Recipe 2 of 4:

Pear, Chestnut & Sage Dressing

While this recipe calls for baking the dressing separately from the turkey, it can easily be used as a stuffing. Simply pack the unbaked dressing loosely into the turkey cavities and follow the roasting instructions included in the back of this booklet for a stuffed turkey.

1 lb. loaf rustic country bread

½ lb. pork breakfast sausage, casings removed

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, cut into ½-inch chunks

1 large carrot, cut into ½-inch chunks

3 celery stalks, cut into ½-inch chunks

1 Bosc pear, cored and cut into ½-inch chunks

1 cup peeled and chopped, steamed or

roasted chestnuts

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/3 cup chopped fresh sage leaves

4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

(See Creamy Giblet Gravy page for recipe)

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Tear the bread into ½-inch chunks, spread out on a baking sheet, and leave out to dry overnight.

Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a large, shallow baking dish.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the sausage, stirring and crumbling with a large fork, until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Melt the 1 Tbs. butter in the pan, and add the onion, carrot, celery and pear. Using a large spoon, sauté the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the vegetables to the bowl with the sausage along with the chestnuts, parsley, sage, melted butter, broth, salt and pepper and stir to mix. Add the bread chunks and stir to mix well. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish and bake, uncovered, until the top is golden and crisp, about 1 hour. Pass the stuffing at the table to serve.

Serves 10 to 12.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Scottsdale, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

The Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner and Republic West would like to give thanks by giving back… to you!

As many of you know, we hosted a Thanksgiving cooking class to benefit The Big Wish. It was a huge success and we’d like to share the recipes and cooking tips of Chicago Chef Frank DiMaria with you. This is our way of saying thanks for everything - your business, your referrals and your support of our community outreach programs.

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Here’s the first of 4 featured recipes:

Roast Turkey

In the kitchen at Wheatleigh, turkeys are soaked in salt-water brine before the chefs slowly roast the birds for the hotel’s Thanksgiving dinner.  The roast turkey is served with creamy giblet gravy and a savory pear, chestnut and sage dressing.

1  fresh turkey, about 16 lb.

2  lbs. kosher salt (about 2 ½ cups)

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

4 fresh thyme sprigs

4 fresh flat leaf parsley sprigs

16 T. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 double-thick piece of cheesecloth, 2 sq. ft.

Remove the giblets and neck, if included, and if desired, reserve them for making gravy. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. In a large pot or 5-gallon bucket, stir the salt and 1 gallon of cold water together. Carefully set the turkey into the water and cover turkey with additional cold water by 2-3 inches.  Refrigerate or set the turkey in a very cold place (32º-40ºF) for 8-12 hours.

Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.  Let the turkey come to room temperature, at least 1 hour but no longer than 1 1/2 hours.

Position a rack in the bottom of an oven and preheat to 450ºF.

In a large bowl, toss together the onion, carrot, celery, thyme, parsley and half of the butter. Pack the body and neck cavities loosely with the vegetables. With kitchen twine, truss the legs together loosely and secure the neck flap to the back with a couple of trussing pins or sturdy toothpicks. Rub the turkey with half of the remaining butter and set the bird on its side on a rack in a large roasting pan. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes, then turn it on its other side and roast for 15 minutes more. Reduce the heat to 325º.

Soak the cheesecloth in the remaining butter, turn the turkey breast side up and place the cheesecloth over the breast. Add about 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Continue roasting, basting with the pan juices every 15-20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breast registers 165˚F and inserted into the thigh - but away from the bone - registers 180˚F. If the breast begins to cook too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Total roasting time should be about 3 hours. Let the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Serves 12.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Phoenix, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Expecting a crowd this holiday season?  If you’re entertaining family and friends over the holidays, there’s no doubt that you’re also cleaning your house from top to bottom.  You may even be thinking about doing some home improvement or remodeling.  Sure, the holiday season is still a few months away - but it’s never too early to start thinking about a remodeling project!

Not quite sure where to start?  Here is the second of 4 tips that should help you put some AZ home remodeling ideas together:

Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling - Wouldn’t it be nice to impress your family and friends with a completely remodeled kitchen or bathroom?  If you want your holiday party to be the envy of all of your guests, start by making your surroundings as distinctive and unique as possible.  With the help of our designers, you can create a design with the colors and fabrics, artwork and accessories that express your individual style, complete with the options and accessories that make cooking and entertaining easier and more enjoyable.

Get ready for the upcoming holiday season! Contact Republic West for home remodeling in AZ, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Expecting a crowd this holiday season?  If you’re entertaining family and friends over the holidays, there’s no doubt that you’re also cleaning your house from top to bottom.  You may even be thinking about doing some home improvement or remodeling.  Sure, the holiday season is still a few months away - but it’s never too early to start thinking about a remodeling project!

