Thanksgiving Menu and the Amazing Bread Machine Cinnamon Roll Recipe

I don't know about you, but we're just emerging from a turkey-induced coma over here.  We've been wanting to post, but as soon as we'd get near the computer, our eyes would glaze over and the drooling would begin again in earnest.

I thought I'd give you a run-down on what was put out on our enormous farm-house dining room table this year.  Our table was literally groaning with food.  Even our kids looked at the spread and said, "That's a lot of food."  If they say that, then you know that you'd better have elastic waist pants on.

For Breakfast:

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

We got the party started early!  I made cinnamon roll dough in the bread machine and then made them the usual way the day before.  I'll share the recipe in just a sec.

For Dinner:

(by Paco and Jamie)

The turkey...  (angels are singing) 
Mashed potatoes
Homemade stuffing
Baked Apples
Pumpkin Roll (shared on Jamie's "mama-blog" last fall)
Two Pumpkin Pies

(by Rosie, Paco's amazing mamacita)

Corn souffle (must. get. this. recipe.)
Green salad with blueberries, mushrooms, walnuts and a vinaigrette
Cranberry jello
Peach Pie

Can you see why we haven't posted in a while?

Paco had been planning the turkey for weeks now.  He was drooling over the Food Network magazine and researching on-line how to make "his" turkey.

He's about as bad as the dad on the movie "A Christmas Story."

Seriously. 

He debated grilling, roasting, brining, or smoking it.  In the end, the poor, poor turkey was injected with fluid and smoked on the grill.  My heart went out to that turkey.  I can't imagine how bloated it felt.  Um, actually, I can. 

In the end, is was perfectly delicious.  That turkey's death was not in vain.

Now, for the cinnamon roll recipe...  Ready?

Ingredients

3/4 cup water

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 t. vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

6 T. sugar

1/4 cup softened butter

1 t. salt

2 T. milk

1 1/2 t. yeast

*Filling*

1/4 cup butter, melted

2/3 cup brown sugar, mixed with 2 t. cinnamon

*Icing*

3 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

3 T. hot water

2 cups confectioner's sugar

Directions

In bread machine, add ingredients according to manufacturer's suggested order (dry ingredients first, liquid second, yeast last) and set on dough cycle.

Turn onto lightly floured board.  Roll out to a rectangle about 10 x 18 inches.  Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon-brown sugar mixture.

Starting at long end, carefully roll up, pinching seams together.  Measure and cut 1-inch slices.  Place cut side up on a buttered baking sheet.  Cover with a slightly dampened towel and let rise in a warm place for 45-1 hour (or until doubled in size). 

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned. 

For the icing, melt butter in a medium saucepan; add hot water and vanilla.  Remove from heat then stir in confectioner's sugar.  Add more hot water, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.  Drizzle over warm rolls.

(Makes 12)

Loosen your belt, sit back and thank the good Lord for cinnamon rolls.

Then it's time to start thinking about the Christmas menu.

I'm linking up over at Skip to My Lou and Permanent Posies today.  If you're hopping over from there, let me know.  We're just getting started blogging over here so we love visitors!  You can always become a follower or join our email list.  Thanks for stopping by!