Yummies, Delightful Dishes, you can bring along!

So if you are lucky enough to have been invited to someones house for Thanksgiving this week, you should be very thankful indeed.

But don't think you got off the kitchen hook too easily, you should ALWAYS ask your host or hostess what you can bring to add to the feast.

Now, you can bring wine, or pies, or Martinelli's sparkling apple cider (a MUST for any thanksgiving meal) but a homemade dish can score you some real points with Aunt Judy.

Lucky for you (and us) we have found some delicious recipes for yummy side dishes that can cary well on your ride across town.

(For you super craft-masters out there... Here are directions for this nifty carrier)

First up, from the kitchen of Miss Me's mommy, homemade cranberry sauce!

Now, while some people swear up and down that they love the canned stuff... Really? Gross!

They must have never tasted the real deal.

Miss Me makes a big batch every year and hands it out in cute little jars to all her friends and neighbors... I know right, Martha Stewart watch out!

The best thing about homemade cranberry sauce is that it is super easy to make, but people are all really impressed.... Super easy to jar, and keeps really well, so you could make it today and it would still be delicious through till next weekend.. Perfect for leftovers!

Here is how you do it.

Follow the classic Ocean Spray recipe... Then here is a secret tip,

When your cranberry sauce is all done boiling and your kitchen smells like heaven, add in about one teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of cinnamon and stir well.

The salt cuts the sweetness and the cinnamon is just yummy.

Some people like to set their cranberry sauce into molds, and while that is super cool in a creepy neighbors from Edward Scissorhands way,

we prefer to serve it in a cute dish with a spoon.

Next up, and we know some of you may not get this one... But TRUST.

Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato,

(with mini baby marshmallows on top!)

Now, while this was not a dish that we grew up with it has become a welcome addition to the family feast.

(You can totally skip the nuts, ginger and nutmeg and it is still scrumptious)

Something about the super sweetness mixed with all the other savory flavors on your plate is like a little slice of heaven. Plus it carries really well, you can have it all ready and just pop it in the oven to brown the sweet baby marshmallows and you are done and done!

Another way to impress your friends is with a good old fashioned

Green Bean Casserole!

I know but really don't be afraid... This is not the runny canned green bean casserole that you still have nightmares about.

We are talking all organic and fresh ingredients.

Delicious green beans, chopped onion, yummy mushrooms, organic cheese all mixed up in creamy mushroom soup and topped off with crunchy sinful fried onions!

Yes please, the gain 5 pounds in one sitting line forms behind us!

This one is from kitchen goddess Paula Deen, so you know it isn't easy on the figure... She loves her some butter Y'all! And we adore her for it!

(psss. Sub out veggie broth for the chicken broth in the recipe for the love of all things feathered)

So there you have it, 3 sure fire ways to impress your friends and family while being a helpful and considerate guest.

Oh and here are a few more tips,

Always bring your dish fully prepared and ready to go, no one needs you adding another cook in the kitchen on a stressful cooking day.

If you need to heat it up for say 15 minutes to brown the top etc. that is totally fine, but let your hostess know that you will be needing to do that and to just let you know when the oven is free.

You should handle putting it in the oven and watching the clock on your dish so it isn't burned.

A really sweet thing to do, is to bring your side along in a baking dish that you are going to leave as a hostess gift.

We love these Normandy Bakers from Crate and Barrel.

Simple, inexpensive, clean. They would go with any kitchen AND all the sizes come with a lid for easy transport!

Add in this cute colorful potholder to brighten up your gift.

Bring along a pretty gravy boat to serve your cranberry sauce.

Love this pretty glass one from Pottery Barn.

A pretty dish and a colorful pot holder are a super sweet way to say thank you for having me, especially when they are filled with something wonderful to eat!

Now that you are done with your part, relax and enjoy your meal!

You are such a wonderful guest, your sure to be invited back again next year.

(P.S- Dont forget to check here for even more yummy dishes we heart!)

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Yummies: Pickles & Ice Cream

Now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag....

(Both TWH girls are expecting babies early next year!)

A few things may be clear to you, our devoted readers...

Like...

OHHH, that is why they started posting every few days instead of every-single day...

OHHH, that is why they can't stop talking about Candy Corn!!

Yes it is true! We are in the throws of making babies and making babies calls for one thing....

FOOD! And lots of it!

Thank goodness our cravings go more the way of Candy Corn and Cheerios then pickles & ice cream... Because, that is really just gross.

If any of you have been pregnant, you will know that it is really hard.... Really hard to stay away from sweet treats!!

But, we want our babies to be big chubby chubsters... Not the mamas!

When people say, look at those adorable chubby thighs, we want to know they are not talking to ours!

All that being said, while a salad may be nice... Yummy & healthy...

Ice cream is a great way to follow-up that healthy lunch!

We can't deny these little babies anything... So while we are pregnant we are gonna enjoy ourselves! It only happens, once, twice, three or nineteen times depending on who we are talking about.

So if you are like us, enjoy every second of your baby making!

