Christmas Eve

It's the day before Christmas all through the house.....

My son baked about sixteen dozen cookies and two pumpkin pies. He has a Pullman kitchen, so he came down and used my kitchen. I am lucky enough to have two ovens so it made the job more efficient. LOL.

My daughter spent the day delivering presents to her friends.

My husband and I decided we would take advantage of having time to ourselves and go Christmas shopping for each other. We are at a point that we have everything we need and would rather spoil our grandchild than buy each other presents. But, my husband felt compelled to get me something.

So, I bought him some gummy vitamins. He finds it really unpleasant to swallow the horse pills he is taking.

He bought me a new glue gun, a T square, and a box for my alcohol pens from the recycle store. I was really excited that he found the box. I have been looking for something that would work. I refuse to spend a hundred dollars for a box to hold markers-- a bit over the top in my book. LOL

Christmas is for enjoying time with family and gifts should be somethimg the recipient really wants, or needs, or never dreamed of ever having.

My sorority made Christmas for a family. I had so much fun! I got 120 dollars worth of stuff on their list for twenty dollars. The boxers for the son were 35.00 and I got a barbie for the daughter and a sterling and gemstone pendant for the Mom. I Thorally enjoyed myself and hope the family has the best Christmas ever!

An inexpensive gift or something handmade for the recipient is much more thoughtful that an expensive present that the person doesn't want or need. Everyone has something that they either don't have time or patience to make for themselves or that they can't bring themselves to buy.

Gifts aren't about the money, they are about the effort and thought that goes into them.



Some of my best Christmases were when we were poor and "made" Christmas--it's all about the memories.

Merry Christmas . I hope you have a blessed and memorable Christmas!


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Jane

Merry Christmas Eve's Eve

Merry holidays are upon is. I have to pick up a couple of things from the grocery store to finish holiday meals, but I am. Pretty much done.

I picked up the Woman's Day magazine for January. It got me with Quick meals .
There are a lot of recipes, bmt not all of them would pass the husband and children test.

I can't reprint the recipes, but I can tell you what they are. If younwant tonbuy a magazine, they are 10 per cent off at joannes and thirty percent off at Costco. Costco has more expensive and yuppie magazines.

Peanut butter and banana pancakes--Elvis is still alive LOL

ravioli with sausage and Brussels sprouts
Pasta with quick meat sauce
Pasta with roasted cauliflower, tomatoes and pepperoni

Spaghetti with bacon, fried eggs and swiss chard
Creamy spinach and broccoli lasagna

Eggs Benedict casserole

No bake hot cocoa cake

Spiced beef and butternut squash stew

Seared salmon with lentil salad

Quick turkey chili
Pork chops with balsamic braised cabbage

Vegetable fried rice


Louisiana Hoppin' John


I like the apple pancakes forma special occasion ( Christmas breakfast!)
pork chops or roast with balsamic cabbage is interesting
Spaghetti
Peanut butter and banana pancakes might be a hit with the kids



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Jane

Suddenly Saturday.

Two days until Christmas eve. I quit baking for Christmas. My son makes cookies and my daughter makes fudge. Consequently, my stress level is at zero! We are bringing food to the family parties, but that's not a big deal.

Christmas morning we have Belgin waffles, bacon, and Christmas oranges. I haven't been able to find real Japanese oranges for several years now,


For the vegetarians,

VEGGIE SKILLET from land of lakes booklet

2.5 cups bow tie pasta, cook and drain.


2T butter
1tsp minced garlic
2med zucchini, cu into 1/2 inch slices
median red onion
1 T fresh basil
1 cup cheese in /2 inch cubes


Stir fry everything except the pasta and cheese until veggies are tender. Stir in pasta and heat through. Stir in cheese. Salt and pepper.


GREEK FRITTATAS

1 medium red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups spinach leaves
1/2 cup milk
8 eggs
1/2 tsp garlic salt
Pepper
1/2cup crumbled feta cheese

1 can diced tomatoes, warmed with garlic and herbs.


In skillet, cook red pepper and onion 3-4 minutes
Add spinach and cook until spinach is wilted.

In bowl, combine milk, eggs, garlic salt and pepper. Stir in cheese.

Reduce heat to med low and add egg mixture to veggies.
Cook, lifting the eggs on the side of the pan until eggs are set and the top is done.


