{"id":320,"date":"2021-11-24T00:26:19","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T05:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mhockman.com\/?p=320"},"modified":"2021-12-16T23:10:33","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T04:10:33","slug":"merry-mj-holiday-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mhockman.com\/index.php\/2021\/11\/24\/merry-mj-holiday-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Merry \u201cMJ Holiday Dinner!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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“Festive MJ Towels”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s almost Thanksgiving Eve and everyone is making plans. Some are going to cook and host, some will travel to meet up with family or friends and some may just order in take-out and rest! My mom used to make her \u201cHoliday\u201d dinner for all of the special occasions. She would make the pies the night before, get up early to bake cornbread for the stuffing, and make a big Turkey \u2014 using up all those weird bits in the bag. We thought that bag was disgusting but she cooked it for stock and flavorings for the best Cornbread Dressing as us Southerners call it. We always had green beans, candied yams and the best mashed potatoes. This was the celebratory meal for Thanksgiving, Christmas and sometimes Easter with the added bonus of deviled Easter eggs! (recipe for the deviled eggs to come later in the Spring).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to cook something delicious but don\u2019t have the skills or the time to pull off a huge \u201cMartha Stewart\u201d dinner, there are ways to still have a warm comforting meal. You can make the infamous TV Dinner or \u2026. there is also an abbreviated version aka a Merry \u201cMJ Holiday Dinner!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Merry \u201cMJ Holiday Dinner\u201d is really for anytime you miss having the \u201cThanksgiving or Christmas dinner.\u201d And use these ideas to save time and focus on the family favorites. This is also, a good way to have the variety without the mega-leftovers. Don\u2019t get me wrong, this is more cooking than microwaving the plastic tray for 41\/2 min and letting it stand for 1 minute. That said, I think if you can boil water, you can pull this off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is this simple to make dinner that will still feel like a feast? Today we have all of the shortcut meals to help! This may or may not be THE healthiest but it is probably healthier than TV dinners! Also, Veggie Trays up the healthy ratio and are an easy appetizer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menu<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken instead of Turkey \u2013 Plenty of options here<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashed Potatoes \u2013 Use Instant Potatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stove Top Stuffing \u2014 your fav flavor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green Beans \u2014 Use the low-sodium version of your favorite canned beans \u2014 More experienced cooks may want to make a green bean casserole following the recipe on the back of the Fried Onions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cranberry Sauce \u2014 The canned stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candied Yams \u2013 the \u201cSouthern\u201d brand \u2013 I know \u2026 you don\u2019t like them so either add marshmallows or you can leave this off the menu \u2013 I won\u2019t tell!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolls \u2013 Crescent Rolls or Hawaiian \u2014 this is the Cook\u2019s Choice. Go Fancy and get French bread!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jar of Gravy \u2014 Chicken or Turkey is preferred \u2013 tip \u2014 buy two jars and only make one for this meal and save the other for the leftovers if any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Mrs. Smith\u2019s Pie and Cool Whip or Real Whipped Cream or Ice Cream<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201chelpers\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worcestershire Sauce<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken Stock\/Broth \u2013 low sodium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butter, Sugar and Cinnamon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon Pepper Seasoning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optional \u2013 Celery and Onions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the most important decision is which short-cut to substitute for the Turkey. This is important as it impacts the timing. Lots of options: make the MJ Roast Chicken (https:\/\/mhockman.com\/index.php\/2021\/01\/10\/a-chicken-in-every-pot\/#more-77<\/a>) or pickup a Rotisserie Chicken or a pack of Turkey Breasts or Chicken pieces to cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next which pie did you select? Read up on the cooking times. Does it (pumpkin pie?) need an hour and then some chill time in the fridge? Or is it (chocolate or coconut cream or cheesecake) so just thaw and serve? Do you want to serve it (apple pie) warm from the oven? If so you can bake while everyone is eating dinner (or just after everyone finishes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set the table now so it\u2019s ready and decide on the bowls and serving pieces you will need. The hardest part of preparing this meal is the timing. The other shortcuts will take very little time. Open the can for the cranberry sauce and put on a pretty dish and put in the fridge. If you are serving Red Wine then open the bottle and let it breathe while you cook. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MJs Festive Table Set<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are cooking chicken, it is easy to put a little oil in the baking dish, add chicken, skinless boneless breasts, and salt\/pepper \u2013 if you like add some Italian Dressing on top to keep them juicy and add more flavor. (note:<\/em> don\u2019t add salt when using the dressing as it has sodium in it). The chicken may take 45 min or so. Once it\u2019s in the oven, now put the yams in another dish and add pats of butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Add a smidge of salt (sprinkle from up high). The salt will keep it from tasting too sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now open the green beans and put into a medium sauce pan on medium heat. Add a sprinkle of Lemon Pepper Seasoning and a smidge of olive oil or butter. Let these simmer literally on the back burner. bwahaha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prep the baking sheet for the rolls. Prep the pans to make the Stove Top, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Make sure you check on the Chicken and the Yams (swapping them around in the oven position 1\/2 cooking). Once you take out the Yams and Chicken to rest, put the rolls in the oven. You will follow the instructions on the boxes\/jar for the last sides. Here are the tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swap the milk and water ratios for the Instant potatoes and add a bit of extra butter (it is the holidays!) and don\u2019t forget the salt and pepper. For Stove Top \u2014 substitute Chicken Stock for the water or split it if you are really worried about your sodium. If you want\u2026 you can use some butter and saute the celery and onions before adding the Chicken Stock. Once they are softened add the the Chicken Stock and follow the box instructions. Put the lid on set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the gravy \u2014 heat up a little bit (1\/3 cup of the chicken stock in your small pan, and add a dash of the W sauce. Heat over medium heat. Add in the jar gravy and add some shakes of black pepper and warm until it bubbles- turn down to medium low. Don\u2019t let this get away or it will scorch. Once it has bubbled for at least 3 minutes, set aside with the lid. Check on the rolls, they should be ready!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guess what \u2014 This meal probably took an hour and a half to prep and cook- something to think about! Which might sound like a lot, however, the full, unabridged version takes hours and hours. While I am a fan of making the full \u201cMom Holiday\u201d dinner for Thanksgiving, this is often a good version for a cold wintery day in January or Christmas in July! Nothing says lovin\u2019 like something tasty from the oven. You CAN do this! My table had a mix of home-made and shortcuts – see if you can tell <wink>! Have a wonderful time with your family and a Merry \u201cMJ Holiday Dinner!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MJs Thanksgiving Dinner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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It\u2019s almost Thanksgiving Eve and everyone is making plans. Some are going to cook and host, some will travel to meet up with family or friends and some may just order in take-out and rest! My mom used to make her \u201cHoliday\u201d dinner for all of the special occasions. She would make the pies the … <\/p>\n

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