Our good friend Sarah showed up this past Sunday night bearing a Lemon Chess Pie.

The pie came from Darden’s Delights and it was ridiculously delicious. Holy cow. Sarah must really love us because we all had a slice and then she left some extra with us. We love you Sarah!

The pie came with a little piece of paper that told of their mission statement. The revenue from the pies support those with developmental disabilities in the community. Darden is the name of the baker’s adorable daughter, who was born with Down’s Syndrome in 2005.

In the past I have taught mentally disabled students and have coached Special Olympics, so this venture is really close to my heart.

Plus, the pies are insanely good. I’m sure you heard me say tons of times that you don’t need to prepare every single thing you serve to your guests. Always take advantage of the services of someone who can do it better. And I sure as heck couldn’t make a lemon chess pie that tastes as good as Darden’s can make it.

It's that Lemon Chess Pie, y'all!

With all sorts of yumminess to serve to your guests, why would you bother making a pie? It takes forever, and who knows if the crust will be flaky or soggy. Order from Darden’s. They even ship! I love shipping!

Next, I’m trying their butterscotch pie. Mmmmmmm, butterscotch!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Don McLean – American Pie

You know I am gearing up for Thanksgiving. I can’t wait for all the good things to eat and drink. Eric, John & I always go all out and the table is groaning with the weight of the amazing dishes loaded with delicious treats.

After dinner, the table is not the only thing groaning.

Just the thought of all this feasting has me wondering how I can treat my body a little nicer before Thanksgiving.

In walks dTox.

A lovely lady by the name of Emily delivered me a box of detox goodies on Monday. Trick or Treat! These were samples from dTox, a new space in Atlanta serving up all the elixirs you need to get your body in fighting shape. And while you are enjoying their fresh juices and getting healthy, you can also get some work done in their design cafe, dShop. Complete with monitors and internet, this Midtown spot has everything you need to get through your day.

I tried the Green Juice on Tuesday. Fortified with kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, watercress, apple, parsley & lemon, I was a little nervous about how it would taste. But it comes in such an adorable little bottle, that I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland. All it needed was a little label that read, “drink me.” When I did, I was astonished at how fresh it tasted. If Spring had a taste, this would be it. It may have been partially due to the fantastic day I was having, but I felt terrific after drinking it. Eric and I split the treats (Junk, as dTox calls them). One was a chocolate chip cookie and one was a pumpkin tart from Ooh La Raw. The pumpkin tart was the clear winner. Wait – was that a raw tart we just ate? Hmmm. Very tasty!

All I had were little tastes, but you can order their signature “dTox Box”, containing six 16 oz. bottles, for $50 per day. I would expect most cleanses are at least a week or so long, so this could get pricey. But, cheaper than a couple of days at a spa, yes?

And you won’t be left groaning! Get sexy!

dTox & dShop
305 6th Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.771.6500

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to LMFAO- Sexy and I Know It

Let me start by saying I consider myself to be a chicken salad connoisseur. I love pretty much any chicken salad. My dill chicken salad is thought to be a winner among my friends.

Have you ever made chicken salad? It is kind of a pain. You take a ton of chicken breasts, cook them, cool them, chop them into tiny bits and then you finally get to add all of the goodies. It takes forever to make just a little amount of it. That’s why I don’t make a lot of it.

Yummy! Just Chicken Salad!

But now I don't have to! My neighbor, Miquela, is whipping up the tastiest chicken salad at Just Chicken Salad! Lovingly handcrafted with organic chicken, plump red grapes, finely chopped celery and red onions, toasted almonds (optional), mayonnaise and their secret ingredient, this is some of the best chicken salad I have ever tasted. DELISH, y’all!

You know how I love to use fabulous resources for party food. Please don’t feel you have to make everything yourself, especially when folks like Miquela are creating kitchen treasures like this chicken salad. It would be perfect at a cocktail party served in little phyllo cups or hollowed out dinner rolls. The only snag is that you have to be in the Atlanta area to enjoy. Hopefully, soon it will be available nationwide. It is that good. Seriously.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have go order a pound – it’s only $10! Hmmm, maybe I need two pounds!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to WuProv – Chicken Salad

Sometimes I receive things in the mail that are a surprise. This little package was one of those days.

A Pyrex Easy Grab casserole dish was at my front door. Of course I must invite it in…don’t want to be rude, after all…

Oh, it’s a dandy,too. With swell handles that allow for, well, an easy grip! And it’s clear, so I can see how my browning or melty cheesy mac & cheese is coming along. I love it!