Spoon warm tomato over at serving time.


One of the ways to beat the rising cost of meat is to eat vegetarian a couple of nights a week. My mother did that before the word vegetarian was in our vocabulary! LOL

I got cheese for 2.50 a pound at top. It is tillamock. I spent more than I usually do, but I picked up some last minute stocking stuffers and it's Christmas. Well go back to frugal after Christmas.


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Jane

Three days until Christmas. Eve

Three days and I'm sure the little ones are waiting with anticipation. Our little one isn't old enough to know what's going on, but I'm looking forward to her squeals .LOL

Last night we had the pork stew that I posted earlier I'm the week. Itvwas really easy to cook the pasta in the microwave cooker and heat the stew and walk away.

On to food.I haven't shopped yet.

Beef Stuffed French Bread

1pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1large baked potato, peeled and cubed
1can cream of mushroom soup
Mushrooms

1 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Pepper


Loaf of French bread
Cheese


1) brown meat and onion until meat is no longer pink and drain.

2) add re sing ingredients except the bread and cheese and simmer for 10 minutes.

3) cut the loaf of bread lengthwise. Hollow out some of the bottom , leaving 3/4 inch shell. Place the removed bread in a blender or food processor and make crumbs. Add 1 cup crumbs to the meat mixture. Add cheese.

4) stuff the bread shell. Wrap with foil. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before cutting.


Notes
I would use already cooked and drafted meat. I don't usually have mushroom,s around because my husband is not fond of them. I might substitute olives and add some Ed pepper just because I like some color . It seems more appetizing to me.


SPINACH MEATBALL SUBS

Add chopped, cooked spinach that has been squeezed dry and Parmesan to your basic meatball recipe. Add red sauce and shredded white cheese. Fill sub buns.



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Jane




2)

Thursday , we have ads

I finally got the ads yesterday. Yesterday we had pork roast, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans and pear and blue cheese salad.

Now, to the ads...

QFC

Ham 1.79

Top roumd roast B1G1. Nets 3.25 a pound
Spiral ham 2.79

Peeled carrots 1.00 pound
Celery 1.00
Sweet potatoes 1.00
Veggies .60


TOP

Spiral ham. 1.97
Butter 2.50 @
snack crackers 1.77 @
Cheese 4.99 @
satsumas 2.98
Vegetables .67
Turkey .69

Green beans 1.79

SAFEWAYS

Ham .99
Coffee 7.99

Sirloin tip roast 2.99
Celery .99

FRIDAY SPECIALS

CHEESE 5.00
bar cake 5.00
Shrimp 5.00


ALBERTSONS

apples .88
Ham .99
Spiral ham 1.99
Coffee 7.99
Yams .79
Celery .89
8 pounds potatoes 1.28



I am not seeing a whole lot of bargaims which is a typical for a holiday ad.


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Jane

No ad wednesday

There were no ads in our mailbox yesterday.

Since the holidays are upon us, I thought I would post some somewhat healthy dips from my blender cookbook.

HUMUS

1/2 of a small jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
1 clove gRlic
1/2 medium small onion, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 of a medium green pepper, cut onto chunks
2tsp olive oil
1/2tsp cumin
1can garbanzo beans, drained
3T water

Place in blender in order

Jalapeño, pulse 5-10 seconds

Onion and green pepper, pulse 5 seconds 2-3 times


Heat oil in skillet and sauté garlic and cumin, add onion mixture and cook until veggies are tender. Cool

Place onion mixture, beans and water in blender. Mix until smooth.

Place in serving bowl.

2 cups



CREAM OF BROCCOLI AND CORN SOUP

From kitchen aid

2 T butter
1/2 cup chopped onion

2 T flour
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp pepper

2cups chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1 16 ounces frozen broccoli
1-1/2 cups corn

1 cup milk


1) cook onion in butter 2-3 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard, thyme, pepper, broth and water. Bring to a boil.

2). Add broccoli. Reduce heat and leat on loe about 10 minutes. Cool.

3) place mixture in blender in batches. And blend until smooth.

4) return mixture to saucepan.

5). Add corn and milk.

6) simmer until warm.

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Jane

Makes 4.5 cups.

