Chicken or Turkey Tetrazzini

Chicken or Turkey Tetrazzini

 

Printable Version 

 

This recipe comes from a book called Mother's In The Kitchen.   I purchased it almost 34 years ago when I was attending LaLeche League meetings with my firstborn.  It is a collection of recipes from different LaLeche League members around the country.  This one was submitted by Marilyn Braun from Huntsville, Alabama.  I hadn't made this in a long time and had forgotten how much I like it. 8 oz. Spaghetti broken in 2" pieces 3/4 c. canned sliced mushrooms, drained but save liquid 4 T butter 3 T. chopped onion 1/2 tsp.  celery salt or 1/2 cup chopped celery dash of cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. marjoram ( optional) 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 tall can evaporated milk ( 1  2/3 cups) 2 T. chopped pimento ( 1 small jar) 2 cups cooked turkey or chicken ( We like a lot of meat so I use an entire rotisserie chicken) 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup sherry ( optional) Cook spaghetti according to directions on box.  Melt butter and saute onion.  Add seasoning and mushroom liquid.  Blend in soup and stir until smooth.  Gradually add the evaporated milk stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. In large bowl mix spaghetti, mushrooms, pimento, and turkey or chicken.  Pour in sauce and mix.  Pour into loaf pan or 13" x 9" pan.  Top with cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven until it bubbles- about 30 min. You can make this up a day or so ahead of time and keep in refrigerator.  It can also be doubled and frozen or divided into smaller casseroles.

Babies Don't Keep

http://www.wifeysinger.com/2013/05/love-mama-series-andrea-jenkins.html?

 I love the article in the link above.  It is SO very true!  I didn't work at all for the first year of my children's lives.  Then I worked two days a week.  The time flew by and now I have four grandchildren.  As Cher's famous song says " If I Could Turn Back Time".  It is a balancing act though.  We have to cook , clean, do laundry , bookkeeping etc. but we should savor so many moments more and not rush to the next trivial job.  Which is more important, playing a Facebook game, or reading to your child?  I've done better as a grandmother.  I lay down with them sometimes, read books, snuggle, etc.  but I have the luxury of getting my " work" done when they aren't around. I think that's why I've turned into such a shutterbug.  I try to capture those moments and treasure them.  I started a journal right before Adam was born, almost 34 years ago.  I LOVE looking back on little things I would have forgotten such as when he discovered his heart beat.  I'm not as good at keeping a journal about the grandkids.  I have two blogs and a nice new blank journal Adam gave me for Mother's Day last year.  I better get with it!

Hidden Valley Original Ranch Cheddar Chicken

I've been very busy since my 92 year old mom fell and broke her pelvis last September.  That's why you haven't seen many blog posts.  I hope I get to return to blogging more often.  For right now, I'll give you this quick and easy recipe.  I made it a couple of weeks ago.  My neighbor walked in the house and wanted to know what we were having that smelled SO good!  It tastes as good as it smells!

Original Ranch Cheddar Chicken 


Click here for a printable version.

1 1/2 cups Hidden Valley Original Rance Dressing ( I use the light)

1 Tbsp flour

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ( I use Cabot's Seriously Sharp Cheddar)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix together dressing and four.  Coat each chicken breast with mixture.  Arrange on a baking sheet.  I line my sheet with heavy duty foil and spray with PAM.  Combine both cheeses and sprinkle over chicken breasts.  Bake 25 min. or til juices run clear, and serve.

