasions where I have steak (get it? rare?), I like to have whipped sweet potatoes along with it - which is just steamed sweet potatoes with a little milk and a bit of brown sugar whipped with a hand mixer. Far superior to mashed potatoes in my opinion.

CRANBERRIES.
The cranberry certainly has all its business taken away from the other berries, which is primarily because the cranberry is just not that sweet. ask yourself, outside of the holidays, when have you ever had cranberry sauce? Probably not that often, if ever. I like to make a nice cranberry orange relish to go with certain dishes. Its good with more than just turkey. Of course you can also enjoy cranberries in various juices at the store, and in a tasty snack, Craisins, which are great in place of raisins in any recipe.

GREEN BEANS.
Now this is a little hard to make a case for, since green beans aren't as tied down to Thanksgiving as the above foods were. But around this time of year the number of green beans and green bean recipes seems to increase, and I'm not sure why. Green beans and green bean casseroles are big this time of year. Me, my family had green beans on a regular basis. They were usually out of the can and heated on the stove. Now there's nothing wrong with that, but nowadays I find those types of green beans hard to swallow. Give me some fresh raw green beans, or fresh green beans that have been steamed, and I'll happily eat them.

Those are the biggies right there. Foods that have unfairly been locked into the November-December time frame. Do yourself a favor, get out there to some of the big recipe sites.. either Food Network or Recipezaar.. and look around the recipes with the above ingredients. Try a new recipe this year. Chances are you'll like one well enough to make it at a time other than Thanksgiving.

Local News: Scare Tactics

Awhile back I talked about cable news (specifically CNN) and its decline in its quantity and quality of news. Well now, it's local news's turn!

For the most part, the local late night news has had a pretty consistent format; some of the big local stories, a few national news stories, weather, sports, and maybe a filler story or two. When the Fox network came along, with the WB network, this all changed.

You see, instead of putting the news in at the "normal" time, these networks started the news 1 hour earlier...and, they extended the format to one hour long. Now, for the traditional networks, the local news was a bit of a stretch to make a 30 or 35 minute show. ("uhhh..lets take another look at the weather!") So to make an hour long news program, there's bound to be some filler. I, for one, am getting a little annoyed with these stories. Not because I have to watch them, but because I have to hear about them. Whenever the networks do their little promos for whatever is on that night (usually on the radio), generally they'll add in what the "big story" is going to be on the evening news.

You've probably all heard these promos. It's because they all sound the same. The overly dramatic music starts, then you hear, "Tonight...on Fox News at 9.." and then the story.

I'm pretty set in my ways. I like some type of food/drink/clothes/store, etc., I tend to stick with it and don't like changing just because someone says so. Well, these news programs are trying to say so. Things like "vitamins aren't as healthy as once believed," or "soda cans..you thought they were safe, but tonight, you'll find out how deadly they are!" You know what, I don't want to hear your little expose on what the latest thing is to cause cancer, and what's not as healthy as we thought, or the hidden little secrets on the products we like. And that's because I don't adjust to fads. I didn't join the low-carb fad, I'm not going to do the latest new exercise program. People in their 80s and 90s have lived long lives eating whatever they want and exercisingg when they feel like it. So why the hell am I supposed to believe we're living in an unhealthier time?

And if their little stories aren't on what the latest thing is that's going to kill us all, it's a reporter harassing some business or individual. This past Halloween a local news program advertised a story about how trick-or-treating was much more dangerous this year because local kids were going to houses of registered sex offenders. Then they showed the reporter going to the houses of these people who were "endangering your children." For one, these people are registered offenders. They know what a horrible thing they did, and they're going to have to live with it the rest of their lives. So why do you have to bust their door open and shove a camera in their face just so you can show what a great thing you're doing for the community? And two, why do you have to scare the heck out of parents, making them think next year they're going to have to escort their kids or give them a can of mace so they can spray it in the faces of treat givers who may seem a little suspicious? What purpose does it serve?

So yeah, I think local news programs, at least the longer ones, are trash and exploitation. You know what, just do the local news, weather, and sports, do your silly little banter, then move on to the sitcoms or talk shows. I don't want myself or anyone else to be subjected to these scare tactics.

Kitty Dictionary

The following is a list of terms that I often use to describe certain actions that my cat, Sniper, does. I thought it would be a hoot if she took over the keyboard for a change. I of course, will supervise - No you won't- uh yes I will Sniper. Look, if you don't leave I will scratch you real bad- Ok, do that then you won't get any milk later today - Fine then, you can at least stay in the room in case I need your help. Anyways, here she is in her writing debut, Sniper. I hope you scratch something out real nice. HA HA get it Sniper, scratch something out- *Sniper gives daddy an evil glare* - Ok, so you don't get it geez everybody is a critic, well here she is folks my darling, pretty, and not to mention evil cat, Sniper. *Sniper continues to look at daddy with evil eyes, but soon turns to the computer screen* Greetings, servants to all feline kind umm I mean dear readers, I want to take few minutes to clear up some things. I promise not take a long time since I have a post morning nap that will precede my evening nap. It has come to my attention that some humans are not totally clued in certain cat terms. These terms make it easier for humans to describe on the different cute things we cats do. I want to make this clear so humans will communicate better on how cute we are and so more cats will be placed in strategic places around the world, ummm I mean so more cats will be adopted into more good homes. Then when that happens all felines will be able to TAKE OVER THE WORLD, ummm *licks face*. Anywho, lets get started on the brainwashing errr education.

