Turkey and Dumplings

Everyone loves a good thanksgiving feast, with turkey and all the trimmings, but if you're like many reheating the turkey or eating endless turkey sandwiches can get boring.  My favorite way to use those turkey leftovers is by making Turkey and Dumplings.  This recipe is similar to another recipe I make with chicken, but the process is different because I am using already cooked turkey instead of raw chicken.  If your family is anything like mine, they will love every last bite.

Ingredients:

4 cups shredded left over turkey, light and dark meat

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups baby carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp basil

1 tbsp thyme

salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup water with 1/2 tbsp flour mixed in

For Dumplings:

3 cups flour

6 tbsp butter, softened

4 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cups milk

1 tbsp parsley

1 tsp salt

Directions:

1.  Add turkey, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt & pepper, basil and thyme to large pot.  Cook on medium heat for 35-45 minutes, until carrots and celery are cooked through.  

2.  In a large mixing bowl, add flour, butter, baking powder, parsley, salt and milk.  Mix well, until a loose dough is formed.  If you need to add more milk to gain this consistency, add it one tbsp at a time until the dough loosens.  

3.  Add the flour/water mixture to the pot of turkey and vegetables prior to adding the dumplings.  Using a large spoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto turkey vegetable mixture in pot, until the entire surface of the pot is covered and all dough is in the pot.  

4.  Cook uncovered for 10 minutes over medium heat.  Then cover and cook another 10 minutes.  Serve and enjoy this hearty and delicious recipe.

Chicken Sausage & Cabbage Stew

This is my new take on an old favorite, kielbasa and cabbage.  Since I am eating healthy, I have had to find a way to make the recipe a little healthier and I did that by using chicken sausage instead of kielbasa.  I like the Johnsonville Chicken and Apple Sausage but I am sure any type would work. This meal is definitely a fall favorite in my house.

Ingredients:

I pkg Johnsonville Chicken & Apple sausage
4 medium red potatoes, chopped
1 medium rutabaga, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/2 head of green cabbage, chopped
15 baby carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp thyme
1/2 Tbsp oregano
Sea salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions:
1.  Place rutabaga, onion, carrots, garlic and spices in a large pot.  Add 4-5 cups water (enough to cover everything.)  Bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

2.  Add potatoes and sausage.  Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

3.  Add cabbage.  Cover and simmer another 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Marinated Shrimp

I love this recipe because it is super easy and has a delicious flavor with a slight kick.  If you don't want the kick, just omit the cayenne.  I use this marinade on shrimp but I am sure you can use it on other shellfish, chicken or even certain types of fish.  Once marinated, you can choose to place shrimp on skewers and grill or just saute in a pan on the stove top.  Either way you will be in heaven with the hearty flavors that come out of this marinade.

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh peeled and deveined large shrimp

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup ketchup

3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

4 tsp minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)

1.  Mix all ingredients together and pour over shrimp.  Place in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 1 hour.  I prefer to marinate mine for at least 24 hours.  

2.  Place shrimp on skewers and grill until no longer translucent. If cooking on the stove top, heat pan  with 1 Tbsp EVOO, add shrimp and saute until opaque.  Serve with steamed or sauteed vegetables for a healthy and delicious feast.  

Chicken Pot Pie

I love a good hearty chicken pot pie.  I have only recently started making this dish, but it has quickly become a household favorite.  Chicken Pot Pie is a perfect meal for a cool fall or chilly winter evening.  In my recipe, I only use white meat chicken and create my own sauce, which gives this dish that from scratch feel.  I also use all fresh vegetables, with the exception of the peas, because I like them better when they are soft.  Also, I prefer to use a square baking dish, as pictured below.  Hopefully you will enjoy this dish as much as my boys do.  One last tip: I boil 2 well-trimmed chicken breasts and then cut into cubes.  Using this method keeps the chicken tender and juicy.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked and cubed chicken breast

4 medium red potatoes, peeled and then cubed

1/2 lb baby carrots, sliced

1 can baby peas, drained

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tbsp chicken seasoning

1 tsp thyme

1 can of Swanson chicken broth (14.5 oz)

2 ready made pie crusts (thawed)

1.  Boil potatoes and carrots for 15 minutes.  Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.  Preheat oven to 375°.