Not quite sure where to start?  Here is the second of 4 tips that should help you put some Tempe home remodeling ideas together:

Room Additions - If you’re planning to have a lot of guests, maybe it’s time to add a little more space to your home.  By expanding your home, you can provide your guests with their own suite or maybe an area for entertaining.  Plus, by increasing the size of your home with a room addition, you’ll be making an investment in your home that will give you a genuine return in the future!

One of the great things about planning a home remodeling project now is the timing.  Not only will your project be complete before the holidays, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a few savings opportunities.

Did you know that the federal government offers a home improvement tax credit to those who qualify?  We can help you save up to $1,500, PLUS we’ll instantly double your tax credit when you purchase new windows!

Get ready for the upcoming holiday season! Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Tempe, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Expecting a crowd this holiday season?  If you’re entertaining family and friends over the holidays, there’s no doubt that you’re also cleaning your house from top to bottom.  You may even be thinking about doing some home improvement or remodeling.  Sure, the holiday season is still a few months away – but it’s never too early to start thinking about a remodeling project!

If you plan ahead, you can have your home ready in time for holiday entertaining.  Many people wait until the last minute to take on a home improvement project, hoping that it will be finished before the holiday season arrives.  Unfortunately, their procrastination rarely pays off!  It takes time to plan and design all of the elements that go into a home remodeling project and it is definitely in your best interest to get started as soon as possible.

Get ready for the upcoming holiday season! Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Arizona, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Home remodeling in Tempe is about making an investment in your home and an investment in your future. A professionally remodeled room can increase the value of your home dramatically. That’s why choosing the right home remodeling contractor is crucial.

Questions to Ask at the Appointment

Be certain that you give the job details the same way with each company so that you won’t be comparing “apples to oranges.” Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand.

1. How are you organized and who is going to do the work?

It is very important to understand the company’s staff structure and process. Does the company assign project manager, supervisor and customer service responsibilities? Make certain they furnish you with names and responsibilities so that you know who to call before, during and after the project is completed. Beware of the company if numerous responsibilities lie with one individual.

2. What is the anticipated timeline of events to complete my project?

A reputable contractor will provide you with a comprehensive timeline. When there isn’t enough emphasis on operations and project management, or the contractor is dependent on subcontractors, often the effect is delays and more delays. Demand a timeline-even if changes happen, you will have a benchmark for the process and progress. If subcontractors are used, find out who handles service calls if something isn’t done on time or correctly.

3. Are all of your installation crew covered by Workman’s Compensation and liability insurance and, if so, will you provide me evidence of this?

Make certain that there is insurance coverage in the event that there are any injuries that occur during the work in your home. Were you aware that if the contractor does not have workman’s compensation insurance and a worker gets hurt on your job, you could be held responsible!

4. Will you provide me with previous customer references for similar jobs and also supplier references?

Ask the previous customers questions such as “would you hire this company again.” Check with the suppliers for indications that they are being paid on time. If a company is on C.O.D., it may be an indication that they have not established credit, or worse, they are struggling financially.

5. Do you have a copy of your warranty and what does it cover?

Find out whether the warranty covers parts, product and labor and for how long. Keep in mind that the warranty is only as good as the company who is issuing it.

6. What is your policy for clean-up on the job sites?

Get a feel for how the company will respect your home, how they handle any demolition debris, and other items that require disposal. Your home should be clear of debris and safety hazards each evening. Make certain that you don’t have issues that will involve neighbors or your homeowners association.

Remember that the best bid is not always the lowest, as quality of materials and workmanship as well as overall experience will differ. Do not rely on verbal promises.

Always do business with all of the elements of the project detailed in writing. That way, there should be no misunderstanding and your position will be much stronger should you have to seek legal means to resolve a problem. Don’t sign a contract that does not have all of the blank spaces filled in.

Make certain everything is covered from demolition and removal of existing materials and new material and labor specifications. A reputable company does not write estimates on the back of a business card. Understand how they are using terms like “bid,” “estimate,” and “proposal.” Realize that until all of the details are determined, a contract should not be finalized.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Tempe, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

A home improvement project can be very stressful, but you can make it less stressful by choosing your contractor carefully. The key to success is to check out everything before you part with your money.

Before You Set the Appointment

Before you invite someone to come into your home, ask the questions that will help you select the contractors to interview face-to-face.

1. Are you bonded, licensed and insured?

Usually bonding and insurance companies require contractors to have licenses, which serves to provide the homeowner with peace of mind. In the event that you suffer some kind of loss due to the contractor’s performance (or non-performance), you will not have the same recourse with an unlicensed contractor.

2. Are you a remodeling specialist?

Anyone who watches “This Old House” knows that unforeseen situations arise, and a remodeling specialist is accustomed to dealing with those circumstances.

3. Do you have experience with_________? How many years?

Make certain they have relevant experience to the project you are considering.

4. Where is your office and/or showroom?

It’s important that the contractor has the stability of a place of business. It’s also important if you need to track them down.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Arizona, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.