Pizza Crust (from Buffington's)

2 cups warm water
1TBSP yeast
2 TBSP sugar
1TBSP oil

Let sit and activate. Then add:

1 tsp salt
4-5 cups flour

Knead; let rise until double. Press in deep cookie sheet. One batch makes two sheets of pizza. Bake at 425 for 12-14 minutes. I like to brush on melted butter before baking. For added yumminess, I flip the pizza crust, once it's baked, and bake it on the other side for a few minutes. Once done, flip back over. I spread on plain old tomato sauce, sprinkled with garlic salt, oregano and parsley.

Royal Icing (Gingerbread Houses Icing)

3 egg whites
2tsp Cream of Tartar
4 cups powdered sugar
(scooped, not packed)

Beat until thick; minimum of 10 minutes. Easy icing and it works. Turns hard as a rock! For really easy gingerbread houses, use graham crackers. But, you all probably already knew that!

Thanksgiving Turkey

Ok, so I know this is a little late... but I thought I did a good job.

My mother in-law asked me to do an appetizer for Thanksgiving.

I found this on familyfun.com  and I modified it a bit.

A fruit and Cheese Turkey.

Elf Yourself 2008

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Zuppa Toscana, Soup from the Olive Garden

1 lb. ground Italian sausage, browned with crushed red pepper to taste
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 white onion, diced
10 cups water
5 cubes chicken bouillon
3 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and then sliced
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 cups kale, cut in half lengthwise then sliced
1/4 cup crumbled bacon (we like it with the bacon, but it tastes great without it too)

-After browning the sausage, use some remaining grease to saute onions and garlic
-Simmer in a large pot: water, bouillon, sausage, onions and garlic
-Add potatoes and simmer until potatoes are tender but not crumbling
-salt and pepper to taste
-Stir in kale, cream, and bacon before serving

-Serves 10