December 2011 Chewin’ the News

 2011, Chewin' the News  Comments Off on December 2011 Chewin’ the News
Dec 212011
 

A Week in the Kitchen with Carol

Elves2008_10Merry Christmas, everyone! I’m hosting Christmas this year and I am so excited! I am counting the days until my kids are home to celebrate with us this year. I’ve been cooking and planning for a month. We’re having turkey with my husband’s famous stuffing, a spiral sliced ham, Sweet Potato Soufflé with Brown Sugar Crumbles, green bean casserole, green salad, Crispy Cheesy Potatoes (from the Members area), and rolls.

Everyone in the family is bringing two dozen of their favorite cookies to share with the family. My husband and I had a marathon baking day making several different kind of cookies. Our choices for this year were Deb’s Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cookies, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (with 2/3 cup white chocolate chips, 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips – YUM!), Pecan Pie Bars, Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies, and a new recipe, Mint Snowballs.

Are you looking for great cookie recipes to make for the holiday? Here are some of my favorite 30 Day Gourmet recipes.

I am also going to surprise my kids with one of their favorite desserts, Brownie Trifle. To make a Brownie Trifle, you layer crumbled fudge brownies, whipped topping, chocolate mousse, and crushed English toffee bars. The secret is to let it sit for a couple of hours in the refrigerator before serving. The toffee bars soften and flavor the whipped topping layers. It’s wonderful!

This is also a great time to stock up on some of the seasonal grocery items that go on sale. I always stock up on fresh cranberries, canned cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin. Fresh cranberries can be frozen for almost a year. I tested some cranberry recipes this month. Try these yourself. I think you’ll be surprised!

Cranberry_meatloafCranberry Meatloaf

I love meatloaf and this is one of the best meatloaf recipes that I have ever tasted! This mix of spices pairs very nicely with the cranberry sauce on top. It also makes a very good meatloaf sandwich. After testing this recipe I went ahead and made two more for the freezer. I’m looking forward to adding this recipe to my winter menu.

cranberry_tartCranberry Cheesecake Tart

I made this cheesecake with a cookie crust and homemade cranberry sauce. The tart sauce tastes great over the sweet cheesecake. This is a nice indulgence or a special occasion cheesecake.

 

Closing Comments from Carol

Enjoy the recipes! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

Do you have any recipes that you would like to share? I’d love to try and share them with everyone. You can post your recipes on the 30 Day Gourmet Facebook® fan page or click here to send me an email. Or do you have any other topics that you would like me to cover? Click here to send me an email. I enjoy hearing from you!

Have fun in your kitchen!

Carol

November 2011 Chewin’ the News

 2011, Chewin' the News  Comments Off on November 2011 Chewin’ the News
Nov 222011
 

A Week In The Kitchen With Carol

Calling all freezer cooks! There have been several postings on the 30 Day Gourmet Facebook® fan page asking for everyone’s favorite 30 Day Gourmet recipes. I thought this would be a great question to pose to everyone. Post your lists on our Facebook® fan page and help some beginning freezer cooks with their menu planning! In the meantime, I’ll share some of my favorites with you.

Beef:

Poultry:

Pork and Fish:

Soups and Sandwiches:

So many choices! So many great recipes! Which will you choose to make?

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I’m not cooking this year but I bought a turkey any way. We love making the classic turkey dinner. It is such a treat! Afterwards, you are left to deal with the leftover turkey. What’s your favorite recipe for leftover turkey? Some of my favorites include:

Turkey Wreath (recipe from Food.com)
Turkey and Noodles (from the Members area)
Bowtie Soup (from Freezer Lunches To Go)
Country Chicken/Turkey Pot Pie (from the Big Book of Freezer Cooking)
Chicken/Turkey Tetrazzini (from the Members area)
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Pockets (from Freezer Lunches To Go)
Chicken Quesadillas (from the Big Book of Freezer Cooking)

Here are two new recipes to use up that left over turkey!

ThanksgivingChowderThanksgiving Chowder

This is a great recipe to use up some of the Thanksgiving meal leftovers such as turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and peas. It’s a great tasting soup. The bacon gives it a smoky flavor.

Hint: If you don’t have evaporated milk on hand, you can make your own! Mix 2/3 cup of non-fat dry milk with 3/4 cup water to yield 1 cup of homemade evaporated milk.

TurkeyCacciatoreTurkey Cacciatore

If you are looking for a lighter meal after your Thanksgiving feast, this is a great way to use up left over turkey. The sauce is very light and delicate.

 

Closing Comments From Carol

Enjoy the recipes! Have you started cooking for Christmas? I have! I already have made Sweet Potato Soufflé, Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes (from the Members area), Spinach Lasagna, (from the Big Book of Freezer Cooking), Iowa State Fair Guinea Grinders, and Chicken Enchilada (from Slow Cooker Freezer Favorites). I have more to make but it’s a great start!

Do you have any recipes that you would like to share? I’d love to try and share them with everyone. You can post your recipes on the 30 Day Gourmet Facebook® fan page or click here to send me an email. Or do you have any other topics that you would like me to cover? Click here to send me an email. I enjoy hearing from you!

Have fun in your kitchen!

Carol