The Chew and Clinton's Potato Salad

I love The Chew.  I have watched every show and have even protected some of them on the DVR so Charlie doesn't erase them.  If you watch, you would know the ones.  Jo Beth Williams, the relay race, Momma T and most recently Olivia Newton John.

I laugh so much while watching it that I can't help but be in a good mood.  And I generally watch it at 4:00 in the morning.  It makes my day!

I try so many of their recipes and we have loved them all.  I will admit that I don't usually try Daphne's although she has had one or two that looked good.  And I wish her the very best as she moves back home.  If I had to tell her anything, it would be focus on the goal and you can get through anything.

Here's my latest addition from The Chew:

Clinton Kelly's Potato Salad

You can find Clinton's recipe by clicking on the link above.  We didn't have any corn, which is absolutely unbelievable in this house but what can I say.  I can image how good it will be with the added crunch and sweetness of the corn.

This dish comes together to fast and is so good.  I even ate some for breakfast yesterday.

We made sandwiches too. A little different than the one Clinton made.  Although I do plan on making his.  Mango chutney sounds so awesome.  Our sandwich was a mix of a panini and a club.  Once again we used artichoke pesto and cesar dressing on the bread.  A mix of ham, turkey, bacon and swiss cheese topped with tomato and onion.  Press it into a press and Yum.  Coupled with Clinton's potato salad and you have yourself a meal.  It was scrumptious.

Try it today.  You will love it!

And try watching The Chew.  You will love it too.

Live, Laugh, Love,

Karen and Charlie

Bacon

Remember the commercial where the dog runs around the house and he is thinking 'Bacon, Bacon, Bacon'.  That's how I feel sometimes!  I love the stuff.

Baking it in the oven is now my rule.  I saw it on a Food Network show and haven't looked back.  It's way too easy and there is very little mess.  You just throw it on a wire rack over a baking sheet with rims to catch the grease, 375 for about 30 minutes.  Check it for doneness, some like it crispy and others not so much.

But wait, there's more!  My favorite thing is to cut the bacon slices into thirds, then toss them in a mixture of brown sugar and red pepper flakes.  Oh My Gosh.  It's like heaven in your mouth.

You take a bite and it's so sweet and then, it gets you on the back of your tongue.  Like wow, that's flavor.

Think of the possibilities.  It's a great snack.  Good crumbled on ice cream.  Yes, you know it is.  Throw some on a salad.  Or you could make sandwiches.

BLTs are a staple around here.  I usually throw some turkey on mine and a few onions.  I wonder when it stops being a blt and has to have another name?

Plus we've been making sliders recently, which are great for portion control!  If you haven't seen it yet, Rhodes has some warm and serve rolls that are terrific.  And the perfect size for sliders. 

Back to the Bacon.  The turkey offsets the sweet and spiciness of the candied bacon making this...the perfect sandwich.  You should try it very soon.  Yes, you should!

So Good!

Live, Laugh, Love!

Karen and Charlie

Martha Mondays - Turkey Pot Pie

This week's pick for Martha Mondays was chosen by Sarah at Sassy Suppers.  We needed to post how we used Thanksgiving leftovers with a little Martha flair, of course.

This year  Charlie and I scaled it down a bit so we didn't have alot of leftover side dishes, thank goodness.  We did have a decent amount of ham and turkey, even though we only made a turkey breast.  I made turkey club sandwiches, a ham and cheese frittata and turkey pot pies.

I didn't eat a club sandwich that was inspired by some of Martha's Sandwiches and Charlie said it was delicious.  I did eat some of the frittata and it was so, so, so good.  Did you get that...you can get the recipe here.  This is how it looks...

I'm so glad there is some of this left for breakfast tomorrow morning.

Now on to the next best thing. 

I have to tell you a secret first. 

I've never made a potpie before.  Charlie thought it would be the best way to use up a good amount of the turkey.  I looked at several different recipes and most had the same ingredients but I ventured out on my own.  In other words, I used what I had in my fridge and pantry and came up with this.

Turkey Potpie

Taste of Home

1 cup cubed peeled potato

1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots

1/3 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onions

3 tablespoon butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup cubed turkey

1/2 cup frozen peas - thawed

3/4 cup canned corn

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon tarragon

1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Store bought pie crust or your favorite

Saute potatoes, carrots, celery and onions in butter.

Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.

Stir in broth, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes.

Combine flour and milk in separate bowl.

Add to veggies slowly, stirring while you are adding.

Bring to a boil.

Cook and stir until thickened.

Add remaining ingredients.

Cook until everything is warmed through.

I used store bought crust.  You can use your favorite but I suck at pie crust.  And isn't the first step of recovery, admitting that you have a problem. 

Prep your bowl, fit crust inside then fill will hot turkey mixture.  Add crust to the top and seal edges.  Cut slits in top crust.

It is luscious.  Thanks Sarah.  I enjoyed trying something new.

Weekly Menu

Do you make a menu for the upcoming week?  I used to.  I’m not sure what happened but I haven’t in a while and really need to get back into it.  Especially since the holidays are always so rushed and the stress level at work seems to be at an all time high. 

I would like to avoid going to the grocery store because it is a chore for me.  Many people like it.  I have a friend who says it’s the only time she doesn’t have her gets with her so she gets a Starbucks, strolls leisurely down the aisles and thinks of it as her ‘me’ time.  But that ain’t me babe.  If I can get Charlie to go, I love it.  And he usually does.  I love him for that!

Charlie likes Sam’s Club.  We do almost all of our shopping there.  Okay, Okay, He does almost all of our shopping there.  Since it is just the two of us at home now, we always have a full freezer due to the large sizes you have to buy.  I look at it as an advantage though because the prices are good and we just freeze them in dinner size portions.  If one of the kids happen to pop in, we take out two.

Dinner Menu Madness

Saturday – Turkey Pot Pie (using Thanksgiving Leftovers)

Sunday – Ham Fritatta (using Thanksgiving Leftovers)

Monday -  Kentucky Hot Browns

Tuesday – Hamburgers

Wednesday – Pork Chops with Au Gratin Potatoes

Thursday – Korean Beef and Fried Rice