Tuesday QUICK

I pulled out my bisquick leaflet book for today's blog. My mother in law used to make pie from bisquick. Apples are a buck a pound now, so it is a lot of bang from your buck!

FRENCH APPLE PIE

Topping

1/2 cup bisquick
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped nuts
2T firm butter


Pie

3 Tart apples, peeled and sliced.
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup bisquick
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 T butter
2 eggs

Heat oven to 325. Spray 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray.

In small bowl, mix dry ingredients for topping. Cut in butter.
Set aside

in medium bowl, mix apples, cinnamon and nutmeg and pour into pie pan.

Mix remaining ingredients. Pour over apples.

Sprinkle topping on top of bisquick layer.

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Doneness test is when the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.


RANCH OVEN FRIED CHICKEN WITH WARM CORN RELISH

3/4 cup bisquick
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup reduced fat ranch dressing

4 Boneless skinless chicken breast

2T butter, melted

2 cups frozen corn

Heat oven to 425 degrees

Spray a 9x 13 pan

In shallow pan, mix bisquick, salt and pepper
In another dish, pour 1/2 cup salad dressing
Coat chicken with dressing, and then with bisquick.
Place in pan and drizzle with melted butter.

Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until meat reaches 170 degrees and juices run clear.

Cook corn and drain. Stir in 1/4 cup dressing. Serve over chicken.


Notes

I think you could use boned chicken, but adjust the cooking time.


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Jane

Monday madness

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

European Pork Stew

1 poumd pork cubes ( about 3/4 of an inch)
olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

2cups chicken broth
1can diced tomatoes
1 red pepper, roasted
1/4 cup Greek olives, pitted and cut up
2 tsp orange peel
1-1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Pepper
2 medium yellow summer squash , cut I to small pieces

12ounces ORZO cooked and drained

1) cook meat cubes in oil until browned. Do it in batches.
2) Add onion and garlic and cook briefly. Add broth, tomatoes, peppers, olives,
Orange peel, seasonings.
3) bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 50 minutes.
10 minutes longer until squash and meat are tender.

Serve with ORZO or couscous.


Notes
I think that you could brown the meat and finish this in the slow cooker up to the squash addition. Then put the squash in and set it to high.
I cook pasta in a microwave pasta cooker and use a bit less time than it calls for. I haven't cooked couscous, but I think it is as simple as instant rice.

Greek olives are a bit of a stretch of the budget. Red peppers are fifty cents often at grocery outlet. Oranges are inexpensive this time of year. Yu can use the orange for another meal.


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Jane

Notes on Sunday

Nine dayS until Christmas. I know we all wanted to hear that.

Last week on the chew , they featured a pork roast that they comed, spread with Dijon mustard and rolled om chopped herbs. It sounded really good. I am sure that the recipe is on the website.

Nacho Pie
From taste of home

1pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 -8 punce can tomato sauce
2T taco seasoning

1 tube crescent rolls

1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips, divided
1cup sour cream
1cup shredded American cheese

In skillet, cook beef and onion until beef is no longer pink, drain
Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Let cook 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, open crescent rolls and pinch together to make a " pie crust."
place on pie pan.

Speinkle 1 cup crushed chips over pie crust
Top with meat mixture
Carefully spread sour cream over meat mixture.
Sprinkle with cheese and remaining chips.
Bake at 350 for 20-35 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden.


Notes :

In would use already cooked and defatted meat. I would probably add some peppers.
It would be a good recipe for leftovers from a party. The bottom of the ch bag, crescent rolls are on sale during the holidays, the recipe for taco seasoning
is in an older post. Serves6-8.

On another note--I went to the goodwill this week. Some of the prices on gloves and gift bags were more expensive than the dollar store. I found canvas boxes for organization in a broad range of colors for 4.99 and they have straight sides. They also had white shelves with a plate groove really cheap.

Of anyone has an idea for a post, please let me know.


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Jane

Grocery shopping is a crap shoot!

We went shopping as usual this week. I picked Top foods and Costco. I noticed that prices were up and just for you prices were more than I paid for the same products last week. I expect some fluctuation on sale prices. But, Costco is usually pretty stable.

Cheese that was 1.92 a pound last time I bought it, was 2.79 a bound. A forty percent increase.


