Hello after a few days of merriment here at Munch Monster headquarters. Most of you were too busy enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, and then figuring out how to best utilize the leftovers the last few days to notice I’ve been gone. Where to? Glad you asked. After making some fantastic roasted butternut squash puree and roast turkey breast while at work on Thursday I spent Friday at work and then celebrating with family. The occasion was my annual day of birth. more…

Many families long ago decided that turkey would not be the staple item at the table on Thanksgiving. I remember friends who mentioned they ate ham on Thanksgiving and turkey on Christmas, and that is just completely backwards. Now people go with the tofurkeys and leg of lambs to change up Thanksgiving dinner. more…

Today’s the day people. Thanksgiving has officially started. But wait, how can that be? You’re probably checking your calendar right now wondering if there’s been some sort of rip in the space time continuum. No, but if you want to enjoy the holiday you must prepare now. So I’m going to provide you with menu ideas and when exactly you should begin working on them. That way when you wake up on Thanksgiving morning there aren’t a bunch of cranky cooks in a cramped kitchen trying to get dinner complete without bloodshed. more…

Ingredients

Pears
10 firm and ripe Bosc pears with stems
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 bottle white wine
¾ cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split
2 strips of lemon zest more…

Ingredients

For cookie crust
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg more…

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
1 cup low-salt chicken broth more…

Ingredients

2 lb haricots verts or other green beans, trimmed
1 (3-inch-long) piece fresh ginger
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Finely grated zest from 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt more…

Ingredients

8 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste more…

Ingredients

1 large fennel bulb with fronds
4 cups Arugula
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 shallot, minced
¾ tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper more…

Ingredients

3 cups basmati rice
4 qt water
3 tablespoons salt
1/2 cup dried apricots, quartered
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom more…