My new house guest.

And not only that, but it is easy to carry to a pot luck, your friend’s house or even grandma’s cottage (call your grandmother. or bake her some brownies!)

Dishwasher, oven and microwave safe makes it all the nicer. And the glass is guaranteed to last for two years.

And it’s affordable, too! Only $9.99.

I plan on taking this beauty everywhere with me.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Blondie – Heart of Glass

Remember on my birthday, my sweet friend Allen gifted me with a homemade chicken pot pie? Goodness gracious, it was delicious. And, as expected, gobbled up like hungry badgers by E and me.

Allen’s recipe didn’t come attached, so I will link to one in a minute. For now, lets just gaze at that flaky crust and yummy, creamy ingredients. This was our Oscar dinner. Perfect.

Hot from the oven. Really hot. Be careful!

Paired with a glass of chardonnay, it was the perfect Sunday night supper.

Luscious pot pie goodness.

Here’s a nice, easy recipe from Food.com. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Serves: 4,

1 package puff pastry, thawed and rolled for top
1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup light cream or 3/4 cup milk
2 3/4 cups cooked chicken (cut up) or 2 3/4 cups cooked turkey (cut up)
1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables

Directions:
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
1 Thaw pastry according to package directions.
2 Heat butter in large saucepan. Cook onion in butter until tender-crisp.
3 Add flour and seasonings, mixing until smooth.
4 Gradually stir in broth and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and is smoothly thickened.
5 Stir in chicken and vegetables.
6 Cool slightly. Spoon into baking dish.
7 Place rolled out puff pastry on top and make slits for steam to escape.
8 You can brush with egg white. (opt.).
9 Bake on lower rack in oven @ 375*F. until filling is bubbling and crust is puffed and golden brown. 30-35 minutes.

Thanks again, Allen! It was the tastiest dinner!

Oh, and tune in tomorrow, I have the most fun news for you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Zach Deputy – Chicken Pot Pie

I don’t know about you, but we are snowed in here in Atlanta. It is so much fun! Eric has the day off and the neighbors are organizing a Winter “Olympics” in the park this morning. Karen loves the snow and Oscar despises it.

But instead of cowering in our homes waiting for the snow to arrive last night, 14 of us packed up and headed out to Pizza Vesuvius for “This Ain’t Yo Mama’s Sunday Dinner”. For $12, it’s all you can eat pizza and salad. You know, one must carb load for the impending snow. And their pizza really is fantastic. They even deliver to our house and no one delivers to our neighborhood. Except Papa John’s. But this is real pizza. And since everyone else was waiting for the snow to come, we just about had the place to ourselves.

I didn’t bring my camera, but my buddy Justin did, so I am nabbing some of the shots he took from last night.

Thanks, Justin!

And thanks to Stephanie and Reeves who picked us up and let us ride with them. Stephanie, you did a perfect job of getting us home in the snow.

Tonight – a pot luck supper at our house. One of the most economical ways to entertain!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Amy Grant – Winter Wonderland

Happy Monday, Darlings!  As promised, each week before Thanksgiving we will broach another topic. Today, we are discussing whether you actually need to cook. Do you really want to weigh yourself down cooking a zillion sides and pies that will just stress you out before you even get to the table?  Are you doing it because mama and granny did?  Come on – you are much too sophisticated for that type of thinking. It’s 2009, for goodness sakes.  You can turn on your laptop and order the entire meal online while sipping your latte at Starbucks.  Even Miss Hospitalityaholic is not cooking everything after assembling this list. The pies will be ordered and I will pickup the bread from one of the many fabulous outlets seen here. Sure, I will bake and mash the sweet potatoes (probably the day before), throw together a salad and make my mom’s special sausage and raisin stuffing. But the boys are frying a turkey outside (ohhhh, fire!) So don’t fret, my sweeties – here are some places in Atlanta to order and pickup and also, for my out of town friends, some sites from which to order the whole enchilada. Or turkey. I don’t judge.

Alon’s, Offering orders a la carte from several menus, you can chose from appetizers, sides, meats and relish, artisan breads and desserts, all individually priced. Last day for orders will be Mon., Nov. 23 and pick-up by 4 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1394 North Highland Ave. 404-872-6000. www.alons.geomerx.com.

Murphy’s, Offering to-go meals for 4 at $125 and for 8 at $250. The menu includes roasted boneless turkey breasts, herbed cornbread, cranberry orange relish and each meal comes with a pie. Orders must be placed by Fri., Nov. 20 and picked up Wed., Nov. 25 between 11 am-6 pm. 404-872-0904. 997 Virginia Ave. www.murphysvh.com.

