Blog
Turkey Time: Now and Later
Hardcore turkey season is upon us, so how can you make the most of this famous holiday bird? With some planning, you can enjoy all parts for many weeks after the main event. I hate to leave good food “on the table”, so to speak!
Quick Meals for a Relaxed Summer
This week we are kicking off a new series all about our go-to meals for summer. In the summer I like to have more time outside looking after my plants and flowers and I tend to travel more often as well. I’ve shared before that cooking is something I really enjoy, but I also like to have quick meals that do not require much cooking so that I have time to relax and enjoy a slower pace.
Extra Rice?
Last week Anna shared about our recipe of the month – Vegetable Fried Rice. I enjoy making that recipe for my family, but I always end up with extra cooked rice. Thankfully, there are many ways to use leftover cooked rice. Before we get started on those, I would like to thank our friends at AnswerLine for providing the tips below for safe storage of cooked rice:
My Top 3 Reasons to Roast a Chicken
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite meal to cook. I love the smell of a roasting turkey and making multiple meals with the leftovers is the best. One downside to roasting a turkey is that it takes several hours, and whole turkeys are harder to find at the store after the holidays. Having two young kids, I need quick meals that don’t require many ingredients yet provide me with leftovers to use throughout the week. Cue roasted chicken! Roasting a whole chicken is easy and helps me create several meals from one dish. The aroma while it cooks is a bonus 😊.
GRILL, PORTION, FREEZE, ENJOY
I have been enjoying grilled chicken, sirloin steak and fish for lunch the past couple of weeks even though I haven’t taken the cover off the grill. How do I do it? I grill extra when I have the marinade prepared and the grill heated. When everything is cooked I make 2 ounce portions, just enough to top my salad. Then, before work, I prepare my lunch by putting greens and whatever raw vegetables I have in the vegetable drawer – carrots, broccoli, onion, mushrooms, or cucumbers – in a plastic container, add one of my meat/fish packets and a piece of fruit to my lunch bag and I am good to go. When lunch time comes, I finish defrosting my meat/fish packet, slice it up and top my salad. Yum.
Tailgating … as American as Apple Pie
Tailgating is as American as apple pie, but unless you want some time on the sidelines, take care when planning a party in a parking lot. Last year I cringed a few times as I observed food sitting out 3-4 hours before a football game started and then the same food was brought out again after the game for snacking!
Get Creative, Use What You Have on Hand
I know it’s time to make soup when my refrigerator, pantry and freezer are getting full of small bags of rice, pasta, meat, beans, and vegetables. I make soup using the ingredients I have on hand without a specific recipe.
Making the Most of a Hot Grill
It’s a beautiful time of year here in Iowa. That means I am cooking on the grill at least a couple of nights per week. I love the flavor of grilled food and it saves me from heating up the kitchen. Best of all, fewer dishes!
Pre-Made vs Homemade Lunch-Sweet and Sour Rice
When it comes to eating lunch at work, I have a few options:
What? The Turkey is still Frozen?!?
Whether you’re trying to thaw your turkey or figure out if it’s done, AnswerLine is here for you!
Tackling Thanksgiving Leftovers with Flair
The fall and winter holidays are my absolute favorite! I love it when we start to get a chill in the air and look ahead to holiday cooking. This week is filled with anticipation of turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Yum!
Turkey Vegetable Quiche
At our Thanksgiving meal there is always too much food and an abundance of leftovers. There is just something about the holiday that compels us to cook and cook and cook. Which brings us to our November recipe of the month – Turkey Vegetable Quiche. This recipe is the perfect way to use up some of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey.