Shrinking Daisy

I did NOT invite Paula Deen to Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 20th, 2009 | Recipe, Thoughts | No Comments

So, I may have told you that I did a little (little being a relative word here) early Thanksgiving Dinner.  This dinner really was Thanksgiving at it’s best, not just the food, but it was full of interesting people, great conversations, and of course wine! I felt really thankful to have such amazing friends.

It turned out fantastically, and with a few minor modifications much lighter than your average T-Day affair.  (Also, I’m not a glutton for punishment, these are yummy, fancy, light, and EASY recipes people!) I have nothing against decadence, I’m telling you, this pecan pie is AMAZING!!!!

Turkey Strategy: So, this is my second year for a smoked turkey, it’s such a great idea people!  Just pick up a turkey from a local smokehouse (Fritz’s is great) or even an already smoked Butterball from the store, heat it for 1.5 hours in the oven, and you’re done.  Smoked turkeys are technically already cooked, so no stress about whether or not it will be done,  it already is! (This is not cheating people… I feel no shame!)  It’s always brown and beautiful, and that oh-so-healthy, but often overdone and dry white meat is succulent and juicy.  This is Kansas City after all, smoked anything is a tradition!

Mashed Potatoes - Buttermilk is your friend here.  That’s right, something with the word butter in it may sound bad for you, but it’s the best weapon in your mashed potato arsenal.  Really it’s what’s leftover AFTER you make butter, so it’s got all the flavor, but not the fat! What a deal!!!  Try this one

Stuffing, oh how I love stuffing,  I could just eat this and nothing else.  Maybe it’s because I don’t usually eat it,  but stuffing and pumpkin pie are the icons of Thanksgiving to me.  Those are the things that I look forward to whenever the weather gets chilly! I especially love stuffing with a twist of something unexpected, and sausage doesn’t hurt either, that’s why I made this one: click here

There is no reason you have to break out that can shaped log of cranberries this year… wiggly and ribbed, it always feels like an obligation,  don’t spend your points on that!  A fresh one is so much better and so easy.  I made this lightened up cranberry apricot version, (click here) and stirred the extra in my oatmeal the next day!

Help yourself out people! Throw a few veggies on the table and fill 1/2 your plate with those.  Simple steamed veggies are a great point saver with many coming in a zero points and remember, spices are free!!!  I made an amazing simple seasonal salad here, some wildly popular (and totally cream of mushroom soup free) green beans here, and some really interesting (in a good way) roasted carrots here. I also really considered these Brussels sprouts, but they didn’t make it to the table this year, they’re great though! click here

This pumpkin pie has become my standby.  I think I’ve served this WW classic for 3 years running and…I don’t wait for Thanksgiving.  I’ve been known to make this one up at random times because I love it so much!!! It’s also low enough to make it into the regular rotation without a big sacrifice elsewhere or a major guilt trip.  Find it here

Oh those geniuses over at Cooking Light, how do they think up this stuff??? Oatmeal in a pecan pie? It was amazing, the oatmeal was so nutty, and it was a lot more substantial than your usual pecan pie, more balance too, not so sweet.  Seriously people, if you only give one of these recipes a try, this is the one!!! click here for recipe

Want an off the wall but amazing light dessert option? Try this one by ZestyCook here

Whew, are you tired of cooking yet? I made the pies and cranberry sauce the day ahead, and put the potatoes in the crock pot, that worked out well! Whatever you end up making, remember it’s not just about the food, but the friends, family, and time you spend together.

Take a minute to think about all the things you have to be thankful for this year.  I certainly have a lot to be thankful for.  I’m in great health, the best shape of my life.  My brother made it back from Iraq safe and sound.  I have a wonderful family, amazing husband, great friends; and of course I have all of you, who are so inspiring every day.   I’ll miss you all over the holiday!

Have a Great Thanksgiving!

