Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner duties

Turkey                                (Mom)

Cranberries- Lily                (canned '23)

Mashed potatoes- Chloe    (Lily '23)

Gravy                                  (mom '23)  

Stuffing- Lily                       (Dad '23)

Veggies- cooked green beans or asparagus

Rolls                                    (KAtie '23)

Pies- key lime- Katie           (Chloe '23)

Cheesecake- Matt

Winter Fruit Salad

Sparkling Drink

Broccoli Salad                      (Jens friend)

Asian Salad (I have a friend who serves broccoli and Asian salad, she'd rather eat more salad than turkey)

11/23/23-

This year the inside of the turkey was still frozen when  it was time to cook it. So for 2 hours (10am-12pm) I cooked the turkey in an oven bag at 450 degrees and then the last hour turned it down to 350 and the turkey was cooked through and still turned out delicious.

We ate at 3pm, it was nice b/c Logan and I went and played frisbee and then had enough time to get dinner started at 10am. At 10 am katie started rolls, lily started potatoes, I started the turkey, dad started cutting onions and celery and chloe/luke helped set the table. I borrowed a table from jim lancaster and 5 chairs from Kathy Buswell.

Also I very much enjoyed after thanksgiving. We played this silly easy going game called Happy Salmon, then Spoons, then Dayna recommended the Prize Game Bingo. I found some random prizes- bath bomb, lotion, Meyers soap, glow in the dark toys, little sticky balls for luke and jen brought more fun prizes like oreos, the game operation, connect 4, Surprisingly everyone wanted to play b/c there were prizes involved. It actually turned out so much more fun than I expected.

Dayna one Skillet Curry

Chicken marinade-
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (i cubed mine)
1/2 t cumin
1 t paprika
1 t turmeric
1t garlic powder or 3 garlic cloves
1t ginger (she said 1 T)
3/4t salt and and dash pepper
1/4-1t cayenne (I omitted)
3/4c nonfat plain greek yogurt (I didnt have yogurt so I used mayo and tahini)
1 small lemon


Rice
1 T oil
1 can coconut milk
1/2t red pepper
1/2t turmeric
1/2t cumin
1/8t coriander
1/2t salt
pepper
1c uncooked rice
3/4c green peas
carrots, peppers, potatoes, zucchini

In a bowl add the chicken and marinade seasonings let sit for 1-5 hours.
In large skillet add oil, wait till hot, add chicken cook till browned 4-5minutes, then flip and cook 2 min. Remove from pan and put on a plate.

In same skillet add coconut milk and all rice ingredients , bring to simmer, then pour in rice. Add browned chicken on top of rice. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet, cook for 20-25 minutes.

10/10/19 I really loved it, the mayo and tahini worked well for the yogurt.  next time do 2 c of rice and increase rice seasonings and coconut milk

Crockpot Tikka Masala and Flatbread

Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are super similar in the ingredients. Butter chicken is cut into small bite size pieces and tossed in the seasonings and marinaded over night. Tikka is raw chicken with the bone put in the crockpot.

1 – 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast or thighs (boneless, skinless)
1 onion, diced
1 Tbsp coconut oil
3–4 cloves garlic, minced (I put 5)
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
2 tsp fresh turmeric (or about 1 tsp dried)
2 tsp garam masala (I added curry powder b/c I didn't have garam)
1 tsp dried coriander
1 tsp cumin 
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp chili flakes (didnt have)
1/2 tsp salt
pinch cloves
2–3 Tbsp tomato paste (didnt have)
1 (14oz) can coconut milk (I prefer full-fat)
1 cup broth or water
1/4–1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
OPTIONAL: IF YOU LIKE A THICKER SAUCE:
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder or 1 Tbsp cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS
Place the chicken in the crock of your slow cooker.
To make the sauce, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 5-7 minutes, or until translucent.
Add ginger, garlic, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, chili powder, chili flakes, cloves and salt. Cook 1-2 minutes more, or until very fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste, coconut milk, and broth (or water) and stir to combine.
Pour sauce over the chicken.
Cook on HIGH about 3 hours or on low 5-6 hours.
(If you like a thicker sauce, mix arrowroot OR cornstarch with about 1 Tbsp water. Add to slow cooker in the last 3-5 minutes before serving.  Stir in cilantro right before serving.

8/28/19 Next time make a double batch of this sauce and freeze it for a future dinner. 

Simple Naan (no yeast or rising)  

The Kitchen Paper

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp oil (I used olive, you could use anything relatively mild)
1/2 cup* milk
butter + herbs for seasoning

Combine all dry ingredients, and whisk together.
Create a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, and add the oil and milk. Mix everything together until it forms a ball. Turn out on the counter and knead until very smooth and elastic — at least 5 minutes — adding more flour as necessary.
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 8-10 equal pieces.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Roll one piece of dough until very thin (less than 1/8″). If the skillet isn’t non-stick, melt some butter before each piece. One at a time, cook the naan for about 90 seconds, or until parts are blackening, on each side. When they are done, you can brush them with butter and add seasonings (cilantro, garlic, etc.), if you want.

Greek Pitas

Chicken
onion chopped
lemon pepper seasoning
tomatoes chopped
Lettuce
olives
Pitas

Tazaki Sauce
1 Cucumber grated
Sour Cream or yogurt
1 tsp Ranch Packet
milk



Season chicken with lemon pepper seasoning, Saute or grill chicken with onion
Make tazaki sauce

Another version

Chicken Marinade

1 pound boneless , skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup olive oil
4 lemons
4-5 cloves garlic , pressed or minced
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Add the chicken, Greek yogurt and olive oil to a medium size bowl. Zest one of the lemons and add to the bowl. Juice that lemon into the bowl with the zest. Slice the other three lemons and set aside. Add the minced garlic, oregano, kosher salt and black pepper to the lemon juice and zest and stir. Pour half of the marinade into the freezer bag or the bowl with the chicken pieces and reserve the other half of the marinade for basting. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes or up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.

