Sunday, December 5, 2010

Weekly Menu, December 6,2010


Christmas is not only in the air, but all over StoneGable! It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This is a very busy week...again.  Appointments, Christmas parties, people visiting, and I have 2 speaking engagemnets! I took a bad fall a little while back and I am still having trouble getting around. Thank goodness for family and friends. I'm getting a little tired of being semi laid up! But enough of that. I'm making do.  I have so many reasons to be thankful in this latest trial!

A  couple of you have written to me and asked what happened to my wreath tutorial last week. Sorry I did not get it done. I just could not stand that long to do it. Hopefully, I'll make it before Christmas!

The menu at StoneGable is easy this week. A couple of slow cooker meals, a couple of Christmas parties (I'll be the one sitting!) and  tree trimming goodies!

Monday
Chicken Quesadillas
Mexican Explosion Salad
Refried Beans with Shredded Cheddar

Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas
1 TBS vegetable oil
2 cups cooked chicken
2 onions, peeled and cut into half moons
1 large red pepper, seeded and sliced
1-2 TBS jalepeno pepper jelly
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups good shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 inch tortillas
guacamole
salsa
sour cream

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions and peppers. Cook until tender soft. Add chicken and pepper jelly and heat.

Meanwhile, heat a large cast iron griddle ( or another large skillet) over medium high heat. Brush with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray. Lay down 1 tortilla and spoon  1/4- 1/3 cup of chicken mixture over it, Sprinkle 1/4 or so cup of cheese over the chicken mixture.  Top with tortilla. Put 2 quesadillas on the griddle at a time. Loosely cover with foil. Cook until tortilla is browned. Flip and cook the other side until browned. Set aside and keep warm. I usually put it in a low (190 degrees) heated oven.

Cut into wedges and serve with gracamole, salsa and sour cream.

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Day
Holiday Beef Brisket (leftover from last week)
Mashed Potatoes
Spinach Salad
Carrots

Recipe: Holiday Beef Brisket
YUMMY! I froze the leftovers from last week, and we are going to have this DELICIOUS main dish again. What a great meal, and company worthy!!!!!
I hope you will give Holiday Beef Brisket a try. Look for it on Thursday's menu.

Wednesday: Slow Cooker and Soup Day
StoneGable Ham and Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker
Homemade Beer Bread

Recipe: StoneGable Ham and Bean Soup
Oh I know... there are tons of bean soup recipes out there! But PLEASE try StoneGable's Ham and Bean Soup there is a delicious difference.

Recipe: StoneGable Homemade Beer Bread
This bread is a must try! It is my families favortie!!! Find Beer Bread at the bottom of the clicked post.

Thursday
Bible Study Christmas Brunch:
Creamed Chipped Beef and Biscuits

Recipe: Creamed Chipped Beef and Biscuits
1/2 lb. chipped beef
4 TBS butter
1/4 cup flour
4 or more cups whole milk
buttermilk biscuits, split

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add chipped beef and cook for 2 minutes. Coat all the beef with butter. Stir in flour and cook about 3 minutes, until it is lightly browned. Add milk 1 cup at a time. Let it thicken before adding more. When thick, take off heat. I put mine in a slow cooker on warm to take to the Christmas Brunch.

Family Dinner
Savory Chicken Pocket Pies
Wedge Salad

Recipe: Savory Chicken Pocket Pies
I am addicted to the cooking show, Mad Hungry! Shown on the Hallmark channel,  host Lucinda Scala Quinn has a pleasant demeanor and knows her way around the kitchen without being to  "food expert-ish". If I am at home this is what is blaring all over StoneGable as I am cleaning, blogging, decorating...
Today's dish sounds like a most delightful recipe. I'll make my pies a little bigger, putting them in a individual souffle dish and topping them with Lucinda's fabulous sounding cream cheese pastry dough. These are freezer friendly, and I'll make extra to put in the freezer!

