Stuffing Waffles with Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

We have wild turkeys all over.  

We have so much to be thankful for.

My sister and her family celebrated Thanksgiving early this year.  You see, Claire, her daughter (my niece), will be receiving a bone marrow transplant at the end of this month.  Here is her story, if you are interested.http://courageforclaire.blogspot.com/2015/11/day-7-wbc-3.html?spref=fb

Anyway, with her leftovers, she made waffles out of stuffing.

I know!

Why have I never done this before?

I went out and got a box of Stovetop Cornbread stuffing (don't judge - I usually make homemade, but this was an experiment.)  I had a half of a Costco rotisserie chicken.  I had leftover mashed potatoes.  I had cranberry sauce.  I frequently made fast cheater gravy.  I was set.

It was so good!  

If you are vegetarian, substitute the chicken or turkey for mushrooms.  Sauté them first, and make the gravy with them.  It should be lovely.

Here is what I did.

Stuffing Waffles with Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy

4 cups (about) of leftover stuffing - I used cornbread

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

mashed potatoes

leftover chicken or turkey

gravy - leftover or quick gravy (I'll put the recipe at the end)

cranberry sauce 

Get every thing ready.  Warm the potatoes, heat the gravy and add the turkey/chicken/or mushrooms to the gravy.

Heat your waffle iron.

Put the stuffing in a large bowl.  To the stuffing, add the eggs and milk.  Mix it up. It should be moist.  If you need to, add more milk.

To the hot waffle iron, add a dollop (about 1/2 cup) to each section.  Cook until hot and crispy.

Put the waffle on a plate.  Pile on a scoop of potatoes and the hot gravy with cranberries on the side.

Eat it up.

The perfect bite

Quick Gravy

2 cups hot water

1 Tablespoon chicken or beef stock (I like Better than Bouillon)

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

*mushrooms (for vegetarian version)

*1/4 cup butter (for vegetarian version)

*2 cups vegetable stock (for vegetarian version)

*If making vegetarian gravy, sauté the mushrooms in an extra 1/4 cup of butter until brown. Remove from pan.  Proceed as for the meat gravy, substituting the vegetable broth and adding the mushrooms at the end.*

Mix the hot water and the chicken or beef stock.  

This is a gravy whisk.

I love my gravy whisk.

In a deep sauté pan, melt the butter.  When the butter is melted, whisk in the flour to make a roux.  Cook the roux for a minute or two, until it turns golden.

Whisking continuously, add the chicken or beef stock.  Keep stirring until the gravy thickens - it won't take very long.

To the thickened gravy, add milk and pepper (it doesn't usually need salt, but I don't like gravy super salty.  Do your own thing.)

To this gravy, you can add chicken, turkey, sausage or hamburger.  It is great over biscuits or mashed potatoes.

There you go. 

Stuffed Shells and sautéed spinach

My life is one big chaos-filled roller coaster on a track of house-induced stress.

PoppaH has been in sunny California since July.  He has his dream job at Google to entertain him. I get to take care of the kiddos, dogs, chickens, lawn, sew a bunch of costumes for the high school play (I already commuted to it), fix up the house, sell it (in a very slow market), pack and drive across country to reunite the fam-damn-ily.

Easy.

Anyone want to buy my house?  Not kidding.

I have not been cooking as much as usual.

Last night, however, I did. I had been seeing a stuffed shells recipe flitting about the Internet.  Cravings ensued.  Here is my version.

Stuffed Shells

*these measurements don't need to be exact*

1 box (1 pound) box of jumbo shells

1 1/2 pound loose sweet Italian sausage

1 quart (4 cups, or close to this amount) marinara sauce

2 cups (or close to it) ricotta cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 egg

2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Cook shells according to the directions on the box.  If you make your own shells, I bow to you.  Why are you reading my recipe?  You are a superior being.

Drain shells and rinse with cold water.

Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat until it is cooked completely.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, egg and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.  Mix in 1 cup of the marinara sauce and the cooked sausage.  (save the pan without washing if you are going to cook the spinach)

Pour 1 cup of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan (I actually used a larger baking pan and it filled it)

Spoon about 2 Tablespoon of the cheese mixture into each shell to fill them.  Place each shell into your baking pan and repeat until you have filled all the shells and used up all the mixture.

Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the filled shells. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the shells.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

We like it served with sautéed spinach.  Here is how to make that.

