Sweet Potato Topped Turkey Pot Pie

 My neighbor gave my the October issue of Better Homes and Gardens yesterday and this yummy recipe inspired me. I made it today (with a few variations) and it was a big hit with my family! Enjoy!

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Topping:

2

lbs. orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

2

tsp. salt

3

Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

¼

tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Freshly ground black pepper

Turkey Filling:

2

Tbsp. unsalted butter

2

Tbsp. oil

1

large yellow onion, diced ( I used minced onion)

¾

cup diced celery

¾

cup peeled and diced carrots ( I used leftover Lima beans, corn and peas)

1

tsp.  salt

3

Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1½

cups homemade chicken or turkey stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth ( I used vegetable broth)

½

cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I used Magic Mix instead)

2½

cups shredded roast turkey or chicken (I used chicken I had roasted in the crock pot and froze)

2

Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1

Tbsp. finely chopped fresh sage

Tbsp. minced fresh thyme Directions 1. For Sweet Potato Topping: In a saucepan combine sweet potatoes, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Cover partially. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 10 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes; return to warm pan. Stir over low heat for 1 minute. Using a potato masher, mash potatoes. Stir in melted butter, nutmeg, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. 3. Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 4. For Turkey Filling: In a large saucepan melt butter with oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook and stir, about 2 minutes. Add salt. Cover partially. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until vegetables are very tender, about 12 minutes. 5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables. Stir to combine. Slowly stir in stock. Simmer, stirring occasionally until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream; bring to a simmer. Add turkey, parsley, sage and thyme. Stir to combine; return to a simmer. Remove from heat. Spoon into 2 1/2-to-3-quart rectangular baking dish. Using a rubber spatula, spread and mound sweet potato mixture over filling, leaving some of the filling visible. Bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Shared at New Life on a Homestead Raising Homemakers

Chicken and Rice with Pecans

A couple of months ago I posted this blog post on how to make healthy fast food.  Today I thought I would share an easy recipe that my family loves.

Chicken and Rice with Pecans

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (already cooked  in my crockpot, sealed with my food saver and in the freezer)

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup Mayo

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup or for a healthier version I use Magic Mix (click here to learn how to make magic mix)

2 boiled eggs, chopped

1 cup brown rice and/or wild rice cooked (already cooked in my electric pressure cooker, sealed with my food saver and in the freezer)

½ cup crushed Ritz cracker crumbs

Mix all ingredients, pour into 2 quart casserole. Sprinkle crackers on top

Bake 350 for 30 minutes

Shared at  

Raising Homemakers

Deep Roots at Home 
New Life on a Homestead 

Magic Mix

 

Magic Mix

2 1/3 C. Powdered Milk
1 C. All Purpose Flour( I use fresh ground whole wheat)
2 sticks of "real butter" at room temperature

Combine dry milk, flour and butter into a large bowl and mix with electric mixer until it looks like corn meal. Keep mix tightly covered in the refrigerator, it will stay good up to 2 months.

To use Magic Mix you will need

2/3 C. Magic Mix
1 C. Water

In saucepan combine Magic Mix and water. Stir rapidly  with a wisk over medium heat until it starts to bubble. (Use Magic Mix for all recipes calling for a white or cream sauce.) Season to taste.

*To make Cream of Chicken add chicken broth instead of water.

**To make a cheese sauce add 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.

***To make Cream of Mushroom, add one 4.5 oz. can mushroom pieces and stems with the water, 1/4 cup of water and 2/3 cup Magic Mix

I discovered Magic Mix a few years ago in the book I Can't Believe It's Food Storage by Crystal Godfrey. I use this mix in recipes that call for"cream soups". 

Notice that it contains only 3 ingredients, no salt or extra stuff I can not pronounce. I love this mix and use it at least once a week!

 

Simply Living Smart

 

I have been following this website for a year or so. The author is Anitra Kerr and she has so much information about being organized, food storage, healthy living, etc. Several times a week she post a  "Smart Minute" with simple, helpful tips.

  I recently ordered her book and read it in a couple of days. It is wonderful! She gives very practical tips on topics like organizing, shopping, and cleaning. She breaks it down and makes it so simple. After reading Simply Living Smart, I am motivated to step it up to the next level of organizing and managing our home!

My New Project

I recently told my husband that I had a project in mind that I would like to do. He promptly asked me if it involved him and if he would be required to build something. (Our last project was a major bathroom re-do!) I told him yes, but it would be well worth it! So here's the deal. I have been very convicted about the amount of money we are spending on food each month. I would like to be more self reliant when it comes to the food we are consuming. Do we really know where the stuff in the store comes from? I am very concerned about all of the processed food my family is eating and we are eating out way to much! So... I proposed to him that we (OK, he and the boys) construct a long term food storage pantry. I also would like to purchase a wheat grinder and grind my own flour. In the process of researching this, I have found some great resources to help me accomplish my goal. Check out the links on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of this blog. I know some of you are trying very hard live a self-reliant and independent life, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. And so my journey begins...