Savory Chicken Pocket Pies are just perfect to use up the extra chicken and carrots this week.

Friday
Cheese Tortilini and Mini Meatballs In Tomato Basil Sauce
Ceaser Salad

Saturday
Christmas Party

Sunday: Tree Trimming Dinner
We don't have dinner, we have great hors'douveres. Lots of Christmas music, decorating and muching!
Cheese Fondue
Artichoke Spinach Dip with Homemade Pita Chips
Assorted goodies from Costco

Recipe: Cheese Fondue
1/2 lb. imported good swiss cheese
1/2 lb. Gruyere cheese (heaven!)
2 TBS cornstarch
1 cup good dry white wine
1 TBS lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp dijon mustard

Dippers
pumpernickle bread, cubed
french baguettes, quartered
foccacia, cubed
soft pretzel pieces
granny smith apples, thinly sliced
veggies
chunks of salami (or any cured meats)


Toss cheeses with corn starch. Rub garlic inside a ceramic fondue pot. Discard garlic.

In a heavy botomed sauce pan heat wine and lemon juice and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add Swiss and Gruyere cheese and mustard. Stir until melted and smooth.

Add to fondue pot and keep warm. Serve with dippers! YUM!



16 comments:

  1. Your menu sounds great! What is Mexican Explosion salad??? It sounds intriqing!!!! I hope you will be feeling better SOON. I am going with 4 other women on Tues. to Winterthur! I will take lots of pictures!!! xO, Pinky

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  2. Hi Yvonne! This all sounds delicous. I don't know if I am blind or something, but I am wondering how to get to the artichoke spinich dip recipe? Thanks :)

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  3. As always, StoneGable's weekly offerings are delicious. However, the chip beef recipe brings back fond, fond memories of some of my first "dinner" party offerings--creamed chip beef on toast was one. I haven't had it in years but am sorely tempted.

    I must have missed hearing about your accident and do hope you are on the mend--all the while feeling well enough to be pampered.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. Hello Yvonne,
    so sorry about your accident. Hope you will be o.k. soon.
    Your menue is as always very yummy. Thank you for reminding me to cheese fondue. Nice idea to have that in the winter season.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  6. As always your menu sounds yummy. I am sorry to read that you took a bad fall. This is a busy time of the year to be hurt. I know it must be frustrating. I hope you heal quickly and feel better soon.

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  7. Ouch! I'm so sorry to read that you've fallen! Ya' know, I always said God has a way of slowing us down when we need it the most. Take it easy, okay & let some stuff slide? The true essence of Christmas doesn't need any fussing at all, as you well know.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  8. I'm new here, but for some reason I'm not finding a way to access your recipes. I would love to find the pot pie and your slow cooker recipes but the links do not work. Help!

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  9. Everything sounds yummy! Hope you are back on your feet soon. Carla

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  10. For Nancy M-
    If you click on the name of the dish printed in blue, it will connect you to the proper link.
    Hope that is helpful.
    xo Yvonne

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  11. Oh, Yvonne...sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well! I will pray for a speedy recovery!

    Your menu plan sounds delicious and comforting this week! :)

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  12. This all sounds mouth-watering delicious. I am so glad I decided to come this week. I'll eat and drink all week. And, there's a party, too.;-)♥

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  13. Your menus are fantastic!
    Enjoy your party on Saturday!

    BTW, you take awesome pictures!

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  14. Thank you for trying to help Yvonne, but the color of the "foods" on my computer are green and do not let me click on them. I'm not sure what's going on. But thanks anyway.

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  15. Yvonne,
    I agree, it wasn't like you to leave out a post. . .but I'm glad you're on the mend from your fall. We can all wait on the wreath tutorial! Take care of yourself and I'll be praying for you on your speaking engagements as you reach other for Christ! You have a powerful witness!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  16. Yvonne, I hope you feel better soon!! You are in my prayers!!

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