DAY 1 ~ BLOGMAS 2017 ~COUNTDOWN SCHEDULE

For the last several years I have done “BLOGMAS” over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  This year I decided to do BLOGMAS, but with my own list.

Unfortunately the surgery I should have had months ago is now scheduled 5 days from now. So, a few categories will be a little off this year, but I’m going to do them anyway. Christmas will be quiet for us this year, but one the best days of the year for us.

These are things that I begin right after Thanksgiving, but I thought it was the best prompt for today. I almost feel guilty that almost ALL of them are accomplished.  With the surgery though I HAVE to be ready way ahead of time! As for this year’s prompt I do both homemade and store bought depending on what someone wants and/or needs.

Save

TUNA NOODLE or CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
1 large can tuna, drained WELL (a combination of salmon and tuna works well also)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 small can evaporated milk
1 bunch green onions, chopped or sliced thin
1 shallot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups cooked egg noodles or pasta of choice
1 can Le Seur peas, drained WELL (optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese**
1 cup crushed potato chips##
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk together soup and milk until well blended.
  • Fold in tuna, onion, garlic, peas and cheese.
  • When well blended gently fold in noodles and pour into a prepared baking dish.
  • Top with crushed potato chips and bake 30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.

NOTE**Gram’s original recipe called for 1 cup velvet cubes, but I never touch the stuff so adapted it to real cheese

NOTE##Grams always used potato chips, but I also like to use a buttered bread crumb or cracker mixture.

 

CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE
1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (can substitute a LARGE can of chicken)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 bunch green onions, chopped or sliced thin
1 shallot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups cooked egg noodles or pasta of choice
1 can Le Seur peas, drained WELL
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese**
1 cup crushed potato chips##
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk together soup and milk until well blended.
  • Fold in tuna, onion, garlic, peas and cheese.
  • When well blended gently fold in noodles and pour into a prepared baking dish.
  • Top with crushed potato chips and bake 30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.

NOTE**Gram’s original recipe called for 1 cup velvet cubes, but I never touch the stuff so adapted it to real cheese

NOTE##Grams always used potato chips, but I also like to use a buttered bread crumb or cracker mixture.

SHARING with FOODIE FRIDAY and TASTY THURSDAY.

CLASSIC BEEF STROGANOFF and/or DEVILED STEAK TIPS

CLASSIC BEEF STROGANOFF
1 1/4 pounds sirloin tips, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 teaspoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced thin **
2 teaspoons hot water
1 tablespoon Coleman’s dry mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
Fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large shallot, diced fine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh chopped flat leaf parsley

  • Poke each piece of meat with a fork
  • In a mixing bowl toss meat pieces with Bragg’s liquid aminos, cover and marinate 1 hour.

 

  • While meat is marinating prep mushrooms.
  • In a large skillet melt butter over medium high heat.
  • Add mushrooms and sauce until soft and caramelizeng.
  • Drain mushrooms and set aside.

 

  • Whisk together the water and mustard powder with the sugar, and some pepper just until a smooth paste forms. Set aside.
  • Pat meat dry with paper toweling.
  • Season with fresh ground pepper.

 

  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add beef pieces and sear on ALL sides, reducing heat as necessary to prevent burning. Transfer eat to plate.
  • Add Add onions and saute until caramelized and browning.
  • Add in the tomato sauce and flour, stirring to blend.
  • Stir in beef broth, mustard paste and wine until well blended and bring to a SLOW simmer, cooking until slightly reduced and starting to thicken.
  • Fold meat pieces and mushrooms into the sauce and cook a couple minutes more until heated through.
  • Remove from heat and fold in sour cream.
  • Serve immediately over buttered noodles.
  • Sprinkle with parsley.

*NOTE*: I prefer thin sliced mushrooms, but some prefer larger mushrooms in which case you should use 1 pound and quarter them.

OR You can make this version of the same basic style meal – just depends on your flavor palette:

DEVILED STEAK TIPS serves 4-6
2 pounds boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
3/4 cup beef broth
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Fresh ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Pat beef dry.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add half the beef and cook until well browned on all sides, turning as needed, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Remove beef with a slotted spoon to a bowl and add second batch.
  • Remove second batch with slotted spoon.
  • Add remaining oil to the pan.
  • When oil is hot, add onion and season with salt, sautéing until soft.
  • Add garlic and season with pepper.
  • Add in flour and stir to blend, cooking until golden.
  • Whisk in tomato sauce, beef broth, vinegar, horseradish, mustard and water. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom.
  • Return beef and any accumulated juices to the skillet.
  • Simmer, stirring occasionally 1 – 1 1/2 hours until sauce is thickened and meat is tender.
  • Season to taste and serve over buttered noodles.

SHARING with FOODIE FRIDAY and FULL PLATE THURSDAY.

