Hot Chocolate !!!

It's getting cold here and the snow has begun to fall. Tis the season for hot chocolate!!! I sent a gallon size ziploc bag of this mix with my daughter back to college a few weeks ago. She called and needs more! Her friends on her floor like it too!!! Here is the recipe for hot chocolate mix. Thanks to my friend, Debi H., for this recipe!

Hot Cocoa

3 qt. size dry milk (9 oz.)

1# Nestles Quick

14 oz. Coffee creamer

1 1/2 C powdered sugar

1/2 pkg instant chocolate pudding

Mix and use 1/3 C mixture to a cup of hot water.

Enjoy!!!

Thanksgiving Dinner is done! Hope you had a great day!

What are your plans for your turkey leftovers? Here's a couple of ideas to get you going:

Chicken Quesadillas Substitute Turkey for Chicken

2 1/2 C cooked, shredded chicken 1/4 C. butter, melted

2/3 C salsa 2 C shredded Mont. Jack cheese

1/3 C sliced green onions 6 flour tortillas (8”)

1/2-3/4 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. oregano

In a skillet, combine the 1st 6 ingredients. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Brush one side of tortillas with butter.

Spoon 1/3 C. chicken mixture over half of unbuttered side of each tortillas.

Sprinkle w/ 1/3 C cheese; fold plain side of tortilla over cheese.

Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake at 475 for 6-10 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

Cut into wedges. Serve with sour cream and guacamole .

Chicken and Gravy Substitute turkey for chicken

1/3 C butter 1/3 C flour

1/3 C onion, chopped 1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper 1 3/4 C (14 oz.) chicken broth

2/3 C milk 2 1/2-3 C cut up & cooked chicken

Heat butter in 2 qt saucepan over medium heat until melted.

Stir in flour, onion, salt & pepper. Cook stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat.

Stir in broth & milk (could add gravy browning sauce)

Heat to boiling, stirring constantly Boil and stir 1 minute.

Stir in chicken (can also add corn or mixed vegetables)

This can be made early in the day and keep warm in the crock pot. Serve over rice, biscuits, or mashed potatoes.

Turkey Pot Pie

1 pkg frozen mixed veggies (pea & carrots) you can add others

1/3 C butter

1/3 C flour

1/3 C onion, chopped

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 3/4 C chicken broth (14 oz. can)

2/3 C milk

pastry for 9” two crust pie

Heat butter in 2 qt. saucepan over medium heat until melted.

Stir in flour, onion, salt and pepper. Cook and stir constantly, until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat.

Stir in broth and milk.

Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in turkey and vegetables. Heat oven to 425. Put 1 pastry shell into 9” pie pan. Pour chicken mixture into pastry. Cover with remaining pastry. Cuts slits into top of pastry. Bake about 35 minutes or until golden brown.

If you try these, let me know what you think...

What will you do with your leftover turkey?

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

"Happy Thanksgiving Eve" is how my college daughter answered the phone this morning. She is done with classes and looking forward to coming home for the long weekend. When Madie gets home tonight, she will be making the chocolate pies! This morning she made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for her friends so they could have snacks for their return trips home. I don't think any of those muffins will make it home to us! Maybe that should be a baking job for Madie in the morning? Sounds good!

Well, today I have gone through Monday and Tuesdays' checklists to make sure everything is done. Now, the fun begins....preparing the food!

My checklist for today.....

Thawing the turkey

Make:
Green bean casserole -
leaving out the fried onions so they don't get soggy. I will put the onions in before I bake it.
Corn casserole
Make rolls
Sweet potatoes
Pumpkin Pies

Pick up and straighten the house
Clean Bathrooms

Before I go to bed tonight I will:
Make sure dishwasher is empty and both sinks are clean and shiny, ready for a busy day tomorrow!

Have fun and enjoy your day!

Tuesday's Checklist

Can you smell your bird cooking? The hot rolls coming out of the oven? So many times I know I put more emphasis on the food and the preparation than thinking of the time we get to spend with family and friends after the meal... So, let's continue to check things off our preparation list so we can focus on our family and what we are truly thankful for!

Monday's Checklist

menu planned

recipes together

grocery list made

make room in refrigerator

If you don't have these done, just jump in. These things don't take long to do. Even if you have 10 minutes, that's enough time to plan your menu. If you need to go pick up kids, you can plan it while you wait in line. Take your recipes with you and you can make your grocery list while you are waiting at practice.

I used to think that I couldn't do these things because I didn't have a large chunk of time. I had to learn that I can do these things. I just had to break down my "to do" list and I could do one thing in 5 or 10 minutes. So use your 5 minutes here and there to do your "to-do's".

Tuesday's Checklist

Grocery shop

Are there dishes (like your green bean casserole) you can make tomorrow and bake on Thursday? Set those recipes aside.

Plan your serving pieces/dishes. Set those pieces aside. I write the dish's name on a 3 x 5 card and put in on the serving piece. So I will have a card that says, mashed potatoes, jell-o, rolls, green beans.... Each card will go on the serving piece and then I stack them in a corner.

That's about it. If you have more time, clean your bathroom(s).

Sink

mirror

toilet

floor

garbage

Remember even if you have 5 minutes here and there, you can accomplish these things!

What is your tip for Thanksgiving preparation?

Sample Menu

If you are unsure of what to make for your Thanksgiving Dinner, here is a sample menu.

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes and gravy

Stuffing

Green bean casserole

Corn casserole

Jell-O

Rolls

....or you can make a simple favorite meal.

It doesn't have to be extravagant. Remember the reason for Thanksgiving.....and the time you can be with family and friends!

Planning a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner!

Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away....are you ready? Are you cooking a traditional Thanksgiving meal? Not sure where to start? Let's walk through a couple simple steps to guide you through your day. We can plan and prepare for Thanksgiving so your day will go smooth and you will have more time with your family and friends.

How many people will you be cooking for?

Plan your menu.

turkey, potatoes, sides, desserts, etc.... whatever your family likes.

Gather your recipes and make a grocery list.

Put your recipes in one spot.

Do a quick cleaning of the refrigerator so you have some room when you get home from grocery shopping. Note: this doesn't have to be perfect, just make room....

Check back tomorrow for another short check list. You won't be so overwhelmed if you do a few things at a time.

Do you prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? What's your favorite?

Father's Day recipes!!!

Will you be celebrating this Father's Day with your Dad/your husband or both? Do you have a special menu that your man likes? Below you will find a couple of recipes you might like to try....very simple, doesn't take alot of time, but tastes like it.

Simple Menu: Grilled Hamburgers

Strawberry Jell-o

chips

Chocolate Pie

Top your hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and your choice of condiments. An extra special taste of guacamole is great! I love it on my hamburgers!

Strawberry Jello Salad

1 6oz. strawberry jello

2 C boiling water

2 (10 oz.) frozen strawberries, thawed

1 (10 oz.) applesauce

2 lg. bananas, mashed

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add strawberries, applesauce, and bananas. Beat until smooth.

Chocolate Pie

Crust: 1 C flour

1 stick butter

2 T sugar

Work together and press into pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Filling: 1 small box instant pudding

2/3 C milk

2 C softened ice cream

Beat together and chill. Pour into cooled crust. Chill 2-3 hours and top with whipped cream.

Enjoy! and have a great Father's Day weekend!