Another Great Idea for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Want another idea to use up your Thanksgiving left-overs?

Have the iconic "Green Bean Casserole" left over? How about some mashed potatoes? I have just the ticket.... I call this Theresa Shepard Pie.

Theresa's Shepard Pie

Left overs of:
Green Bean Casserole
mashed potatoes
raw various veggies (chopped)

1 pound ground beef
1 onion - chopped
1 rib celery - chopped
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook ground beef until cooked through, add onions, celery and raw veggies. Cook until softened. Mix beef, veggies and the left-over green been casserole (if this mixture is too dry - add another can of creamed soup such as mushroom or celery). Turn into a baking dish. Topped with mashed potatoes - spread evenly over mixture. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes (until heated through).

Variation - add shredded cheese to potatoes.

Enjoy!!

Turkey Left-overs

We recently celebrated with the family this wonderful harvest time. It just my favorite time of year to bring out all the comfort foods. On the menu was a turkey along with items I knew everyone would like. We had green-bean casserole for Marjorie, cabbage for Jan, squash for Mom, olives for Jean and I added a small little ham for Bill. To round out the meal, I added smashed potatoes with gravy and dressing. For desert there was apple crisp.

And with a big meal, you have lots of left-overs. One of the recipes I love to make with left-over turkey is Turkey Stew with Dumplings. It's great for an easy meal - ready in about 1 hour.

Turkey Stew with Dumplings

2-3 cups left over Turkey taken off the bone (fully cooked)
2 carrots - sliced
2 stalks celery - chopped
1 onion - chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup white wine
2 Tablespoon butter
2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon sage
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoon corn starch
1/4 cup water

Melt butter in dutch oven, add veggies and cook until tender. Add 1 cup white wine. Stir, scrapping bottom of pan. Add Turkey. Add chicken broth and enough water to cover turkey and vegetables (1/2 to 1 cup). Add seasonings. Taste stew, adjust seasoning accordingly. Bring stew to a slow boil. Mix corn starch with water in a separate glass or small bowl. Slowly add corn starch mixture to stew to thicken it.

Dumplings:
2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup Milk
1 Tablespoon dried parsley

In a separate bowl, mix together dumpling ingredients. This will be a soft batter. Drop by spoon full into boiling stew. The dumpling will sink, then rise to the top. Once all the dumplings have been added, lower heat, cover and cook stew for 10 minutes, then uncover for 10 minutes. I like to shake a little paprika over the dumplings after they rise to add a little more flavor.

Once the dumplings are set - they should spring back to a light touch - your stew is ready to enjoy.

I'm Back....

Wow, I can not believe how busy my new job has been keeping me...but it's all good. I guess you can still call it new...I've been there 4 months already. Last year this time I was laid off with no opportunities on the horizon, now I'm happy doing work that is right in line with what I went to school to learn. My accounting skills have grown, my management skills have grown and I am definitely better with excel then I ever thought I was. I feel totally blessed.

Now with Christmas quickly sneaking up on us, it's time to start working on all my holiday projects. I've started making my cards...and have plans to do a few sewing and cooking projects. I have a few fun surprises on my list for this year that I think my family and friends will enjoy. Along with some entertaining plans...So keep checking in to see the latest tips, projects and recipes for the holidays.