Janet's House

Leftover Turkey Pie

After the big meal, turkey sandwiches, turkey soup it’s time to make a turkey or Shepherds pie (turkey shepherd??). I always assume everyone makes a turkey pie with Thanksgiving leftovers but just in case I’ll show you my method.  I love everything blended together and baked in a leftover pie shell. This is a purchased pastry shell but if you’re making lots of pies, save enough dough for one more bottom shell. Assembly goes like this:

 

 

Lay turkey pieces on bottom of unbaked pie shell. Add a layer of stuffing

 

 

 

 

Use about two cups, combined of frozen peas, chopped carrots and celery. Dump over the stuffing layer and spread around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pour warmed gravy over top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spread warmed mashed potatoes until covered to edges. Brush potato ‘crust’ with butter and bake at 350 for about an hour or until crust is lightly browned. Serve with cranberry sauce.

                                        Enjoy!

Note: I would have added the candied yams to my layers but knew I’d never get away with it around here.

Sock Dreams-Holiday Gift Idea #7

We were looking for fun socks for Christmas gifts. My daughter checked the local stores. Nothing fun, especially for men’s socks.  We got on the internet and checked the typical department stores. Zero!  She decided to type in ‘crazy sock stores in Portland Oregon.’  Up popped this fun shop just a few miles from our house.  Every kind of sock from crazy to cashmere.

 

 

Who doesn’t need a pair of socks as a gift or for their own holiday wardrobe fun? You really can find something for everyone in one fun shopping spree.

 

 

 

 

There are boot socks, over the knee socks, lacy socks and warm socks. There are socks with robots, socks with fish, socks with frogs and socks with chickens. There are socks with all ten toes and socks with no toes. Socks for dancers and socks for walkers.

My apologies to Dr. Seuss; I couldn’t help myself. Check out Sock Dreams when you’re doing your Christmas shopping. They ship all over the world, so even if you don’t live in Portland, you can still get your crazy socks. If you do live in Portland you’ll be shopping local, Yay!!

And don’t forget, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! A great idea!!

 

                           Really…something for everyone! (hint)

Be Thankful!

May everyone enjoy their day with family and friends. Eat a lot of wonderful food without feeling guilty, have more pie and laugh!

                    Happy Thanksgiving!

Backyard Gatherings Wreath

I made this wreath over the weekend. Every year I read in a magazine how someone made a wreath from the things they gathered from their yard and I always think I should give it a try. It turned out to be fairly simple.  I’m not sure how long it will last but for now it adds a lovely touch to the front porch and the price was certainly right. (Free!)

I had an old wreath frame and some wire so I took a wander around the yard. The first thing I saw was the faded hydrangea. That dusty rose color became my pallet and I began looking for other plants that would work. I found some weedy berries, and some Autumn Joy Sedum. I then cut some cedar branches, lavender, a bit of wooly thyme and a frond off the heavenly bamboo that had turned red.

 

I laid it all out to see how it looked and began attaching the greenery to the wreath. I laid the cedar in the open work of the frame and secured it with wire.

 

 

 

 

Bend the wire into a U shape and hold it underneath the wreath frame and the branch you are attaching. Pull it up around the branch, catching some of the wreath frame and twist the wire. The leaves will hide the wires.

 

 

In some instances it works to make a little bundle of the greenery before attaching.

 

 

 

 

Just keep layering and attaching; working your way around the wreath. Decide where you want the top to be. Allow things to drape naturally, wiring them where necessary.

 

 

In the shed I spotted the little bird nest left in my fern this summer. I knew I would add it at the end. A very sweet reminder of the summer. I’m so glad I accomplished it over the weekend, as our weather is rainy and stormy and everything is quite a mess now.

 

If you get a break in the weather, give it a try. It’s fun and easy!

Salmon with Pumpkin Seed-Cilantro Pesto

 

I was trying to think of something healthy, yet yummy to serve on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I wanted to give one last shot at nutrition, balance and health before holiday eating kicked in hard.

I found this recipe in the November issue of Bon Appetit and thought it would perfectly serve our needs.  It turned out to be quite delicious and we all agreed that cilantro pesto was our new favorite. The toasted pumpkin seeds adds a wonderful smoky flavor.

The entire recipe is listed here on the magazine’s website, so there’s no need to repeat myself. The shopping list includes:

extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds

cilantro

coriander seeds

garlic

fresh lime juice

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 6-ounce salmon fillets

1 lime

Try it.  I know we’ll be having it often around here.

                  Enjoy!

Make a Needlepoint Kit-Holiday Gift Idea #6

 

Years ago I was trying to come up with a gift idea that my kids could give my mother. She did a bit of needlepoint and both kids enjoy drawing so I had them draw a few flower ideas. We chose our favorite four and I then transferred the designs to needlepoint canvas.

It’s really fairly simple. For this example please excuse my childish drawings and enjoy finding the perfect artwork from your children’s collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tape the picture to the window, then tape the canvas over top.

The background daylight will project the design and all you have to do is trace around the design with a permanent marker.

