Wednesday

27

November 2013

0

COMMENTS

What To Do With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Written by Rachel, Posted in Holiday, Inspired By, Leftovers, Menu Planning

I love Thanksgiving dinner so much that having it again the next day is just perfect, even after having a turkey sandwich for lunch. I could probably be talked into having it again two days later. But, there is a limit to how many times I can have the exact same dinner, even if it is one of my favorites.

So let’s talk about how to use those leftovers in a creative way. You worked so hard on that meal. It would be insane to just let it sit in the fridge and eventually go bad. Plus, it’s always fun to think of new ways to use an “old” dish.

If you used the non-traditional menu, here are some ideas:

Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Broccoli gets chopped and added to Chicken and Rice Soup to go alongside the Garlic Bread that’s used to make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, or could be used in Chicken Pot Pie.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup becomes Butternut Squash Risotto.

Crispy Potatoes get re-heated (in foil so they don’t burn) and topped with Chili to make Crispy Potatoes with Chili and Cheese.

Pomegranate juice can be simmered and reduced to make a syrup for Pancakes, Waffles, or French Toast.

Apple Bourbon Galettes are perfect for breakfast, with your coffee, alongside a bowl of yogurt.

Gosh I’m hungry!

If you opted for a more traditional approach, here are some suggestions:

Turkey can be made into Shepherd’s Pie of the South, Turkey Pot Pie, Turkey Caesar Wraps with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing, Spicy Turkey Chili, Honey Mustard Turkey Sandwiches, Thanksgiving Soup, Turkey Club Pizza.

Stuffing can be added to a Mushroom Frittata (add about 1 C or so).

Mashed Potatoes become Mashed Potato Soup, Sheila’s Potato Pan Rolls, or Thanksgiving Soup.

Green Beans can be used in Thanksgiving Soup.

Sweet Potatoes turn into Winter Veggie Salad.

Gravy can be used in Thanksgiving Soup.

Rolls can be French Toast topped with Cranberry Sauce, or Cream Cheesed Garlic Bread.

Pumpkin Pie filling becomes Pumpkin Pasta, or Pumpkin Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Now I’m really starving!

I hope, dear friends, that you have the most wonderful Thanksgiving. If you live somewhere that doesn’t celebrate this holiday, I hope you have a lovely Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday

30

September 2013

0

COMMENTS

Postseason Baseball Food Ideas

Written by Rachel, Posted in Menu Planning, Thoughts

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Ã‚ To me.

Watching baseball is a favorite pastime in our home. We are addicted to Fenway, crazy about Boston, lovin’ our Red Sox.

We got married in October. We started our life together watching tons of postseason baseball. And every year we continue the tradition.

We are about to celebrate our 7th anniversary. This means another postseason.

I can’t wait.

It all begins this week. The Red Sox have already won their division. They’re in. They’re going to the playoffs. We thought about taking a trip to Boston if they make it to the World Series. And then we looked at the price of tickets. We will enjoy the games from our couch. Our bank account thanks us.

One important aspect of the postseason is the food. We can’t go to a ballgame without getting some sort of treat. There’s just something about a ballpark dog, soft serve ice cream, and something fun to drink. So we try to recreate it at home.

We have a few hot dogs in the freezer (no, not the $.99 kind that are filled with… I don’t want to know). We may just top them with some Braised Beans.

We will likely enjoy someÃ‚ Nachos.

I’m gonna try my hand at soft pretzels… which may need some sort of fun dip.

Italian “Date” SubsÃ‚ are a fun sandwhich. We could picnic on the floor while we watch the game.

Bacon and Egg BurgersÃ‚ are an indulgence. But October baseball only happens once a year.

Pizza is a Friday night staple in our home. We may go back to basics with classic pepperoni or ham and pineapple, or maybe we’ll get creative and have some Philly Cheesesteak Pizza again.

We have lots of zucchini in the fridge. Some might get roasted, some might get fried.

And, since it’s finally getting cold (ok, it’s not, but here’s to wishful thinking), we will most definitely be eating soup (Creamy Cauliflower perhaps) and maybe someÃ‚ Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili.

We may sink into a food coma, coupled with slight depression when our baseball days are over. But, we’re going to Paris soon, so I think we’ll get over it. 😉

Let’s Go Red Sox!

Wednesday

11

September 2013

0

COMMENTS

Kale Party – How to Use Kale

Written by Rachel, Posted in Inspired By, Menu Planning, Thoughts

Kale. Did you know about this dark green vegetable 5 years ago? Maybe you did. I hope so! But, if you didn’t, you probably do now.

It has become quite the favored little treat.

Yes, I consider kale a treat.

In light of its popularity, let’s plan a party around it. Invite your friends, your co-workers, your in-laws… Let’s have a Kale Party!

Your table could feature: Kale and lemons in old canning jars, mismatched vintage china (totally ok if it’s chipped or imperfect – it has a story), a burlap table runner, rust or dark green napkins, heavy silverware, hand cut wine glasses, large antique bowls and serving platters, and cast-iron soup pots and skillets. Simple, rustic elegance.

Here are some menu ideas for your first Kale Party:

Appetizer/Snack for your guests to munch on while you (calmly) finish any last minute preparations – Spicy Kale Chips

Salad – Massaged Kale Salad

Main Dish – Minestrone Soup

Bread – Kale and Cheddar Flat Bread

Dessert – Vegan Kale Spice Cake

Drinks – Apple Cider, Red Wine

This party is going to be such a hit that you’re going to have other friends dying to be invited to your next one.

Second Kale Party:

Appetizer/Snack -Ã‚ Spicy Kale Chips

Salad -Ã‚ Massaged Kale Salad

Main Dish – Spaghetti and Meatballs

Bread – Kale Pesto Braided Bread

Dessert – Chocolate Kale Cake with Sea Salt

Drinks – Red Wine, Mint Iced Tea, Tart Lemonade

Since you’re now totally in love with kale, and you really want to continue the Kale Party tradition, you’ll probably want to add a Kale Brunch to your list of things to do:

Main – Savory French Toast

Main – Mushroom Frittata with Kale

Side – Crispy Potatoes

Side – Wilt ‘Em Greens

Bread – Kale Apple Muffins

Drinks – Kale Smoothies,Ã‚ Coffee, Hot Lemon Tea, Ginger Beer, Mimosas

I’ve just scratched the surface here. There are so many things you can do with kale. I mean, really, I’d be happy with some raw kale drizzled withÃ‚ excellent olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, a dash of cayenne, and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Serve that with a side ofÃ‚ Crispy PotatoesÃ‚ and I’d gladly call it dinner. (Great, now I’m hungry. And I’m wishing we were having this for dinner tonight instead of the Spaghetti that I have planned…)

I think that you will most definitely agree that kale is a wonderful thing. Go call your friends… it’s time for a Kale Party!

Happy Eating!

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What To Do With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Happy Thanksgiving!

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