Conference Sunday Dinners

*(This is the final day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


Things can't get any better by Sunday afternoon of General Conference weekend.  After listening to inspired counsel from our Prophet & leaders for two wonderful days, it's almost a let-down to have it end.  When my children and grandchildren come to stay, it's tradition to finish this special weekend off by enjoying one last meal with at least a few of our family favorites.  


Some families opt to have their larger Sunday meal in between the morning & afternoon sessions.  My crew is usually still very satisfied after a great breakfast either before, or while we listen to the Sunday morning session.  So, while the little guys run around the yard or take a walk - my kids (now they are adults) are more than happy to help me in the kitchen as I get dinner ready.  (Oh... and did I mention the NAPS?  That's required...)  


We have our last meal of the day after the afternoon session ends.  Then we usually play games and visit about what talks we loved the most till late into the evening.  It's sad to see the weekend come to a close, because we know it will be six long months till it comes around again.


Usually I have to decide if I'm going to simplify this meal, or enjoy making something a little more involved (with their help).  We have fun either way.  Our family favorites usually win out, but we still enjoy trying something new occasionally.  It's heaven to relax in front of the TV while I can smell one of our favorite Sunday meals get closer to setting on the table.  


Hopefully you've found something in this past five days of General Conference food traditions that you want to try sometime.  I'd love to hear what your favorites are (send me a link?)

Sunday Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Start these in the morning, and you won't
have to worry about them again until it's time for dinner.
Mash them right in the crockpot, (and no boiling over!)

Fall Apart Sunday Roast
A classic in our family.
This is a required skill before you get married...

Judy's Meatloaf
I'm so glad my son-in-law twisted his mother's arm
so we can enjoy her legendary homestyle meatloaf too...
(Thanks Judy!)

Mini Berry Pizzas
Instead of wrestling with a large fruit pizza, we find
it's much easier to serve when assembled on our favorite sugar cookies.

Sunday Spuds
These are a great alternative when I'm tired of my "usual" potato dishes.
They are even better when made with red potatoes.

Brownie Pudding
This is a "Lazy Mom" dessert for Sunday dinner
that everyone enjoys and nobody will complain about.
(and did you know you can hide zucchini in it?)

Unrolled Cordon Bleu Bake
I think this is even better than the traditional
Chicken Cordon Bleu - and it's lightning fast to make.

Conference Crescents
This is a great recipe because it doubles as a
sweet cinnamon roll, or a wonderful dinner roll.

Waterless Carrots
These are a favorite of my grandkids (can you believe that?)
I've never seen kids race to take more carrots - until I made them this way.

Superb Salisbury Steak
Another very simple main dish that seems special.
It also mimics a great restaurant Salisbury Steak.

Ultimate Cream Filled Chocolate Cake
My neighbor (Toni) taught me how to make this cake - it's the best!
I changed it by substituting the cake mix for "Counterfeit Chocolate Cake"
(you'll never believe one of the ingredients is a pureed can of beets...)

Whipping Cream Potatoes
These decadent potatoes are so simple to make
from frozen Southern Style Hashbrowns (and guess what else?)

3 or 4 Packet Roast
Save this recipe for when getting off  the couch
after General Conference is not your priority...
It's been around the internet (and back) because it's so easy.

"Girls Night" Cooking & Crafts

*(This is the fourth day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


Saturday evening - after the first two sessions of General Conference earlier in the day - is the General Priesthood Meeting for men & boys over the age of 12 who hold the Priesthood.  This meeting originates in the Conference Center also, and is broadcast from there to meetinghouses throughout the world.  It has become a tradition for fathers, sons, and brothers to go out for dinner or ice cream after the broadcast.  


We women (mothers, daughters, sisters) look at this as an opportunity to have our own chance at starting traditions.  Depending on the age of who is at home, we've done just about everything.  Sometimes we go shopping at a craft store for a project that only takes one night.  We've played games & made new recipes together.  One year we spent the evening at Gardner Village (a quaint shopping center in Midvale, Utah).  If it's just my daughters - we go out for dinner or ice cream - and maybe a movie.  When the grandkids are here with their moms - we try to do a kid-friendly project with them at the same time (which is a bit trickier, but possible!)  One year we watched "Gone With the Wind" - start to finish (sigh).  


Since the men are usually enjoying ice cream - we've made all kinds of delicious things to enjoy that night (or the next day for dessert).  It's always more fun cooking with your daughters.  Here are a few recipes/crafts we've had fun with on "Girls Night" in years past...

