Wasabi Cream Cheese Bar

Wasabi Cream Cheese with Ginger Snaps

Finally, A Different Appetizer. 
My niece Burch and sister-n-law Penny were sitting at the kitchen counter munching on something that was vibrant green...closer look...cream cheese with wasabi and soy sauce. YUM. How simple? It's just an upgrade of the old faithful cream cheese and pick-a-peppa.  Thanks for the excellent hors d'oeuvre idea.

Wasabi Cream Cheese Bar

1 block cream cheese
4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Wasabi paste...as much as you can handle
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 green onions
Ginger snaps

Take a block of cream cheese and cut in half horizontally (much easier than you would think). Spread wasabi paste on one side of cream cheese and put the block back together. It's going to look great when you cut into it. Soak the layered cream cheese bar in soy sauce for a few hours...I poked a few holes in mine with a toothpick. Cover the cream cheese in toasted sesame seeds. Top with green onions and serve with ginger snaps. I promise the ginger snaps make it.

Enjoy!

Thoughts on Thanksgiving by Webster Franklin

Me with Webster on Ft. Morgan Ferry

Even though we are into the Christmas Season...I need to go back to Thanksgiving. My brother sent me something that should be shared. Our family tradition for Turkey day/week.

Guest blogger for Sweet Salty and Southern...My Brother, Webster Franklin

It’s Thanksgiving week, Ft.Morgan. 

We arrived here some 15 years ago, a way to escape the traditions of the past….turkey, dressing, wine, Clarksdale, MS where our family all converged each year to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Today, it’s a much different celebration….Today, we have 3 of the 4 sisters in the kitchen, on the beach, barking orders to Lansdale (the only true chef and food blogger among us). Lansdale has assumed the responsibility of chief cook and feeder of the family. Although the youngest, with a child of 18 months, still, she slaves over the hot stove tonight….cooking! The meal is Mexican. Her husband Rich has dutifully grilled the meat while she has prepared the Margaritas, the chicken and the beans for what is sure to be a non-traditional Thanksgiving week meal.

You see, our family began traveling to Ft. Morgan upon the death of our Grandfather, Father or Father-n-law, depending on your standing within the family. Thanksgiving was always the traditional affair in Clarksdale…..Turkey, Dressing, Wine and a good oyster casserole…Tonight however is the evolution of this traditional affair. As a family who enjoys traditions, it is comforting that a new tradition has been formed in a generation or one that is less than 15 years old. Our children, Hardy, Burch, Webb will surely see this holiday in a much different light than my sister and I. They will see it as one of fun, where everyone gathers, plays games, shares stories, receives gifts and learns of where and whom they come from. Thanksgiving to them will be full of memories and songs made up over food and drink that I hope they can one day pass along to their own family.

My wish and hope is….that in the next 15 years that we are doing the same in the tradition of our family. One that is always changing, enjoying each other and always remembering from which we come!

 Webster, thank you for this. It means more than you know. Love, Sister.