Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Left Over Turkey Dinner Suggestions

While everyone knows that the next day turkey on a soft roll is the best way to have left overs even that can get old quickly so here are a few ideas to use up all of that turkey.


Turkey or Chicken a la king

½ c. margarine or butter
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 4 oz. can mushroom stem and pieces, drained (reserve liquid for later)
½ c. flour
½ t. salt
½ t. pepper
1½ c. milk
1¼ c. chicken broth
2 c. cut up cooked chicken or turkey
1 jar diced pimentos drained
Noodles, or hot cooked rice

Heat margarine in a 3 quart saucepan over medium high heat. Cook bell pepper and mushrooms in the margarine, stirring occasionally

Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until bubbly. Stir in milk, broth and reserved liquid. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir one minute.

Stir in turkey and pimentos, heat until hot. Serve over rice or noodles This can also be done in the microwave for a super fast and easy meal.


Chicken Zucchini Soup (Turkey)

5 chicken tenders or 2 chicken breasts or 2 c. turkey
3 T. butter
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 zucchini sliced
1 can chicken broth
½ c. whipping cream
¼ c. flour

Fry chicken with small amount of oil. Brown and cook chicken, take chicken out of the pan and set aside. Add butter and chopped onion to pan. Cook until tender. Move zucchini and onions to sauce pan, add the can of chicken broth. Dice chicken and add to pan. In bowl mix flour and whipping cream add to sauce pan, heat on high until bubbling. Lower heat; simmer until soup thickens.

White Chicken Chili

1 med onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 14 oz. cans chicken broth
1 4 oz. can chopped, green chilies
2 t. ground cumin
2 t. dried oregano
1½ t. cayenne pepper
3 14.5 oz. great northern beans, drained, mash third can to use for thickening
1 c. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
jalapeno pepper, chopped

In a large saucepan cook onions and garlic in oil until translucent. Add chicken, chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher mash one of the cans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 2-30 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Top each serving with cheese and jalapeno pepper, if desired.


Creamy Turkey Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Orzo

2 T. butter
1 med onion, chopped
½ t salt, plus more to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. flour
7 ½ c. homemade turkey stock or canned chicken stock
1 T. fresh thyme leaves
1 c. diced sweet potatoes
2/3 c. orzo pasta
1 c. cooked turkey meat, cubed
¼ t. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
½ c. cream

In a large stock pot, heat the butter over med heat until melted. Add the onion and cook for three mins. until fragrant. Mix in the garlic, salt, and flour, and cook, stirring continuously, for another 6-7 mins. Pour in the stock and turn up heat to high. Bring liquid to a boil, then stir in the thyme, sweet potatoes, and orzo. Cook at a gentle boil for 8-10 mins., until the potatoes and the orzo are tender. When the pasta is nearly finished, add the turkey to the soup and warm through. Salt and Pepper to taste. Whisk in the cream just before serving.


Turkey or Chicken Squares

2 8 oz. cream cheese
½ t. salt
2-4 c. cooked turkey or chicken or 2 large cans chunk chicken
¼ t. pepper
2 8 oz. can crescent rolls

Blend cream cheese until softened. Add turkey, salt, pepper, onion, chives, and milk. Mix well. Separate the 2 cans of crescent rolls, into 8 squares. Firmly press perforations to seal. Spoon ½ c. of meat mixture into the center of each square. Draw the corners of the dough up and around the meat and twist to seal. Brush top with butter. Dip in seasoned bread crumbs or sesame seeds. Bake at 350’ on cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Good with gravy on top.


Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

3-4 c. cubed cooked chicken or turkey
2 c. cubed fully cooked ham
1 ½ lbs. Swiss cheese, grated
1 small onion, diced, sautéed to soften
4 T. butter
½ c. flour
2 c. half and half
Salt and pepper to taste
3 c. crushed corn flakes
½ cube butter
dash of nutmeg

Grease 9x13 pan and set aside. Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, mix ham, chicken, and 1 pound of the cheese. In a sauté pan melt the butter, add flour, and whisk to mix. Pour in the half and half and thicken. Pour into the chicken mixture along with the onions. Mix well and out into a greased cake pan. In a small bowl melt the remaining butter and add the corn flake crumbs. Combine the remaining cheese and top the meat mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes until heated through.
The above recipe makes a large batch so I made a small one for dinner and then freeze another one for a "Rainy Day Meal"

Dave’s Chicken Casserole

3-4 c. bread crumbs, mix with a few T. melted butter
1 10 ¾ oz. can cream of chicken soup
1 10 ¾ oz. can cream of mushroom soup
cooked, diced chicken
broccoli, corn, or whatever vegetable you want

Layer the bottom of the pan with half of the breadcrumbs then pour on one of the cans of the soup, then a layer of chicken, then a layer of the vegetables, then another layer of the chicken, then the other soup and then the rest of the breadcrumbs. It works best if you can make it and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. Bake at 400 for one hour.
(Our first Dave made this for our family as one of his favorite’s just after he married Jessica.)
Cameron's Chicken Divan

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into chunks
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. curry powder
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
croutons or buttered bread crumbs

Just microwave the broccoli and line the bottom of a 9x13 pan with it, then cover with chicken pieces. Make a sauce from the other ingredients and smooth over chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle cheese on top and cover with croutons or bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and serve with rice.

Wild Rice and Turkey or Chicken Soup-already posted under fall soups

Chicken (Turkey) Pot Pie-already posted, this recipe is large enough to make two pies one for tonight and one for the freezer for a "Rainy Day!"

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The Pantry

The pantry can be a life saver if it is well stocked and can help when you just don't know what to fix for dinner.

