Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Turkey Tetrazzini but actually it should be called Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

We call it Turkey Tetrazzini but actually it should be called Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole.
This year it consisted of:
A few cups of chopped leftover turkey
A cup of leftover gravy
½ cup of leftover diced onion
A cup of frozen peas (we didn’t have any leftover veggies)
1 can of cream of mushroom/chicken soup
1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese
¾ cup of parmesan cheese
A few tbsp of bacon bits (usually I like to fry fresh bacon and crumble it in but we didn’t have any)
A sprinkle of dried thyme leaves
A sprinkle of garlic powder
A sprinkle of oregano
A sprinkle of fresh ground pepper
1 box of bowtie pasta (cooked and drained, reserve a cup or two of pasta cooking water)
Breadcrumbs or crushed up or leftover club crackers from Thanksgiving’s crab dip. Crushed potato chips work well too.
Paprika
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350˚F
Mix first 12 ingredients in a large bowl.
Add pasta and fold till incorporated, using reserved pasta cooking water till you have a creamy casserole. The turkey really dries this out so make it pretty creamy.
Spread this mixture into a 13x9 baking dish that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.
Top with a thin layer of breadcrumbs/crackers/chips and add a sprinkle of Paprika for color.
Everything is cooked so you’re just heating it through at 350˚F for 25 minutes
Serve nice and not with left over wine. You got use it up anyway right?!?!
This is really a very flexible recipe. If you have leftovers that you think would be a good addition then go ahead and throw them in there. Enjoy!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mr. Breakfast says, "Eat your oatmeal!!"

I found the coolest site today. www.MrBreakfast.com. I found this by googling oatmeal because 1. Oatmeal is supposed to be VERY good for you and 2. I don't really like it and I was looking for inspiration to keep eating it and ideas to spice it up so to say. Anyway, oatmeal IS quick and easy and healthy. It's also said to be good for your breast milk supply which let's face it is dwindling now that Santino is 10 months old and really only nursing about 4 times a day. So I'm thinking of getting a box of Quaker instant oatmeal. I don't really care for any of the traditional flavors, raisins and spice, apple, maple, banana, blah, blah, blah. It's all gross. Mr. Breakfast suggested adding nuts. I love walnuts so I'm going to buy a bag of chopped and add a tablespoon or so. He also suggested adding a teaspoon or two of your favorite preserves. My favorite just so happens to be strawberry. Stay tuned for a post in the next few weeks about my venture into the realm of healthy oatmeal for breakfast. I'm still sticking with my big breakfast on Saturdays that my husband always cooks. Eggs, breakfast meat, hash browns, English muffins and coffee. It's our thing.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Holidays are Approaching!!

We have so many events ahead of us in the upcoming months. We have two Thanksgiving dinners. We have a slew of birthday parties. We have two holiday parties and then actual Christmas. Also, six couples we know are pregnant and due in the next few months. Ryan's working a part time job now. It's only a few times a month but it's money and it's helpful and he enjoys it. The company he is working for is run by a wonderful couple, who just so happen to be one of the couples expecting their first child. I'm very excited for them. Anyway, with all these events coming up I'm intimidated because I dread this time of year. The rushing around, long car rides and late nights. What's really worrying me is doing all this with a ten month old. I know we'll get through it but as far as energy goes, I'm not looking forward to it. I am looking forward to my son walking soon. He enjoys groups of people and parties. He's a total ham. There are going to be lots of smiles and laughs. So many new things for him to see and foods to try. I want to walk him around to see Christmas lights. He's going to love the Christmas tree. I want to make him a stocking. I want to see his face when he tries cranberry sauce for the first time. It's just going to be awesome. Exhausting but so awesome. I'm saying it early. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas everyone!!

First Post

I'm nervous to commit myself to writing a blog. I still refer to myself as a new mom even though my son is, jeez, ten months old. However, I've recently quit facebook. I say quit facebook because I was addicted and like quitting smoking over five years ago I'm going through a withdrawal period. However, my friend Stephanie's blog Calculating Blessings is awesome and I love her quirky posts so I'm going to be brave and try this out. Wish me luck. I have no idea when I'm going to post again. Thanks in advance for all your encouragement. Love, Sheena