Scallops Pesto with Vermicelli

Click here to print recipe

Scallops Pesto with Vermicelli

This recipe came out of Cooking for 2 in the Fall 2007 edition.  It was submitted by Marilyn Lustgarten of Wentzville, Missouri. Andy and I loved it.  It was quick and easy.  Not too high in calories and made the house smell wonderful! 4 ounces uncooked vermicelli 2 Tbs. butter 1/2 tsp garlic powder ( I used the jarred minced garlic and used about a tsp.) 1/4 tsp. oregano 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/2 lb. bay scallops 2 Tbsp. white wine or chicken broth ( I found it to be a good excuse to open a bottle of wine to drink while cooking) 3 Tbsp. prepared pesto Cook vermicelli according to package directions and drain.  Meanwhile, in large skillet, melt butter.  Stir in the garlic, oregano and pepper.  Add scallops and wine or broth; cook an d stir over medium heat for 5-6 min. until scallops are firm and opaque. Reduce heat to low.  Stir in pesto; heat through.  Toss vermicelli into pan, toss and make sure it is heated through. A 1 1/4 cup serving equals 536 calories, 24 grams of fat, 76 mg. cholesterol, 481 mg. sodium, 47 carbs, 3 gms. fiber, 31 gm. protein. Now to get to sewing!  I have two orders to fill today plus a pile of things I need to mend or embroidery to give as gifts.  I also want to make one of the kitchen towels with scripture for myself!  I have loved making those and everyone that has used them has said they love them.  So it's about time I get to use one for myself!

Fall Designs & Pumpkin Bread

  Fall.  Bleh.  I love the colors and flavors.  I like the decreasing humidity and the slightly cooler temps and the end of yard work.  I do NOT like the feeling of impending doom.  I am not a fan of heavy clothes, coats, shoes, frost, snow, ice etc.  I like shorts and sandals, the beach, no coats, being able to walk outside without freezing and being encumbered by clothes.  

 

To add to that, fall means I have to return to work.  I used to work full time as a school nurse.  Now I've been blessed to do it only as a substitute which means I can make my own schedule.  Since we still need the income, that translates into me working as much as possible.  I'd rather be home cooking and sewing.  Even when I had a year round job and my children were young, I still didn't like fall.  Some parents like sending their children back to school but I liked having mine home and setting my own schedule.

 

I do love fall colors though.  They are so vibrant.  Nan's Nappies has some really cute fall designs that could look adorable on your child's shirt, onesie, burp cloth or blanket.  There are also beautiful designs for towels and adult shirts.  Click on the following links to check out the designs that are shown on Nan's Nappies Shutterfly share page:

School Daze

Back to School

Harvest Happenings

Back to School Critters 

Split Back to School ( names are not included, I can add your child's name in the font you choose)

 

Or what about these cute little designs on a shirt or bag?   You can choose the font or saying to be "written" on the "paper".

The one above is also applique' so the apple & leaves, heart and I will be filled with fabrics of your color choice.

Backpacks are another school necessity and I have added some names to some.  I have around 500 fonts from which to choose so your child's bag can be unique. I have over 100 colors of thread from which to choose also. 

  

   

Some don't want their child's name on the pack but a monogram or unique saying will set their pack apart from the rest.

 

 

 Now, for another thing I love about fall.  Pumpkin.  I love pretty much anything pumpkin.  One of our family favorites is Pumpkin Bread.  I make it all year round.  I teach 4 & 5 year old ( Pre-K & K) Sunday School and take pumpkin bread in as a snack fairly often.  Even the really picky ones will resist it at first, then they ask for seconds and even thirds!  I haven't had even one turn it down yet.  It is so moist and goes really well with some cream cheese or just plain.  Here's my recipe:

 

 Click here to print recipe

Pumpkin Bread

In large bowl mix together the following ingredients then set aside.

4 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3 tsp. salt

In  your large mixer bowl, mix together:

1 large ( 29 oz) can pumpkin ( not pumpkin pie mix but plain)

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 1/2 cups sugar

6 eggs

As mixer is going, gradually ass the flour mixture.  Mix till well blended.

Pour into three greased 9" loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 min or until toothpick comes out clean.  After 10 min. dump the loaves onto a cooling rack.  When well cooled, wrap and refrigerate.  I often use heavy duty foil to wrap each loaf and then freeze.  Another way I wrap them is with Glad Press N Seal and then put several loaves inside a gallon size freezer bag.  Even after months in the freezer, you can thaw it and it won't taste like it's been frozen!

I often make mini loaves instead of the big loaves.  I have 6" mini pans and 4". I fill them around 2/3 full.  Both of those only take 40 - 45 min. to bake.

Was it God or Coincidence?

I've been reading Anne Graham Lotz's book Just Give Me Jesus.  In Chapter 13 she asks if there are things that God has done to let us know He is alive and present that I've said were coincidence.  I hope not.  I try to always acknowledge that God is in control.  I often hear people say " You were lucky!"  I don't think it's luck.  This past weekend I had plenty of reminders that God is alive and was definitely present.

