Leftover Recipe : Turkey & Shrimp Fried Rice
Here’s a simple turkey leftover recipe that’s turned into an Asian meal. With the abundance of turkey leftover because my family of 4 couldn’t have possibly eaten a 20-pound turkey on Thanksgiving Day, I have to be creative in coming up with leftover dishes in order not to bore us all in the coming days.
One thing I’ve came up with is this Turkey and Shrimp fried rice. The shrimps were leftovers from the appetizer plate of shrimp cocktail. Turkey and Shrimp combo? Sure why not?
Holiday Side Dish : Green Beans & Artichokes Casserole
Instead of the traditional mixture of green beans, mushroom soup, milk, and french fried onions to make the green beans casserole, I decided to add a little bit of a twist this year. The end result is called Green Beans and Artichokes Casserole 
It’s the same concept and same steps. I just added a new ingredient for a new flavor and texture. I got the idea from Martha Stewart’s EVERDAY Food Magazine which I’m subscribed to, thanks to my Mother-In-Law. The recipe from the magazine lets you create the sauce and it uses fresh steamed green beans. I altered it by sticking with canned green beans and mushroom soup .
Herb Seasoned Roast Turkey
This is our Thanksgiving Day Turkey. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? .
I took my turkey out of the freezer Saturday (November 22) afternoon. I just let it thaw for that day in my sink. Then I put it in the fridge to completely thaw for the remaining 4 days. By Thanksgiving Day, my turkey was completely thawed.
Pre-heat the oven to 395°
I started prepping the turkey at 11am. Took it out of the bag, then took the neck and giblets out which thankfully were already discarded and put in a separate bag. Washed it and dried with paper towels.
I then placed the turkey in a roasting rack.
Holiday Side Dish : Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread Casserole is one of the family’s favorite holiday side dishes. I learned it from a friend who grew up in Louisiana while we were still in the Army and living in Upstate New York. Since then this cornbread casserole has became a staple dish in our holiday menu.
INGREDIENTS : (everything in 2′s)
2 cans corn
2 cans creamed corn
2 boxes corn muffin mix
2 bricks softened cream cheese
Hot & Sour Soup For The Cold (And Winter)
Chicken noodles soup is supposedly the soup that ails cold and sneezing and all that jazz. But my husband and I prefer the Japanese Hot & Sour soup. It’s actually my husband’s favorite soup and lucky for him, I make a mean Hot & Sour soup.
When we went through the cycle of cold last month, Hubs and I were the 3rd and 4th recipient of it. At the same time. I asked my husband if he wanted soup at one point. He thought I was going to suggest a can of Campbell’s Chicken noodle soup so he didn’t seem enthusiastic about it. When I said “hot and sour soup” it quickly piqued his interest and said “that sounds really good”. So I made some.
Sweet Potato Pie
Just in time for Thanksgiving, here’s a sweet potato pie recipe from me. I actually made the pies last month(October). It was my first time so in way I was practicing for Thanksgiving. I was able to make 2 pies and they both turned out really good. Down to the crusts, which were the best crusts I’ve ever made in my baking career .
I’m just really bad at crimping the edges though. No matter how many times my husband has shown me how to do it, I just can’t pinch them perfectly. I cheat by using a fork.
Before we get to the filling, here’s how I make my crust. It’s the same crust I use for my apple pie. I’ve posted this recipe at Forks.ca so I’m just going to post it here too.
Double-Crust Pie Pastry:
2 cups of flour
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup shortening
4-6 tablespoons ice water
In a mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or a fork, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal
Sprinkle water over flour mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with a fork, just until pastry holds together. Wrap the ball of pastry with saran wrap tightly then put it in the fridge for an hour or so. Or overnight if you plan to bake the next day.
Work on the filling….
7 Layer Dip For Tortilla Chips
I made this 7 Layer Dip for the Halloween Party this past Halloween at my Brother-in-Law’s house. I know a few people who would make this dip very basic. You’d probably find the same basic recipe online too. The ground beef is browned, seasoned with salt & pepper, then the oil is drained before layering it first on the bottom of a pan. My 7 Layer dip is not quite like that. I treat my beef special . I add something more besides just salt and pepper.
Baked Tilapia With Balsamic Vinegar Onions Sherry and Tomato Sauce
I found these 2 good looking whole tilapias from Walmart Supercenter for about $7. I planned on grilling them sometime but we ran out of gas so I decided to bake and make a dressing/sauce to match.
The tilapias were already scaled and gutted so I didn’t have to do that dirty part of cooking the fish. Whewww.
My New Pampered Chef Goodies
I ordered my Pampered Chef goodies from my sister-in-law’s party back in August but I didn’t get them until last Halloween. I’ve waited patiently for these goodies and I’m so happy I finally have them. I love Pampered Chef. A bit expensive but the quality is better than anything out there.
Springfoam Pan. A good pan for making cheesecakes, tortes and deep dish pizzas. Oooh. The bottom is glass.
