Gravy with no drippings (chicken or beef)

Baked Bree has a great recipe for making gravy without pan drippings that I have made often.  Pan drippings are the juices and fat left over in the pan after making a roast of some kind, be it roasting a chicken, a roast beef or even pork.

Tonight we used some leftover beef to make hot beef sandwiches.  I lightly browned an onion in a big frying pan, added the leftover beef, some chopped up (also leftover) baked potatoes, some frozen corn and peas then smothered it with this gravy and seasoned with salt and pepper.  I served it to the big people in the house on buttered toast.  The Wees got it straight on their plate with a healthy dose of ketchup on the side. 

Gravy with no pan drippings
from Baked Bree
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
3 cups stock (beef or chicken or veggie) *see note
salt and ground pepper
1 Tbsp fresh thyme (parlsey is great also)

- melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour, whisk together and cook for a minute over medium heat until it is smooth.

- whisk in the stock. Let the mixture come to a bubble. The roux will not thicken until it comes to a bubble. Cook for another minute or so after it comes to a bubble.

- add the thyme, season well with salt and pepper.

- put this in a container and keep in the fridge. When you are ready to serve it, simmer it in a saucepan until it is heated through.

* NOTE: I used three cups of water and 2 Tbsp beef bouillon concentrate as stock.  You can use chicken or vegetable bouillon for similar results.

Supper tonight - takeout (not)

Tonight, I wanted take-out.

It wasn't in the menu plan, that's for sure, but I was just a tiny bit tired of being the full-time parent, maid, entertainer and chef around here and was thinking a change would be nice.

Well, I didn't have the "change" to pay for said meal, so I opted to cook instead.  yipee

Somehow, takeout turned into homemade Pad Thai.  Served on nothing but a plate.  I let the dish shine.

It was good.  The middle kids didn't eat more than two bits, but I don't get hung up on what they eat or don't eat or when or how.  When they're hungry they eat.  I try to offer good snacks.  Meh, it all comes out in the wash.  The Big Kid is such a trooper and pretty much eats anything I set in front of him - he always has; even when he can SEE the tofu in it, he does his best.

I did have chicken breast and tofu, so they both went into it and somehow I forgot a sweet pepper and an onion.  It was still delightful and I'll make it again.  And again.  and again.

Go here for the recipe for Pad Thai.  For this exact batch you see pictured, I kinda winged it with the sauce ingredients and it turned out a bit less saucy than I like a little less peanutty also.  Go with the recipe here and it'll be perfect.

I think I'm going to make a small batch of wedges now for a snack, that'll satisfy.  Remember this awesome lunch?  This is what I'm going to make right now.  Mmmmmm

Simple supper

Last night, I was in the mood for a simple supper.

I had previously eaten too many chips and dip (the dip is 1:1 mayo and sour cream (1/2 cup) with 2 Tbsp Epicure Cheese, Chives and Bacon seasoning) so I was perhaps looking to make up for that.

I took a chicken breast (which I rarely have in the house, what a treat) and cut it up small, browned it in a pan, added 1/3 can organic diced tomatoes (these were kind of salty, so I didn't add any) and 1/2 yellow pepper diced small.  I let that cook a few minutes.  I served it over a baked potato that I had done in the microwave.

Just right!

Lunch today - Pad Thai

Sadly, no chicken or tofu on-hand.  Added an extra egg.

Added a tablespoon of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it (mixed in 1/4 cup cold water before I added it).
http://thegingeredwhisk.blogspot.ca/2012/04/chicken-pad-thai.html

Clubhouse sandwiches, zero soup and homemade wedges

This was our supper tonight.  For the first time in a while, the table was busy because we couldn't keep enough food on the three wee ones' plates.  Usually it's busy because the middle two keep running away.  It was a refreshing change that we didn't complain about.

This is the stuff magic is made of!

I took apart a store-bought rotisserie chicken, sliced tomatoes, a cucumber, and cheese and separated lettuce leaves a bit earlier in the afternoon to prepare.  The bacon was cooked at breakfast time.  The Big Kid was in charge of the toast.  I assembled the clubhouse sandwiches (I really wanted to link to more exciting information about clubhouse sandwiches than Wikipedia, but it was all I found.).

Assembled clubhouse sandwich.

The oven wedges are so good! My whole family likes them.  I'm sorry I have to admit I like them with real mayo (I use Hellman's brand) in a very French way I learned in Montréal.  Ahhh, some habits are hard to break; fries and mayo is one of them.

Plated with wedges.  Miam miam!

The soup is a Weight Watchers recipe I found a while back (I've never been a member though).  It is chock full of vegetables.  Tonight, in a rare move, I made just enough soup for supper and no extras.  Tomorrow is an Avery's run to stock up on veggies so today I was running low.  I put whatever vegetables I have on-hand in this soup.  This time, I added a generous dash of Italian seasoning for a change.  This soup freezes well and is good packed in lunches on a cold day.

Zero soup.

The father was overheard saying "Man, she'd do anything for bacon!"  Referring to his "eat this, get bacon" deal he was making with her.  Who wouldn't?!

Clubhouse sandwich
makes 1
3 slices toast
Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
mustard
3 oz cooked, shredded chicken meat
2 slices tomato
2 slices cheddar
slices cooked bacon (slighly crispy)
lettuce leaves
- toast, mayo, mustard, chicken, toast, mayo, cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce

Roasted Potato Wedges
from Canandian Living Make it Tonight
makes enough for 4 servings
2 lb potatoes, about 4
2 Tbsp vegetable oil (I use about 1/4 cup)
1 tsp gr cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp salt
- wash and prick potatoes, microwave according to your machines directions.  Mine took 12 minutes for all 4 together.
- cut into wedges, toss with oil and spices
- spread on greased sheet in single layer
- 450F for 20 minutes, flip once

This would also be a good place to make some coleslaw.