We just got notification of our social security raise...you can bet that it isn't forty percent!LOL

To say that prices are not stable would be an understatement. Top had cheese shreds on "sale " for 2.00. That's four dollars a pound. It's harder to second giess what is the lowest price, but you can still compare and take advantage of what is the lowest price.

We don't buy a huge variety of foods so it isn't to hard or time consuming to keep track.

I'm trying to continue on my easy fast meals to reduce the stress of holiday time. I am finished with my decorating, Christmas cards, and wrapping. I don't bake anymore, I'm diabetic and the last time I spent hours baking Christmas treats the family decided they were on fat police diets and just wanted cardboard cookies. In figure someone else can bake, and I'll spend the time enjoying the kids. Their excitement is so fun to watch. Christmas is for kids.

I made the students in my daughters class snowman soup packets and place favors for another group.

On to the recipes!

I did get pork loin for 2.00 a pound.

Pesto Pork Roast
Pesto:
mix in blender or food processor
1/4 cup olive oil
2cups basil leaves
1/2cup parmesan cheese
4 peeled garlic cloves
Process until blended

Reserve 2 T pesto in a small bowl. Add 2 T olive oil to the reserved pesto.



Cut 12 Roma tomatoes into slices. Place on bottom of roaster. Salt and pepper.
Place 4-5 pound roast on the top of the tomatoes. Salt and pepper roast. Spread pesto over roast.

Bake at 350 for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until meat registers 160 degrees.

Cook a pound of dried egg noodles. Drain. Remove roast to rest on platter. Add tomatoes to the noodles.

From taste of home

Notes

I would roast the tomatoes separately in olive oil maybe with a little Parmesan.
And add them to the noodles. If basil is to pricy, you could substitute parsley or check to see if costco's pesto is cheaper.

This would also work for a smaller roast . Just adjust the cooking time.
I have a thermometer that has a probe and a programable pad that you can set the meat and the doneness. It beeps at you when the meat comes up to temperature, I think I paid 25 dollars at Costco years ago. It was well worth the expense.

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Jane

Finally Friday

Friday...I have had a cold and haven't left the house all week.

Meat has taken another hike. Safeways just for you has higher prices than I can get the food elsewhere.

Roast is cheaper this week than hamburger. A dollar a pound makes it well worth your time to grind your own.


Pasta Pizza Soup

1 pound ground beef
4 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, sliced
1 tsp minced garlic
4 cups water or beef broth
1can diced tomatoes
1.5 tsp dried oregano
1.5 cup cooked tricolor spiral pasta

Sauté meat and veggies until veggies are tender and meat is no longer pink.
Stir in remaining ingredients

Cover and simmer for twenty minutes. Add pasta until heated through.


Chili Skillet

1 pound ground beef
1cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1 cup tomato juice.
1can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
4 tsp chili powder
1tsp oregano
1tsp salt
1/2 cup uncooked long grained rice.


1cup corn
1/2 cup black olives
1cup cheese


Cook ground beef until no longer pink with the onion, green pepper and garlic.

Add the tomato juice, kidney beans, chili powder, oregano, salt and rice. Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until rice is tender.

Stir on corn and olives. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add cheese and cover and cook 5 minutes more.

From taste of home


NOTES

I would use 3/4 of a pound of pre cooked, defatted hamburger and use less onion.
Rinsing canned beans reduces a lot of the sodium . Cooking dried beans is the about the same price as canned. If you cook dried beans, you need to use them including leftovers soon. Beans and rice have a short fridge life. When on sale, sliced olives are cheaper than whole olives.

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Jane

Thursday cold weather dishes

I had one hit on yesterday's ad post!

Beef Barley Soup

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
2-1/4 cup tomato juice
1/2 cup water

1/4 cup pearl barley
1tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper

Cook beef and veggies until veggies are tender and meat is no longer pink.

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer an hour.

2 servings

Note. You could use pre cooked and defatted meat and just cook the veggies and add meat. You could substitute cooked stew meat into small cubes.


ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO SOUP

2 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
Olive oil
Salt

1cup v8 juice
1small tomato cut Into wedges


Sauté zucchini and onion until tender. Salt. Add V8 juice and tomato. sprinkle with pepper and dried basil.

Cook until heated through.

Garnish with shredded cheese and or crumbled bacon.