2.  In a small saucepan, melt butter.  Add flour and stir together until mixed well.  Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, thyme and chicken seasoning, and stir until sauce is creamy.  Cook for two minutes, while stirring, until sauce begins to thicken.  Remove from heat.

3.  Add peas, chicken and white sauce to vegetables in the large mixing bowl.  Stir well, and set aside.

4.  Unroll the pie crusts and begin covering the dish with one of the pie crusts.  Then  remove the extra around the edges of your top crust and use them to fill in any areas that need it around the top of the sides of the baking dish, until well covered.  Pour the chicken and vegetable mixture into the dish.  Cover with the top crust.  Cut slits into the top crust and brush with milk.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.  Let stand and serve.

Chicken and Yellow Rice

This recipe is one that was handed down to me from my mother.  I have tweaked it here and there, but it largely remains the same as it was when I was a kid.  This meal is good and hearty, as well as relatively healthy.  I prefer to use boneless chicken thighs because it is less messy during the shredding stage, but you can make it with bone-in if that is what you prefer.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken thighs
10 oz bag of Vigo yellow rice
1 can baby peas
1 cup baby carrot slices
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper


1.  In 6 cups of water, add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and the chicken thighs.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook chicken for about 25 minutes.

2.  In a small mixing bowl, add a handful of ice and some water.  Then remove the chicken from the water and place in the bowl of ice water.  ( I do this so that I can shred it without burning my fingers on it.

3.  If you haven't already, cut your baby carrots into slices.  Then add the yellow rice and the carrots to the boiling water on the stove.  While your rice and carrots cook, start shredding your chicken.  Add shredded chicken to pot.  Let this cook for 15 minutes.

4.  Add your can of peas, and let it cook for about 5 minutes more.  The mixture should be thick, with all of the water absorbed by the rice.  If it is not, continue cooking until desired texture is reached.  Season to taste and serve.

French Toast

I love french toast.  In fact, I have loved french toast since I was a little girl.  The buttery sweet taste of egg, toast and syrup is undeniably one of my favorite flavors to this day.  So, you can imagine that I have spent a lot of time figuring out how to make it my own.  Well, the main way that I like to make this simple recipe is by using Texas toast.  These thick slices of bread make it much more like restaurant style, and who doesn't like that.  No if you don't have a grocer in your area that offers plain Texas toast in the bread aisle or bakery, you can substitute with a hearty loaf of sourdough to get a similar rustic appeal.  Keep in mind, if you use a thinner type of bread, you will not need as many eggs

Ingredients:

12 pieces of Texas toast (or any bread type you choose)
8-10 eggs
1/4 cup ground cinnamon
1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons)

Garnishings:

Powdered sugar
Butter
Syrup

Directions:

1. Heat your skillet to medium and melt 1-2 tablespoon butter.  Take eggs and the ground cinnamon and whisk them together in a large bowl with a wide lip.
2. Dip bread into egg mixture, one piece at a time, coating thoroughly, and place in the frying pan to cook.  Cook until desired golden color and remove from the pan.  Repeat this process until all of your bread has been used.  Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve.  Makes an easy and delicious breakfast for your
family.

Tuna Casserole

I don't know about you, but I love a good tuna casserole.  From the crispy cracker top to the noodley goodness below, this meal can really hit the spot.  I learned this recipe from my mom, but have made a few small adjustments over the last thirteen years that I have been making it.  I prefer to use mostly name brand ingredients in this, but it is up to you what brands you grow an allegiance to.  I can say that this tuna casserole leaves everyone in my house coming back for more.

Ingredients:

1/2 bag of No Yolks wide egg noodles

1 can condensed cream of celery soup

1 can of Leseur baby peas

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

12 oz can tuna

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 sleeve of Ritz crackers crushed

Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375°.  Spray 13x9 inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.
2. In a large pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil.  Add egg noodles.  Cook as directed on the package, drain.  
3. Place noodles back into the large pot.  Add can of cream of celery soup, tuna, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese.  Stir together until mixed well and then add the peas.  Stir in gently, so that the peas remain intact.
4. Scoop mixture into glass baking dish and coat with the cheddar cheese.  Top with cracker crumbs.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, until crackers are crisp and casserole is bubbling underneath.  Let stand for 3-5 minutes and then serve and enjoy.