20 December 2009

What's For Dinner?


I've been trying to figure out what to make for the 25th. Diva will be with Shrugs and the Outlaws until noon and Elvis is working and we have NO idea when he will be home. As of right now there are only a few jobs scheduled, but that can change that day.

The Outlaws have also invited us all to come over around 5 or so. I know it's just because they want to spend more time with Diva, I can't fault them for that... I don't know if we will go or not yet. Shrugs passed the invite, but I haven't heard from either Outlaw about it.

Whatever I make has to be somewhat easy to make because I don't want to spend all my time in the kitchen. Of course, I asked what they wanted... Diva wants cheeseburgers, Elvis doesn't know what he wants, but wants something 'fancier than burgers'.

FINE !!!

Poor Man's Turkey Wellington

1 pound ground turkey
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
2 tablespoons water
Mashed Potatoes
3/4 cup diced smoked Gouda
1 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 sheets puff pastry

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large skillet, cook the turkey, stirring, over high heat until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, crushed red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized, about 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste and heavy cream and cook until the cream is evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and spread on a plate to cool.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the thyme, Worcestershire and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and spread on a plate to cool.

In a small bowl, beat the egg and water to make an egg wash.

On a lightly floured surface, 1 at a time, roll the puff pastry sheets to an 1/8-inch thickness, about 11 inches square. Cut each sheet into 2 rectangles. Spread 1/4 of the cooled mashed potatoes along the lower third of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on 3 sides. Top with the turkey, then sprinkle the Gouda cubes over the top. Brush the sides with egg wash and fold the pastry over the filling to completely enclose. Press to seal the edges and with the tines of a fork, press to seal tightly. Transfer to a large baking sheet and paint with the egg wash. Cut 5 small steam vents in the top of the pastry. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Bake until starting to turn golden brown, 15 to 16 minutes. Sprinkle the top with the cheese and bake until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large serving platter, slice and serve hot.

18 December 2009

I'm Hooked


Okay, not really, but I thought it was a cute title...

I've been working on Diva's blanket. It's Spring Green and Boston Rose (so far).

I still need to buy more yarn, I forgot how little you get when you crochet and the frugalista in me is screaming "Next time KNIT because it goes farther!"


I think another 2 skeins should do it, but, I am still prepared to force myself BACK to the yarn department if I need another 2 skeins after that (hehehe)

Update: I have added another 2 skeins of Deco (fancy way of saying white) and it still looks too short. I have another skein of Spring Green but I bought the last one. I will have to try to track down another one, or just order it online.

05 December 2009

Starting Yule Gifts for 2010

Yes, you read that correctly -- I am going to start working on the gifts for next Yule.

I decided that 2010 will be a COMPLETELY home-made holiday. If I didn't make it, I'm not giving it. I have a small list of people we give to every year and none of them need anything !!!

As I find the projects, I will post them here. I have so many skeins of yarn and totes of fabric just sitting here, begging to be made in to something that someone can love. The hardest part is thinking of tokens that the recipients will appreciate.

On the list are 4 kids (age at holiday)- Diva (10), Pepsi (9), Ballerina (4), Dribbles (2)
Adults - Elvis, Shrugs, Out-laws, GodMother, GodFather, UnkiAunt, Mimi

21 September 2008

Autumn Harvest Soup


I was in a rather good mood today. The weather was a beautiful 76, not a cloud in sight.

Then just one little breeze brushed my face and I realized this was the eve of the Autumn Equinox.

Living in New England, the coming of fall is more than just a season change, it is a life change. Our shorts are replaced with pants, tank tops are worn under a sweater and nourishment is heartier.

In celebration of welcome I made what I call "Autumn Harvest Soup". This is my own creation, feel free to change it to suit your personal tastes.

Ingredients

1 small sugar pumpkin
1 small butternut squash
4 apples
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3 tbs brown sugar
4 tbs butter
1 pint cream
1/2 c water

Preheat oven to 350

Cut the pumpkin, squash and apples in small cubes. Add the pumpkin,squash and water to a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with pumpkin spice and bake for about 90 minutes or until soft.

After baking, add butter and brown sugar to a soup pot and heat slightly until the sugar starts to melt. Add all ingredients but cream. Mash everything together and let simmer on very low for about another hour. If the soup is too chunky for you, toss it in the blender. Add cream before serving, mix well.

**** I like to taste the tarty goodness, but once in a while, I will add 1 cup of sugar to the pot and caramelize before adding the rest of the ingredients and omitting the cream to make more of a sweet dessert, great over vanilla ice cream!