A Bit of This ‘n That

Here it is, Friday already! It’s been a strange week with me being sick almost the entire week. Yesterday the roofers finished their job, we did the ‘walk around’; they left and we went in the house. We hadn’t been in the house a good half hour when my husband jumped up and started yelling: No! No! NO! I ran to see what was going on – it seems a young man and girl decided that since our cars were not in their usual parking spaces up by our garage that THEY would just (as BOLD AS BRASS) drive up in our yard, park their pickup there and start rooting through the dumpster, taking the old gutters for scrap! Can you believe that? Let me tell you, my husband is NOT a person to come up against – he was LIVID and let them know, in no uncertain terms that they were on PRIVATE PROPERTY AND ABOUT TO TAKE SOMETHING THAT DID NOT BELONG TO THEM! He then told them that those gutters did not longer belong to US, either – they were the property of the roofing company and we were also not allowed to put anything extra in them before they came to haul it off. (I watched from the window – the young man left, husband being somewhat gentle in his send-off; I would have just threatened to call the cops!). Husband called the roofing company and within a half hour they came to haul off the dumpster. You just can’t be too cautious these days! (I’m STILL blown away at their brashness!). Today found me feeling a bit better; told my husband it was the first time since last Friday that I slept through the night without having to wake up several times and spray my throat with Chloraseptic spray to keep from coughing! (Chloraseptic is a great spray – it contains some chloraform, I’m guessing – it causes whatever it comes in contact with to go numb for about 10-15 minutes; also great if you get strep throat). I woke up early (and NOT to the ‘soothing sounds’ of roofers banging!) and got a good start on the day – was FINALLY able to do my grocery shopping! Was very happy to hit Kroger’s and their great sale. It sort of went: buy any ten of the noted items and you get them for … off; for example: Moutain Dew (2 liters) was $1.00 a bottle IF you bought the 10 items or 2/$3.00 a bottle if you didn’t. Since we go through a LOT of Mt. Dew (husband consumes great amounts), I knew I had this one ‘in the bag’! Got Campbell’s gravy on sale, Vlasic pickles, black olives, lasagna noodles, and a lot more items for great prices. Think I saved something like $28 – then I went to my ‘other’ small store (Fresh Food Depot) and saved a bunch more on their ‘house brand’ canned veggies, frozen veggies, cookies, etc. Even Blue Bunny ice cream was on sale for $2.99 a gallon (if you’ve never tried this brand – GET IT! It’s a VERY creamy, flavorful ice cream!). My larder is stuffed with cans – some of which will be used Thanksgiving (even Stove Top stuffing was on sale at Kroger for something like $1.00 a box). Yes, I know . . . prices will probably be lower in the next 1 1/2 weeks before the holiday but I was just happy to get a jump start on my holiday shopping! I’m still waiting to see who has the best prices per pound on whole turkeys. Think I’ve mentioned this before: I learned, years ago, to buy 2 before Thanksgiving and freeze one. One of our first Thanksgivings after being married I thought that all turkey prices would still be low BEFORE Christmas – I was wrong! Tomorrow I have a trek to the drug store for more ‘stuff’ – we’re almost out of Kleenex (gee – I wonder why? she said facetiously!. . . grin). Another great ‘savings’ I discovered: our local Family Dollar has really BIG boxes of Kleenex for really great prices and their (house brand) zip lock bags are really reasonable/not flimsy; also Febreeze spray, liquid Tide (when it’s on sale there) is usually around $5.00 a bottle for the small bottles when it’s close to $8 a bottle at KMart and other grocery stores. Also large bottles of Dawn dish washing liquid, bundled in 2 bottle bundles are cheaper. Now, granted – for those of you who shop Costco or Sam’s Club, perhaps THEIR prices are better, but for me, this does the trick. (I’m not a big fan of the big box stores: WalMart/Costco/Sams – too big, too big portions, etc.)

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Beer & Rosemary Roasted Turkey

(Betty Crocker!)

