Post-Thanksgiving Leftover Chow Down

Too much food, too little stomach! Leftovers become more than just leftovers with some creative planning.

Sunday: Turkey-Noodle Soup (recipe modified from P90X nutrition guide)

10 C. chicken broth
4 red potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 C. onions, quartered
1 C. carrots, 1 inch thick
3 C. celery, sliced 1 inch thick
2 C. shredded cooked turkey
2 C. zucchini, sliced 1 inch thick
8 oz tomato sauce, canned
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/4 bunch parsley, chopped
dash black pepper

1/2 package wide egg noodles, cooked according to package directions, and drained

In a large stockpot, combine chicken broth, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med-high, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 30 min.

Add turkey, zucchini, tomato sauce, garlic, parsley, and cilantro. Reduce heat to med-low and cook for 10-15 minutes more, or until zucchini is tender. Add noodles. Season to taste with pepper and serve.


Tuesday: Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

(use leftover mashed potatoes if you have them)

Wednesday: Toasted Turkey and Brie Sandwiches, spinach salad

(use leftover turkey and rolls if you have them)

Thursday: Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

Friday: (for a break from poultry) Broiled Flank Steak with Warm Tomato Topping, steamed brown rice

Saturday: (back to normal) Pizza Night

Easy, Yummy Week

Sunday: Spaghetti, bread, salad

Monday: Pan-Fried Chicken Fingers, cole slaw, mashed sweet potatoes

Tuesday: Oat and Banana Pancakes, Fruit Salad, turkey bacon

Wednesday: Shredded Grilled Tilapia Tacos, baked tortilla chips

Thursday: Rotini and Cheese

Friday: Broccoli Casserole

Saturday: Pizza Night

Let's Get Cooking!

For a lot of us, cooking is a chore, approached with the dread of getting out of the warm, cozy covers on a cold morning: we don't want to do it, but it needs to be done so we do it anyway. (And often, it's done without grace or maybe even clean language.)

For me, it's something to which I look forward with the anticipation of producing something people will like. It taps my creativity most nights, even if it's a simple recipe we've seen before. I'll turn on the radio, pour a glass of wine, and work barefoot, singing (badly) with the radio.

I like to present it, family-stye, on pretty matchy-matchy plates and platters, and I like to combine colors and flavors on a plate that please the eye and the palatte. Okay, but it's not like the super-chefs you see on tv. This is real food, it's not obscure finds from remote fish markets or farmers' markets. And I rarely garnish. But the other day as my eight year old was sitting down at the table, he said, "it's like a restaurant!"

My point is this: it doesn't have to be like taking off a bandaid: quick, painful, over fast and unmemorable. Cooking for a family can be fun and rewarding. And the best part is our family sitting together every night, laughing and talking and eating: enjoying each other.

Sunday: OUT (my sister-in-law has invited us for dinner; she is a good cook and a wonderful hostess. My mom is in town as well, so it will be a fun night!)

Monday: French Toast with sautee'd apples, yogurt
There was a lot of chatter on facebook this morning about using the extra hour to make a yummy breakfast...It sounded good for dinner too!

Tuesday: Pecan-Crusted Tilapia, Steamed Green Beans, Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday: Grilled Whole Cider Chicken, Homemade Applesauce, Steamed Broccoli

For the chicken, brine as directed in recipe, then place in greased foil roasting pan on indirect heat on grill. Grill 15 min per pound or until juices run clear. Alternatively, fill a clean empty soup or beer can with cider, and place chicken "beer can chicken" style upright over can and onto grill.

Thursday: Sauteed Chicken with Apples, Salad

Shred yesterday's leftover chicken, and substitute it for the chicken breasts in the recipe.

Friday: Cracker Chicken, Tater Tots, Honey Carrots

Saturday: Pizza night

Here it is November...

...and I have only begun my Christmas shopping. I'm in big trouble! Please, oh please, retail Gods, send coupons to my inbox.



Sunday: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Steamed Sugar Snap Peas



Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Steamed Brown Rice

Wednesday: Beef, Black Bean, and Chorizo Chili, bread bowls

These bread bowls are easier than you think. The link takes you to a video for how to make your own using frozen dough! How easy is that? It's an awesome way to serve chili! Try it, and leave a comment telling me how it was.

Thursday: Chili-Cheese Nachos

Heat leftover chili in microwave until hot. Spread over a single layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with sharp cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with sliced green onions and sour cream, if desired.

Friday: Blackened Grilled Flank Steak, twice-baked potatoes, baby spring greens salad

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cheese, Garlic Bread, salad

Last Week of October

Sunday:
Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

Monday:
leftovers



Tuesday:
Onion-Smothered Pork Tenderloin, Ultimate Mashed Potatoes, romaine salad


Wednesday:
Korean Sesame Beef with Lettuce Wraps



Thursday:
Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Tomatoes, basmati rice



Friday:
Crunchy Salt Shrimp with Ginger Sauce, edamame, brown rice

Saturday:
Pizza

My Favorite Protein Shakes

Good nutrition isn't just for dinner, and when I remember to, I drink a "recovery" shake after a workout. The best ones are high in protein, and should have a fairly equal protein-carbs ratio. I find the ready-made ones expensive and lower in protein than I would like, and so I make my own. It's easy and there are so many flavor possibilities! These are my favorite combos:

Orange-Mango

1 cup (80z) Mighty Mango Smoothie (made by Naked)
1 cup ice
1/4 cup protein powder (I use Bob's Red Mill whey protein from Amazon. If you're avoiding dairy, you could also use Bob's Red Mill soy isolate powder.)

Blend all ingredients and enjoy!


Black Forest Shake

1 chocolate royal slim fast can
1 cup ice
1/4 c. protein powder
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened cherries

Blend all ingredients and enjoy. (note: the cherries should be partially thawed before blending, so microwave them for about 30 sec. Trying to blend them frozen solid may hurt your blender.)


Iced Mocha 1

1 cup Bolthouse Farm's Perfectly Protein Mocha Cappucino
1 cup ice
1/4 c. protein powder

Blend and enjoy. For extra coffee flavor, add 1 t. instant coffee or espresso granules before blending.


Iced Mocha 2

1 can chocolate royal slim fast
1 c. ice
1/4 c. protein powder
1 t. instant coffee or espresso granules

Blend and enjoy.

In and Out

If you've been following the blog you know we were trying to move. Thanks to some general somewhere, those plans have changed. We're staying put, for now, and life is somewhat back to normal. My favorite part is not having to show the house anymore, and not giving up my firepit!


Monday: Rotisserie Chicken, fresh bread, edamame

Tuesday: omelettes, bacon, fresh fruit
(omit bacon if cooking vegetarian)

Wednesday: flank steak and aparagus stir fry, rice

Thursday: Beef and Spinach Lasagna Rolls, salad, fresh bread

Friday: Halibut En Papillote With Potatoes, Green Beans and Sweet Onions

Saturday: Pizza Night