Dinner with Marisa I.

My world has always revolved around food. Good food. Cheap food. Everybody loves food no matter what time of the day. Being Italian and having parents that made the kitchen the central location of our house, I was always welcome in the kitchen. Food reminds me of friends, family and good times. I hope to share good things through this small corner of the Internet.

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The best part about making homemade food - looking like you made homemade food. A perfect handprint on my hip after making the dumplings. lol

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It is only fitting that soup is made with the leftover meat and bones from the turkey. After creating a broth from the turkey and some more veggies, I continued with another Michael Symon recipe, Turkey Dumpling Soup. Turkey Dumpling Soup - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Turkey-Dumpling-Soup

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I have become quite the fan of The Chew. Featuring culinary loves Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and style guru Clinton Kelly, they have fun with food and each other on their weekday show, airing on ABC. I chose a recipe by Michael Symon, Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth. It turned out great. The skin was nice and crispy which is always my favorite part of the turkey. I omitted the fennel and just used herbs that I usually cook with and it was the star of the dinner party. Juicy Turkey Cooked in Cheesecloth - http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Michael-Symon-Juicy-Turkey-Cheese-Cloth

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Channeling our inner traditional Christmas, my mom and I made Spritz Cookies. Now proud owners of a vintage Mirro Cooky Press (yes, it is spelled that way on the box). It was a little tricky at the start, but it is all in the wrist. We used shortening but highly recommend butter because the butter is the main ingredient to provide flavor in the cookie. Other flavors can be added like frosting afterwards. Spritz Cookie Recipe - http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/226860/Spritz-Cookies

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Homemade Caramel Corn - We make carmel corn with the puffed corn instead of popcorn. No hulls and pure carmel goodness. Original Recipe came from a YWCA Newcomer's Cookbook from Lafayette, IN. This one is the same one. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-puff-corn-140544/

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The gas station diner now serves sushi. I'm interested in the thought process to come to this conclusion in Talladega, AL.

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Once I learned that brussels sprouts are a smaller version of cabbage, I figured I would like them. So add some bacon and garlic and this was delicious. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & Shallots from Southern Living Link to recipe here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-bacon-50400000116749/

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Another stop on the Atlanta tour was Mary Mac's Tea Room. The hot pepper sauce from the table I didn't try. I loved everything else though.

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Fried Chicken and Mac & Cheese at Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles, Atlanta.

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Before leaving the south, I had to go to Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles for just that, Chicken and Waffles (mine was a Maple Cinnamon Waffle). It was the most perfect waffle I have ever seen.

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Thanksgiving “Dinner” Cupcakes (by tineypics)

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No need to roast a turkey or all the sides. Just make cupcakes. Haha

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halloween crack corn.

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Perfect for this time a year.

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candy corn cake in a jar.

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How cute!

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Prosciutto Pork Cutlets with Garlic Sage & Lemon Sauce Found this recipe and had to add the raves reviews to the ongoing list. The prosciutto is so crispy as a big sheet a bacon sitting on top of the pork chop. The sauce with the garlic was an added bonus. Small potatoes on the side using the sauce as well. Great find!

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Recipe: Chicken with Parmesan Grits and Tomatoes Found this one in Martha Stewart Everyday Food - October 2011 So I didn't have tomatoes and used mushrooms instead. Makes it a little one colored but it turned out great. I added some cheddar cheese to the grits to make them extra cheesy. My first time making grits. Success!

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blue velvet cupcake with orange cream cheese frosting.

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Perfect for an Auburn tailgate.

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A special thanks to my mom and dad for the green peppers and tomatoes that went in to this shrimp and pepper sauté dinner for Leah and I. The okra came from Leah's garden. Added some onion, okra and some creole seasoning all piled on some great cheese grits. So yummy!