Pre-Thanksgiving Miscellany

For a week or two last month, we went almost completely without any homemade sandwich bread. I flat-out did NOT feel like baking bread.

Except, I figured out that I just didn’t feel like baking basic whole wheat bread. I was kinda bored with it, I guess.

Fortunately, my Baking Illustratedcookbook came to the rescue with a recipe for oatmeal sandwich bread, which is a nice change of pace for both the baker and the people eating what the baker makes.

Baking Illustrated also has a cinnamon/raisin variation, which I’m itching to try.

And once I do, I’ll do a post with the recipe.

(In case any of you are getting a case of baking ennui too!)

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Yesterday, I cooked a turkey breast from Aldi. I never buy turkey breasts, but after sampling one on my trip to the Aldi test kitchens, I decided to change my ways. The roasted turkey breast I ate at the test kitchens was really delicious and moist, which is not what I typically expect from turkey breast.

I’m pleased to report that the turkey breast I cooked in my own kitchen was just as good as the one I had at the Aldi test kitchen. All six of us gave it an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

I used this recipe, except I made my own gravy. And I roasted one turkey breast instead of two, but I didn’t halve the seasoning. I actually think that amount of seasoning would be a little skimpy for two turkey breasts…for one, it’s perfect!

If you’re looking for an easy whole turkey alternative or if a whole turkey is just too much food for your household, you should give this a try.

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Feeling all bummed out because you don’t have an Aldi store near you?

Well, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Aldi is opening new stores all the time. Here are some new East Coast stores.

Towson, MD-opening Friday, November 30th, 2012

Langley Park, MD-opened November 17th, 2012

Exton, PA-due to open December 6th

Martinsburg, WV-due to open December 13th, 2012

Chantilly, VA-slated to open December 14th, 2012

West Palm Beach, FL-due to open December 13th, 2012

And check Aldi’s Facebook page to find out about other openings around the country. I saw they recently opened up new stores in Illinois, Ohio, and New Jersey, to name a few.

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If you’re contributing rolls to tomorrow’s Thanksgiving meal, check out this yeast roll roundup I put together. My favorites are probably the basic rolls and the honey-glazed rolls. The honey-glazed rolls are crazy delicious, but not as portable as the other recipes. So, if portability is important for you, I’d go with one of the other recipes.

I’ll be back here tomorrow with my annual thankful list (I list 50 things I’m thankful for, and it’s always a really great exercise for my gratefulness muscles.)

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Joshua’s 365 post: Two photos? What is this madness?