1 (12-14 lb) whole turkey, thawed

1/4 C. butter or margarine, melted

2 T. Dijon mustard

1 T. chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 tsp. dried

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 can or bottle (12 oz) dark beer

1/2 C. cold water

1/4 C. flour

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Move oven rack to lowest position.Remove & discard neck & giblets from turkey; rinse inside & outside of turkey with cold water; pat dry with paper towels. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching. In shallow roasting pan, place turkey, breast side up. In medium microwaveable bowl, stir together butter, mustard, rosemary, salt, pepper & beer. Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 30 seconds, until well mixed. Brush about 1/3 of mixture evenly over surface of turkey. Fasten drumsticks together with cotton string. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone. Roast, uncovered, 2 1/2 – 3 hours, brushing with additional beer mixture & pan juices every 30 minutes. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165 degrees F. and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. If necessary, cover turkey breast with heavy-duty foil during last 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours of baking to prevent excess browning. Let turkey stand 15-20 minutes before carving. Remove skewers before slicing. Measure drippings and enough water to make 2 Cups. In 2 -qt. saucepan, heat drippings to boiling. In small cup, stir together cold water & flour until smooth. Stir flour mixture into boiling drippings. Continue stirring 2-3  minutes longer or until gravy is thickened & bubbly. NOTE: Add 6-8 small peeled onions to roasting pan after 1 hour of roasting. Garnish platter with roasted onions, fresh rosemary sprigs & orange slices.

(recipe: Rhonda G-Marys Recipe Exchange) —————————————

Sliced Baked Potatoes

4-5 potatoes

4 T. butter, melted

4-5 green onions, chopped

1 C. grated cheese (your choice)

4 strips cooked, crumbled bacon 

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Preheat oven 400 degrees F.

Slice potatoes about 1/4″ thick; brush both sides of potato slices with butter; place on a cookie sheet. Bake 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once. When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, green onions; return to oven and bake until cheese melts.

(recipe: Facebook) ——————————————-

 Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding

1 day old loaf cinnamon-raisin bread,

cut into 1 inch cubes (about 12 C.)

1 T. butter

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled & cut

into 1/2 in. cubes

1 C. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3 1/4 C. milk

3 eggs

2 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla

half of a 11 oz. pkg. soft caramel

candies (about 1 C.)

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.

Spread bread cubes on baking sheet & bake until lightly toasted, 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven & let cool. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add apples & 1/4 C. sugar; cook until apples are tender & sugar turns light caramel in color, 10-15 minutes. Remove pan from heat; stir in cinnamon. In large bowl, whisk 3 C. milk with eggs, egg whites, vanilla & remaining 3/4 C. sugar. Fold in bread cubes & apples until thoroughly coated; let mixture stand 10 minutes. Coat a 2 1/2 qt. baking dish with cooking spray. Add bread mixture & compress gently to saturate the bread. Bake until custard is just set and top is golden, 50-60 minutes. Combine caramels & remaining 1/4 C. milk in 2 C. glass measuring cup or bowl. Microwave on High until mixture can be stirred smooth, 1-2 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds after 1 minute of cooking to check consistency. Cool caramel sauce slightly, then drizzle over each serving. Serves 8 NOTE: Caramel sauce can be kept, covered, in the glass container in fridge up to 2 days. To reuse: microwave again as directed in recipe.

(recipe: Panera Bread)

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Roasted Potato & Mushroom Soup

 

7 cups washed, unpeeled, chopped potatoes

6 cups water

4 chicken broth bullion cubes

1 medium onion, chopped

8 oz mushrooms

2 Tbsp olive oil

salt to taste

Boil 6 cups of the potatoes along with onions and bullion cubes in the water until potatoes are tender (about 30 minutes).Meanwhile, toss remaining 1 cup  chopped potatoes in a bowl with 2 tsp olive oil. Lightly salt, spread on a foil lined baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees (Fahrenheit) until tender and golden. Set aside.While the potatoes care cooking, saute mushrooms in remaining olive oil over medium heat, until golden brown.Set aside. After potatoes with onions, etc. have finished cooking, carefully blend mixture in a blender — 1/2 at a time, making sure the liquid is evenly distributed.