BACON HERB ROASTED TURKEY

BACON HERB ROASTED TURKEY
1 pound bacon, chopped
2 sticks butter
1 shallots, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup, chopped flat leaf parsley
3 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed
3 sprigs fresh rosemary, stems removed, chopped
3 sprigs fresh tarragon, stems removed, chopped
15 pound turkey, rinsed, drained and innards removed and reserved for gravy
1 medium red onion, peeled and quartered
1 large lemon, rested and quartered
1 blood orange, quartered
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh ground Himalayan salt
2 teaspoon fresh ground tricolor pepper
5 large carrots, washed and trimmed
5 stalks celery, washed and scraped

  • Pulse together the bacon, shallots, garlic, sherry, green onions, mustard, tarragon, thyme and rosemary until you have a smooth paste.
  • Refrigerate until chilled through. I like to make this part on Tuesday so it is well chilled.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Lower oven rack to bottom.
  • Arrange carrots and celery on bottom of roaster in a basket weave pattern.
  • Place onion, lemon and orange quarters in turkey cavity.
  • Tie legs with food grade twine or baking bands.
  • Whisk together the lemon zest, avocado oil, salt and pepper.
  • Carefully separate skin from the body without tearing or piercing the skin.
  • Insert the bacon paste between skin and meat, massaging into an even layer.
  • Coat the outside of the turkey with the oil.
  • Pat brown sugar over oil.
  • Place the turkey in the roaster on top of carrot and celery grid.
  • Tent loosely with foil.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes per pound or until turkey reaches 150° (in the thigh). Baste ever 20 minutes or so.
  • Remove foil and bake uncovered until skin has browned and temperature has risen to 160°. Continue basting every 15  minutes or so. You want the skin to crisp, but NOT dry out.
  • Remove turkey from oven, tent with foil and allow to rest 20 minutes or so.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 48 of 2017

I hope you had as great a Thanksgiving as we did. It was a day full of relaxation, food and football.  It was a small gathering this year for us.  My uncle came for dinner and brought a yummy apple pie with Marble Slab Vanilla Ice Cream – YUMMY! The weekend was quiet – we NEVER do Black Friday anyway, but being in isolation in the house made it seem quieter than normal. I did tape AND watch several Christmas movies as well as eat some yummy leftovers which are in my opinion the best part of Thanksgiving.

When I was a kid, the Friday after Thanksgiving was the day we put up our Christmas tree, ate turkey sandwiches and started wrapping Christmas presents. Well, this year we put up decorations, ate HOT turkey sandwiches and relaxed. Living in a BIG city this year I avoid shopping on Mondays, Fridays and weekends so it was nice to have a LONG relaxing weekend.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

While it has been more pleasant recently there are still a few days this week projected in the 80’s with higher humidity, but I have realized this is my current norm and won’t change until we move.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Pomegranates and cucumber salad with Green Tea

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a deep clean today and tomorrow
  • KITCHEN… part of the deep clean today
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage pending our move so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
  • ERRANDS…hospital pre-op blood and xrays Wednesday, grocery shopping, drugstore and Target
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and BLOGMAS post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I finally finished reading the Bridge to a Better Life by Ava Miles book 8 in her Dare Valley Series.  I will continue her series with book #9 Calendar of New Beginnings as I’m enjoying it, but for a bit of change I switched over to Marie Force’s Green Mountain #8 Can’t Buy Me Love.

  • BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON
  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, S.W.A.T.
  • MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
  • MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT, ORVILLE, WISDOM OF THE CROWD
  • Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, FLASH, DC LEGENDS, INHUMANS
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD DOCTOR
  • GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, GUY’S RANCH

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
TATER TOT WAFFLE BACON CHEESE SANDWICHES
 QUICHE
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP
MEAT ROLL-UPS
SALAD
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
 TURKEY TETTRAZINI
HOT TURKEY SANDWICHES
 PORK CHOPS & STUFFING
 CHILI DOGS and DEVILED POTATO SALAD
  MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES
 MEATLOAF and PARMESAN STACKERS
 C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

10 days until surgery – FINALLY! Who would think I’d actually be looking forward to such a thing?  After the past 13 months I will be so relieved to have it over that I’m actually glad it’s almost here! I’m trying to get things done a month ahead to make life easier for hubby ESPECIALLY with Christmas in the middle!.

We mixed and match our recliners (since the backs come off so easy these days) so I would have the most comfortable parts in the bedroom since I’ll still be sleeping in a recliner for the next several weeks.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

On of the best things about Thanksgiving is the leftovers! INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

Save

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN STYLE GREEN BEANS akin to RAZOOS

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN STYLE GREEN BEANS akin to RAZOOS – serves 4
These green beans are cooked low and slow until soft and tender in a bacon-infused broth making them super yummy and a family favorite for any holiday.

3 slices bacon, diced
1 pounds green beans ends snapped off and longer beans snapped in half
1 large shallot, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon fresh ground Himalayan Pink salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon butter

  • In a large skillet brown and crisp bacon. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to drain on paper toweling.
  • Add shallot and garlic to skillet, sautéing until fragrant.
  • Add green beans, water, chicken broth and seasonings to the skillet.
  • Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Cover and simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain beans and add butter.
  • Check beans for seasoning and add extra salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sprinkle with bacon and toss to distribute the bacon and butter.

SHARING with FOODIE FRIDAY and TASTY THURSDAY.

Miz Helen’s Country Cottage