Muss & Turner’s, Offering a prepared package of sides and desserts that serve four at $99.93. Includes roasted vegetables, Ritz cracker dressing, green bean bake, sweet potato mash, gravy, lingonberry sauce, wheat rolls and choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Orders will be taken until Nov 21 and pick-up is 11 am-6:30 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1675-309 Cumberland Pkwy SE. 770- 434-1114. www.mussandturners.com.

PARISH: Food and Goods, An a la carte menu, that will include an all natural creole fried turkey with creamy horseradish sauce for $112, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole for $9/quart and Maple Creamed Sweet Potatoes with PARISH Granola: $8.50/quart. Orders need to be placed by Nov.13 and picked up Nov. 25. 404-681-4434. 240 N. Highland Ave. www.parishatl.com.

Rolling Bones Premium Pit BBQ, This menu twist on the traditional Turkey includes a whole turkey and cranberry relish for $60, or bone-in turkey breast with cranberry relish for $45, beef brisket with a side of horseradish for $70, whole duck with fig relish for $35 and sides by the quart for $8. 404-222-2324. 377 Edgewood Ave. www.rollingbonesbbq.com.

South City Kitchen-Midtown, In addition to offering a dine-in option, they will offer take-out for parties of 8 or more at $22.50 per person. Orders will be taken until Fri., Nov. 20 and pick-up is on Wed., Nov. 25. 404-873-7358. 1144 Crescent Ave. southcitykitchen.com/midtown.

The Shed at Glenwood, You can have a fully prepared meal for $150 for six to eight people. This includes a roasted turkey, a number of sides and an apple pie. Orders must be placed by Sun., Nov. 22 and picked up Wed., Nov 25, 5-7 p.m. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.

Or…if you are just really overwhelmed and want all the Thanksgiving goodies sent right to your door, here are a few suggestions.

Gourmet Grocery Online, These folks will send you a Turducken next day Fed Ex. This Cajun Stuff specialty starts with a semi-boneless turkey. This is stuffed with a boneless duck, dressing, then a boneless chicken and finally more delicious dressing. The final product will weight 15-16 lbs and will feed about 20 people. At $119.99, this will set you at about $6.00 per person, not including sides. gourmetgroceryonline.com

Schaul’s, There is nothing quite like a fresh turkey from Schaul’s. Schaul’s Turkeys are plump, juicy and fork tender. Carefully fed and raised, assuring a delicate buttery flavor that is unmatched in other brands. Fresh turkeys are available only during the week of Thanksgiving. Helpful cooking instructions are included with your order. Starting at $40.60 for a 12-14 lb bird to feed your friends and family. www.schauls.com

The Fresh Lobster Company, No one ever said you have to eat turkey. How about some fresh lobster or some other type of seafood? This is making me rethink that big bird. Right now they are running a special for “free overnight shipping” if you order 10 or more Maine products. Hmmm….after careful consideration and Maine’s recent overturning of same-sex marriages, I can’t in good conscience recommend anything from Maine. So lets not call these guys, mmmmkay?

Gourmet Station, Are there just the two of you this year? Playing hooky from the in-laws while watching the Macy’s parade? Good plan!  Gourmet Station will deliver your entire meal for $99.99. There you go – have another glass of wine and enjoy the game! www.gourmetstation.com

Greenberg’s Turkey, If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for me. Everyone is raving about Greenberg’s. It’s a smoked turkey, so if that is not your thing, you might want to reconsider. But their prices are terrific, starting at $27 for a 6 lb bird that should feed 12-18 people all the way up to a 15 lb turkey that will feed 30 – 45 people for $64.35. Add around $10 for shipping, and I consider that a deal. Pop over to the grocery store, buy some Stouffer’s sides and you are good to go. www.gobblegobble.com

iGourmet, Heritage Turkeys are never frozen, includes neck and giblets, and comes with a traceability certificate that states the turkey farm where your turkey is from. The bird’s genetics can be traced back to the 1800′s, ensuring a true “heritage” bird. Starting at 8 lb, going all the way up to a huge 22 lb, this should provide all your turkey needs. www.igourmet.com

Just make sure you have plenty of lovely sandwich bread, mayo and chips for turkey sandwiches the next day. You are going to be tired after all that shopping on Friday.

Some things never change.

xoxo, Patti

Next Monday – The perfect table setting.

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