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Jane

You can leave a comment below. There is an anonymous option. If you don't want the ads dissected, please let me know. L

Dollar dinner mix

At grocery outlet this weekend I picked up a taco kit for a dollar. It had six flour taco shells, six hard corn shells, taco seasoning, taco sauce. I used leftover chicken, re fried beans , lettuce, tomato, cheese .

A dinner for three dollars and fifty cents and I have shells and sauce and seasoning left for another meal.


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Jane

Wednesday ads

These are this weeks ads

SAFEWAYS

ham .99
Apples .88
Milk 2.69
Beef bottom round 2.99

FIVE DOLLAR FRIDAYS

Baby back ribs
Oranges, 8 pounds


TOP

MULTI DISCOUNT..BUY 4

Cream cheese .99
Shredded or singles 1.99


Pork loin 2.00
Turkey .69

Lean ground beef 3.99 ***

Pasta 1.00

Foccacia bread 3.99 ***


QFC

English cucumbers 1.00
Butter 2/5.00
Sour cream 1.00
Baby carrots .99


ALBERTSOMS

Ham .99
Coffee 7.99
Chicken .99
Canned veggies .69


notes ***. Roast is a dollar a pound less than the lean ground beef if I had to jace broind beef, I would gri d my own. The bread is no bargain, but the best bread I have ever eaten if you like hot peppers.

That's about all.

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Jane

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Skillet suppers

Following the theme of quick and easy.

CHICKEN AND NOODLES

1 pound cooked chicken cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1cup baby carrots, cut in half
1 cup frozen broccoli

2 ounces uncooked noodles ( 1 cup)
1-3/4 cups chicken broth

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Parsley to garnish

Sauté onions in olive oil until soft.

Add all ingredients to the skillet and bring to a boiling, reduce hest and simmer 10 minutes covered. Uncover and cook 5-8 minutes longer until veggies and noodles ar tender.

SPEGHETTI AND MEATBALLS, UPDATED


Pre-made meatballs

1/2 package speghetti

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomato sauce
4 ounces pesto
1 tsp oregano

1) cook and drain speghetti and heat meatballs in microwave.


2) heat sauce ingredients in a saucepan 10-15 minutes

3) place meatballs in sauce and add pasta.

Garnish with parsley and parmesan.


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Jane

Monday madness 12/10

It's Monday the dreaded start of the work week. The holidays are fast approaching.

From Betty Crocker

Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes for a croud.

5 pounds of white potatoes, peeled and cut into one inch pieces

3 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup blue cheese
1cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

8 ounces sour cream
1tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp paprika

Chives to garnish if desired

1) cook potatoes and mash.

2) in bowl beat together cheeses, sour cream and salt.

3) mix the potatoes and cheese mixture , add milk if necessary to make right consistency.

4) put into greased pan. 9X 13. Bake at 350 for 35-0 minutes. Serves 24.

5 grams fat each. 135 calories.

This can be made ahead and baked later.



LOW FAT MINESTRONE

1 can EACH OF

28 ounces of tomatoes

14.5 ounces of great northern beans
Corn, drained
Kidney beans

2stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 medium onion , chopped
1 cup shredded cabbage,

1/2 cup elbow macaroni or broken spaghetti

1 1/4 cups water
1tsp Italian seasoning
2veg bouillon cubes
1 clove garlic, minced

Parmesan to guarnish

Place everything but the Parmesan in a 4 quart pan. Heatto boiling. Reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until macaroni and veggies are tender.

2 grams fat, 305 calories


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Janet

Sunday notes

Last night we had pork roast and oven roasted root veggies. Both were cooked in the oven and took 30 minutes. I got some organizational work done in my studio while it Cooked. The roast was on sale at Safeways and I picked up garlic rosemary parmesan cheese at grocery outlet. I had to go get boxes at the dollar store so we stopped by the grocery outlet too. they usually have a good variety of cheeses. Sometimes they have bargains on them, but not all are on sale. The parmesan was .50. Because we had never tried it, I would rather have a small size. It was really good.

Parmesan Rice and Peas with bacon. From Betty Crocker Simple Home Cooking ,2006

2 slices bacon , chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup uncooked long grained rice
1 can chicken broth (14 ounces)
1/2 cup water
1cup frozen sweet peas
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp pepper

In a two quart saucepan, cook bacon until done. Add onion and stir one minute. Stir in rice until it is covered with bacon fat. Stir in broth and water. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer about twenty minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Gently stir in peas. Cook one to two minutes until peas are hot. Stir in cheese and pepper.