No need to color in the canvas. The original drawing is the guide.

 

 

It’s a fun way to give a gift. Add the yarns necessary to complete the project and include fabric, and the promise to finish it as a pillow. Box it up with a sweet note from you and the kids.

 

This project has always been one of my favorites for bringing all three generations of us together for a gift that will last for many years. I think most grandmothers would love this interactive gift. It might also be a fun collaboration between grandma and the grandkids for mom.

 

          

       Here’s our three generation original, circa 1998

 

Notes:

• If you make a small design it can still be made into a pillow by bordering the design with a companion fabric.
• Keep the design simple
• Tape the edges of the canvas with painters tape so as to not snag the yarns
• As always, gather information from the needlepoint shop
• When deciding on size, keep standard pillow sizes in mind

Hazelnut Wreath

 

I’m pretty sure there’s still time to make this wreath before the Autumn season is officially over and Christmas comes roaring in. A hazelnut (or filbert) wreath is simple to make and will last for years. 

 

 

This one is made on a simple wire wreath frame, with sphagnum moss. (I’m sure any wreath frame would work.) Attach the moss to the frame with wire, wrapping around and around until the moss is very secure.

 

 

 

 

 

Turn your work over and begin attaching the hazelnuts with a glue gun. I like the look of the lighter head of the nut facing out. Crowd the nuts, letting as little moss show through as possible. Keep the back flat so the wreath will lay against the wall, but be sure to have the nuts cover the moss and frame all around the sides.

 

Attach a beautiful ribbon. I like the kind with the fine wire around the edges so you can shape the ribbon. Attach a wire to the back of the wreath for hanging and enjoy it for many seasons to come.

                     

Now you have something to do the weekend before Thanksgiving!

Come in From the Cold-Beef Stew

Here is a stew that you can start in the morning, leave it to simmer all day and by the time dinner time rolls around, not only will it be delicious but you’ll have had time to get the kitchen back in order. It goes great with a salad, crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

 

I begin with a pound of stew meat and two beef short ribs.

 

 

I added about 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a sturdy pan and tossed in the meat. Sometimes I remember to roll the meat in a flour, salt, pepper and herb mixture. This time I didn’t, but it worked fine to sprinkle those same ingredients over the meat while searing. I chopped two Mayan onions, two cloves of garlic and threw them in as the meat cooked. I had a handful of mushrooms and chopped those and cooked them with the onions and meat.

I moved this mixture to my slow cooker and found the bottom of my pan covered with meaty bits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want this in our stew so I added about 4 cups of beef broth to the pan and stirred until every little bit was loosened. I poured this mixture over everything in the slow cooker.

 

I wanted to add carrots and was thinking how I love the way carrots taste when cooked with a roast. I decided to toss the carrots and salt into my now empty pan which had the meaty flavors and a few little bits left. I seared the carrots over high heat and tossed them around before adding them to the slow cooker.

 

I wanted to add potatoes but not until the last couple of hours; no mushy potatoes in my stew, please. I cubed about 2 cups of taters and seared them in the same pan, then set them aside for later. I think by searing them I will seal in those starches so they won’t become too soft.

Before putting on the lid I added about 3 cups of red wine. The wine adds a wonderful richness and helps tenderize the meat. Everything cooked for about six hours. I kept a couple of cups of beef broth near the stove to add during the day and I remembered to add the potatoes about an hour before dinnertime. By the end the meat was tender and the bones from the short ribs were removed.

 

Notes: If your stew is thinner than you’d like, make a gravy out of the juices in your slow cooker, a little butter and flour. Melt butter in a small pan, add flour, then add in about a cup of the broth. Whisk well to avoid lumps and add it back in the stew.

                                        Enjoy!

Kahlua Christmas-Holiday Gift Idea #5

Kahlua is fun to make for the holidays, whether you keep it for serving guests or offer it as a sweet hostess gift.  I got this recipe from my mother years ago. Friends and I have made it many times and it’s continually proved to perfectly compliment cookie making or gift wrapping on Christmas eve. My favorite way to serve it is with half and half over ice, becoming the perfect coffee milkshake.

Deliver in a fun bottle with a hand made tag. After all, presentation is part of the fun.

Here’s the recipe. It makes about 6 cups so have your bottles clean and ready. Get started so you’ll have 3-4 weeks curing time.

2 cups water

4 cups sugar

4 oz. instant espresso powder (I use Medaglia D’ Oro, found at most grocery stores)   

1 vanilla bean

2 cups vodka

Bring water to a boil. Add espresso. Remove from heat, stir to dissolve coffee. Return to low heat. Stir in sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely. Split vanilla bean length and crosswise. Drop into bottles. Stir vodka into sugar mixture. Pour into bottles. Cure 3-4 weeks, turning bottles every few days.

Make Your Own Croutons

Always a bit on the thrifty side, I really hate to waste a loaf of expensive artisan bread. Mind you, it doesn’t happen often as I love the stuff. When, for whatever reason I find a partial loaf that’s past it’s prime, yet not too far past I make croutons.

