Holiday Party Menu

Throwing a holiday party can add stress and anxiety to your work like.  The following is a wine and cheese party for 10 guests that was devowered immediately.  All was purchased from a big box grocery with wine store on site ;)

Platter 1 -

Ingredients:

1 head leaf lettuce
Small round of brie and other hard aged round cheeses
Herb Goat Cheese
Red and Green Grapes
Pear slices
Almonds or Walnuts

Instructions:

Wash some leaf lettuce and dry it carefully.

Arrange around the platter so the seams and stems are hidden.

Slice the cheese into portions for sharing

Arrange the cheeses, grapes, olives and nuts to be eye catching.

 

 

Platter 2 -

 

Ingredients:

 

1 baguette, sliced

1 box water crackers

1 box pretzel sticks and rounds

1 box pita chips

 

Instructions:

 

Arrange on platter and serve!

 

 

Platter 3 -

 

Ingredients:

1 slice of pate

1 smoked salmon and cream cheese round

Cheddar and Havarti squares

A few more baguettte slices

Instructions:

Arrange on lettuce on platter then the above and then serve!

 

 

 



 

 

A couple bottles of white and red wine and sparkling water.

 

 

 

Healthy Sausage and Pepper Penne

 

One of my favourite pasta's of all time is sausage and pepper penne.  One order at a restaurant is usually around $15 dollars, the recipe featured below will provide four large servings for the less.  This easy and quick meal cuts costs while providing the same satisfaction of a meal prepared by professional Chef. Try it tonight!

 

Ingredients:

5 – 6 (1 package) italian sausages (turkey or chicken, spicy or mild)
2 tsp (10 ml) olive oil
1 large green pepper, sliced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic
10 basil leaves
1\2 tsp (2.5 ml) crushed chilies
1\2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1\2 tsp (2.5 ml) pepper
1, 28oz can diced tomatoes

1, 14 oz can of your favourite tomato sauce

400 gram package penne pasta

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook penne as per package directions

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat

Brown the sausage in olive oil in the skillet

Once the sausage is brown remove it from the pan and add the pepper, carrot and onion

Fry for another minute scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet

Slice the sausage into bite sized pieces and return to the pan

Add the garlic, basil and crushed chilies, stir quickly and then add the diced tomatoes

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for five minutes

Add the tomato sauce and simmer for an additional 10 minutes

Toss the cooked penne into the sauce and stir to coat

Prep Dinner in 5 minutes - Roast Beef

On day's like today, when you will be out trick or treating, busy face painting and handing out goodies.  Throwing a delicious and healthy supper together in five minutes will give you the piece of mind required to get through the day.

This recipe can be assembled in 5 minutes or less depending on how fast you can peel the vegetables.  For ideal results, marinade the roast prior to freezing.

Ingredients:

1 (2-3 pound) chuck beef roast
1 tsp (10 ml) dried thyme
1 tsp (10 ml) dried oregano
1 tsp (10 ml) salt
1 tbsp (25 ml) steak spice
2 tbsp (50 ml) olive oil

6 small new potatoes
1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced
2 beets, stem removed
4 shallots, peeled
1 cup (250 ml) baby carrots

Instructions:

Place the roast in the center of a large roasting pan

Arrange the vegetables around the beef and sprinkle the spices over the works, but mostly on the beef

Drizzle with olive oil and put in the oven

Bake at 415 degrees, uncovered for 1 and a half hours (90 minutes)

Serves 4 - 6

Leftover Turkey Shawarma Wraps

What to do with leftovers? I don't really enjoy casseroles myself so I try and come up with different uses for holiday leftovers. 

This crowd pleasing meal idea is simple to prepare the day after the holiday and is nearly assembly only. Just ensure to pick up the supplies in advance as most store are closed on holidays.