Note.
I would use the bacon ends I got cheap. This would also work with instant brown rice.
I would use the Romano cheese that I already have and my chicken stock or better than bouillon .


Slow cooker pork stew

1-1-2 pounds pork cubes
1-1/2 cups carrots, cut into slices
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups peeled and cubed parsnips
1-1/2 cups peeled butternut squash
4 cups chicken broth

Sage, thyme, salt, pepper--1/2 tsp each
3T flour
1T butter

Brown meat on stove . Place om slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients except flour and butter.
Cook on low 7-8 hours.

Mix butter and flour to make paste. Stir into stew.
Cook on high for 30 minutes until Gravy is thickened.

Adapted from the same booklet as above.

Note. This would be a good Sunday dinner When you are busy with Christmas preparations.
I love the cook and walk away meals.


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Jane

Suddenly Saturday

It's Saturday . I thought I would continue to post recipes that are easy because we all have extra things on our agenda for the holidays and easy food is a stress reducer!
the holidays are supposed to be for having fun with friends and family.

Oven Roasted Vegetables

1/2 pound baby carrots
1/4 pound mushrooms
1 onion, peeled and cut into wedges
1 zucchini, cut into pieces
4 red potToes, cut into fourths

Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese

Place veggies on baking sheet with sides. Drizzle with olive oil. oss to coat veggies. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and cheese.

Bake at 450 for 30 minutes.


Taco Skillet Helper!

Mix together in skillet:

1 pound taco meat ( 12 ounces cooked meat)
1.5 cups water
1cup salsa
1can corn, drained well

Heat to boiling. Stir in 1-1/2 cups instant rice.
Bring back to a boil. Cover, take off neat and let stand 8 minutes.

Fluff rice.

Sprinkle with
3 ounces Mexican blend cheese
Cover and let stand until cheese is melted , about 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with lettuce and tomato.


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Jane

Finally Friday

It's finally Friday and I have a lot of errands to do. I just spent some four in the morning organizing my studio and purging.

On to food-- meals from the ads

My mix is 2 vegetarian, 2 chicken or pork, two beef and a fish. This assures a variety and enough of a mix to please everyone some of the time. Your mix may be different.




Chicken roasted
Hearty chicken soup

Tacos
Meatballs

Shrimp stir fry

Mac and cheese
Bean soup


Notes
Most of these meals are either fast or make ahead.

Once you have roasted the chicken and portioned it out, you have four meals partially made. The meatballs were done when you batch cooked the hamburger as was the taco meat. Stir fry is fast. Bean soup is a matter of throwing stuff in the slow cooker. That leaves scratch Mac and cheese.

Mac and cheese in the Slow cooker usually calls for evaporated milk. I am not too fond of evaporated milk so I would rather make it with a white sauce. I usually use a variety of cheeses. It's a good way to clean out the cheese drawer of bits and pieces,

I usually make a topping of breadcrumbs, Parmesean and parsley.

If you use rice with the meat balls, you can double batch it for the stir fried shrimp.


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Jane

Thankful it is Thursday.

It's Thursday already. Time to clean out the fridge and note what we might need.
Some notes? A friend of mine made a cake that was really healthy. It was a spice cake mix and a small can of pumpkin. Cake mixes are on sale this week. She made it in a bunt pan, but I would bet it could be made in a 9x13 also or in cupcakes.


Chicken is on this week as well and it's cold and flu season...yuk.

Hearty Chicken Soup

1 cup total of chopped carrot, celery, and onion.

6 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 cups chicken cubes

Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning to taste.

1-1/4 cups dry egg noodles.

Parsley


In a large pan, sauté veggies in olive oil. Add broth, seasonings , chicken and noodles. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until noodles are tender.

Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Make white sauce with 3Tbs butter, and 3 Tbs flour and 2-1/4 cups milk. stir in two tsp poultry seasoning.

Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup cheese.

Add about 10 ounces of cooked chicken pieces and 1-1/2 cups of peas and carrots.

Put mixture in a 2quart greased baking dish. Top with ome package instant mashed potatoes, made up.

Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minuts before eating.

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Jane