Friday Feast

Today was my birthday, so we decided to have a feast. I cooked the Turkey with pecan and cherry stuffing that I wrote about on Monday. I also decided to try a new potato dish - Golden Potato and Apple Gratin. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

1.5 cups whipping cream.

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.

Salt & pepper to taste.

1 cooking apple (northern spy, granny smith, crispin etc.)

2 lbs. potatoes - Yukon Gold works well, as do any other types of potatoes.

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese.

Method

Butter a shallow baking pan that will hold 8 cups.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a medium sized saucepan, combine Dijon mustard, cream, salt and pepper. Place on medium heat until steaming. Do not boil.

Whisk to ensure all ingredients are combined.

Set aside to cool.

While waiting, peel potatoes and slice very thin.

Peel, core and slice apples.

Pour enough cream mixture into the baking dish to cover the bottom.

Place a layer of potato slices.

Place a layer of apple slices.

Cover this layer of potatoes and apples with a portion of the cream mixture.

Continue in this way, ending with potatoes and the last of the cream mixture.

Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes and apples are tender when pierced with a fork.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Place back in the oven for approximately 15 minutes to melt cheese and allow the top to become crisp.

Broil for a couple of minutes if necessary

Serve piping hot.

Note: This is my version of the recipe that was originally provided by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Since this is harvest season, we had a lot of veggies and of course a wonderful salad to start it all off.

For dessert we had birthday cake. It was a beautiful dinner. The grandsons came and I had invited Mom but she's feeling a bit under the weather, so she declined.

I was spoiled rotten. Brandon gave me a beautiful spider plant - not the white and green one, but an all green one. Apparently it is a new type of spider plant.

Jordan gave me what (and I know this isn't politically correct, so I apologize in advance. I don't know the real name of the plant.) is called a wandering jew. If anyone knows the correct name of this plant, please let me know.

My neigbor and friend, Marianne, gave me a bed in a bag. I've never had one before, so that was a real treat.

In Ontario you have to buy your licence tags on your birthday, so that is always a big expense - I got those so I can continue to drive.

Joanne, who has been my friend for 32 years gave me $35 - a nice treat. I don't often get money to spend on myself and I will find something I really like and want with that.

Hubby wants to get me a new crock pot. We'll see.

Mom will bring her gift when she's feeling better.

I was abundantly blessed on my birthday this year. I am truly blessed with the love of family and friends and that's all that counts.

Give the potatoes a try. They're delicious.