Dinner with Marisa I.

The best part about making homemade food - looking like you made homemade food. A perfect handprint on my hip after making the dumplings. lol

The best part about making homemade food - looking like you made homemade food. A perfect handprint on my hip after making the dumplings. lol

It is only fitting that soup is made with the leftover meat and bones from the turkey. After creating a broth from the turkey and some more veggies, I continued with another Michael Symon recipe, Turkey Dumpling Soup. 

Turkey Dumpling Soup - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Turkey-Dumpling-Soup

It is only fitting that soup is made with the leftover meat and bones from the turkey. After creating a broth from the turkey and some more veggies, I continued with another Michael Symon recipe, Turkey Dumpling Soup.

Turkey Dumpling Soup - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Turkey-Dumpling-Soup

I have become quite the fan of The Chew. Featuring culinary loves Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and style guru Clinton Kelly, they have fun with food and each other on their weekday show, airing on ABC. 

I chose a recipe by Michael Symon, Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth. It turned out great. The skin was nice and crispy which is always my favorite part of the turkey. I omitted the fennel and just used herbs that I usually cook with and it was the star of the dinner party.

Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Juicy-Turkey-Cheese-Cloth

I have become quite the fan of The Chew. Featuring culinary loves Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and style guru Clinton Kelly, they have fun with food and each other on their weekday show, airing on ABC.

I chose a recipe by Michael Symon, Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth. It turned out great. The skin was nice and crispy which is always my favorite part of the turkey. I omitted the fennel and just used herbs that I usually cook with and it was the star of the dinner party.

Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Juicy-Turkey-Cheese-Cloth

Channeling our inner traditional Christmas, my mom and I made Spritz Cookies. Now proud owners of a vintage Mirro Cooky Press (yes, it is spelled that way on the box). It was a little tricky at the start, but it is all in the wrist.

 We used shortening but highly recommend butter because the butter is the main ingredient to provide flavor in the cookie. Other flavors can be added like frosting afterwards. 

Spritz Cookie Recipe - http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/226860/Spritz-Cookies

Channeling our inner traditional Christmas, my mom and I made Spritz Cookies. Now proud owners of a vintage Mirro Cooky Press (yes, it is spelled that way on the box). It was a little tricky at the start, but it is all in the wrist.

We used shortening but highly recommend butter because the butter is the main ingredient to provide flavor in the cookie. Other flavors can be added like frosting afterwards.

Spritz Cookie Recipe - http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/226860/Spritz-Cookies

Homemade Caramel Corn - We make carmel corn with the puffed corn instead of popcorn. No hulls and pure carmel goodness. 

Original Recipe came from a YWCA Newcomer’s Cookbook from Lafayette, IN. This one is the same one. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-puff-corn-140544/

Homemade Caramel Corn - We make carmel corn with the puffed corn instead of popcorn. No hulls and pure carmel goodness.

Original Recipe came from a YWCA Newcomer’s Cookbook from Lafayette, IN. This one is the same one. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-puff-corn-140544/

The gas station diner now serves sushi. I’m interested in the thought process to come to this conclusion in Talladega, AL.

The gas station diner now serves sushi. I’m interested in the thought process to come to this conclusion in Talladega, AL.

Once I learned that brussels sprouts are a smaller version of cabbage, I figured I would like them. So add some bacon and garlic and this was delicious.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & Shallots from Southern Living
Link to recipe here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-bacon-50400000116749/

Once I learned that brussels sprouts are a smaller version of cabbage, I figured I would like them. So add some bacon and garlic and this was delicious.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & Shallots from Southern Living
Link to recipe here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-bacon-50400000116749/

Another stop on the Atlanta tour was Mary Mac’s Tea Room. The hot pepper sauce from the table I didn’t try. I loved everything else though.

Another stop on the Atlanta tour was Mary Mac’s Tea Room. The hot pepper sauce from the table I didn’t try. I loved everything else though.

Fried Chicken and Mac & Cheese at Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles, Atlanta.

Fried Chicken and Mac & Cheese at Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles, Atlanta.

Before leaving the south, I had to go to Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles for just that, Chicken and Waffles (mine was a Maple Cinnamon Waffle). It was the most perfect waffle I have ever seen.

Before leaving the south, I had to go to Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles for just that, Chicken and Waffles (mine was a Maple Cinnamon Waffle). It was the most perfect waffle I have ever seen.