Food for Thought – December 4, 2012

We usually go north for Thanksgiving and stay home at Christmas because then one never knows what the weather will be like.

At Christmas we usually invite another couple to share the meal with us.

The following game hen recipe from Lisa Speer of Palm Beach, FL is a great recipe.

Festive Stuffed Cornish Game Hens

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

2 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided

1 garlic clove, minced

3/4 tsp each salt and pepper, divided

2 cups cubed bread

3 medium navel oranges, peeled and sectioned

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1 tsp grated orange peel

4 Cornish game hens (20-24 oz each)

1/2 cup orange juice

1) In large skillet, saute onion and celery in butter and 1 Tbsp oil until tender.  Add garlic, 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer.

2) In large bowl, combine bread, oranges, cranberries, pecans and orange peel.  Add onion mixture.  Toss to coat.

3) Loosely stuff hens with stuffing.  Tuck wings under; tie drumsticks together.  Rub with remaining oil; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.  Place breast side up on rack in a shallow roasting pan.

4) Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 – 1-1/2 hours, or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees for hens and 165 degrees for stuffing, basting occasionally with orange juice.  Cover loosely with foil if hens brown too quickly.  Cover and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Yields: 4 servings

These mints from Evelyn Milam of Knoxville, TN would be something special to serve your guests with coffee.

East Holiday Mints

1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar

3 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened

3-1/2 Tbsp evaporated milk

1/4 to 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Few drops desired food coloring

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; knead mixture until smooth.

Shape mints in rubber candy molds and place on baking sheets; cover with a paper towel and let dry.  Store in airtight container.

Yield: 6 dozen

I leave you with this last thought from Henry W. Gurley.

Songs of the Wind

Somewhere a wind chime resonates

Its notes upon the wind.

And random meters pulse in time

And to my world they lend

The peaceful songs of solitude

Which soften as they play,

Then gentle scores of zephyrs that

Have come from far away

To strum the hollow pipes with puffs,

Which make the music flow –

Those vagabond musicians that

I hear but do not know.

Please send your recipes or recipe requests to: The Vista, 5413 Peavine Road, Crossville, TN 38571 or email to: [email protected].

Until next time,

Ellie