• When ready to grill, prepare the grill by lightly oiling the grate with vegetable oil or cooking spray and set to medium high heat.
• Grill the chicken, basting with the reserved marinade and turning often so each side browns and has light grill marks, until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear. During the last 5 minutes of cooking add the 3 sliced lemons to the grill, turning once or twice. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serve with the grilled lemons. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

Tzatziki Sauce- Food and Wine

1 cup Greek-style plain yogurt
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Toasted pita or pita chips, for serving

allow cucumber to drain or squeeze in a cheese cloth to remove excess water.

Stir together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice and dill in a medium bowl. Season with the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Before serving, garnish with more fresh dill and serve with toasted pita.

Lentil curry

1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed and picked over
1/2 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons curry paste
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 14-ounce can tomato puree or chopped tomatoes

2 c water

3 sliced carrots

lemon or lime (juice and pour on right before its served)

Optional- can add coconut milk, but I didnt have any

1.  Cook the lentils according to directions. Drain and set aside.
2.  Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute for a few minutes until fragrant and golden. Add all the spices (curry paste, curry powder, turmeric, cayenne, sugar, garlic, ginger) and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato puree; stir and simmer until smooth.
3. Add the lentils and the water or cream. Stir to combine and simmer for another 15-20 minutes (the longer, the better)! Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro.

I served with rice on the side and a Dad salad (1 washed whole romaine lettuce leaf for each person).

It actually was even better the next day, so delicious to me! The kids didn't love it.

PANDA EXPRESS ORANGE CHICKEN (COPYCAT)

Definitely a winner, loved it!!!

Dinner Then Dessert

FOR THE CHICKEN:

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 2 tbsp oil divided, plus more for frying
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup flour
• cook brown rice separately

US Customary - Metric

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 10 tablespoons sugar (I used honey)
• 10 tablespoons white vinegar (didn't use)
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 sliced onion

US Customary - Metric

TO FINISH: (I actually forgot to add this stuff and still tasted wonderful)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger root minced
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp hot red chili pepper crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.To coat the chicken add the egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil into a bowl and whisk together in a large bowl.

1. To make the sauce combine the 1 tablespoon cornstarch, rice wine, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar and orange zest.
2. In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch and flour and mix well.
3. In a large frying pan or a wok, heat oil in a wok 375 degrees.
4. Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture.
5. Fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp.
6. Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
7. When you are done with the chicken, saute the onions (tender crisp) in the oil
8. Add the ginger, garlic and crushed red peppers, cooking for about 10 seconds.
9. Add the orange sauce and bring to boil.
10. Turn off the heat, and add cooked chicken and stir until well mixed.

Green bean and veggie soup

Cooking LSL

• 2 tbsp olive oil
•  1 small chopped onion
•  2 cloves garlic chopped
•  2 medium potatoes diced
•  1 medium chopped carrot
•  2 cups diced tomatoes — (fresh or canned)
•  3 cups green beans — (fresh or frozen, thawed) cut into pieces
•  5 cups chicken — (or vegetable) stock (can use hot water and chicken base)
•  1/2 tsp black pepper
•  1 tsp salt - or more depending on taste
•  1/4 tsp dry basil
• avocado
• 
  

1. In a large sauce pan, over medium heat saute onions and carrots in olive oil for 3 minutes.
2. Add chicken stock, potatoes, tomatoes and garlic and bring to a boil. Add salt, pepper and basil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add green beans and simmer for 15 more minutes, until tender. (I do not like over cooked green beans, that's why I add them 15 minutes after all the other vegetables.).
4. Cook soup until all vegetables appear cooked through, it usually takes me 30-35 minutes. Cooking time depends on the king of pot used, stove, vegetables amounts of stock used.
5. Serve hot. You can garnish with chopped parsley or dill.
6. After cooked, I served the soup with avocado on top. It made everything come together, Delicious

When I was sick I made this and it was quick and easy and perfect for my sore throat

Leftover ham

Breakfast or Breakfast for dinner 
1. Ham and egg Burrito
2. Huevos Rancheros
3. Quiche
4. Denver Omelet
5. Mini Muffin Quiche
6. Cheesey Egg Muffins
7. Mickel egg scramble

Dinner
1. One pot ham and cheese pasta
2. Ham fried Rice
3. Veggie and Ham chowder
4. Swiss & Ham Kabobs

Korean GROUND BEEF AND RICE BOWLS

Recipe Critic

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 c cooked lentils
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups hot cooked white or brown rice
• sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large skillet cook the ground beef and garlic breaking it into crumbles over medium heat until no longer pink.
2. In a small bowl whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over the ground beef and let simmer for another minute or two.
3. Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Teriyaki sauce

Never buy Teriyaki sauce in a bottle again!

Author: Daily DIY Life

Ingredients

• 1 TBS corn starch
• 1 TBS water
• ½ Cup. sugar
• ½ Cup soy sauce
• ¼ Cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ⅛ tsp. black pepper
• 3 whole chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Using a whisk, give it a stir. Be sure to scrape the bottom so all of the corn starch and sugar aren't sticking. mix it well with your whisk.
2. Bring to a low boil. Continue to boil until the sauce thickens. This happens kind of fast once it reaches a boil. So stir it constantly.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. If you wish to use this as a marinade, add the juice of a half a lemon. (acid helps break down the fats in your meat)

Serve with chopped green onions

Can double recipe and combine with chicken and freeze for future dinners