Turkey Tetrazzini and December Musings

 Well Thanksgiving has passed and December has been busy. The grandchildren are all back home and the house is again quiet and peaceful. I got the Christmas tree up and the leftover turkey has become frozen turkey tetrazzinis. They should make great meals for us when I am not in the mood to cook. 

Turkey Tetrazzini

1 box 16 oz. pasta (spaghetti or linguini )

3 cups turkey or chicken

2 cans cream of mushroom soup ( I use homemade )

1 cup chicken broth ( or turkey)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 cup mushrooms sliced and sautéed in butter

1/4 stick butter

2 cups grated cheddar

Parmesan

Pepper and salt to taste

1. Cook pasta el dente
2. Sauté mushrooms in butter
3. Mix chicken broth, soups, sour cream, peas, cooked mushrooms, shredded cheese and salt and pepper in large bowl. 
4. Mix in pasta and chicken
5. Put in 2 greased 8X8 pan or one 13X9 pan
6. Top with parmesan cheese and cover with aluminum foil greased with butter to prevent cheese sticking. 
7. Freeze at this point or bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 1 hour. Allow to sit once cooked to stiffen up. If frozen allow to defrost in fridge overnight before baking. 

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here is a link to making your own cream of mushroom soup. I dehydrate or can mushrooms for this use. 

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a79484/homemade-condensed-cream-of-mushroom-soup/

Christmas is the time of year that I take advantage of the holiday sales to restock my pantry and this year has been no exception. I have refilled the containers of sugars and baking supplies to hopefully last well into 2022. I found a great sale on some bags of chunked pineapple and bought 8 pounds. Once home I dehydrated them for snacking food. We love dried fruits and they store so well. 

It's as simple as putting the sliced fruit and trays and dehydrating until rubbery kind of like raisins. 

It took about 12 hours to completely dehydrate and then I simply let it cool and put in jars. 

Made a half gallon of blueberry brandy and put it on to age. We are still picking out walnuts. My gosh we got a bumper crop this year but probably won't get a nut next year. That seems to be the way that works. 

So like the squirrels we continue to stash our nuts and wait for spring taking advantage of a warm day here and there to catch up on garden cleanup, mulching and pruning jobs. We are not going anywhere this Christmas or expecting much company as "O Wise One" is fighting a severe case of bronchitis. So for this holiday the aim is quiet, restful and easy. We will make our usual end of year donations to the local fire and rescue and the local humane society in the spirit of the season. 

We were extremely fortunate to have missed the extreme weather and tornadoes of late. Although we did wake to tornado sirens and sought cover we were at the very edge of the weather and escaped any real harm. Our hearts do just break for those out there who have lost loved ones and property as well. We will hold you in our hearts and wish that you find peace with your losses. We pray for recovery and rebuilding for our northern neighbors. 

Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter

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I can also be found at

https://thebackfence.freeforums.net/