Gobble Gobble

I hope everyone (in the USA anyway) had a great Turkey Day...free of drama and full of goodies! I know I did. I did the usual - the dessert. But I took the easy way out this year...mostly thanks to a migraine the day before. I did make a couple apple pies, but I bought some cheesecakes. they were SOOOO good! Our neighbors across the street recently opened a new cheesecake shop. Everything is made there by them...so many flavors to choose from! I went with pumpkin (of course), almond and plain. If you are ever in the Metro Detroit area, I strongly recommend stopping by Peteet's and grabbing some of these delicious treats for yourself.

And as for the turkey, well, I am 95% vegetarian, but I did try a nibble. Now these turkeys...these I can see having...

One Dozen Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies by The Sweet Shop Cookie Co

Shades of Brown, Thanksgiving Card by Paper Creations by Laura

Autumn Turkey Fabric Wreath by Soo Boo Designs

Custom Boys Turkey Tee by Pirate and Princess Couture

Turkey Pig Greeting Cards by Pigatopia

Friday Food: Turkey and Lean Beef Meatloaf

Okay - not super original, but I can never find the one I like, so I came up with this one. And now that I blogged it, I can always find it :)

Serves: 8...at 6oz each...a 9x12 pan cut into 8ths

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

* 16 oz Extra Lean Ground Breast of Turkey (Jennie O makes a good one, Honeysuckle too)
* 16 oz 96% Lean Ground Round (I prefer Laura's)
* 1/2 serving Onions
* 1/2 medium raw Green-bell Pepper
* 2 Eggs
* 2 tbsp Wheat Germ
* 1 serving Quick Oats
* 1/4 cup Reduced Fat Ritz Cracker
* 3 tsp Sauce, Worcestershire
* 1/4 cup Ketchup

Directions

Heat oven to 400* (375* is okay, it will just add about 15 minutes)
Spray 13x9x2 baking pan with nonstick spray

Beat eggs in small bowl
Dice onions & bell pepper
Mix all ingredients in large bowl
Spread out down the center of the pan & "shape" into a loaf
I like to squirt on some extra ketchup to the to in a squiggle
***There will be some space on either side of the loaf...good for drainage of excess fat****
Cook for 45 minutes
Check internal temp - it is done at about 170-180*....I often add another squiggle of ketchup for these last 15 minutes
Cook another 15 minutes...let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing

Nutrition Facts
per serving: Calories 220; Total Fat 5.28g; Saturated Fat 1.57g; Cholesterol 118.75mg; Sodium 270.7mg; Total Carbohydrate 12.95g; Dietary Fiber 1.04g; Sugars 3.29g; Protein 29.42g

Turkey Turmeric Chili

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
20 ounces Jennie O ground turkey (originally calls for 1/2, only used 1# b/c of habit and use Jennie O' b/c leanest I have found)
1/2 medium onion, chopped, about 1/2 whole
2 cloves garlic, minced
28 ounces crushed tomatoes, no salt, 1 large can
2 cans organic red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can organic diced tomatoes, no salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 dash cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large saucepan. Add turkey, onion & garlic - cook until turkey turns white.
2. Add remaining ingredients & simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Nutrition:
Per Serving : 288 Calories; 4g Fat (11.6% calories from fat); 1g Saturated Fat; 32g Protein; 31g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 38mg Cholesterol; 204mg Sodium.
Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

adapted from The YOU Diet by Dr. Oz

Sheperds Pie

Ok - so the picture does not look so great...but trust me - it is quite yummy :)

I took a few different recipes, took out what I did not like, and squooshed them into one...

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups potato flakes, divided (make mashed to equal 4 cups...add a little extra milk to make it a easier to spread at the end)
1 pound extra lean ground beef, browned and drained (or ground turkey)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
16 ounces diced tomato, drain can
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (peas & carrots)
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded (8 oz)
1 dash paprika

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Prepare mashed potatoes according to package (plus extra milk to make it easier to spread) 3. Brown beef and onion - drain
4. Sprinkle some potato flakes in bottom of 9x12 pyrex/glass dish
5. Mix tomatoes and beef/onion mixture and spread in pan
6. Spread vegetable mix over beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese
7. Spread potato mixture over beef mixture, top with paprika
8. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
Portion into 8 sections to serve

Nutrition:
Per Serving (using the beef): 247 Calories; 13g Fat (45.2% calories from fat); 5g Sat Fat; 17g Protein; 17g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 42mg Cholesterol; 184mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 1/2 Fat.