Lemon Sage Chicken

I have mentioned that I hate when my husband works late, and I do realize I have to get over it. (Mostly) I decided that his working late should not deter me from making what I would make if he were here. Tonight I made Lemon Sage Chicken Cutlets (I could not help myself and I added capers to the sauce), roasted asparagus, and I used the steamer potatoes and I finished them off by cutting them and put them in the over with butter and rosemary.

Taco Pie

Today was the last day for me to teach foods lab and when I got home, I was stuffed. The family still needed to eat. I had the ingredients for Taco Pie ready. I just made two changes: I only used one can of green chilies and instead of mozzarella, I used cheddar. I thought those changes would make the recipe more kid-friendly. I didn't have any but I did not have complaints and I did have requests for seconds. That is success.

Turkey Stock

I made the turkey stock and had enough to freeze and to make soup. I adjusted the recipe, Chickpea Chicken Noodle Soup. Instead of chicken and chicken stock, I used turkey and turkey stock. I had fire-roasted chopped tomatoes, so I used them instead of regular.

The best of the Thanksgiving dinner

Yes, there was turkey, and stuffing, and potatoes, etc. After reflecting on the holiday, the best food of the day was the Crispy Cauliflower with Capers, Raisins and Breadcrumbs. Really, it was. Without a doubt!

Tonight, we ordered pizza and I am making stock from the turkey carcass. I may make soup tomorrow, or I may freeze the stock. Check in tomorrow for an update.

Yay! Success

I do love having a holiday at my house. Yes, it is a small house and we are cramped, but there is room for a bar and I have fun kitchen tools and the succes is there! And, most importantly, there are the people we love. No matter is the meal is fabulous, stinks, or anything in betwen... that is what matters.

So. here is my table setting (the old people table) and one of my desserts, the Triple Berry Trifle. Enjoy!

Italian Pot Roast

My sister-in-law and her family came in for the holiday. We had dinner tonight with them at Aunt Cookie's house. I made Italian Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots and Cookie made Shepherd's Pie, Salad, Southern Beer Bread, and Irish Soda Bread. We had a variety of desserts too. It was perfect. Not because of the food, even though it was good, because of the company.

Thanksgiving Preparation

My plan is going well. The refrigerator is stunning. It is clean, organized, and filled with Thanksgiving foods. My table settings are planned, check back for pictures on Thursday morning. I am making Marvelous Cannoli Cake for a dessert and the cake is made and in the freezer until finishing on Wednesday. Triple Chocolate Cake is also in the freezer. Pies will get done on Wednesday.

Today, the girlfriends are coming for Sunday dinner. I'm going to try Bayou Chicken and Sausage Stew. We will have rice and zucchini with it. Maybe a soup also.

Lazy...

I am still cleaning and serving what is on hand to my family. Frozen shrimp tempura, salad, and boxed macaroni and cheese. The big refrigerator clean is tomorrow. And, don't forget, I will still need to feed my family for 4 days before the holiday. I have some good recipes planned. Stay tuned.

Time to get ready

Thanksgiving is 10 days away and it is time to get ready. I have been working on the menu for a while and have much of my grocery list ready. The first task...clean out the refrigerator. Before I grocery shop I want to have most of the food out and the frig can use a bath.

I was able to use up a lot of vegetables tonight. I had started to make the Food Network Magazine's chicken potpie with cheddar crust but I had to make some changes. The only person in the house who eats mushrooms is my husband. Instead, I used up some broccoli, a green pepper, and a few leftover potatoes. The other change was I made a cheese biscuit topping in place of the crust. Essentially, I make up a new recipe.

I also made a salad with some bruschetta on the side. I used up tomatoes with that. I'm getting there. By Thursday I should have only the food for the leftover buffet dinner. Friday, I'll clean. Saturday, I'll grocery shop and have room for the turkey. Perfect!

A weekend with plans

Last night we went for dinner with the new married couple. We went to Natale's Restaurant. This is a fabulous place. The food is great and the desserts are outstanding! It is BYOB and as my cousin says, "the best part is getting the check" because without paying for drinks, it is one of the best values around.

Tonight, we are going to a musical. We may stop out for a bite, or I may cook. I haven't decided yet. I do have to get ready for tomorrow...I will be in NYC with some girlfriend's on our annual limo shopping trip. I am bringing chocolate covered strawberries for the ride, they go well with champagne. I need to make some pasta today for the family to have tomorrow.

Both options

I wasn't sure what to do with the pork loin, serve it or freeze it. I was able to do both. We did not go for pizza- we saved that for another time. My dad was able to take Molly to dance, so I had time to get dinner together.

I sliced about half of the pork tenderloin for last night's dinner and wrapped the other half for the freezer. The freezer portion is ready to eat or be transformed into pork fajitas, or pulled pork, or just sandwiches!

To reheat the slices, I put them into a skillet with a little chicken stock. I did not want them to dry out. After they were heated, I took the pork out, reduced the chicken stock, added some white wine, and thickened the sauce with butter and flour. Potatoes, from the steamer bag, and zucchini finished the meal.

Tonight my husband is working late. I plan to make tacos for dinner. Quick to make and easy to clean up!

Saturday's Meal...A Bust

I was all ready for a nice meal at home last night. My parents were taking the girls to an event, but dinner with the boys sounded good. Tim had a game in the morning, and still, 24 hours later, I have not seen him. He has been hanging with his friends. Jack was invited to a friend's house and slept over, he is coming home in a few minutes. Our friends we going out for dinner, I was working on my dissertation, so my husband went out.

The good news: I got a ton of work done!

The question: I did cook the pork roast. We have a fundraiser today. Tomorrow is usually pizza night. Do I freeze the pork or cancel pizza night?

No expectations...

Just because I try new recipes, have tons of food on hand, and make meals most of the days of the week, don't think that my kids are any different from any other kids. If they don't want to heat something up or try something new, they will prefer to have crackers as their meal. Totally frustrating! I do not allow them to, which is even more frustrating cause they keep trying. Perhaps, some day they will appreciate. I hope I'm alive.

We can't have a Sunday dinner tomorrow cause we have a fundraiser to go to. Tonight I am making a pork roast, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and zucchini. The scalloped potatoes are so good and I only make them once in a while because I do not want to have heart disease--they are sooo full of fat.

Pasta

I had sauce left from the manicotti on Tuesday, so I cooked up some pasta. And that was dinner. I ate with the three youngest kids, my oldest ate when he came home and my husband ate late, after work. I really like when we are all at the table together, but it is not always possible. Football season is coming to an end, so, until winter activities begin, I may get a few extra days at the table with everyone.

All Saint's Day

I recently read this article in Saveur magazine about Guatemalan Fiambre and it got me thinking.

My Mother-in-Law, Mimi, passed away at the end of last year. As we were cleaning out her apartment, she had some homemade manicotti in the freezer- our traditional Christmas entree. Her sister and I took half each. Neither of us have been able to serve the manicotti, they have been sitting in our freezers. When this article came along I immediately thought about the manicotti. I decided that if Mimi's soul was out about wandering, she would want manicotti to be lead back to her resting place. And, trust me, her soul would be the first to go out to wander and she would want the manicotti. Tonight, that is our meal.