As I have made meals over the years I have stocked up on things that are common in my recipes so all I have to do is shop from my shelves. It is easy to come up with things quickly when you have supplies on hand. It may seem like a lot to have on hand but these are some of my pantry/storage staples and if you build slowly it isn't oppresive to purchase. Watch the ads and sales in your local stores.

Canned/Storage:
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
chicken broth
beef broth
tuna
chicken
corn
olives
beans- kidney. canellini, black, refried
dried beans, red, white, pinto, split peas
creamed soups, mushroom. chicken. celery
tomato soup
bean with bacon soup
rice
flour
sugar
favorite spices
variety of pasta's
peanut butter

Freezer:
chicken breasts
bone in hams
chuck roasts pork roasts
pork chops
lean ground beef
ground turkey
Itailian sausage
vegetables

Refrigerator:
milk
eggs
butter
Tillamook cheddar cheese
Lowfat mozerella cheese
sour cream
cream cheese
mayonnaise
miracle whip
ketchup
mustard
half and half
cucumber
lettuce
celery
carrots
apples
limes

Pantry Shelf:
onions
avocados
tomatoes
garlic
potatoes, red and Idaho russet

Home Canned Items: (I love to can!)
tomatoes
chicken breasts
green beans
salsa
chile sauce

Favorite From the Pantry Recipes



Lauri's Italian Sauce

3 bottles whole tomatoes (4cans approx. 1 lb size)
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3 8 oz. cans mushrooms

3 T. dried Oregano
3 T. dried Marjoram
3 T. dried Basil
1 ½ T. dried Thyme
T. Fennel (optional)
dried onion or two chopped fresh onions
2 T. minced dried garlic or 5 cloves fresh garlic minced (if using fresh onion and garlic sauté them in olive oil until transparent and then add the remaining ingredients)

Combine all of the above ingredients and bring to a boil, simmer on low heat until thickened. (I usually simmer it for several hours)

Meat Sauce

4 lbs, lean ground beef
2 chopped onions
2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Brown the meat and add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add to the marinara sauce and simmer.

Sour Cream Enchilladas


Mix
4 lb. hamburger
2 onions, chopped
6 carrots, grated or chopped
1 or 2 green pepper chopped
2 T. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic salt

Brown beef and drain, add prepared vegetables. Cook until tender and drain, cool.*

Add to hamburger mixture
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 oz. can green chili's chopped (more if you want a little more spice)
1 c. sour cream
1 c. milk
Monterey jack and cheddar cheese grated (to your taste)
corn tortillas

Fill corn tortillas with meat mixture. Place seam down in a 9x13 baking pan. Layer with sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. This can also be served lasagna style in a casserole dish. This saves time rolling the enchiladas. It just depends on how you want the dish to look on the plates.

*This meat mixture is great to use for other things as well, it can be used to make sloppy joes, tacos, or with other ground beef recipes. It is a great way to add more vegetables to meals with out children or picky eaters even knowing. Just freeze into portions in a zippered bag and thaw when you need a quick meal.

Tips

Always fill your sink with hot soapy water and wash as you go. This helps to keep the mess under control. (I love to cook to I really hate to clean up after!)

When you fix rice for a meal make extra and freeze some of it in a zipper bag. With this premeasured rice it is easy to do a quick thaw and serve or add to other ingredients for a quick and easy meal.

Post a shopping list where you can find it, when you run out of something simply write it down and teach your family to do the same. You are less likely to be caught off guard when you are making your favorite dish.

Make a menu and include your shopping list. You spend less time in the store when you have a plan. When you make more trips to the store you simply spend more money. Having worked with a large grocery chain I learned some of the tricks used to get you to buy more. Be prepared when you go!

Shop the Ads. Make your menu out with the ad and use the shopping list. Most people don't have time to run from store to store getting the best deal on just a few things. When you compare and find the best prices it saves you time, money, and gas.

When making dishes like lasagna, manicotti, chicken pot pie, and many casseroles make two at the same time and freeze the second one for rainy day or a sick friend. It takes little effort to make the extra and it can be a big bonus in your freezer.

Tomatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator but on your counter top. The cold causes them to break down and turn mushy.

If you need to ripen your avacados faster place them in a small paper bag with a banana or apple. The gas that they put off causes the avacado to ripen faster.

Don't store onion and garlic together because the garlic goes bad faster from the gas emitted from the onions,

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 c. thick unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 t. cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. allspice
1 t. salt
8 t. baking powder (that's right)
3 c. flour
1 c. nuts chopped (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs. Mix dry ingredients and combine both mixes. Spread on to a sheet cake pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Frosting:

½ c. plus 2 T. butter
5 c. powdered sugar
2½ t. Mapleline flavoring
3 T. milk

Soften butter and combine with remaining ingredients, spread on top of cake.

This is good to take to Pot Luck dinners or large gatherings. I would also freeze leftover cake in individual servings for my kids after school or when they needed a quick, small snack.

Zucchini Blues

Took it for granted
When it was planted
That I had just enough

Now during my days
I'm trying new ways
To use up all this stuff

My basement is crammed
It's been jellied and jammed
Make into bread and cake

It's been chopped and sliced
And grated and diced...
There's nothing else to make!

I've baked it and planned it
Boiled and canned it
And frozen all I need

I have had my fill
There's too much... and still
It's growing like a weed.

(After going away for a week I came home to find six zucchini that were bat size in the garden. Seems like the kids didn't look as hard as they said they did! So I thought of this poem. Anyone need some Zucchini?)




Tablescapes
My blog is being extended to my family. My girls are so creative in some of the things they are doing and I am always asking them to send me the recipes and pictures. I decided to make them co-authors to save a step or two. Of course the "Gourmet Guy" is a great cook and so he is also on board. So if you see the names, Jessica, Natalie, Rachel, Cydney, Rebecca, or Kerry (the Gourmet Guy) you know who they are!