Welcome to a very special Thanksgiving edition of Getting Possessed with Kathy and the Dishwasher.
I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to five amazing food bloggers who are dishing about some of their own “cooking mishaps” as well as sharing a favorite holiday recipe with us today.
These ladies have very nicely welcomed me into their group for food bloggers.
Yes, me, Kathy Radigan, a woman known much more for her ability to make reservations than dinner, is in a food blogging group.
I will give all who need it a minute to stop laughing.
How did this happen you ask?
Well, it’s all because of the wonderful Nancy Fox, of Skinny Kitchen. She started a small online group made up of some very talented women and they very graciously let me be the one non-food blogger in their midst.
I met Nancy last year when I was going crazy finding sites for Bonbon Break. Several of her recipes were featured in the magazine and in the process of working together we developed a great friendship.
Nancy is an amazing woman whose accomplishments are many, (To find out more about her clickHere). A few of her professional highlights include founding Mrs Beasley’s, the now-famous gift-basket company featuring gift baskets full of decadent baked goods when she was right out of college. Nancy was also the creative force behind Nancy’s Healthy Kitchen, a successful restaurant concept that opened it’s first location in Encino in 1994 to immediate rave reviews from critics and the public.
Skinny Kitchen is her new baby, and has been live for four years now. Her Facebook page has more than 35,000 fans who love her healthier, skinnier versions of crowd pleasers such as, Skinny Beef, Vegetable and Barley Soupand Skinny Fall Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze. And as if that wasn’t enough, all of Nancy's recipes include the nutritional information as well as the Weight Watcher points in each serving.
Nancy, I think my readers will be very interested in learning that despite being in the food industry for years, Skinny Kitchen is your first blog.
Yes, this is my first experience with blogging. I’ve always loved creating new recipes and now I have a place to share them. Before I started my site, I was hardly computer literate. Boy I’ve learned a lot in the past 4 years!
As you know the Dishwasher loves to hear about other demonic appliances, and kitchen appliances gone rogue make it especially happy. Do you have a story you would like to share with us?
A few years ago I was having 12 people for dinner. I prepped the lasagna earlier in the day. I planned to bake it in the oven just before my guests arrived. To my great surprise, my oven decide to stop working. I quickly ordered a lasagna from a nearby restaurant and all ended up ok. My oven took over a month to get fixed, but that’s a very long story. Grrr...
Now, you are talking about something I have a lot of experience and skill at, ordering out! I’m sure at the time it was less than funny, but that is a great possessed appliance story! Thanks!
Nancy do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory?
Thanksgiving has always been my very favorite holiday. It brings the people I love and the food I love together. It can’t get better than that! Plus, we started a new tradition a few years back. We go around the room and everyone shares what they are grateful for. I know it sounds a little corny and at first some were a bit shy but now everyone enjoys sharing.
Can you share a recipe with us that possesses you and your family for Thanksgiving?
One dish that my family always loves is my Outrageously Delicious, Skinny Au Gratin Potatoes. It’s pretty much the richest low fat or regular potato dish I’ve ever tasted. No one will ever guess it’s made with reduced-fat cottage cheese and buttermilk to replace the heavy cream. I love serving this side dish for Thanksgiving. It makes a spectacular presentation. Plus, it’s very simple to make and can even be baked in advance, which is always something to be thankful for!
Nancy I would like to end this chat by asking that besides delicious and easy side dishes, what are you grateful for this year?
Every year I seem to be grateful for the same things. First my wonderful husband and kids. Next, my family and friends. I’m so blessed to have such loving, supportive people in my life. I really can’t imagine life without all of them! In addition, I’m so happy and grateful for everyone that follows me on Skinny Kitchen. It just wouldn’t be as much fun without all of them!
Many thanks to Nancy! I think you can see why I love her so much. If you love great food that’s kinder to your waistband make sure you follow her on FacebookandPinterest.
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The next amazing woman I would like to introduce you to is Sherry formJazzy Gourmet Cooking Studio. She has been making culinary music with her site since April, 2012.
Besides being a food blogger, with a facebook following of over 5,000 fans, Sherry is a national cooking contest finalist (learn more about thatHere) as well as a pianist and composer.
Sherry is known as the “Jazzy Gourmet” because she likes to “jazz” up her recipes. She prides herself on her no-fuss simple recipes that are affordable and fun to make. When you visit her site you will also find an extensive array of how-to-videos with quick tips, gadget reviews and learn-from-her-mistake advice. (Perfect for me!)
Sherry do you have a cooking disaster you would like to share with us?
Gosh, I have so many cooking disasters--- it's hard to choose.
One cooking disaster involves marinating tandoori chicken for an Indian feast that I was hosting the next night. I was pulling an all-nighter in my prep work, when I went to carry the bowl of chicken out to a fridge in our garage. The next thing I knew, the bowl slipped out of my hands and the chicken went flying across the garage floor!
I ran to a 24-hour supermarket, purchased more chicken, and started all over. When everyone complimented me on my tandoori chicken the next night, I said it was the special flavor of engine oil and tire tread that made it extra tasty!
I’m so impressed that you started all over, I think I may have thrown in the towel.
Sherry what is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
My favorite memories of Thanksgiving include family gatherings at my grandma and grandpa's house when I was a kid. Now these aren't your "over the river and through the woods" kind of memories.