Sautéed Spinach

16 ounce bag of raw spinach

1 Tablespoon of olive oil, bacon fat, or use the pan from the sausage

salt

balsamic vinegar

About 10 minutes before the shells are done, heat a skillet and oil )or fat of choice) over medium high heat.

Add half the spinach.  Sprinkle with salt.  I use Himalayan pink salt in a grater - about 3 grates.

Cook, turning frequently, until wilted.  Add the rest of the spinach, continuing to turn, until it is all wilted.

Add a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Eat your spinach!

Fruit buckle

It's been a long while since I posted.

I know, I know.

I have a lot going on right now.  The biggest thing is that we are moving back to California.  PappaH is already on his way to start his new job.  I get to stay here in CT and deal with the house and packing and moving and re homing the chickens and all of the other stuff.  Then, I'll load up the car with the kiddos and dogs and drive across the country.

 Again.

I'll miss CT, but am looking forward (kind of) to new adventures.

Anyway, berries and fruit are in season!  Perhaps you went berry picking and don't know what to make with all the extras.  

This is a great cake like item.  It is called a buckle.  Pretend a cake and a cobbler fell in love.  This buckle would be their love child.  It is great for snacking or dessert or even breakfast.

Lovely.

Just top it with a little sweetened creme fraiche or yogurt or ice cream or even squirty whipped cream and - voila!

Fruit Buckle

1/2 cup softened butter

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cup whole milk

4 cups flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

2 pounds fruit (I used nectarines and blueberries)

1 Tablespoon lemon zest 

Preheat oven to 376 F.  Grease or butter a 13x9 baking dish.

Place the prepared fruit in a large bowl (you know, peel and chop peaches or hull strawberries - use your own judgement - but the pieces need to be bite size) and toss with the lemon zest.  Set aside.

In another large bowl, add the butter and sugar.  Beat until it is combined.  Add the eggs, salt, vanilla and milk.  Continue to beat until combined.  Add the flour and baking powder and mix to combine.  It should be a fairly thick batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.  Place the fruit on top and gently push into the batter.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Eat it up.

Sewing, sewing, sewing

I like trying new things.

Always have.

I really like doing things with my hands.  It makes me feel good.

I just got done doing costumes for the play Tartuffe which was/is performed at our local high school.  I did all the costumes.  All.  The.  Costumes.

In 3 1/2 weeks.

I was busy.

They are going to competition with the play this weekend. I hope it goes well.  They are great kids.

Recently I made a fabric kiddo stove for pretend play.  I have actually sold a few.  It even prompted me to make a Facebook page for my handcrafted stuff.  You can check it out here.

https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllGoodProduct?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

 What do you think?

I like the fabric stuff because it's not plastic.  Yep.  I said it.  I don't like all the plastic toys.  But, I'm 54 so I don't have to play with them if I don't want to.

Anyhow, just wanted to share my latest creation.

Cauliflower Soup

It is February.  In Connecticut.  It is cold.

It.  Is.  Cold.

Okay.  Let's talk soup.  I like soup.  I make soup.  My family likes soup.  I like cauliflower soup.  I think the world would like cauliflower soup if everyone would just try it.

This is a pretty easy recipe.  Don't be afraid.  If you are vegetarian or vegan, just skip the bacon and Parmesan (or substitute for vegan/vegetarian options) and substitute unsweetened almond milk.  See...easy.

Cauliflower Soup

2 large head cauliflower, chopped into florets

1 large yellow onion, chopped - about 2 cups

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil

2 cups whole milk OR unsweetened almond milk

4 cups vegetable OR chicken broth

2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

8 strips bacon, cooked and chopped for serving, optional (okay, fair disclosure, I always cook up the entire package because every time anyone in the house walks by, they grab a piece of bacon.  I know.)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

sriracha sauce, optional

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium high heat and add the onion.  Saute the onion until it is soft and starting to brown.  Add the garlic, stirring frequently, until the onion has a lot of color and the garlic smells like glory and all that is right with the world.  This is only going to take about 10 minutes total.

Fill a large pot with a couple of inches of water and the salt.  Bring the water to a boil, add the cauliflower, cover and cook until the florets are soft when poked with a fork, about 5-6 minutes.  Don't drain.