Friday night was quiet and relaxing.  My husband, Andy, and I were on X-Box Live playing BF3 with our friend, Kevin.  Kevin, happens to work with our son, Adam, and son-in-law, Ryan.  My cell phone needed charging earlier so I had it plugged in over by my TV.  At 9:20 PM it started ringing.  I could see that it was Cheryl, my son-in-laws mom.  The game we were playing was about 2 minutes from being over.  I knew that by the time I got my head set off and got over to the phone, it would be done ringing.  That was exactly what happened.  Then Andy's phone started ringing.  He thought I was calling Cheryl back so he didn't answer.  Cheryl immediately called me back before I could even start dialing her number.  She told me that Adam had been in a terrible dirt bike accident and was being airlifted.

  Adam, our 32 year old son, was riding his dirt bike on a farm owned by his friend, John's, parents.  John also lives on the farm and tills the land.  John's mother, Renee', used to work with Clark, Cheryl's husband.  As most people, Adam didn't have ICE ( in case of emergency) by any numbers in his phone, and had everyone listed by name, not title such as Mom, Dad, sister, etc.  Since I'm remarried, and Adam's sister is married, we don't share the same last name with Adam.  Renee, knew that Cheryl and Clark were connected and called them.  Cheryl gave us Renee's number and Andy called.  I was too upset.  Renee put an EMT on the phone with Andy.  Andy heard Adam in the background asking him if he was talking to Andy.  They told us they were airlifting him and the other victim to PRMC.

 Andy and I changed clothes and headed to the hospital immediately.  I called our pastor and left a message on his answering machine. Andy alerted our associate pastor and the elders of our church. 

As we drove up to the hospital, we saw the helicopters circling.  Andy dropped me off at the ER door and went to park the car.  I turned, and there was our pastor, Jason.  When we all finally got back to see Adam, this is what we found.

  That is dried blood all over his face and his hair was matted with blood.  I kissed him anyway.

The blood was coming from this 2+ inch gash on the crown of his head.  Heads bleed like crazy.

His left radius had a compound fracture.

A loose left front tooth and a number of chipped teeth on the upper left side of his mouth as well as very bruised lips.  He also has a small fracture of his left transverse process of his C6.  His neck muscles hurt so much.  The soft neck collar helps relieve some of that pain.

We don't really know all of the details.  Both of the injured people have no memory.  Here is what we do know.  Adam worked 1/2 day Friday.  When he came home, he was working on his lawn mower that evening when he received a call from his friend, John, inviting him to come to the farm and ride dirt bikes.  John and Adam have a mutual friend, Chad, who was there also.  Chad's wife , Jamie, and their children were there as well.  Adam has his own dirt bike.  Chad got on John's dirt bike.  John rode a Four Wheeler and had Chad's 8 year old son with him.  The dirt bikes were going faster than the 4 Wheeler .  Somehow, we think that Adam and Chad hit head on.  The damage to the bikes indicates a head on collision.  Maybe Adam went ahead and turned around to come back and they didn't see each other?  No one knows.  Since John and the 8 year old were following, they came up on a terrible sight.  Adam and Chad were laying on the ground unconscious and covered in blood.  It scared John to death.  He , or someone, called 911.  The accident happened around 8:20PM.

Chad has broken ribs, a broken right humorous, broken right clavicle, and a cut on his right jaw line.

Adam was hyped up on adrenaline and morphine when we first saw him.  Occasionally he let down his guard and showed how scared he was.  He was around 3 weeks away from getting health insurance through his new job.  I assured him he has many who love him and will stand by him.

How do I see God's hand in this?  Well, lets start back in March.  He left his old job which treated him very poorly.  He couldn't find a job anywhere.  Our son-in-law,  told him that his place of employment had an opening and would love to have Adam especially since he has his CDL's.  Ryan's cousin, Ritchie, is the manager and his mom is my oldest and dearest friend so we've all known each other for a long time. The owner and his wife attend my parents church and Andy has done IT work for the company. Adam LOVES the job.  If Adam had still been at his old job, he would have just been a number and no one would have cared that he was missing work and pay.  Here, everyone knows and cares about him.  Instead of being out of work for six weeks, they are allowing him to ride with Ryan and help him.   Thank you Lord, for the job change. Just coincidence that he changed jobs over two months before this happened and had time to form a bond with his co-workers?