Indulge in stuffing your face when the house is empty! Just take a nice long a walk afterwards.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Yummies: A is for APPLES! (part 2 of 2)

While flipping through one of our fave books, The Giving Tree we suddenly became super hungry for a crunchy, mouth watering, tart, crispy, juicy, Falls favorite fruit...the Apple!

Apples are really a perfect fruit...they are satisfying, full of fiber, vitamins and come in a ton of flavors...OK not flavors per say but tons of varities and well ya...flavors.

There are not too many fruits sooo good for you and as super versatile as an apple...

you may remember our uber good post (if we do say so ourselves) about the shiny, yummy fruit and we heart it soooo much we couldn't stop there!

They can go in main dishes, salads, as snacks in sandwiches....but our most favorited way to have apples? (besides with PB or cheese)

....as DESSERT!!!

Here are a few more of our favorite and super easy breezy, awe inspiring, crowd pleasing ways to use apples in a dessert.

OH...PS...Thanksgiving is coming up...offer to bring one of these bad boys to the dinner and you will go down in history...we promise!

Ok...so our all time...most fancy way to enjoy apples in dessert is in a Tart Tatin.

The only problem? It's really hard to make and perfect...

So we searched and searched to find a warm carmel-y replacement....

We found it!

Martha Stewart's Caramel Apple Bread Pudding!!!

Yup...say it again...CARAMEL APPLE BREAD PUDDING!!!!!!!!

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled and cut into matchsticks
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 day-old 8-ounce loaf brioche
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Sauce

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place apples in a small bowl, and toss with lemon juice; set aside. Butter six 8-ounce ramekins or custard cups; place in a roasting pan. Cut brioche into eight slices, then quarter each slice; set brioche aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cream, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and nutmeg. Add brioche, and toss to coat.
3. Place 1 tablespoon caramel sauce into each ramekin. Add approximately 1/3 cup apple mixture, then 1/3 cup bread mixture. Add a second layer of sauce, apple, and bread.
4. Carefully place the roasting pan on the center oven rack. Fill roasting pan with hot water to within 1/2 inch of ramekin tops. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Cook 20 minutes. Remove foil; cook 20 minutes more. Remove roasting pan from the oven, and transfer ramekins to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes. Using a towel, invert ramekins onto serving platter. Serve warm with remaining caramel sauce on the side.

What is it about apple desserts that brings us right back to childhood? The thought of baked apples, cider and German apple pancakes fills our head...

What's that you say? What's a German Apple pancake??? Oh nothing....just amazingness that can be devoured day or night and is uber simple to make...

We had one of these over 20 years ago and will NEVER forget how yummy it is...

Our most favorite apple dessert ever? The one we actually are asked to make again and again? Dutch Apple Pie or Apple Crumble Pie.

So easy, so warm...it will make everyone kiss you over and over! (unless it's your stinky cousin or aunt with weird facial hair...in that case just run into the kitchen and hide)

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell
• 5 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fit pastry shell into pie pan and place in freezer.
2. To Make Apple Filling: Place apples in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well, then add to apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated.
3. Remove pie shell from freezer. Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil lightly on top of filling, but do not seal.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. While filling is baking, make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, and lemon peel. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Remove filling from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
6. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel is browned and apples are tender. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.

So laaaaazy you need an even easier way to impress the crowd with an Apple Crumbley thing? Make a warm Apple Crisp!

No pie crust needed! And just as delish!

So how ever you enjoy one of natures most perfect foods...well...just ENJOY!

xoxo things we heart

Yummies: Candy Corn!!

Lets say that one day, Miss. Me & Miss. t.w.h were to find them selves on top of a New York city apartment building, busting some ghosts... And they were warned not to think of any one thing in particular because the evil spirt would take the shape of whatever they thought of and use that form to try and destroy them. It wouldn't be the Stay Puft Marshmallow man stomping through New York.

It would be the equally delicious and slightly less sinful Candy Corn Monster!

Because every year as Halloween draws near, our minds turn to one thing only....

CANDY CORN!!

Alright two things, Candy Corn and Costumes.

But, because this is yummies day lets talk Candy Corn!

Did you know that October 30th is National Candy Corn day?

Well, neither did we but we all know now and we intend to celebrate!

How about throwing a little Pre-Halloween candy corn party?

Here are some yummy looking recipes for Candy Corn cookies if you get bored of eating them straight from the bag... LIke that could ever happen!

First up comes from Miss Martha... So you know they are gonna be cute.

Also delicious looking, but lacking in actual Candy Corn are these candy corn inspired cookies from The Recipe Girl.

But like we said, the best way to eat them is very slowly one by one savoring every second straight from the bag! Yummy!

In case you are wondering Just what this candy corn is made of... Well look here.

The bad news is, it's nothing good for you... The good news is, they are fat free.

We call that a draw.

Oh my goodness! Look at these Candy Corn rattles! Little teething softies for the babies in your life. Looks like I know what my partner is getting for National Candy Corn Day!

Go ahead, be naughty eat some candy!

Halloween only comes once a year, and that means Candy Corn only comes once a year, enjoy it while you can!

XOXO- Things-We-Heart