Add the sautéed onion, garlic, steamed cauliflower with the cooking water, milk, broth and pepper to a blender, working in batches.  Blend each batch until completely smooth, creamy and soft.  Like clouds. Fluffy clouds that are warm and don't have snow in them.  Beautiful, warm, clouds.  *sigh*

Put the pureed soup back into the big pot and gently heat it to the desired temperature, stirring frequently.  Don't let it boil.

Stir in the Parmesan cheese, if using.

Serve the soup with the chopped bacon and sriracha sauce.

Why I'm angry

Almost exactly 2 years ago, I was in charge of an old fashioned Christmas Nativity for our ward party.  It was chaotic, touching, joyful, funny, spiritual and musical.  Everything anyone would want in an old fashioned nativity.  We had Mary and Joseph.  We had 3 wise men and their gifts and entourage - even a camel.  A huge set had been built with a stable and Bethlehem skyline and twinkly stars.  We had a donkey, an adventurous 8 year old to be the star. We had shepherds and many sheep.  The sheep had a tendency to “wander”, but it added to the charm.  And angels, we had many beautiful angels. At our dress rehearsal on Wednesday night, we were ready.  The costumes were distributed and worn, the songs were sung, thank you ornaments and candy canes were distributed from me to all the beautiful children.  The angels loved jumping off of the stage to “fly” with their wings, usually shouting at me, “Watch me, Sister Hawker!  I can fly!”  The performance was set for the coming Saturday morning with a wonderful ward brunch.  We were so excited!

This had been a difficult year.  We had just experienced hurricane Sandy, along with the power outages and clean-up that followed.  It had made our ward closer.  This party was much anticipated.  I was Relief Society President at the time, so I was tired and just as excited as everyone else.  My favorite thing to do in the world was music with children.  I was in my special happy place with this program.

I didn’t mention that the ward was the Newtown Ward in Connecticut.  We are a large ward that covers 5 small neighboring towns.

On Friday, December 14, things changed.

I don’t have the words to describe the panic and upheaval that the Sandy Hook shooting wrought.

One of the angels from the Nativity was a victim, her family a much loved and valued part of our ward family.  She was 6.  A beautiful, smart, exuberant little girl who was in first grade.  Everyone in this tight, protective community knew at least one (usually more) child or adult that was gunned down.  Other children from our ward attended that elementary school and saw and heard things that no child should ever see or hear.

I wasn’t a first responder.  I didn’t see the carnage in the school.  But I saw the eyes of those around me.  In those eyes I saw such pain and grief and disbelief.  I saw helplessness and despair.  I still see those eyes.

As a ward we gathered that Friday night to try and offer comfort to each other.  As RS president, I hugged all the sisters there, wishing I could do more to comfort them.

The next week is still a blur.  I answered hundreds of telephone calls and emails from all over the world.  One of the priorities was protecting the victims.  The VT of our sweet ward family who lost their daughter, acted as intermediary for all of the meals and emails.  She was and is one of my heroes.  I received gifts for Newtown of books, CDs, blankets, stuffed animals, and much more.  We received thousands of hearts and snowflakes.  Everything was accepted with thanks.  I hope that it helped others to heal.  

I visited people.  I called people.  I set up therapy and grief counseling, grief massage, meals, help for the first responders.  I offered a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear.

I wish I could have offered a blessing to so many who needed it.  A blessing from a loving sister and mother for those who were not comfortable asking a man in a suit - and there were many.

I could not.

I had to petition for permission for all that I did, because, even though I had a “leadership” position in our ward, I did not have priesthood authority.  I am still trying to come to terms with that.  I’m trying.

Two weeks after the tragedy, one of the bishopric asked if I would still lead the children in singing, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, the favorite song of all the kids.  I said no.  I just couldn’t handle it.  In sacrament meeting, the member of the bishopric called the children to the front and announced that I would be leading them in the song.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I am still trying to forgive him for that.  I’m trying.

