Lusting for more Leftovers!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not eat leftovers. period. They never taste the same and I HATE eating the same thing a few nights in a row......except for Thanksgiving leftovers! I could eat that meal over and over for a week...and usually do! This year I decided to use those leftovers and make new dishes with them....and boy am I glad I did! Check out these tasty treats, all courtesy of Sunny Anderson:

First up: Second Day Turkey and String Bean Pot Pies: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/second-day-turkey-and-string-bean-pot-pies-recipe/index.html This were simple and so delicious! The crust was a little mushy on the bottom of the pies, so maybe a refrigerator pie crust would be better, but it was very good as is!

Next up was the Second Day Fried Stuffing with Cranberry Pesto: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/second-day-fried-stuffing-bites-with-cranberry-sauce-pesto-recipe/index.html. These were to die for! Simple, delicious and just goodness in a bite! Don't tell anyone, but Mom and I ate the whole pan of them...and nothing else...for dinner last night! The pesto itself was so fabulous, that I made an extra batch to just have on hand to use for sandwiches or on toast another day!!

Lastly was Cream of Asparagus Soup: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cream-of-asparagus-soup-recipe/index.html I tried this one to use up all the pieces of asparagus that I didn't use for my bacon-wrapped asparagus on Turkey Day. It was so simple, but it had SO much flavor! I did have to strain it because my blender didn't break down all of the strings, but regardless, this one will definitely be used again!

Thanks again to Sunny Anderson for her inspiration on these recipes... She is quickly becoming one of my favorite Food Network chefs! Case in point...these leftover recipes! It made me look forward to leftovers....not an easy feat! Hope you enjoy trying these for yourselves!

Many Thanks!

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE day of the year....Family, friends, favorite foods (pumpkin pie!) and football. Things I am grateful for this year: a job, a roof over my head, money to have a great Thanksgiving feast, my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, and a great sous chef to help me in the kitchen---thanks Mom!

This year's food spread included all the normal favorites: Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, bacon-wrapped asparagus, cranberries, rolls and, of course, pumpkin and apple pies. To kick it up a notch, my gravy was a Chipotle Gravy:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/pressed-herbs-and-spices-turkey-breast-pumpkin-zucchini-muffin-stuffin-with-chipotle-gravy-recipe/index.html and a new Sweet Potato recipe that tasted more like a sweet potato pie! http://www.parade.com/food/recipes/parade/11152009-best-chefs-perfect-thanksgiving.html?index=2 Both received rave reviews!

I hope everyone had a lovely Turkey Day with their families. Check out my photo of the spread....don't I look like I am posing for a cookbook cover?? Stay tuned for recipes on how to use all those leftovers! Enjoy!

Fiesta!

Here's a weird fact about me you may not know: I am not a fan of Mexican food! I do not believe in throwing anything in a tortilla and calling it Mexican, or making something hot for the sake of being hot.....I do however love anything with chipoltes, chorizo or guacamole. My Mexi-Cali tastes were the inspiration for this week's football menu. Take at look at these tasty treats and just try to not crave a margarita!

Mexican Potato Skin Bites: This one I have made before and it was such a hit it was requested again. Super easy and a croud pleaser! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/mexican-potato-skin-bites-recipe/index.html

note: you will need at least TWICE the chorizo this calls for.

Corn with Chipotle-Cilantro Butter: A lot of folks were scared of the this butter, but you can make it as mild or as hot as you like. I have made this multiple times and whether I grill the corn, or boil it like I did yesterday, it's always easy and delicious!http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/grilled-corn-skewers-with-chipotle-cilantro-butter-recipe/index.html

Barbacoa Tacos: I have a confession.....this recipe was a complete accident! The night before my mexican feast, my sister and I sent my nephew and his girlfriend to the store to get the largest pork butt they could find. Well, there was none, so they asked the butcher and he said he would special cut one for them. Somehow the communication broke down and they came home with a 6 lb. RUMP roast! So, change of plans! Instead of pulled pork tacos, it became shredded spicy beef tacos, also known as Barbacoa. It took a little longer to cook than pork, but boy was it worth the wait! Make sure to serve them with all the toppings: salsa, limes, cilantro, cheese, sour cream.....http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pulled-pork-tacos-00000000008021/index.html

Want that margarita yet????

A hit and a miss

OK, not really a miss, but maybe a tie....not exciting, but not disappointing. This week I made a recipe from the Rachel Ray collection I have growing in my recipe binder......Mac n Cheese Jalapeno Poppers. Sounds great right?! Two favorites in one bite! Well, not so much. I have to say, they were just OK. For all the prepping of the peppers- thanks Mark!- and making the cheese sauce, the final product was a little lacking in the excitement category. Here is the recipe for you though, in case you want to make your own call on this one!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/mac-n-cheese-jalapeno-poppers/

Now, for the hit! This is a recipe my sister and I both saw on a Food Network show a few weeks ago. We both fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to make it! The next day, another sister emails me the recipe.....a sign it HAD to be made! There are many recipes for Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip out there, and they all are similar, and yes, they all taste JUST like eating a chicken wing! Well, thanks to Jan for trying this one out, not once, but THREE times this weekend! That's how much of a HIT it was! I put the last one together, so I can take at least part credit! :) By the way, it is SO simple and easy, it is sure to be a staple at football parties for years to come! Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/buffalo-chicken-dip-recipe/index.html

tip: serve with celery sticks, then it really tastes like the real thing!