Happy Thanksgiving!

We'd like to wish a happy and safe Thanksgiving to everyone out there! Enjoy the food, drink, and company. Here's a festive picture of cats for the occasion.

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Thanksgiving Recipe: Potato Dough Rolls

Still thinking about what to contribute to your Thanksgiving celebrations this year? How about this "Thanksgiving Recipe: Potato Dough Rolls"? We're sure everyone will come back for seconds of this scrumptious dish.

Potato Dough Rolls

Maes 2 dozen rolls

1 tablespoon instant mashed potatoes
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest, optional
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
2 large eggs
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour
Milk, cream, or egg yolk, to glaze

Whisk the potato flakes into the boiling water. (Note: You can substitute 1 cup of water that you used to boil potatoes in. If using potato water omit the potato flakes.)

Place the sugar, salt, butter, and citrus zest in a large bowl and pour the boiling potato water over it. Whisk to combine until the butter melts. Let stand for 5 minutes to cool.

In a separate small bowl sprinkle the yeast over 2 tablespoons warm water and set aside until it foams and thickens, about 5 minutes.

Check the temperature of the butter and sugar mixture. It should feel pleasantly warm and not boiling hot. If so, whisk in the eggs, and then the yeast mixture.

Stir in 2 cups of flour. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined, then stir in 2 more cups of flour, or just enough to make a shaggy, wet dough. Beat well and do not knead; it will be very sticky.

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.

To bake the rolls, lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan with olive oil or butter.

Coat hands lightly with flour. Portion the dough into 24 small balls and place closely together in the prepared pan. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until the rolls have significantly increased in size.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the tops lightly with milk, cream, or egg yolk. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are browned on top and a thermometer inserted in the center roll reads 190°F to 200°F.

Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

• For Quicker Rolls (No Refrigerator Time): You can also shape these directly after mixing up the dough. This method produces slightly smaller, more dense rolls, but they are still very good. Expect to use a little extra flour on your hands; the unchilled dough will be sticky. Place the rolls in the prepared pan and cover. Let rise for an hour or a little more, until the rolls are doubled in size. Proceed with baking.
• Multiplying the Recipe: This recipe multiplies very well. In fact, I usually triple it for big holiday meals!

Categories: Main, Gatherings, Recipe, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/thanksgiving-recipe-potato-dough-rolls-16086

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Curried Butternut Squash Soup

The weather is starting to get more chilly, so it's time to start making some hot and tasty dishes to give yourself a case of the warm fuzzies. Check out "Curried Butternut Squash Soup" to get going!

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash
• 1 delicata squash
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots cut in 1-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tsp red curry paste
• 1/3 cup cilantro
• Optional: 2 stalks lemon grass (cut in 4-inch pieces)
• Optional: Squeeze of fresh lime
• Optional: Lime leaves

Directions:

Wash both squash and bake whole at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-50 minutes.

In a large pot, saute onions, carrot, and garlic in coconut oil. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

Mix in red curry paste, then add cooked and cubed squash, and coconut milk, and blend well.

Return to pot and simmer with lemon grass for 20 minutes or more. Remove lemongrass before serving. Add a squeeze of lime. Serve into bowls and garnish with pumpkin seeds and cilantro.

Serves 4-6.

Original Article Here: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11622/curried-butternut-squash-soup.html

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15 Creative Ways to Wrap with Brown Paper

We know that it's really the thought that counts this Holiday season, but why not add a little bit of flair to your gifts by using one of these "15 Creative Ways to Wrap with Brown Paper"!

The possibilities for prettying up a brown paper package are nearly endless. Ribbons, washi tape, handmade gift tags, paint, contrast paper... only your creativity sets a limit. Check out some of these ideas for wrapping gifts with brown paper, which go way beyond "tied up with string."

1. Pick a color scheme and run with it. This pile of presents from A Creative Mintuses a base of Trader Joes shopping bags and embellishes them with washi tape and string in a strict red-and-white palette.
2. Stamp it. Use stamps and ink to create your own pattern or personalize gifts, as in this image from Objects and Use.
3. Sparkle and shine. These simple, adorned presents from The Sweetest Occasion prove that a simple bow can go a long way.
4. Use seasonal greenery. Jennifer from The Odessa May Society created miniature wreaths using evergreen twigs.
5. Layer it. Brown paper can look twice as nice layered with corrugated cardboard or twine, as this DIY from Heartmade shows.
6. Keep it simple. A basic bow, like this one from Babble, can be all a brown paper package needs if the color and pattern are interesting enough.
7. Tag it. The hand-painted tags are what stand out on these presents fromDecor8.
8. Fold it. This origami-inspired present, from Essimar, is surprisingly modern looking with the addition of some patterned washi tape.
9. Pick up a pen. These super-chic gifts from Lark Crafts show just what a silver paint pen and some simple geometrics can do.
10. Personalize it. The only decoration on these presents from The Enchanted Home is their recipients' names.
11. Package a pouch. Mandi from A Beautiful Mess used an old paper bag, a black marker and a sewing machine to create this custom packet.
12. Get tactile. A basketweave pattern of yarns keeps this gift looking cozy, fromLion Brand Yarns.
13. Use a bag. For smaller gifts, a simple brown bag is all you need, from Not on the High Street.
14. Decorate it. Including a holiday decoration in your wrapping, like these snowflake ornaments from Peppersprouts, feels like a present on a present.
15. Get creative. As this photo from Decor8 shows, tags, handwriting, and objects around your home can all add up to create the perfect present.

(Image credits: A Creative Mint; Objects and Use; The Sweetest Occasion; Odessa May Society;Heartmade; Babble; Decor8; Essimar; Lark Crafts; The Enchanted Home; A Beautiful Mess; Lion Brand Yarns; Not on the High Street; Peppersprouts; Decor8)

Original Article Here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/more-than-string-ways-to-wrap-with-brown-paper-gift-wrapping-guide-196974

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