When I was nine and my younger brother was baptized, it was a huge thing that he was on the path to gaining the priesthood.  That is when it was explained to me that I could never be on that path.  When I was 18, a freshman at BYU in 1978, a friend introduced me to someone who had been excommunicated for questioning why people of color couldn’t have the priesthood…3 months before “revelation” was received that supported his questions.  When I was 19, at BYU, I was sexually assaulted.  I was counseled by my bishop that the BYU president and he didn’t want me to report the assailant because, “We wouldn’t want to ruin this young man’s life.”  I was then told to repent for tempting him and putting myself in a compromising position.  When, at 21, I went through the temple for the first time, I was appalled and thought that I was in a cult.  That was the time when penalties were acted and an odd man in a dark suit was part of the session.  I was shamed and told that I needed to repent for not feeling “the spirit”.  When, at 22, I returned to a new ward in SLC (somewhere I had never lived) from a very difficult mission, I was pitied and shunned because I was not married.  When I married (in my 30s), my husband and I were investigated and lost our temple recommends for the 6 months the investigation happened because we were “intellectuals”.  My husband was a fairly new member and we both read and questioned.  It was 1993.  I guess that was my second church purge. When we lost a baby through miscarriage and through my bout with cancer, my sweet husband had the power to give me priesthood blessings.  He could support me in that way, but I was not allowed to support him in the same way.  I could not hold my babies when blessed.  I could not even act as witness to their baptisms.  My offers of a mothers blessing were refused because my children had been taught to be wary of any without the priesthood.  A 12 year old child has more authority than I will ever, ever have in this church.

I am now, two years after Sandy Hook, struggling to have a desire to stay in the church.  I am struggling to stay in the church that I love. I was RS president of the Newtown, CT ward during 2012 and 2013. During that time I lost both my parents, sent a son on a mission twice, experienced hurricane Sandy, my husband was hospitalized for 2 weeks, I had a minor heart attack, one of my counselors and secretary had babies, and then the culmination of the shooting at Sandy Hook where everyone knew many of the children and adults that were murdered. It would have been so wonderful to have been able to offer blessings through the authority of the priesthood to the mothers and sisters who came to me for comfort. After the trauma of Sandy Hook, after all the furor and grief became manageable, I was released along with my counselors. Since then, and with the whole apostasy thing with Kate Kelly, I feel like the church has turned it's back on women in general. It feels like I have been shunned by my church family. I am good for a meal or some nurturing, but I have no authority to do anything simply because I do not have external genitalia. If we truly believe the 2nd article of faith, why are women still and forever being punished for Eve's sin?

The Heavenly Parents and Brother that I love would not deny me, or any of their children, the power of their love or divinity.  The priesthood is that power.  I believe that.

As recently as yesterday, my sister asked me, “Have you thought of maybe putting aside your anger?”  Okay.  I’m trying.  

I have hope that things will change.  I believe in the power of love, the power of prayer, the power of knowledge.  I love and feel and hope and strive to continue learning.  However, I will continue to be angry over complicity with severe and in-humane torture - just like I will continue to be angry about child abuse, spousal abuse, bigotry, racism, slavery and so many other things.  

I’m trying.

A winter epiphany

I have been dreading winter since last winter.

I love spring - the rebirth of the earth.  The new growth and renewal.

I love summer - the abundance of the earth.  The green and the beauty.

I love autumn - the glory of the earth.  The harvest and the color.

I have not appreciated winter.  Until now.

I live in Connecticut.  For those who have never been here, the entire state is heavily wooded.  I also drive (deliveries) for one of my jobs.  I drive all over the state and all over New York state.  That gives me an abundance of thinking time.  I love it.

 As I was driving this week, I was pondering all of the trees.  Remembering how, mere weeks ago, the foliage was like a constant sunset.  They were bright and glorious as a bouquet of flowers.  Now they are naked.  Stripped of that which makes them beautiful.

Then I really looked.  They are still beautiful!

The trees, these aged beautiful and strong beings, were standing naked before the sky, before God, before the universe.  They had dropped all of their excess and "baggage" and were seemingly vulnerable before all.

They were beautiful.

I thought, "Isn't it great that they have dropped their leaves before we get a good snowstorm?! Without their leaves, they will be strong enough to hold the weight of the snow.  Sometimes a branch will break off under the weight, but the tree will usually heal.  If the tree falls, it is still beautiful and useful.  It can be a mother tree, shelter, warmth."

Then I made the connection - a personal epiphany, if you will.

It is only when we drop all of our excess and all of our baggage and stand naked and vulnerable before God/ourselves/the universe, that we can receive the strength to withstand the obstacles that fall on us.  Sometimes a part of us will break, but we will heal and be even stronger.  Yes, we may have scars, we might even fall, but we are still beautiful, strong, and useful.

That was my epiphany.

I love winter - the endurance of the earth.  The strength and the wisdom.