Sunday, November 27, 2011

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF NOVEMBER 29, 2011



I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I spent this holiday with family and friends and ate waaaaaay too much! It was fabulous!

Christmas season has now started in earnest at StoneGable. We will be busy decorating the outside of StoneGable this week. I am making fresh wreaths for all of the front and side outdoor windows, the front and garage gables and front doors this year.  I just learned a wonderful new way to make a fresh wreath that is soooo easy and it looks spectacular!  Look for a tutorial very soon!

Then it is on to the inside. I usually start with the mantle and move on from there. This year I am saving my fall natural decor and adding yuletide elements to it for a more natural Christmas in our "family living" areas. The tall skinny kitchen tree will take on a whole new look this year... I am thinking about bird's nests sticks and twigs and grapevine.

The formal tree in the foyer will still be full of glitz and sparkle! At least for another year!

Christmas decorating, for me, is a process to be enjoyed! I do love the halls completely decked... but the process is..... SO merry and bright!

Now here's what's ON THE MENU...


MONDAY
Turkey Pie
Roasted Broccoli




Recipe: Individual Turkey Pies
Using leftovers from Thanksgiving is one of the small pleasures in life! Making something new and interesting from what I have in my refrigerator is always so satisfying to me! I am using my chicken pie recipe and substituting turkey. I am also making the crust from the wonderful recipe I discovered at FAITHFULNESS FARM. For the Turkey Pie recipe, click HERE.


TUESDAY
Planked Salmon On The Grill
Arugula, Shaved Parmesan, Pine Nuts In A Lemon Vinaigrette
Confetti Corn


Recipe: Arugula. Shaved Parmesan, Pine Nuts In a Lemon Vinaigrette
1 bag of FRESH baby arugula
1/4 cup shaved good Parmesan
3-4 TBS toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup good olive oil
juice of 1 juicy lemon
1/4 tsp dijon mustard
good dash of kosher salt

Put the bagged arugula in a large salad bowl. 

In a small jar add oil, lemon juice, mustard and salt. Put lid on jar and shake to emulsify. Pour just enough dressing over arugula to coat. Refrigerate the rest.

Add parmesan and pine nuts. Mix. Serve immediately!

Printable Recipe


Recipe: Confetti Corn
I met my dear dear friend Pinky through blogging and we have become close real-life friends! What a blogging blesssings!  She and I get together almost every week. I can't tell you how much she has enriched my life. This beautiful, petite, Liz Taylor look alike (when Liz was young) has such style and a natural easy way about her! And I am so happy that she is my friend! She had a milestone birthday party for her sweet Son-in-law and made this "kicked-up-a-notch" corn. Visit Designs By Pinky and get this yummy corn recipe. Great for Thanksgiving leftovers! Chick HERE to visit!

WEDNESDAY~ Slow Cooker Day
Smoky Slow Cooker Chili
Buttermilk Sweet Cornbread

Recipe: Smoky Slow Cooker Chili
If you like chili, you will be wild about this recipe. My sister, who is a fabulous cook, made this for a family gathering and it was a smashing hit!!!!! She adapted it from a COOKING LIGHT recipe. Thanks, Lisa! I love this chili and you too! This recipe makes a huge slow cooker full of chili goodness.
2 lbs ground pork
2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 cups onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups green pepper, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, presssed
3 TBS tomato paste
1 cup beer
3 TBS chili powder
2 TBS cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 bay leaves
2 (14 1/2 oz) cans of plum tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 (15 oz) can of pinto beans
1 (7 3/4 oz) can of hot Mexican style tomato sauce
1 large smoked ham hock
1 1/2 TBS sugar
masa harina (corn flour~ not polenta), up to 1/4 cup
chopped green onions
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
lime wedges


In a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, brown and chop the ground pork for about 5 minutes. Drain and put in slow cooker


Respray skillet and add pork shoulder. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add to the slow cooker.


Respray the skillet and add the onions and bell peppers. Saute for about 8 minutes until translucent and soft. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute. Add tomato paste and cook an additional minute. Add beer and stir. Cook for 1 minute. Add this mixture to the slow cooker.


Add chili powder to the slow cooker along with teh cumin, oregano, pepper, bay leaves, plum tomatoes, pinto beans, tomato sauce and ham hock.


Cook on high for 5 hours. Add sugar and stir. Add masa harina a couple of TBS at a time. Stir in well and let thicken a little. Be patient.  Each TBS may take a little bit to thicken.


