A Peacock Christmas

Christmas 2014 Peacock Table

I bought a white pre-lit tree this year. 

I decided to decorate in "peacock" colors

turquoise, green, gold and purple

Christmas View from Living Room

Santa Bar

I have acquired various Santa decorations over the year, so I decided to dress up the bar in red and green

Crowd Pleasing Green Bean Casserole

I have made green bean casserole so many ways.  It's amazing to make from scratch, but for Thanksgiving 2014, I was cooking 3 different casseroles (green bean, broccoli rice, and squash) for a big crowd, so I needed  to keep is simple. 

What is more simple than 

Campbell's Classic Green Bean Casserole? 

Honestly, it's delicious. 

I know some people do not care for it, but I happen to love it. 

My biggest challenge was determining how much of it I needed to make. 

I decided this time, I'd make notes of how I made it and how it tasted so that I know next Thanksgiving if this recipe was a "keeper"

So, here is my version of green bean casserole for a crowd

CROWD PLEASING GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Ingredients (classic recipe)

• 4 cans (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 cans (14.5 ounces) cut green beans ( I prefer these over french green beans)
• 4 1/3 cups french fried onions

Extra Twist- Sauteed Mushrooms 

(if you want to "jazz" it up)

• 1 pkg fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 1/4 cup half n half 

Directions

• Preheat oven 350 degrees
• Set aside 1 1/3 cups french fried onions
• Whisk together soup, milk, soy sauce, and pepper to make the sauce
• Toss green beans with sauce in a baking dish (I used a large foil roasting dish as I was taking this to another location)
• Add the sauteed mushrooms if you went for the "extra twist"
• Bake casserole for 40-45 minutes, until the mixture begins to bubble around the edges
• Stir the mixture and sprinkle with reserved french fried onions
• Bake another 5-10 minutes until onions begin to brown

I prepared this the day before serving. I place saran wrap first then wrapped with heavy duty foil.  I used a black sharpie to write the cooking temp and instructions on the outside. 

Crowd Pleasing Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole

For Thanksgiving 2014, I decided to make 3 casseroles.  

Green Bean, Broccoli Rice, and Squash

I have only made broccoli rice casserole several times. I always search the internet and Pinterest to get ideas when I do not have a "go to" recipe. 

 I decided to use Paula Deen's Broccoli Casserole as my base then added a couple cups of rice to it.  

The challenge like the Green Bean Casserole is the amount I needed to make. 

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Broccoli Rice Casserole with Topping

Crowd Pleasing Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 (10 3/4 ounces) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups crackers, crushed
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• salt and pepper to taste

Extra Twist- Sauteed Mushrooms 

(if you want to "jazz" it up)

• 1 pkg fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 1/4 cup half n half

Directions

• Preheat oven 350 degrees
• Spray a large foil roasting pan with cooking spray
• Cook broccoli per the directions on package - set aside to cool
• Cook rice per the directions on the package - set aside to cool
• In the pan, combine broccoli, rice, mayo, cheese, soup, eggs (make sure the rice and broccoli are cool so the eggs do not scramble), and "extra twist" sauteed mushrooms
• Mix well - don't forget the salt and pepper 
• Top with crushed crackers and pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers
• Bake for 40-45 minutes

I prepared this the day before serving. I place saran wrap first on top of the casserole then wrapped the pan with heavy duty foil.  I used a black sharpie to write the cooking temperature and instructions on the outside of the foil.   

Crowd Pleasing Squash Casserole

Thanksgiving 2014, I decided to make 3 casserole dishes.  

Green Bean, Broccoli Rice and Squash. 

I have never made squash casserole. It is one of my favorites any time I eat somewhere with a home style flair.  

There are so many different ways to make squash casserole.  

Here is the recipe I decided to test out - Southern Living Squash Casserole. 

I adapted it to feed a large crowd.  This recipe also called for basil. I chose to leave it out.

Cooked Yellow Squash & Onions

Squash Casserole

CROWD PLEASING SQUASH CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS

• 8 pounds yellow squash, sliced
• 2 large sweet onions, finely chopped
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 2 teaspoons ground pepper
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups soft, fresh breadcrumbs divided (I used italian)
• 2 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, shredded
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup French Fried Onions

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Place yellow squash and onions in a dutch oven; cover with water. Cook about 8 minutes or just until the yellow squash and onions are tender; drain squash mixture well - set aside to cool
• Combine cooled squash mixture, sharp cheddar cheese, mayo, garlic salt, pepper, eggs, 2 cup breadcrumbs, and  1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese.  Spoon into a lightly greased large foil roasting pan. 
• Stir melted butter, french fried onions, remaining breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the squash mixture. 
• Bake casserole for 45-50 minutes or until set.

2014 Halloween Table

It's been almost a year since I have blogged.  

I realize that I really rely on this blog to help me remember how I decorate for each season & recipes that I have tried.  

So...

I'm going to go back to 2014 

& 

post some highlights

and then...

I will do my best to stay current & up to date

Here's my Halloween Table

Halloween 2014

Witch Pillow

Skeleton Measuring Cups, Measuring Spoons & cupcake liners