The Fazookie
It's as good as it looks.  Really.

  

Mason Jar Lanterns
This was a favorite of both the grandkids (and their mothers)
Canning season is usually still underway in October,
so mason jars are always on hand to use.

Death by Chocolate
Women + Chocolate = pure happiness.
This is an easy cake recipe that can be made ahead,
then warm up the chocolate & caramel toppings for the finishing touch.

Night Owl S'mores
The grandkids thought these were great.
Simple to put together, and even more fun to eat.

Butterfinger Mini-Cheesecakes
My daughter Whitney loves all things Butterfinger.

Oreo Black-Eyed Susans
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for your shallow "pot"
and the "petals" are made from lemon drops & candy corn.

Blackberry Lemon Cloud
Similar to Pavlova, this light & sweet treat
is simple and delicious to make as a group.

Punkin' Snack Bags
Filled with Muddy Buddies, these are just the thing
for the grandkids to give to their friends, teachers, etc...

Kit Kat Squares
Using common crackers, this tastes really close to the real thing.

Stay Soft Playdough
For those little hands that are just NOT a lot of help
as you are trying to work on a craft project.

Smokeless S'mores
These are fabulous.
Enough said.

Freeze-Ahead Peach Pie Filling
Peaches are still in season during October Conference.
This is a way to focus on Preparedness,
while still having fun together.

Food Storage Fudge
Yes - made from pinto beans.
But you won't believe it when you taste it.

Red Velvet Cheesecake
This takes some time to assemble, but it
makes a memorable dessert for Conference Sunday.

Chocolate Tuxedo Bowls
Use inflated balloons to make these edible chocolate bowls.
Later fill with rich chocolate cake cubes & white chocolate mousse.

Donna Lee's Buttermints
These take a group effort in pulling and cutting.
Kind of like Pioneer Taffy Pulling (but better!)

*Check back tomorrow for best-loved "Conference Sunday Dinners".

Between Sessions Lunch Ideas

*(This is the third day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


When the first session of Saturday's General Conference ends, you can feel the entire area we live in suddenly relocate.  I would call it the Noon Dash - where you have two hours to get things done before the second session begins at 2:00 PM.  It's interesting to see everyone in my neighborhood spring to life - hurrying to pick up something at the grocery store, mowing the lawn, raking leaves, washing the car, rushing to Home Depot - you get the idea.  


Since there is another meeting following the Saturday afternoon session (called the "Priesthood Session") - most families try to catch their main meal between 12:00 and 2:00.  One reason for this is that most women have made plans for the time their husbands, fathers, & brothers are away on Saturday night (check back for things we've done on "Girls Night" tomorrow)


I've found that this main meal in the middle of the day needs to be fairly easy to prepare and something that can be put on the table fast.  If I plan it a day or two before, things work out better.  If I forget - and prepare it while I try to listen to Conference, I feel like I've missed out.  We like this meal to be one where everyone can dress it up their own finishing touches - buffet style suits us fine.  


Here are a few of our favorites...

Mini-Burgers / Sliders
No BBQ grill required - this is all done in the oven
and can be on the table within half an hour.

Cafe Rio 'Take-In'
Although this takes the day before to prepare,
it's always a hit with my family.

Potato Cheese Soup (like "Riley's")
This soup is one of our favorites,
especially if the weather is turning cooler.

Hunter's Stew
This can be either an oven or a crock-pot stew.
It's even better with homemade rolls or cornbread
- and holds well if dinner is delayed.

Salsa Chicken
Another crockpot-friendly dish that cooks
in the background while you listen to Conference.
We love it served over baked potatoes.

Week-long Chicken Pasta Salad
Make this a day or two ahead, and it's ready & waiting
 if you have things planned and you can't have a sit-down meal.

Easy Chinese-Restaurant-Style Fried Rice
This is a great way to use leftover ham, and with
the addition of fresh vegetables - it's a complete meal.

Mexican Rice Bake
This looks pretty humble, but it's so good -
especially if you still have fresh tomatoes from
your garden to slice on top before adding the cheese.
You'll appreciate the fact that you can make this the day before.

