Archive for the ‘Celebrations’ Category

Turkey Pot Pie

What to do with all the leftover turkey?

Turkey Pot Pie is one of my favorites because it has endless possibilities.

Chop how ever much turkey you want to use – 2 cups is a good amount for a deep dish pie plate.

Put the turkey and your selection of veggies into the pie plate. I use a combination of frozen peas, frozen corn, diced potatoes, chopped carrots, and frozen broccoli (or whatever I happen to have in the freezer).

Cover the meat and veggies with cream of chicken soup. If you are using canned, use two cans and some milk. If you make your own you don’t need to add the milk.

If you want to make it cheesy add shredded cheddar to the mix.

Cover your pie with drop biscuits and bake according to your biscuit recipe.

Cream of Chicken Soup

In saucepan melt 3T butter.
Add 2 T arrowroot powder and whisk.
Add 2 cups milk and stir constantly on med-high heat.
Add 1 T Chicken base or powdered bouillon. (If you have leftover turkey or chicken you can add it in too.)
Add a little salt and pepper. Stir until thick.

For cream of mushroom I add 1 can of mushrooms.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I would like to start now and blog about what to do with that leftover turkey (or anything else for that matter). So join in! I will be posting recipes of what we do with our leftovers, please comment and leave your own ideas.

Turkey Tettrazinni

1 pkg spaghetti noodles (~12 oz)
1 1/2 – 2 c cooked turkey meat
1/4 c chopped bell pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or make your own like I do)
1/2 c turkey broth (I use chicken base and water)
1/8 t celery seed
1/8 t salt
1/2 chopped onion
1 1/2 c shredded cheese

Cook spaghetti until almost done. Drain. Add remaining ingredients except 1/2 c cheese and toss. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 45 min.

Yum!

A Sugar-Free Christmas Anyone??

With the holidays, sugar seems to follow. What do you do??

My rule is you can go to Grandma’s and eat anything that is offered, but only one of each questionable item. We don’t eat pork, so on Christmas my kids can go eat ham, but only one slice. They can pick one dessert, etc. This gives them some freedom and doesn’t upset their stomachs too much. Who wants to spend Christmas and have to say “no” all day?

Of course, I offer lots of special, sugar-free or low-sugar, treats! Here are some ideas and recipes.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
I use bittersweet all-natural chocolate chips to melt and dip the strawberries in. The trick is to melt the chips with a little milk. Then dip, cool, and eat!

Homemade Hot Chocolate
6 cups milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup agave nectar
pinch of salt
1 t vanilla

Mix cocoa with salt in saucepan. Add milk and wisk together as you heat on low. Add agave nectar as you stir. Heat to just under boiling. The trick is to heat it slowly so it doesn’t get that scalded milk taste. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Serve!

Other ideas are substitutions!
Sucanat is great in cheesecake, brownies and pies.
A dab of maple syrup is great in salad dressings or smoothies.
Agave nectar works wonderfully in beverages.
Use molasses in cornbread or other quick breads.

Hope that gets you off to the right start for your holiday season!