Mwha Ha Ha, Mwha Ha Ha (wring hands here)
That’s the sound of my mad scientists, seen here hatching their plans to overtake the world. Maybe they’re not plotting intergalactic mayhem. At this moment they claim to be separating out strands of DNA from corn meal at the new exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Even if they were plotting world domination, there’s something

I’ll Have Thanksgiving When I Want to Have Thanksgiving
The thing about holidays is that there are billions of things that can make one cranky.  Jacked-up airline prices and crowded airports; insanity at the market and children who insist on dallying with strep throat.  Not to mention the pressure, the crowds, and all those random crazy hungry people who insist they are related to you. You can’t do much about the crazies other than learn to love ‘em.  But the rest of it can be avoided if you do what I do: schedule Thanksgiving for whenever the heck it works for you.  Trust me, if you roast it, they will come.  For us, Thanksgiving was this past weekend. I cooked this sumptuous meal– Pictured: sm

Carmelized Onion and Cornbread Stuffing
I may not be Southern, but somehow Thanksgiving and Cornbread stuffing have always gone together in my mind.  Here’s how I do it– 1 pan of cornbread*  (*I use the recipe on the back of the cornmeal package, but whatever the recipe I always add a heaping TBLS of sour cream to the batter.) 2 Tbls butter 1 cup or so of dried apples, chopped 2 onions, chopped fine 1 egg, beaten 1/4 cup half and half 1/4 chicken stock 3 Tbls dried sage salt+pepper Preheat oven to 375. Cut the cornbread into smallish pieces and spread out on a baking sheet to dry out. Here in Colorado it take

Cranberry Orange and Apple Relish
Cranberry sauce in a can is gross.  I don’t care what you’re used to, it is time to grow up and make your own.  There are many reasons– Kids love the cool popping sounds that the berries make as they explode juice all over the stove top It’s better, that’s why All the cool kids are doing it. Glad you’re on board.  Here’s how it’s done: 1 orange 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup port 1 12oz bag of cranberries (not dried) 1 apple, finely chopped Grate the zest and squeeze the juice from the orange into a medium sized pot. Add the port.

Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey
15 lb turkey — I went for the natural one at Whole Foods, which was going for 99 cents/pound.  They even defrosted it for me and kept it chilled until I needed it. 1/2 stick of butter 1 large onion 1 apple 1/2 lemon 1/4 cup of apple cider 10 dried sage leaves, or a few Tablespoons of dried sage Prop the turkey up on a counter somewhere and take a good look.  A good look inside.  Typically the neck will be tucked into one end. Remove it and save it for my father.  He insists that it’s the best part. Now peek into the business end o