Navajo Tacos - Utah Style
Who doesn't like Navajo Tacos?  Everyone gets to
dress it up "their" way - and fry bread is something special
that you don't have every day (don't worry -  it's very easy to make)

Stay Awake Snacks

*(This is the second day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


After a great breakfast on Conference Weekend (usually heavier than on a typical day) - it's a challenge to keep from nodding off during an afternoon General Conference session.  After all - you're usually in your favorite chair, wearing your most comfortable things (which are most often pajamas) - you get the picture.  In my family - it varies between a 50 to 75% doze-off rate by the end of a two hour session.


That's why (if I'm not asleep myself) I try to bring out something to snack on to yank us back to attention after the first hour.  If it's close to lunch - I even try to make it somewhat healthy.  The sweet snacks (although they are the favorites) usually get us in trouble - those can bring on a nap fairly quickly.  These stay out on the counter or table most of the day for people to reach for as they walk by.  We have too many favorite snacks - here are just a few:  (...check in tomorrow for Between Sessions Lunch Ideas)

Muddy Buddies are the all-time favorite around here,
but these are a new version called Lemon Buddies.
Made with white chocolate & lemon, they are dangerously good.

 Veggie Packs  are great to keep in the refrigerator.
  Each person has their own portion,
so you don't have to bring out several containers & ingredients.

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
These won't give you a sugar-high, and they are great with Pizza Dip.

White Chocolate Popcorn
Dress it up with whatever holiday M&M's, & candy corn you have on hand. 

Autumn Munch & Crunch
Sweet/salty & crunchy/chewy - with
Rice Chex, raisins, Reeses Pieces, & candy corn - coated with white chocolate 

Guilt Free Jicama - the ultimate crunchy vegetable.
Here's a tutorial on how to easily cut it into matchstick size.

Edible Playdough      For the little ones.
Don't tell them it's edible until they've had a LOT of fun.
(This is great rolled into balls & dipped in chocolate for "PB Buckeyes")

"Sludge" - made from bottled peaches & pears.
The name isn't flattering, but it's really refreshing (and healthy)

Effortless Bean Dip w/Chips
This Mexican dip could almost be a meal.

Sure Fire Blender Salsa
A favorite every time I make it.
(and it doesn't require fresh tomatoes)

Festive Pumpkin Dip
A hearty dip made with cream cheese, canned pumpkin, and dried beef.
Fun for Fall when served in a bread bowl with celery leaves.

Five Days of Conference Favorites

Yes.  This is a food blog.  But this week I'm focusing on a Utah phenomenon - LDS General Conference (and food, of course).  Around here the two go hand-in-hand.  Two weekends each year, on the first weekend in April & October - the LDS (Mormon) faith holds their Worldwide General Conference.  Although it's possible to attend in person (the beautiful Conference Center has a capacity of 21,000) - it's difficult to obtain tickets if you live in the US, Mexico, & Canada.  Because of this, most Latter Day Saints stay at home and enjoy the proceedings on television.

October General Conference 2011

This is one Sunday we don't attend our 3-hour block of meetings and teach lessons, serve in callings, etc...  It's our "day off" - where we stay home as a family listening to messages from our prophet & leaders.  I remember (with fondness) the General Conference Snuggle around the TV, staying in our 'jammies way past noon, and having everyone home together for an entire day.  And food is a big part of the tradition.


Today I'm linking to our family favorite Get-Out-of-Bed Breakfasts for past General Conference Weekends.  (Incidentally - it's amazing how Cinnamon Rolls could be voted the top food tradition for General Conference Weekend - I posted about this six months ago with our best cinnamon roll recipes HERE)  Check back later for "Stay Awake Snacks", "Between Sessions Lunch" ideas, "Girls Night Cooking", and "Conference Sunday Dinners".  Here we go...


Get-Out-of-Bed Breakfast Ideas: 

Since you know you don't have to be dressed in your Sunday best on this weekend - some kids (and adults) press the limit... meaning they are lucky to stumble from their beds to the couch by 10:00 AM.  It always helps to smell the aroma of a great breakfast luring you towards the kitchen.  Here are just a few of our favorites:

Pudding-Added Cinnamon Rolls

Sour Cream Breakfast Cake
(our all-time family favorite for Saturdays & Sundays)

In-the-Background Breakfast Bake

Smooth Caramel Syrup & A-maz-ing French Toast
which is made from...

Chunky Monkey Cinnamon Bread

Conference Crescents

Apple Fritter Bread

Swedish Cinnamon Twists

Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes

Blueberry Bliss Brunch Cake