Serve in bowls. Pass the green onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream and lime wedges.
Printable Recipe

Recipe: Buttermilk Sweet Cornbread
1/2 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup white cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8 inch pan.

In a large bowl, beat eggs and add sugar and combine. Stir in butter.
Combine buttermilk and baking soda and stir into egg/sugar/butter mixture.

In a separate bowl combine cornmeal, flour and salt.  Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients in thirds.

Pour batter into pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean when tested.

Printable Recipe


THURSDAY
Eye Roast On The Rotisserie With Pan Gravy
Muffin Tin Onion Gruyere Stacks
Roasted Carrots 

Recipe: Eye Roast On The Rotisserie With Pan Gravy
1~ 3lb beef eye roast
garlic salt
oil


Rub oil and garlic salt over the roast. Put the roast on the spit. Roast until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees for medium rare roast. Let rest for 10 minutes and slice thin. Serve with a little gravy.  



Recipe: Muffin Tin Onion Gruyere Potato Stacks
These are so delicious and very very easy! For the full culinary tutorial with lots of yummy pictures, click HERE.

5 baking potatoes
2 onions, chopped
6 TBS butter
1 1/2 cups grated cheese, Gruyere or cheddar
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
heavy cream or half and half
cooking spray
thyme sprigs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Thinly slice raw potatoes. I use a Mandolin but they can be carefully hand sliced into thin even slices. Set aside.
Melt butter (about 4 TBS) in a large skillet and saute onion over a low heat until translucent and slightly golden. Add 2-4 TBS butter in the pan and melt the butter. Set aside.

Grate cheese. Gruyere is my favorite but cheddar works great too! Set aside.

Spray all twelve muffin cups of a regular size muffin pan.

 Add 1 slice of potato to the bottom of each muffin cup. Salt and pepper. Add 1 more slice of potato. Top each potato evenly with 1/2 onion and butter. Add 2 more potato slices. Sprinkle 1/2 grated cheese evenly over potatoes. Add 1 more potato slice and salt and pepper. Add 1 more potato slice and evenly add the remaining 1/2 of onion and butter. Add 1 or 2 potato slices and  top evenly with remaining cheese.

Pour 1 TBS cream over each potato stack.

Bake for 35 minutes until potatoes are tender. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

Run a sharp knife around the edges of each muffin cup and pop each stack out with a fork.

Garnish with thyme.


FRIDAY~ BOOK CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER

SATURDAY
Chicken With Brussels Sprouts And Mustard Sauce
Herbed Roasted Potatoes


Recipe: Chicken With Brussels Sprouts And Mustard Sauce
Another recipe adapted from Cooking Light. This is easy to make and has such great flavors!
2 TBS olive oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth, divided
1/4 cup unfiltered apple cider
2 TBS whole-grain Dijon mustard
1 TBS butter, divided
1 TBS fresh parsley
1 lb brussels sprouts


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and dry small brusssels sprouts. Put them into a bowl. Toss with 1 TBS olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, turning once. Remove from oven and reserve. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.


Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 1 TBS olive oil. Salt and pepper the chicken and add to the pan.


Cook for 3 minutes or until browned. Turn and brown the other side. Put chicken in the oven to finish cooking, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and tent with foil.


Heat the pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and the cider. Bring the liquids to a boil, scraping the good brown bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 4 minutes or until thickened. Whisk in mustard, 1 TBS butter and the parsley. Return chicken to the pan along with the brussels sprouts. Coat with the sauce and serve.


SUNDAY
Turkey Noodle Soup
Crusty Bread





Recipe: Turkey Noodle Soup
Save those chicken and turkey carcasses! They make the best soup! I'll make this early in the week and save it for Sunday after church.  I am adapting my chicken noodle soup and using the Thanksgiving Turkey carcass to make a big pot of delicious comfort-food soup! NO need to add additional turkey meat, unless you have some left over from that big turkey! Click HERE to see a tutorial of my very favorite soup! Lots of photos and tips!






Now What's On Your Menu...



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27 comments:

  1. I would love to live at your house. Your foods are so yummy and good looking.

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  2. Yvonne,
    I had NO idea you'd be posting Turkey Noodle soup! Mine is Turkey Rice Soup this week! It was a cold, blustry day on the Prairie...and that hot Turkey Soup just was the perfect ending to a day full of Worship and preparations for the work week! Thank you for hosting this weekly meme!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  3. Oh goodness, all this great recipes for left over turkey! I love the pie, I never made it with turkey, but only with chicken. I also love the soup and potatoes with rosemary.
    Thanks for hosting and having my grandgirls and their C'mas ginger cookies. Hugs, FABBY

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  4. Your Chicken with Brussels Sprouts sounds dellcious...I'm looking forward to trying it! Thanks for hosting~ I'm looking forward to your upcoming Christmas posts!

