From Shirley's Cottage

Hi all
Last week's recipe, Poppy Bread was missing eggs. A lady called the newspaper saying it didn't turn out! It takes 4 eggs. Sorry

"Put ‘er there, Pardner"
I take nothing away from the great restaurants and great food available in the Village of Cambridge. But there are times when you are somewhere else and it is a treat to find some really good food at a reasonable price.
This was the case the other day when I went to lunch with two of my co-workers. One was recovering from surgery, and the other one had a recent loss in the family. And I was just recovering. If I don’t have a crisis, I go out and find one.
We decided the peanut butter and jelly on stale white bread was not enough for our souls. We needed comfort food.
Luckily there was a family restaurant at the end of the strip mall. There were new owners and had been recently refurbished .
We were greeted with a smile and led to a spacious booth. Our wait person was helpful and cheerful, almost to a fault.
Everything we ordered was delicious The salad was not from a bag, no brown leaves anywhere. If the salad dressing was not homemade, it came from a very good bottle. The mashed potatoes and gravy, however, were homemade, little lumps and all. The soup was thick, the meat crisp and juicy. Good food, good service, good company.
Why don’t I name the place? I’m always looking for something to write about. I was going to until I left. I went up to the owner and held out my hand, telling him how much we enjoyed the meal. He looked at me, then my hand, turned, said, "Thank you", and went behind the counter.
I knew right away what was wrong. He was a non-toucher, a germ freak. He has bought into the "if I touch you your germs might make me sick." mentality.
I thought, "give me a break." This is not brain surgery here. It is a simple gesture of friendliness.. If I am having surgery, I want a germ-free environment. If you sneeze, sneeze into your sleeve and not in my face. Otherwise, I’d be happy to shake your hand. Us huggers and hi-fivers are going to get a complex.
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m for clean. You know the saying, "Cleanliness is next to
Godliness. I get it. I also think we have to give our immune systems something to do.
I don’t want to offend anyone or any germs. So the next time I go to shake someone’s hand, I’ll be sure and have my Purell and latex gloves handy.
And today I’ll wash Tom turkey inside and out before I stuff him.

What makes my Thanksgiving preparation stressful is the last minute things to do, like the gravy and potatoes. I have admitted to not being good at baking (an understatement), but I can make a pretty good gravy. This year I am going to make them both day ahead, and hope for the best.
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
you will need for the potatoes: (five pounds)
mashed potatoes just the way you make them.
add one 8 oz cream cheese
one 8 oz sour cream
one stick butter
(add a little more milk if needed so as not to dry when heating)
optional-three or four cloves sauteed garlic)
put in baking dish, top with parsley flakes
heat in oven before serving
you will need for the gravy
broth from cooking giblets, 2 stalks celery, 2 carrots, 1 small onion
Cook until vegetables are done and drain.
(Optional-buy broth instead of making it)
Make a roux with one cup of the broth and 1/4 cup flour
Mix with broth until thickened.
Refrigerate until ready to make gravy.
Mix with drippings from your turkey.
Enjoy
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!