Grilled mushroom burgers w/ bacon wrapped japs. and grilled corn

Tonight we went all AMERICAN! I took 90/10 lean ground beef and added some minced garlic(you could add onions as well), this will keep the meat from drying out since it is so lean. I seasoned with my fav. seasonings and sprayed with I can believe it's not butter spray(the spray will give such a great char on the outside) While the burgers are marinating in the seasoning I took jalapenos cut them in half and deveined(I only devein 1 side b.c I like spicy food). then I take softened fat-free cream cheese and add some dill, season salt and lemon pepper. Mix well and then take a knife and fill the . Place the jalapenos back together like they were whole and wrap with your fav. bacon. You can place a toothpick to keep in place if you would like. After that... get your grill fired up and place the jalapenos, corn(I place butter and season salt then wrap in foil) and your burgers on the grill. While that is cooking.... Take about 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of garlic and a pinch of salt, place in a skillet on med. Once the butter is melted, place 1 pkg of sliced mushrooms in the mixture, cover and cook until soft(about 15 min. it will be done once everything else is).  You will know your jalapenos are done by looking at the bacon. Once the bacon is cooked, they are done. I turn the corn frequently while on the grill so all sides are cooked evenly, but I leave the corn on as long as everything else. Toast some buns, place the burger on, add your fav. cheese(we use swiss or gouda on these), top with your mushrooms, onion and mayo or mustard( I like mustard, hubby likes mayo)... And wallllaaa a yummy grilled burger better than any place that you can eat out! Happy eating!

a veggie side dish even the kiddies will love!

Last night I made some good ol' BBQ. I do this many times a week. It is my favorite way to cook meat. But, I love to mix up my sides. This side dish is great for everyone! It will even interest the kids, and is SUPER easy! I took 1/2 a head of cauliflower, 1/2 a bunch of broccoli, 3 whole carrots, sliced them up and steamed for about 7-10 min.(depending on your steamer). Take the steamed veggies, place them in a 3 quart cooking dish and sprinkle with some salt, pepper and a bag of shredded cheese(i love gouda but you can use any type that tickles your fancy :) ) Place in a 350 degree oven until cheese is almost melted. Once the cheese is almost melted, place the broiler on(this gives heat from the top of the oven) and let stand until there is a crispy top, about 3-4 min. Take out and if you like, you could even top with parmesan cheese, or a little ranch dressing.  a great side dish that even kiddies would love!

Left over sweet Potatoes made into fritters!

Ok! So, for dinner tonight I made left over turkey into pot pies(recipe is posted on my Nov. 21st blog), corn bread and what I like to call... sweet potato fritters. One of my close friends that was over for thanksgiving told me that she saw something like this on the Paula Dean show and I decided to try it. I just took left over sweet potatoes(mashed), mixed them with bread crumbs and lightly pan-fried(I used a small pan and just coated the bottom with olive oil). Once done, I placed on a paper lined sheet to cool, sprinkled with a little salt and cinnamon and waaallllaaaaa!!! It is really good! Thank you Crystal(and Miss Paula Dean)! xoxoxo

left over sweet potatoes... sweet potato hash browns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red ribbon Cranberry coffeecake

I got this recipe off the ocean spray web-site 2  years ago and it has become a holiday staple. I am really not a big sweets person so, when this time of year rolls around... my husband is not too happy with me b/c he is the one to eat most of it lol!!! Even though I am not a big sweet fan, I do love this recipe. I hope you enjoy!

Topping:

1/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon sugar

Batter:

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup butter

1 egg beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk

1 14 oz. can of ocean spray cranberry sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. grease a pan. I used a 2 qt. pan. Combine topping ingredients for the batter in a bowl or a food processor until the butter is the size of small peas. Combine the dry ingredients for the batter in a med. mixing bowl.  work butter into dry ingredients just like the topping instructions. Combine the liquid ingredients in a separate mixing bowl. Add to the flour mixture, mixing just until moist.  Spread half the batter in the pan. Place the cranberry sauce in a small bowl and beat with a fork until smooth. Spread over batter. Dollop remaining batter over top. Gently spread with a rubber scraper. Sprinkle topping over coffee cake. Bake for 45 min. or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Make leftovers taste like a whole new dish!

 So,I have been watching all of the food shows to get some ideas on dishes for the thanksgiving leftovers(and boy oh boy do I have some left overs. There were 2 tv personalities that made a similar dish(emmeril and Rachel ray). I like both of their dishes for different reasons. So, what did I do??? What I do best.. mixed them together to make my own!

Take out your waffle iron and spray with butter spray(the reason I did this was so there would be a crispy edge. Take spoonfuls of  your leftover dressing(I make sausage dressing so, I think that this recipe marries well). While you are making your dressing waffle, cook up an egg how you like it(i did over easy). Take your left over turkey or ham,(I did turkey for me and ham for the hubby)as well as the gravy and heat up. If either of  the meats seem kinda dry. Take some chicken stock, heat on the stove and just dip them on both sides... its like they are fresh out of the oven... or in my case fresh off the smoker.

Take your dressing waffle, top with your egg, turkey or ham and gravy....wwwwaaaaalllllllaaaaaa a beautiful a tasty brunch!

Chicken pot pie(but can be an easy left-over turkey pot pie)

   Ok.. I made this recipe with the left over green bean and red potato recipe for a side.

I took these large ramekins and turned them upside down(to use like a cookie cutter) on a Pillsbury ready-made pie crust(one pie crust will make 2 pot pies). place the top to the side and take the remaining pie crust and place in the bottom of the ramekins. In a separate bowl, mix a can of cream of chicken(if you're using chicken as the meat), Or a can of cream of mushroom(if you are using turkey). Mix in 1/2 a bag of frozen

peas/carrots(the remaining half of the bag that I used earlier this week for my meatloaf). Then mix in your meat. Today I used a can of chicken(after thanksgiving I will use left over turkey). Now, anyone who has read my blog knows that I am all about smoking a whole chicken and using that for my recipes(it is cheap and easy) But, when you are in a hurry.... in this case... pop open a can of chicken, tuna or crab meat!!!!!!!!!!

After you have mixed the cream of chicken or mushroom(I always use the 98% fat-free), the frozen veggies and your protein(meat), Place the mixture in the 2 ramekins(that already has a layer of the pie crust). Then take the 2 round circles that you have from using the ramekins as a cookie cutter and place on top. using your fingers, push the crust around the corners of the ramekins(like a pie crust). then take an egg in a separate bowl and whisk. Place that egg was on the top of the pot pie(so it will brown) and sprinkle with paprika and parmesan cheese. Last but not least.... Take a knife and make 2 slits on each side of the pie( like a plaid pattern, or tic tack toe board lol). this will allow for it to rise correctly. Place in a 375 degree oven for 20 min. Then put the broiler on high for about 3 min just to get that extra crispness on the top... waaaaallllllllaaaa! yummy!