A Simple Holiday

Simplicity... it has become a very big trend in this terrible economy. DIY (do it yourself), handmade soaps, farmer's markets over supermarkets and of course dinners in not out. Instead of wine at your favorite hot spot on a nightly basis, we are now cutting back to once a week or even in some cases, just having our friends over for game night instead. Things have changed and while there may be a willingness to simplify these days, the holiday season which will officially start next week is a hard time to stay put in our simple ways.

Thanksgiving can be stressful and overdone. Trying to make the "perfect" holiday feast for our family and friends can be a bit overwhelming. We have people come into our homes, the football game is playing loudly, children are running around and now your mother-in-law is judging you on how you have decided to make your centerpiece. Oy!

This Thanksgiving we should continue with our traditional foods and having our families gather around us. However, maybe we scale it back a little and spend more of that incredibly meaningful day actually talking to our loved ones. Give your children a dish or two to be responsible for, have them participate in the cooking process. Think carefully about your menu and see what you can get locally. After all that was the original idea behind the feast, enjoying a bountiful harvest.

It can all be so simple and yet one of the best Thanksgivings we will remember. Avoid the stress, include the family and eat locally.

Here is a simple recipe that was made from my farmer's market finds and will work well for your sweet potato side dish. I have my two-year-old wash off the sweet potatoes and leaks, which she just loves. If you have older kids, maybe they can do some simple cuts or plate presentation.

Cheers!

Caramelized Onion/Leak Sweet Potato Saute: 

• 3 large sweet potatoes, medium dice
• 3 leaks, washed and cut into rondelles (circles)
• 1 red onion sliced very thinly
• 1 half stick of butter
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Parboil your diced sweet potatoes so they become tender. In your large saute pan melt your butter and start to caramelize your onions and leaks. After about 10 minutes of the leaks and onions caramelizing, then add your sweet potato and finish cooking. Plate and serve!