The air mattress.  Almost three months ago, we purchased a really nice air mattress. I kept telling Andy that we needed to inflate it to make sure it was okay and that we didn't need to send it back. It's been sitting unopened in it's storage bag in our living room so long that I didn't even notice it any longer.  Thursday evening I walked by it and it stood out to me.  I was impressed with the need to stop everything and inflate it right then to see how it works and if it worked properly. It did.  Lauren, our daughter, had said she had twin sheets we could have for the mattress but she had forgotten to give them to us.  When I blew up the mattress,  I remembered that we hadn't gotten the sheets and texted Lauren.  Friday morning she had to come to town and says she couldn't get the sheets off her mind and made a point of dropping them by our house.  Just coincidence right?  

My downstairs bath.  I honestly hadn't cleaned the downstairs bathtub in several months.  No one uses it except once a month we bathe the dogs in it.  Friday I just HAD to clean the downstairs bathroom thoroughly, right down the washing the rugs.  After three or more months, why did I just have to get it done that day?  Just coincidence. Or was it God saying that He knew what was going to happen and He was going to take care of the smallest details?

Adam had a clean bed to sleep on when he was discharged and a clean bathroom to take a shower.

As for his injuries, they had to put the bone back into place in his arm.  Fortunately, I saw the before and after x-rays.  Before, the bone was overlapping itself by 1"-2".  Thankfully , the doctor was able to do a closed reduction and applied a splint.  We'll go back to the orthopedic doctor tomorrow( Thursday) and see if he needs a cast.  They stapled the cut on his head.

With his loose front teeth, he couldn't bite anything so I made him a protein shake when we got back to our house at 4:30 AM.  It put him out like a bottle for a baby.

Andy got his prescription for pain medicine filled on Saturday.  Adam slept a lot at our house on Saturday.  Lauren and Ryan traveled to his house on Friday evening and again on Saturday morning to care for his dog, Maya. 

Our dog, Tommy stayed close by his side all day long as he dozed.  I made him spaghetti sauce to take home since that won't require biting.  

My biggest sign that God was present in all of this?  Adam is here, he's alive, and his injuries are ones from which he can heal.  He realizes that it could have all "been over" as he said.  I reminded him that it isn't really over when we die.  It's just the beginning of eternity.  So important to know where you are going to spend it.

Fresh Strawberry Dessert

My mom found this recipe years ago and I make it every year when strawberry season rolls around.  This year, I made up two packages of Dream Whip and spread it all over the top instead of adding the whipped cream each time we served it.  I shared some with our neighbors and they loved it.  I had a big piece for breakfast today!  I think it's okay to depart from a traditional healthy breakfast once in awhile, especially during strawberry season!

Click here to print recipe

Fresh Strawberry Dessert

Crust: 1 1/4 cups flour 1/2 cup butter ( not margarine) melted 3/4 cup chopped pecans In a mixing bowl, combine crust ingredients and press evenly in bottom of greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool. Filling: 1 cup butter ( not margarine) softened 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened 2 cups confectioners sugar 1 tsp. vanilla Cream butter, cream cheese, confectioners sugar and vanilla together til fluffy.  Spread over cooled crust.  Cover and chill. Glaze: 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. corn starch 1 cup water 3 Tbsp. strawberry jello ( regular, not sugar free) 2 tsp. lemon juice Two to three hours before serving, combine sugar and cornstarch in saucepan.  Stir in water.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly.  Cook two minutes longer, Remove from heat and stir in jello and lemon juice,  Cool to lukewarm stirring occasionally. While this is cooling, slice two quarts of strawberries and arrange on top of filling.  Pour glaze over top trying to cover all berries,  Chill til firm, about two hours.  Serve with whipped cream. ******Alternate fruit filling- use a canned or homemade fruit pie filling such as blueberry or peach. If homemade, cook it as directed and cool to lukewarm before spreading over filling.  If this is used, you will not use the layer of fresh fruit or the glaze.