The Dinner Table

This post was suppose to have been about Sugar Cookies, BUT I haven't got around to making them yet!! Our plan is to make those tomorrow, as a family. I think it is important to do something as a Family Activity during the Holiday season. As the kids get older they are able to help more. So this year we will be making Sugar Cookies and filling out Christmas cards together!!

 Last night as I was setting our table it got me thinking about how important it is to our family that we eat dinner together. We turn off the tv, we don't answer the phone, and we have some sort of conversation. My husband works some evenings and we have all noticed that when he isn't there, our dinner isn't complete. My children have commented to me how much they miss Dad at dinner time and he has said how he misses dinners with us. It seems so simple, and sometimes we take it for granted but sharing a meal is a very powerful thing. Our meals are simple i.e. cheap, but we all remember the time we spend around the table. Even if it is fighting about eating green beans!! We all have our different jobs during the day, but at dinner we all have the same job, enjoy one anothers company!
Sharing a meal with my children is also an opportunity to teach life lessons; listening skills, sharing, empathy, and social skills, such as how to graciously say "no thank you". As I was preparing this post it also gave me the opportunity to think about the skills that I have had a chance to learn, and practice; patience, tolerance, grace, and love. When you really think about it, this is something we can't afford to miss out on! So, make sure you take the opportunity to share a meal with your family or friends, or both!!

The following recipe is one that my mom made when I was growing up. I have taken some liberties on it, but it is pretty much the same. It is a delicious and fast recipes that EVERYONE in my family LOVES!! So, it receives five *****stars from the Grassman's, which is no small feat!!! Enjoy!!

Grandma Linda's Baked Chicken
Serves 4
2 chicken breasts, butterflied
1 cup bread crumbs (or crushed corn flakes for gluten-free)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt/pepper, to taste
1/2 cup melted butter

 Butterfly the chicken breast, mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken breasts in crumb mixture, both sides. Use as much of the mixture as possible, you should use most of it. Put on flexipat or deep flexipat, drizzle with melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes with Cauliflower
3 potatoes, peeled and cut up
2 cups cauliflower florets
Boil above in enough water to cover them. When potatoes are tender drain water, add 1/2 cup of milk or 1/2 and 1/2, 2 TBLS butter, and salt/pepper to taste. These make delicious mashed potatoes and you get two veggies in one!!

Happy Holidays!!

Sorry that my posts have not been very consistent!! We have had sickies here in our house, and one of them has been me. But, I wanted to share two after Thanksgiving recipes. They are great comfort food on these blah days of winter! Even my picky eaters will eat these!!

Kelly's Turkey Tetrazzini, this is an adaption of tetrazzini and does not include the sherry or wine. And I make it on the stove top, you can put it in the oven. Remember to put cheese in the bottom of the mold or tray you use, so that when you turn it out, it is nice and golden brown on "top". It looks very nice in the Sunflower Mold, or the Twist Mold. It can also be made Gluten Free, and still be delicious. Enjoy!


1/4 cup butter (or I can't believe it's not butter)
1/4 cup all purpose flour (for gluten free use 2 TBLS cornstarch)
1 cup chicken broth (or 2 TBLS Better Than Bouillon and 1 cup water)
1 cup half and half
2 cups cubed, cooked, leftover turkey
2-4 medium size mushrooms, sliced (or 1can, 4oz. sliced mushrooms, drained)

Cook spaghetti as directed on the package, usually 8-10 minutes. If making Gluten Free be sure to use Gluten Free noodles. Melt butter in the Demarle at Home 2 quart sauce pan, stir in the flour. Cook, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. If you are making Gluten Free combine the cornstarch with 2-3 TBLS of cold water and keep on hand, DO NOT ADD YET! Add the chicken broth and half and half, stir till smooth. Cook till mixture thickens, do not let it boil! If making Gluten Free, add the cornstarch/water mixture to the butter, broth, 1/2 and 1/2 mix, bring to a boil for 1 minute (do not stir), remove pan from burner and stir. At this point add the chopped mushrooms (whether you are making Gluten Free or regular) Stir mushrooms in and let sit for several minutes. I usually drain my noodles and add the turkey to them, tossing till mixed. Pour the sauce mixture over noodles and turkey, stir till well mixed. At this point you can serve it immediately, or bake it in the oven (350 degrees for 15-20 minutes). This also freezes well.


Turkey Enchiladas
1ea 28 oz. can Old El Paso Mild Enchilada sauce
2-3 cups leftover turkey, chopped
2 cups grated Tillamook Cheddar Cheese
12 white corn tortillas
You can use any type of tortilla you would like, I prefer the white corn. You can also add olives, corn, salsa, sour cream, or any other thing you would like. Since I cook for picky eaters, this is how I make them and provide the rest as toppings that can be added. You can also make these beef or chicken. This is also a great make ahead or freezer meal!
Pour enough of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of the Deep Flexipat to cover it. Have chopped turkey and grated cheese in bowls nearby. Warm tortillas in the microwave for 20-30 seconds (3-4 at a time). Take warm tortilla and place on top of sauce in Flexipat. Add turkey and cheese in the center of the tortilla, roll up. As you roll the tortilla up the outside will be covered in enchilada sauce! Do this until you have filled the Deep Flexipat, pour the rest of the sauce over the top. Top with grated cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve with toppings, chips and salsa, and Spanish Rice. Yummy!!

Next week I am going to attempt to make sugar cookies. This has never been successful before, but I am confident that my Roul' Pat will help me out!! Till next week, happy cooking.