To serve, dish a bowl of soup then sprinkle a few of the roasted potatoes on top, followed by a spoonful of sauteed mushrooms.

(recipe: Firefly/Jackie)

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Rueben Noodle Bake

1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

3/4 C.  milk

2 T. shallots, finely chopped

1 lb. corned beef, chopped

2 T. Dijon mustard

1 1/2 C. rye bread, sliced

into 3/4″ cubes

3 T. unsalted butter, melted

1 (14 oz) can sauerkraut, rinsed & drained

8 oz.  pkg. uncooked medium egg noodles

1  1/2 C. Swiss cheese, shredded

1 C. Thousand Island salad dressing

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Preheat oven 350 degrees F.

In bowl, combine soup, milk, shallots, corned beef & mustard. In small bowl combine rye bread cubes & melted butter; set aside. Spread sauerkraut on bottom of lightly sprayed 9 X 13 baking dish. Top with uncooked noodles. Pour soup mixture over noodles. Drizzle with 1/2 C. Thousand Island dressing, then sprinkle with Swiss cheese. Drizzle with remaining 1/2 C. dressing & top with buttered rye cubes. Bake, covered, 25 minutes. Uncover & bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot. Serves 4-6

(recipe: Kroger)

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Creamed Corn

(crockpot)

2 pkgs (one 16 oz and one 10 oz) frozen corn

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened & cubed

1/4 C. butter, cubed

1 T. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

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In 3 qt. crockpot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, combine all ingredients. Cover & cook on Low 3-3 1/2 hours or until cream cheese is melted & corn is tender. Stir just before serving. Serves 5

(recipe: Debbie-justapinch.com) —————————————————–

Cranberry Rice Salad

2 C. cooked rice, cooled

1/4 C. sugar

1 (16 oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple or

pineapple tidbits, drained

1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 container Cool Whip, thawed

1 C. chopped walnuts*

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Mix all ingredients together in large bowl, reserving some of the mandarin oranges & chopped nuts, as garnish for top. Serve chilled over lettuce leaves or spooned into dessert bowls. Serves 10-12 *You can substitute pecans or dry roasted cashews in place of walnuts (or omit nuts, if desired)

(recipe: Marina-justapinch.com)

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Granny’s Cocoa Cream Pie

1/2 C. cocoa

1/4 C. cornstarch (or 1/2 C. flour)

3 egg yolks, beaten

1 1/2 C. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 C. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

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prebaked pie shell

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In saucepan over medium-high heat, mix cocoa, cornstarch, egg yolks, sugar & salt; add milk gradually while stirring. Cook until thick, beating it smooth (about 10-15 minutes).* Pour into pie shell; refrigerate until chilled. *Using a heavy bottomed pan helps NOTE: You can top this pie with thawed Cool Whip, whipped cream OR use left-over egg whites for a meringue topping.

(recipe: Facebook)

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Our weather is still sunny & chilly – in the 40’s mostly, and cloudy. I was supposed to pick up grandson this afternoon but it seems plans changed (it worked out for the better for me, tho – I didn’t want to get him sick hanging around me) AND it gives me a Friday night off to do whatever I please!

Husband & I had a nice ‘outing’ today – we went to lunch at our local Thai restaurant. Let me tell ya – I should have thought of this sooner! Their Hot & Sour Soup really hit the spot AND cleared my head a bit!  I had my ‘usual’: Chicken Pad Thai and he had Pork Pad Thai with #1 spice level (I can’t handle the heat so mine is ‘no spice’ – still tastes GREAT and there’s enough left over for dinner!). We don’t go out very often, but it’s a nice treat.

Well, dearies – I’m going to close for now and go knit a bit (working on baby hats. ) Counted what’s done here: 19 newborn and 24 premie.

Enjoy your day/evening – stay warm, hydrated, and remember to relax a bit!

Hugs;

Pammie

PS: I must have hit something, as right after I thought I was about to hit Publish, the entire post bunched up – all the recipes were just big paragraphs, no indentation, nothing! Whew! Took a bit of re-doing, but hope this post comes out legible! Sorry if there’s any difficulty reading it!