It’s that time of year, dear readers: when visitors drop in unexpectedly; when we find ourselves invited to four holiday parties, all on the same day; when neighbors exchange tokens of gratitude; when season’s greetings call to be exemplified in the form of a small gift.  It’s that time of year when having a large batch of Party Snack Mix on hand will save you over and over again.

This wonderful mix is full of flavor, and fun to make.  It’s a great snack to have on hand when guests drop by.  A cheerfully decorated bag of this party treat makes a great hostess gift for all your holiday parties.  Plus, it’s a great token gift for neighbors and friends.

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We’re all suffering from a bit of that Thanksgiving hangover this weekend, I think.  Are we a few pounds heavier than this time last Sunday?  Probably.  Are we sleepy from the tryptophan or from sleeping on Aunt Gwendolyn’s couch?  Who knows.  One thing is for sure – leftovers abound, and we can’t let those go to waste.  So here are three great ideas for using up some of your leftover turkey!

Tired of all things Thanksgiving? Craving flavors other than rosemary and sage?  Then my Southwestern White Chili is the perfect match for you and your leftover turkey.

Looking for a good way to jazz up those same-old turkey sandwiches? Then boy are you in for a treat when you make Hot Browns with your leftovers.  These babies are a Kentucky classic, so comforting and absolutely delicious.

Thanksgiving is over but you’re still trying to embrace that holiday spirit?  Then you need to try this Turkey Pot Pie with Cranberry-Thyme Crust.  It is all of the best flavors of the season, in a new and tasty form.

Now get to cooking, dear readers, before those leftovers go to waste!!

Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers!! What a wonderful day to be surrounded by family, friends, and FOOD!

Even on those years when my parents don’t host Thanksgiving dinner at their house (our families alternate years), they still roast a whole turkey.  Why go to all the trouble?  Well, for the leftovers, of course!

I think there are two really unique things that my family does when we roast a turkey.  The first is the stuffing.  My grandmother, Nanny, makes the stuffing every year.  She will tell you that it’s very simple – just some breadcrumbs (made from plain white hamburger buns!), melted butter, chicken broth, and some poultry seasoning.  But I’m telling you . . . . it’s simply magical.  I can’t even look at recipes for stuffing that include a lot of *stuff* – the simple classic has spoiled me.  I don’t want cranberries, mushrooms, lentils, oysters, carrots, celery, onion, raisins, or even cornbread in my stuffing!  Give me Nanny’s, or I’ll just pass on this dish altogether!!!

The second unique touch in our family turkey recipe is the sausage.  (And NO, the sausage does NOT go in the dressing!)  About mid-way through the roasting process, we place traditional link sausages (usually Bob Evans or Jimmy Dean brand) all around the base of the turkey.  They roast to perfection, all the while basting the turkey with their wonderfully flavorful juices!  Everyone takes a link to have on their plate next to all the delicious veggies.

We have a few other turkey-day tricks up our sleeve in my family, but I have to save some of those for the years to come!

In the meantime, best wishes to all of my dear readers for a wonderful holiday season for you and your precious families!

Looking for an appetizer to bring to a holiday party? Tired of the same-old-same-old?  Try something zesty and bold . . . this spicy black bean dip is sure to keep your party warm on a cold winter night!

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Happy Blogiversary, Vintage Victuals!

One year ago today, my humble blog made its delicious debut.  As a token of thanks for making this blog more than I ever dreamed it would be, I am celebrating with a great giveaway!!

The winner of the giveaway will receive THREE of my brand new VV Mixes of your choice, available through the VV Etsy shop.

Nutty Fudge Brownie Mix

These mixes are all hand-crafted, gourmet-quality recipes carefully layered in mason jars and decorated for the holidays.  They are all personally assembled by yours truly in a certified, licensed commercial kitchen.  They make a great gift for friends and teachers, or a special treat for you and your family.  All require the addition of 3 easy ingredients or less, and come with straight-forward instructions so that anyone can savor the timeless tastes of Vintage Victuals in the comfort of their own kitchen!

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