Grandma hated to cook and was a nervous wreck over the whole affair. She went through half a bottle of Mogen David during her prep and snapped at anybody that came near her. The meal usually included cranberry jelly schlecked out of a can and "jerky turkey". Gosh, I miss the good ol' days.
That’s great!
Well since you are a more proficient cook than your grandmother, your family must have some favorites that they love you to make each year.
A Thanksgiving recipe that my family really enjoys is my Chocolate Pumpkin Mousse Pie
Wow, that looks and sounds delicious!
One last thing I would like to know is,what you are grateful for this Thanksgiving?
I am grateful for new beginnings, loving family and friends, my pups and peanut butter.
Many thanks to Sherry, the “Jazzy Gourmet”! You can follow her onFacebook, Twitter, PinterestandGoogle +
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My next victim is fellow New Yorker, Nicole--feel free to call her Nic or Nicky--from Nibbles by Nic. She lives out in the “burbs” with her husband and two small children (you can find out more about her Here)
Nicole loves sharing her simple, healthy, cozy recipes that take everyday dishes, and make them unforgettable with her over 8,000 Facebook Followers.
She has had her site for a little over two years now (though she swears it feels more like 10!) and has found that it was just what she was searching for.
As you may know my dishwasher loves to hear of other demonic appliances, by chance do you have one?
My Keurig! It's is more temperamental than me during my worst PMS!! It's moody and literally decided when it wants to work or not. AHHH!!!
Excellent! Would you like to completely make my day and share a recipe fail or cooking disaster with us? (I know I’m going to hell for taking so much pleasure in hearing these type of stories!)
Lets' just say my mother in law is allergic to cilantro and one year during Passover I accidentally purchased "cilantro" instead of "parsley" for the bitter herb....OOPS!!!!
Yikes! That is something I would do.
Nicole do you have a Thanksgiving recipe that possesses your family?
MyOld Fashioned Corn Pudding.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
A Florida vacation where we were privileged enough to dine in a very "Fancy" hotel for Thanksgiving! They had EVERYTHING under the sun you could think of...classics and modern dishes. I think we all ate ourselves into oblivion!
And final question, what are you grateful for this year?
FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY (& yummy nibbles of course!) Old friends and NEW :-)
Many thanks to Nicole! You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
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The next talented woman I would like to share with you is Marie Poulin, who is a native of Quebec and moved to Florida over 20 years ago. She is a personal chef (you can find out more about that Here) as well as an artist who has had her work shown in galleries.
Marie, probably because I have had so many of my own, I love to hear of other peoples recipe fails. Do you have one you would like to share with us?
I do have a recipe disaster. Years ago I made some lemon bars for a potluck dinner that we were invited to. I should explain that English is not my native language and at the time I was just starting to really learn it. I misread the recipe and added way too much lemon juice.
To this day my friends still remember, and laugh about, the lemon bars that were so tart nobody could eat them.
I love that story! I find it very comforting that even professionals make the occasional mistake.
Marie, do you have a special Thanksgiving memory that you would like to share with us?
Being from Quebec, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, yet it is not celebrated in the same way that it is here in the States.
My best memory has to be that first Thanksgiving that I spent in Florida.
We were invited to a neighbor’s to be part of their celebration and share a wonderful meal with them and their family. That day, I found out what Thanksgiving really means. These amazing people became my best friends and Thanksgiving became my favorite holiday.
What is one dish that your family really enjoys for the holiday?
My family loves my Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts and Dried Cherry Vinaigrette. If you are looking for something a little different to serve this year I highly recommend it.
I am grateful for so many things this year. First of all, for having the best loving family. I am also grateful for all the friends I have met through blogging . Everyday I have the opportunity to share my passion for healthy cooking with them.
Many thanks to Marie. You can follow her onFacebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Nettie, do you have a recipe fail or cooking disaster that you would be willing to share with us?
Yes. One year I was so excited to bake an Angel Food Cake. I wanted to impress my friends and family with my new baking skills. The recipe called for 10 egg whites, as I was beating the egg whites with my new Whisk, the bowl slipped off the counter, (I guess I should have been holding the bowl!) Slippery slimy egg whites were all over me and my ENTIRE kitchen.
I was crushed. I cleaned up everything, including me, and drove to the market for another dozen eggs.
I started all over, yet this time I kept reminding myself to not let go of the darn bowl.
The cake finished baking and looked beautiful. There was just one little problem, it was as hard as a rock. My family joked that they could use it as a door stop! Ha! Ha!
I have never baked another Angel Food Cake again....I now only bake Devil’s Food!
Yikes!
What are you grateful for this year?
That I still like my oven.
Do you have a Thanksgiving recipe that possesses you and your family?
I am totally possessed with myDouble Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake.I can’t stop at just one piece!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is of me sitting at my Grandparents table, completely full of myself. I am about 3 years old, happy as a clam, holding a turkey leg that is bigger than my head, all while my cousins looked on at me with envy. I felt like I munched on that leg for hours. I knew that it was my Grandpa’s favorite part of the turkey so I was thrilled that he let me eat it!
Many thanks to Nettie. You can follow her onFacebook,Twitter, and Tumblr
Thanks again to Nancy, Sherry, Nic, Marie and Nettie. I hope you have enjoyed meeting these great ladies as much as I have enjoyed sharing them. If you should try one of these recipes, let me know!