I know some people bake the cubed bread in the oven but I prefer quickly frying them on top of the stove. While I cube the bread (crusts and all), I heat a large frying pan over fairly high heat. I add equal parts olive oil and butter, generously covering the bottom of the pan.

I remove the skin from a clove or two of garlic and smash it as I add it to the pan. Stir it around briefly to incorporate its flavor into the oils. Now add the cubed bread and keep tossing and stirring. It won’t take long to brown and the kitchen smells quite inviting. You’d best have something good to go with these croutons because everyone will be expecting it.

This searing method keeps the outside of the croutons crisp, while the inside can be just ever so soft. I prefer it to the dried breadcrumb texture of most croutons. These croutons are perfect in salads and soups, unless they’re gone by dinnertime, then we’ll just call them an afternoon snack.

Comfort Food

Fall is in the air so I like to cook something warm and comforting. Baked macaroni and cheese makes everyone happy and content. I like to use several different cheeses; in fact I’ve always had the best luck using whatever is left from the cheese platter after a holiday party. The blending of the cheese combinations makes the most rich, flavorful casserole.

Baking the dish with cheese and crumbles over top is perfection. Here’s a step by step:

                                                         

Use about 3/4 cup each of Havarti, gruyere and coastal 
cheddar. (or a variety of cheeses of your choice.) Cut into cubes.

 

 

Bring water to a boil and add macaroni noodles. While cooking noodles make a roux using about 2 cups of milk, 1/3 cup flour and 2-3 tablespoons butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add flour and stir to ‘cook’ the flour a bit (about 1 minute). Add milk slowly, stirring constantly. 

 

Stir in most of cheese and continue to blend as cheese melts. I save about 1/2 cup of the cheese and add when I’m almost ready to stir the sauce into the cooked noodles. Add the rest of the cubed cheese for a creamy sauce with cheesy bites.

 

 

Drain noodles and place in casserole dish. Pour sauce over noodles and stir. If you need more liquid add 1/2 and 1/2 or a little more milk.

 

 

 

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. I then like to add something crunchy over the cheese. Bread crumbs work but my absolute favorite is a couple of handfuls of crushed cheese-its. They’re a naughty indulgence but are really the perfect topping.

 

 

Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. As I said, the perfect comfort foot for an Autumn dinner.

 

 

 

                                     

                           Enjoy!

A Gift of Napkins - Holiday Gift Idea #4

      

Napkins are fun to make and can be as simple as hemming a square of fabric. One yard of 54” fabric will give you six 18” square napkins.  How fun and what a lovely gift to match napkins to someone’s kitchen or dishes.

After purchasing your choice of fabric, spread it out, iron and cut six 18” squares. Press 1/4” under on all four sides, making corners nice and tidy. Press under another 1/4” and pin. Stitch a nice straight seam all the way around. There, you’re done!

Presentation is important, so go to the trouble of finding a nice box and tissue paper. Press, fold and tie a beautiful ribbon around them. Now you’re ready to give a lovely gift that friends will certainly appreciate. For a little extra, add a fun spatula or whisk. For the more grand gift, add the ribboned napkins to a new casserole and include your favorite recipe.

 

Notes:

• When doing corners you can snip off the point on your first fold over to make them lie flatter.
• If you don’t have a sewing machine, consider hand hemming. Use plenty of pins to hold your edges in place and make long even stitches.
• Mix and Match. Purchase a couple of coordinating fabrics and make a fun complimentary set of  napkins.
• Instead of tissue paper use parchment paper for that kitcheny feel.

Inspiration

is a website I just found via my daughters friend. It’s a virtual bulletin board where you can have fun scrolling through other peoples pin boards or create your own. You can find things to buy and you can find things to make. You simply click on a picture to “pin it” and you’ve created the perfect place to save your inspirations and ideas all in one place!

 

I’m just learning about it but couldn’t wait to share. There are boards on organization, home décor, fashion, food, do-it-yourself ideas and everything in between. From choosing a new hairstyle to picking out that perfect tattoo, you’ll find ideas. Need holiday gift or decorating ideas? Here’s the place.

Pinterest is a place of inspiration. Just a few minutes spent on the site gives you ideas for your home; whether it’s a new color combination or a “why didn’t I think of that?” revelation. Each time you click on an image or idea you’ll get more ideas. It feels somewhat like a magazine of ideas, but each click takes you in the direction of your style. If you notice that you seem to share the same style as someone else, you can click on their pins to see what else they love.

If I’m interested in something specific I simply type a word into “search” and am sent to pins of interest to me. Sometimes a picture gives me an idea, another click sends me to you-tube for a detailed how-to. Pictures of beautiful homes, gardens, clothes, recipes and so much more. There’s no way to describe or explain the fun so I suggest you hop onto Pinterest and enjoy! The only negative thing I can think of is that it is possible one could spend too much time pinning without ever indulging in the craft, recipe or idea. Although I think inspiration is never a waste, it always makes me feel positive.

                                  Have fun!!