George’s Homemade kitchen Christmas Pick 5

inspirations are opportunities to try something new...

Taste-fully giving gifts and warming recipes for entertaining this holiday!


Enjoy my Bologna Inspired  Tortellini Basil Soup with warm Biscuits and a crisp Fennel & Green Bean Salad.

Thanksgiving Countdown: Brined or Grilled & Gravy

Hi Friends. Here's my best of taking the turkey to the grill! Hands down- my Apple Brined Roasted Turkey Recipe is an all time winner for a moist and flavorful turkey. I've prepared this recipe on my TV show, on Live with Regis & Kelly, and for my toughest audience, my family. Sure, emails for requests and success stories pour in, but my toughest test was still before me with my family; a group with more food issues and conditions than should ever be under one roof. Somehow, I don't remember my Nana having such a tough group. She cooked. We ate and were happy. 

Need more kitchen? If your oven is all jammed up- take it outdoors and grill-it. Or, make a Thanksgiving turkey challenge. Cook 1 turkey in the oven and 1 on the grill. Yep. Been there, done that. 

Apple Brined Roasted Turkey Recipe

Turkey on The Grill

Savory Herb Gravy

Turkey Carving Tips

What Coming UP Tomorrow: Thanksgiving Turkey Countdown Continue with Sides: Veggies


Bene! Balsamic Vinegar


Hmm, for $200 you can purchase a 25 year old traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena. But what's on the shelf for let's say $5 or so? First, let's review what you are looking at and what we will use it for. Certified balsamic vinegar is only produced in Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is prohibitively expensive, with a 100ml bottle costing over $80. Yikes! Hold that thought. Use it for salads or glaze over fresh fruit. I've topped pre-dressed and plated-salads with a few drops of good Balsamic and also reduced it for BBQ sauces to more refined sauces. But it truly shines when used as an ingredient for dessert. In Modena it is popular to drizzle it over Parmigiano Reggiano, or add a few drops over berries and melon as a dessert. Ok, now back to the more than $80 bucks a bottle. I discovered a brand called Via Roma for less than $5 and yes, it's a product of Modena! Available at A&P, A&P Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, and SuperFresh. Great find!

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