Tags: brussels sprouts, carrots, cranberry, green beans, mashed potatoes, pears, pecan, pie, potato, pumpkin, roasted vegetables, salad, stuffing, thanksgiving, turkey

Shameless Plug for Fresh Local Food

Friday, May 29th, 2009 | Recipe, Thoughts | No Comments

I am shamelessly promoting eating locally today.  You mean eating in town, like… at my house? No… I mean eating something grown around here! Food grown close to you doesn’t have to take a long ride on a big truck, which means it can hang out in the ground longer and get ripe and delicious.  That sounds like a crazy trend for people on a coast you say, I don’t have time for that! But you do, and it can save you cash, and most importantly… give you more “food experience” for every calorie you eat.

I’ve been a fan of local food for a long time, but this week, I really became a believer when I opened my CSA (community supported agriculture) box this week and bit into my very first tiny little local strawberry. The first bite told me that I’d never really eaten a strawberry.  Oh sure, I’ve had tons of strawberries from the grocery store, it’s one of my faves, strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, but this, this strawberry was unlike any I’ve ever had before.  It was tiny, with a  complex flavor, and a melting texture, very unlike the large crispy industrial strawberries that I had up to this point eaten.  This was a whole different ballgame a whole new fruit!  I found that I was unable to contemplate making anything out of the berries, they were just too perfect on their own… so guess what? Instead of adding extra calories by putting something on my berries, I was satisfied with them alone. Bonus!!!  Really, you only get a certain number of calories or points per day right? Why not make them phenomenal? When each bite is amazing, you aren’t left wanting more! 

Farmers markets are revving up all over the place, and when things are in season, you can get some great deals there! Last year I found red bell peppers 6 for a dollar in season, corn 5 for a dollar, you can’t beat that! Plus you know your dollars stay around and support a local family’s livelihood, important in this economy!

Or… you  could do what I did and sign up for a CSA.  A CSA is an arrangement with a farmer where you agree to pay them a certain amount per week, usually $15 or $25 say, and they give you a box of whatever is in season right then in return. So that means you know you’ll get fresh fruits and vegetables, but you’re surprised every week! I love surprises, so for me it’s like Christmas.  Figuring out what to do with what I get is half the fun! There are also all different kinds of CSAs, some are only produce, some have eggs, or meat, or bread or other products included so make sure you know what you’re signing up for.  I only wanted fruits and veggies, so that’s what I get! (I do buy the farm eggs and meat on the side though)  Plus, all you do is go and pick up a box, no wandering around the grocery store looking for things, just pick it up and go, it’s a time saver! Check out what farmer’s markets and CSAs are close to you here.

Besides the strawberries, my CSA box this week held an assortment of things honestly, I would probably not think to buy (at least not together) at the grocery store, but I’m so glad they were in there!!! I took a few and made a salad which was a yummy component of my lunches all week, here’s what I came up with, it was a huge hit and I highly recommend it!

Spring (Almost Summer) Spectacular Potato Salad (6 servings) 

• 3 pounds new potatoes (quartered)
• 3 green onions (sliced thin)
• 1 cup shelled fresh fava beans (you can use green beans if you don’t get favas)
• 5 medium to large radishes (diced)
• 1 tablespoon mustard (I had Dijon, others would be great)
• 1/3 c vinegar (I used an herby vinegar, balsamic would be nice, so would apple cider vinegar)
• 2 t olive oil (or another healthy oil!!!)
• salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove, when it’s boiling throw a dash of salt into the water. Put your quartered new potatoes into the water and boil. About 3 minutes after adding your potatoes, put the fava beans or green beans into the water and boil with the potatoes.  While potatoes and beans are boiling put mustard, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper into a medium bowl and whisk until combined with a fork.  When potatoes are fork tender, drain and add potatoes and beans to the bowl with the dressing in it.  Add radishes and green onions, and toss until coated.  The hot potatoes will soak up a lot of flavor from the dressing.  Chill and serve!  You could add a chicken breast or ham, and your lunch is done!!!

Nutrition Facts
6 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories		201.3
Total Fat		2.1 g
	Saturated Fat	0.3 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.3 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	1.2 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		49.6 mg
Potassium		1,146.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate		41.3 g
	Dietary Fiber	4.2 g
	Sugars	3.2 g
Protein		6.2 g

Tags: CSA, fava bean, potato, radish, Recipe, recipes, salad, Seasonal Fruit, strawberry, summer