Wiggle Butt- This is the action the precedes a deadly strike. Cats hunker real low to the ground when they see a potential prey, and then we wiggle our butt to the left and the right several times before we let loose. I usually perform this action when I wanna pounce on a the deadly plastic bag, or the unsuspecting feather toy, or daddy's barefoot. *purrrsss when thinking about pouncing on daddy's foot*

Road Kill- This term describes the most comfortable and relaxed nap position ever. When I am really tired I usually get this way. I usually get tired if I am awake more than two hours during the day. I just lay on my back and let all my legs sprawl out and I have my head facing either to the left or right, and sometimes for laughs I slow my breathing down enough so my daddy will freak out and think I am dead. HA HA it's great, but then its all ruined when he wakes me up.

Halloween Cat- I usually do this when I am scared or I am having a lot fun playing chase with my daddy. Whatever the cause, I do the same thing everytime. I arch my back as high I can get it, then I make my hair stand straight up, then I try to get a vicious look in my eyes. This is all done while walking slowing sideways so I can show off my vicious look. Sadly this doesn't work on daddy, he usually laughs or say something like "Ohhh scary" in a mocking tone.

Sniping- This term was coined by daddy's mother, I guess I should call her grandma, but actually I think of her feet as targets. Whenever I go to grandma's house (of course when I go there it becomes my house) I would hide under a chair where I am totally concealed and wait for her to walk by. When the poor sap (ummm wonderful lady) would walk by the chair I would reach out with my front paws with claws out to grab her feet. Sadly, she usually wears socks around the house so I can't do much damage.

Well, I think that's about it for now. I am behind on my busy napping schedule. I hope the brainwashing kicks in ummm I hope you learned something useful. I will have to check with daddy, but I might be back someday to add some more terms. Hey what's that sound? I think I hear daddy opening a can of tuna, ummm gotta run.

Quick and dirty (not literally) apple pie

Hey folks..

Found this recipe online and thought I would share it. It turned out really well. Hopefully with the holidays (gasp!) approaching I will post more recipes.

Iron Skillet Apple Pie
You will need:
A cast iron skillet
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon (other spices optional)
4-6 apples of your preference
2 pie crusts (found in the refrigerated section..they usually come in a package of 2)

What to do with the above:
Peel your apples and slice them. Add to a bowl with the sugar and cinnamon, make sure all the apples are good and covered.

In a 350 degree oven melt the butter in your iron skillet. Then add the brown sugar and melt that along with the butter. Give it a mix. Take out of the oven and put one of the crusts on top of the melted brown sugar/butter mix. Put in the apples. Cover that with the second crust, making sure to seal the edges (doesn't have to be fancy). Cut some slits in the top of the pie. Bake in your 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until GBD (golden brown delicious).

That's all there is to it! Give it a try.

Not far from the truth

Using Turn Signal 'Deadly,' Study Says
by I. M. Fake, Pretend Press Writer

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, Texas - A recent study of 250 drivers found that 82 percent of the drivers found that using the turn signal was considered 'deadly,' or otherwise an impediment to their driving. Another 17 percent were found to not know what a turn signal even was, another 1 percent actually use the turn signal.

"The drivers just were terrified at the thought of using the turn signal," said E.G.G. Head, who led the study. "Just the mention of the phrase 'turn signal' turned the drivers white."

"I mean, come on, using a turn signal? You've got to be kidding me," driver A. Jerk was quoted to say. "I'm too busy careening between lanes at 20mph above the speed limit. If I used my turn signal, my reflexes would be compromised and I'd crash!" Another driver, Whatta A. Hole, said, "using the turn signal is just too dangerous. I'm sitting there on my cell phone talking with my friend about how questionable the Cowboys coaching is, and I use my turn signal. Then what happens? I drop my cell phone, then I have to fumble around looking for it on the floor. I'd run into something! Do you honestly think I would interrupt my conversation for that?"

E.G.G. Head found that most of the drivers felt the same way. And while another 17 percent said they didn't know what a turn signal was, Head was not surprised. "People in general are idiots," he stated. He went on to tell the story of Cop M. Agnet, who is a frequent speeding offender. Agnet was shocked to find the existence of the turn signal. "Whoa," Agnet said, "this actually lets people know I am turning or changing lanes? This must be a new invention or something, sweet. Wonder if it costs extra."

The last 1 percent actually use the turn signal. Head says, "the people who actually use their turn signal on a regular basis also actually represent the percentage of the population that isn't self-involved or lazy. Sure, they may not drive 80mph in a 55mph zone, but they get you there safe."

What does this mean to the average driver? Head finished with, "just go on driving the way you've been driving. If we're lucky, the reckless drivers will be weeded out when they have their licenses revoked. If we're lucky. But generally that 1 percent isn't."