Turkey Gravy

Once you start cooking turkey, you've got to master gravy. Over the years I felt I had been pretty successful at this task. However, every once in a while you would get a batch that wouldn't turn out. You know what that means; LUMPS. I usually guessed on the amount of rue to add and sometimes it would leave lumps, or I was adding more because it was still too thin.

Several years ago I was watching the Rachel Ray show and she showed how to make gravy by making the rue first. I had always added the rue at the end. Plus I used milk and flour whereas she used butter and flour. Since that day my gravy has turned out wonderful every time. It is so much easier. Now I know that anyone can do it. I will admit, that I sometime still guesstimate on

the amounts, but that's what cooking is all about. Have fun!

Turkey Gravy
Submitted by Barbie

Pour turkey drippings into measuring cup through a strainer.



Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in saucepan over medium heat.
Add 4 Tbsp. flour and mix with wooden spoon.



Let cook for one minute.



Stir in 2 cups turkey drippings (or any stock) and whisk together.



Turn heat to high.
Continue to whisk until boiling.



Immediately reduce heat to low.
For thinner consistency, add more drippings.

How to Prepare a Turkey

When I was first married I wanted to know how to make a turkey. So I consulted two different sources. The Betty Crocker cookbook and my mom. The cookbook gave me a good base, but mom always knows the little tricks to make it better. I still have my notes from our phonecall written in my cookbook. With a little confidence, this became one of my favorite meals to make. It's so easy and so good.

How to prep and prepare a turkey

submitted by Barbie

Start thawing frozen turkey about 4 days before event in the fridge.
If it is still somewhat frozen, place it in a sink full of cold water.
Remove the neck from one end and the giblets from the cavity.
Rinse inside and out with cold water.
Spray roasting pan with non stick cooking spray. I put turkey on a rack.
Place turkey breast side up into pan.
Place an apple in the neck.



Place one stick of butter in the cavity.
Spray turkey with non stick cooking spray.
Season as desired. I use Mrs. Dash and season salt.



Turn turkey over so the breast is down.
Repeat with spray and seasonings.
Pour one can of chicken broth (or turkey stock) into pan.
Cover completely with foil.



Place in oven that is preheated to 300 degrees.
Cook about 20 minutes per pound.
Take foil off the last hour to brown the turkey.

Spaghetti Squash

Last year I made this for the first time at our back to school dinner. It was so easy. You just need to plan ahead because it takes a while to cook. I love that we eat less pasta now because this is so much healthier.

Spaghetti Squash

submitted by Barbie

1 medium spaghetti squash washed, halved lengthwise, and seeds removed

2 c. marinara

2 Tbsp. parsley

2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

Pierce the outside of each half of the squash a few times with a fork. Place the squash cut side down on the baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, until very tender when tested with a fork. Allow to cool slightly.

While the squash is baking, warm the pasta sauce.

Using the tines of a fork, rake the spaghetti-like threads of the squash into a mixing bowl. Discard the skin. Pour the hot pasta sauce over the squash adn toss gently. Garnish with the parsley and cheese.

Turkey pot pie

I have been making this for a long time. It is quick and easy and the kids can make it themselves. Once I bought a fresh one at Costco and the kids still like this one better. Go figure.

Turkey pot pie
submitted by Barbie

1 pkg. pie crusts
3 c. turkey, diced
14 oz. pkg. frozen veggies (I use peas and corn)
2 cans cream of chicken soup


Thaw veggies under water in a strainer.
Combine chicken and soup, then add veggies.
Place one pie crust in pie pan.
Pour filling into unbaked crust.
Place other crust on top.
Make slits in crust.
Brush with beaten egg yolk (opt.)
Bake at 375 for 35-45 min.

Taco Chicken Bake

Tonight I made a delicious chicken dish I wanted to share. I am a working mom so I love anything that is quick but also healthy and delicious (a lot to ask for sometimes). So tonight I found an awesome recipe on www.safeway.com (I don't know how to do a link Barb will teach me).

Chicken Taco Bake
submitted by Ally

Ingredients:
4 boneless/skinless chkn breasts
1/4 C fat free mayonnaise
2 tsp taco seasoning
1/4 C crushed tortilla chips
Cheese as much as desired

Recipe:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Wrap chicken in plastic wrap and pound with a mallet until flattened
in a separate bowl mix mayo with taco seasoning.
Place chicken breasts in a shallow foil lined (spray foil with Pam) baking dish. Spread dressingmixture over the chicken.
Press crushed tortilla chips on top of chicken
Then drizzle desired amount of cheese on top.
Bake for 15-20 min. or until chicken is cooked all the way through.
Serve with salsa if desired.

I paired it with rice and green beans and everyone loved it!!! The pics really don't
do it justice. I need a better camera!!!!

My Kiddos

I am so excited we are doing this blog. I know that this will be one more way for us to share our lives together and also share with our kids. I love you guys!!!--Ally

Sunshine Potatoes

I wanted this to be the first recipe I shared. This comes from my sister-in-law, Virginia, who passed away in 2004. This is a favorite of all the Holt family. How can you go wrong with that much butter and milk and cheese. Every New Year's we celebrate with the Holt's and we serve ham and sunshine potatoes. I think of Virginia every time, and wish that she were making them.



SUNSHINE POTATOES
submitted by Barbie

1 PKG. frozen hash browns
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cube melted butter
1 (16 oz) sour cream
2 c. grated cheese
1/4 c. milk
3 diced green onions
1 box corn flake crumbs

Thaw potatoes. Stir together soup, butter, sour cream, cheese, milk and onions. Stir potatoes into mixture. Spread in 9X13 inch sprayed pan. Sprinkle with corn flake crumbs. Bake at 350̊ for 30-45 minutes.