Ingredients:

1 package pita bread (6 pieces)
2 cups (500 ml) diced roast turkey
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp (10 ml) black pepper
1 tsp (10 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (10 ml) ground paprika
1 tsp (10 ml) chili powder
1 tbsp (25 ml) olive oil

Hummos and Tahini dip (store bought)
Cherry Tomatoes (1 pint)
Mixed Baby Greens (1 package)
Hot Sauce (Optional)

Instructions:

Combine the spices and oil in a large non-stick pan

Fry the spices and oil for until fragrant over medium heat (1 or 2 minutes)

Add the onion, garlic and turkey to the pan, stir to coat

Continue to cook until heated through

Serve buffet style so that everyone can customise their sandwich

Fall Jello Treats

These fun fall shapes will please little eyes and mouths!  Simply pour prepared gelatin mix onto a baking sheet to cool. Once set cut the gelatin into fall shapes with cookie cutters. One package serves for people. 

For an even cooler effect try tinting gelatin with fall colours (orange, brown etc.)

Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage Penne

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 Package (450 grams) cooked penne

1 can regular sized can of tomato paste

1 jar of your favourite tomato sauce

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 yellow sweet pepper, diced

1 package (500 grams) lean ground sausage (hot or mild)

1 package (170 grams) shrimp

1 cup (250 ml) pre-cooked grilled chicken

1 tsp (10 ml) ground black pepper

1 tbsp (25 ml) dried oregano

1 tbsp (25 ml) steak spice

1 tsp (10 ml) dried thyme

1 tsp (10 ml) crushed chili flakes

1 ball mozzarella cheese, grated

 

Instructions:

In a large non-stick pan, brown the ground sausage until no longer pink (approx.. 5 minutes)

Add the onion, yellow pepper and garlic and stir, continue to cook until softened (1 minute)

Add the oregano, steak spice, pepper, thyme and chili flakes to the pan and stir to combine

Add the tomato paste and stir and allow to cook for a minute before adding the tomato sauce

Pour a half a cup (125 ml) water into the sauce and simmer on low for 10 minutes

Stir in the shrimp and pasta

Pour the mix into 2 medium sized baking dishes and top with grated cheese

For freezing, wrap the dishes well in plastic wrap and allow to cool before freezing

Will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months

Kids Cook - Baked Chicken with basmati rice and green beans

Arriving home from a long day is disheartening when accosted by hungry little mouths.  A great learning activity, that will keep little hands busy is COOKING!

This simple recipe has different steps easy enough for my 10 year old to pull off alone! A cookbook is a great gift for children and even better for parents!

Ingredients:
2 pounds (1 large) chicken cut into pieces
1 tablespoon (25ml) curry powder
1 tablespoon (25ml) turmeric
1 tsp (10 ml) ground black pepper
1 tsp (10 ml) salt

1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup (125 ml) plain yogurt

2 cups prepared basmati rice (stove-top or microwave)
2 cups steamed green beans (stove-top or microwave)

Instructions:

Combine the spices in a bowl.  Sprinkle half over the chicken and reserve the rest.

Rub the spices into the chicken, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (up to 24)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cover a cookie sheet with tin foil

Arrange the chicken on the baking sheet skin side up and bake for one hour

In a non-stick pan, fry the garlic and onion for a few minutes or until translucent

Combine the yogurt with the reserved spices and add the softened onion and garlic

Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon some of the yogurt mixture over the chicken to coat

Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes

Serve with rice and vegetables

Pictured above with cucumber salad, green beans and basmati rice

Office Breakfast Menu !

Monday morning is always a pain but arriving to the office to a continental breakfast will definetly make for a cheerier morning. This breakfast buffet can be arranged with a five minute trip to the grocery store, serves 10 - 15 people and costs less than $50.00 (CAD.)

Ingredients:

12 assorted bagels
6 croissants
6 muffins
1 large fruit tray
1 strawberry cream cheese
1 plain cream cheese
1 package spreadable butter

Arrange the baked goods on trays, slicing the large items in half.

Serve and enjoy the compliments :)

More After School Snack Ideas

Fall is here and the associated chill is in the air!  Warm up those hungry little tummies with this easy and tasty combination!

Pictured below:

Grilled Cheese

Chicken Noodle Soup

Grapes

 

 

Replace your table mat with giant colouring sheets and a variety of snacks for an after-school fest that will keep kids busy for hours!

 

Pictured below:

Vanilla milk

Chips

Cookies

Donuts

Sliced Fruit

 

Turkey Pot Pie - Leftover Turkey