Monday, November 21, 2011
Add this kid-friendly creation to your repertoire; it's sure to be a hit for all ages.
I love turkey and all the trimmings as much as the next person, but Thanksgiving dinner for me is all about the desserts. I'm not much of a baker for the other 364 days but for Thanksgiving, I have perfected a couple of recipes, if I do say so myself. Just the thought of my flaky-crusted pecan pie with homemade vanilla whipped cream is enough to set my mouth to watering days beforehand; same for my pumpkin pie with a graham-cracker crust. My kids, however, beg to differ. They’ve never been big fans of the rich, pumpkin- and nut-centric desserts associated with Thanksgiving. But not wanting to abandon tradition entirely, I started making these iced pumpkin cookies some years back from a Pillsbury recipe. They’re sweet, but not too sweet; …
Saturday, November 19, 2011
At this point, there aren't many restaurants near Weston from which to choose, but a cup of coffee ... that can happen.
If you're looking to avoid preparing a meal on Thanksgiving, your options are quickly dwindling. There aren't any restaurants nearby who still have availability. In fact, only Coach Grill will open on Thanksgiving and it is booked solid. However, a cup of coffee (if you just have to get out of the house for a minute or two) could be an option. Or, if you're OK with heading to a neighboring town, there are still restaurants with availability. Here's our list of local restaurants and coffee shops that are open Thanksgiving Day. We've noted the restaurants that still have reservation availability according to OpenTable.com. - Bruegger's Bagels, 31 Center St., Weston Open from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. - Starbucks, 36 Main St, Wayland; Open from 7 a.m.-3 …
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Students "dress" turkeys to raise money for Project Bread.
All this week, students at Weston Middle School enjoyed the opportunity to help those in need this holiday season, and a bit of friendly competition in the process. On Monday, the sixth grade student council launched “Project Gobble,” a fundraiser to fight hunger in Massachusetts in which students from each grade have purchased feathers to “dress” an unadorned paper turkey. All proceeds from the kids' efforts will go to Project Bread, the state’s largest anti-hunger organization. "When we met as a sixth grade student council it was clear that the kids really wanted to do a service project,” said Jon Beverly, sixth-grade math teacher and club advisor for the council at WMS. “They decided that it would be a good idea to do something around …
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? Don't go to the grocery store without a plan!
Last week, Boston.com published an article that stated, “Putting a traditional turkey dinner on the table is going to be pricier this year.” The American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, DC, reported a 13% increase in the cost after comparing it to last year’s figures. While this may sound like bad news, Thanksgiving dinner is typically less expensive than other holiday meals. The estimated $49.20 that will be spent for a ten-person, turkey-and-all-the-trimmings meal will work out to less than $5 per guest. These are average prices. The frugal among us will endeavor to spend even less. Here are some tips to help stretch Thanksgiving dollars, save time, and cut down on waste: Make a List. This sounds simple, but fewer trips to the …
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Don't have the time to bake? Then try ordering pies from one of these local farms.
11 Wheeler Road Concord, MA 01742 978-369-4494 info@verrillfarm.com All pies are 10" and serve 8-10 people 171 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 508-651-2491 beyondbeanscoffee@gmail.com Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. 9 South Main St., Natick 508-655-9992 Fax: 508-655-9991 Monday–Friday 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Click here to download online pie order form. 366 Central St., Acton 978.263.5943 info@idylwildefarm.com Monday: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tuesday: Closed Wednesday – Sunday: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Thanksgiving week hours: Monday, Nov. 21 to Wednesday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The Pie Guy (Salem, N.H.) Chocolate Cream, …
Sunday, November 13, 2011
When planning your holiday feast, think outside the box and try these recipes.
Let the countdown begin; the annual Thanksgiving feast is approaching. With that comes the anticipation of all your favorites: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing. All of it of course leads to the big finish, the classic array of pies. Apple, mince, pumpkin a variety of other sweet concoctions brings the Thanksgiving dinner to a glorious close. So, how did the traditional desserts acquire their place of honor at the annual feast? It is believed that the traditional pie pastry originated in Greece. The pies were made using a flour-water paste wrapped around meat. This served two purposes, to cook the meat and seal in the juices of the finished dish. As with many good ideas, the pie was loved by the Romans who spread the popularity throughout …
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
With Thanksgiving around the corner, food banks are in need of donations more than ever.
Sudbury Community Food Pantry Meeting Schedule: Open for food distribution Tuesdays and Thursdays Time: Noon-2:30 pm Meeting Location: Basement of Our Lady of Fatima Church Telephone 978-443-9705 There are approximately 75 active volunteers in the Food Pantry. Pierce's Pantry — A Gluten-Free Food Bank Email: info@piercespantry.com Mail: PO Box 182, Wayland MA 01778 Anyone who has celiac disease or a medically diagnosed celiac intolerance is eligible for gluten-free emergency assistance. Acton Community Supper The Food Pantry is located in Building #1, Lower Level in the Boxborough Office Park at 235 Summer Road in Boxborough. Registration and distribution hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The Pantry is closed the fourth week of …
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Pastry, salad and salsa can all be enjoyed using the popular Thanksgiving fruit.
Second only to the turkey, cranberries are the food item most often associated with Thanksgiving. Every photo of a golden roasted turkey ready to be carved is displayed with a bowl of cranberry sauce, its tried and true partner in crime. Frankly, it sells this seasonal jewel a little short. Cranberries are a more versatile ingredient than you might think. They are featured in many recipes from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. Nutritionally, they are a great source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. So cast aside your preconceived notion that cranberry sauce is a one-hit holiday wonder as it has much more to offer. According to the Cranberry Grower’s Association, the cranberry, along with the blueberry and Concord grape, is one …
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Don't dilly-dally, as the holiday is little more than three weeks away.
Order your fresh Thanksgiving turkey at Verrill Farm and you may be the winner The name will be chosen at random from their orders and they'll surprise the lucky winner at the time of pick-up. These birds are raised and processed without any additives or preservatives and are juicy and delicious. They are available in 2-pound increments, from 10-12 pounds to 28-30 pounds. NCOF raises 180 turkeys every year. They are fed organic grains from their day of hatching and allowed to roam and graze on the Farm’s organic pastures. Dressed turkeys weigh between 16 and 30 pounds. Turkeys will cost $4.50 pound, based on the cost of organic grain this year. Order onlineand pay deposit with an e-check or add your name to the Turkey Order form at NCOF’s …