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  5. Yvonne, I hope you had a wonderful Tgiving. Looks like the feast continues the week after at your house!

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  6. Hi Yvonne,
    Your Turkey Pie looks fabulous and certainly I have enough turkey on hand to make it. Hope you will have a wonderful week and thanks for hosting!
    Miz Helen

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  7. I made your wonderful chicken soup last week for a light supper with friends, as always it was fantastic. Thanks again for sharing so many wonderful recipes Yvonne.

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  8. Yvonne...I am so happy you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you for hosting one of my very favorite linky parties!!! Your home sounds like a Christmas wonderland...and all your yummy food makes me want to visit and enjoy a meal with your family! Happy wreath making! Love to YOU!

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  9. LOVE the look of those potato stacks! and they sound delicious!! Thanks for hosting!

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  10. I'm so glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Your menu sounds so warm & comforting this week! I really think I'll be making the potato stacks for my Christmas Eve dinner...they look Sooooo good!! Thank you for hosting OTMM...it's one of my favorites for sure. Happy Christmas decorating, Yvonne!!

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  11. Your gingerbread men and the potato stacks look amazing.

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  12. Yvonne, I have shared Hash Brown Potato Casserole and German Chocolate Caramel Brownies. Thank you for hosting!

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  13. Well, wasn't that just the sweetest thing ever!!!!!! You are way too kind. I, too, VALUE and APPRECIATE so much, our friendship! You are a blessing in my life. I haven't really cooked since Thanksgiving, Fri. went to Wenda's and yesterday had leftovers and today ordered a pizza!!!!!!!!!! There is a "decorating marathon" going on here. Do you know any ELVES you could send over:):):) XOXO, Pinky

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  14. The whole menu sounds wonderful. But those Gruyere potatoes made me stop dead in my tracks. Swoon. Thanks for hosting! This is my first time. Off to blog hop!

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  15. Yvonne,
    The Chicken with brussel sprouts sounds good. Thank you for hosting.
    Pat

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  16. Yumm...everything sounds and looks so good!

    Can't wait to see your Christmas decorations, and the tutorial too.

    Hugs,
    Pam

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  17. Sounds like you've got another great week planned at Stone Gable. I'm intrigued by the muffin tin potato stacks. You elevated potatoes to elegant.

    I brought a quintessential southern dessert to the menu today - Ambrosia. Even though it's my grandmother's recipe, it's still quite contemporary and timeless.
    Sam

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  18. Wow Yvonne, so many good ones here!! I must try the turkey pot pies and chili for starters. You always have the best recipes!!
    I cannot wait to give them a try, everything looks out of this world...

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  19. I think it's going to have to be salads for dinner most of the week here considering what we ate the past few days! Soup is an option too and I'm off to look at your turkey noodle soup recipe :) I've been putting up our Christmas decs this past weekend too. Have a great week, Yvonne!

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  20. You have the most wonderful photos, recipes, and tablescapes. I just love your blog. I've printed out the chili, Gruyere potato stacks, and the sweet buttermilk biscuit recipes. I'm going to be adding a few ingredients to my shopping list.

    I think the link to the printable Sweet Buttermilk Biscuit recipe is broken.

    Thank you so much for such a beautiful and inspiring blog.

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  21. I love turkey pies look beautiful and delicious:)

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  22. Hi, Yvonne. Your onion gruyere potato stacks look amazing. I shared a sautéed mushrooms recipe today. Thank you for hosting us again and have a great week!

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  23. Mmmm Everything looks so good on your menu this week Yvonne. I cant wait to see how your winter wonderland turns out in your home, it sounds so pretty.

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  24. Your wreaths will be fabulous I'm sure! I was told at a garden center if you also spray them with wilt pruf it will help them retain moisture.
    I'm the same as you about starting with the mantel. I'm getting my engine warmed up on Christmas decorating but not going to hurry it. I enjoy it and enjoy doing it. I'm doing one tree with more of a natural tone like you've described and the other more traditional and glitzy! Cheers to the season!!

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  25. Hello, Yvonne. I shared a moist pumpkin bread recipe today. Thank you for hosting us again and have a great week!

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  26. Hi Yvonne! I'd be honored for you to use a photo~ help yourself! Thanks for the inspiration and have a great week!

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  27. amazing selections this week. Thx for hosting.

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