JNez@thirtydaes.2010

i’m really not into it. didn’t put up a tree, nothing. barely exchanged gifts even. shame on me. but i just wasn’t with it…goodness. everything is christmas, gifts, cheer, family. all of that isn’t happening for all of us. some of us are really down this holiday and just want it to be over. i can’t ever remember looking forward to january as much as i am now.

still, i promised to prepare a christmas dinner and that’s what i’m doing. got a beautiful turkey i named henny as i was massaging and seasoning it lol. he’s in the fridge now, waiting for 5:00 am when i get up and put him in the oven to bake. poor guy. he’s ok with it though lol.

ahhh…what else is on the menu…oh yeah, fresh collard greens. they’re already seasoned and cooking on the stovetop along with the turkey neck. oh the neck yields an excellent broth when boiled with seasoned water. it must be cooked on low overnight though. the broth can be used for gravy but the meat…that will be tender and fall off the bones. chop it up and simmer the meat in a pan with celery, green peppers & onions. there’s the dressing for the stuffing lol.

so yep…i’m here…alone. the girls are with their mom at grandma’s house. they have a christmas eve dinner and celebration. i pick up the girls tomorrow evening and we’ll have our dinner & celebration. hah! with no tree. and one present! lol these kids are expensive. one thing now…$150 is the limit per item lol.

hope you have a merry xmas or whatever we’re supposed to feel today.

Happy Thanksgiving blog readers! i’m celebrating with the girls this year, cooking up a thanksgiving feast of turkey, bbq ribs, stuffing, baked macaroni & cheese, collard greens, red rice, candied yams, & potato salad. the girls hooked up a sweet potato & pumpkin pie each, and the ex is bringing over a glazed ham.  we’re gonna watch the macy’s thanksgiving day parade, stuff our faces, watch football & movies, and play a few games. i’m also hooking up some spiked egg nog for me & the ex so it’s gonna be a happy thanksgiving indeed.

i brought a christmas tree yesterday and the girls & i decorated it so the house has the holiday feel. i didn’t put up a tree or cook for the holiday last year so it was my turn this year. i’m in pretty good holiday spirits so we’re looking forward to a great month.

as for black friday tomorrow; i had the bright idea of taking the girls to macy’s santaland but the crowds are just going to be too much. we will get a little shopping in though…

i’ll post pics of our thanksgiving feast so all my virtual family can see what we’ve whipped up. you guys have a great one…

Well, as a single Dad, I cook for my daughters 4 or 5 nights weekly. Our cuisine combines the styles of soul, Spanish, & Italian foods, in addition to traditional American and inner-city favorites.

One of my favorite dinners is Crispy garlic chicken w/penne smothered in Alfredo Sauce. The ingredients are:

• 1 pound (8 pieces) of boneless chicken cutlets
• 1/2 package of Penne or bowtie noodles
• 1 jar of Creamy Alfredo (or similar) pasta sauce
• 1 bottle of Lea & Perrins marinade for chicken
• Adobo seasoning
• Garlic Seasoning
• Spicy Mustard
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup of canola oil
• 3 tablespoons of margarine

Preparation:

Trim any fat off of chicken cutlets, place in medium-size, covered dish. Prepare marinade, shaking generous amounts of Lea & Perrins marinade sauce, mustard, adobo seasoning and garlic seasoning onto chicken. Cover dish and shake vigorously to ensure all chicken pieces are coated in marinade. Refrigerate and let sit for at least 2 hours.

Boil water for pasta in medium size sauce pan. In large skillet, heat 1/2 cup of canola oil over medium flame. Mix flour and bread crumbs in large, ziploc bag. Place chicken pieces, two at a time into flour and bread crumb mixture and shake until well coated. Place on tray until oil is well heated.

Empty pasta into boiling water. Stir consistently, cooking for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Place chicken pieces individually into skillet. Cook for 10 minutes or until underside crisps lightly. Flip chicken pieces and repeat. Remove from pan and place on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Drain pasta, but do not rinse. Return to sauce pan, add adobo seasoning to taste, margarine, and pour alfredo sauce over pasta. Stir until well coated. Serve immediately with chicken pieces. Serves four.