Semi Homemade Poutine

One word.  Addicting.

Yes, now when my MIL/FIL come over and I ask what would you like me to make for dinner (this is not dinner, but could be ;))...the response has been poutine! A delicious beef gravy over crispy fries with fresh cheese curds and rosemary.  Yep, that's it!  Love this Canadian dish!

So I cheat on the fries....just get 1-2 bags of frozen (extra crispy) fries and bake to your likeness (aka extra crispy, especially if you don't want your fries to be soggy)

Cheese Curds:  I buy regular fresh/local cheddar cheese curds. Some come in different flavors etc.

Rosemary:  Take off stem and use whole or chop.

Gravy:
2-3 cups of beef broth
2-3 TB flour
2-3 TB butter
In a small saucepan over low/medium heat, make a roux with the flour and butter.  When a browned, smooth thick paste add the broth and whisk until smooth and has thickened. Add fresh diced rosemary leaves and heat through. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a dish (I used my cast iron pan) layer fries and cheese curds.  Top with gravy.  

Bake until curds are melted and bubbling.  Enjoy every bite!

Turkey Burger

This is by far my favorite go to meal this winter!  

Wegmans started making family packs of ground turkey meat, so I purchased one and made a big batch of turkey burgers and froze individual patties.  The pack made 10 good size turkey burgers.  YUM!  

Turkey Burgers:

3-4 lbs ground turkey meat

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese

1-2 TB Worcestershire sauce

1-2 TB Dijon mustard

1 bunch chopped scallions

5 minced garlic cloves

3 eggs

2-3 cups bread crumbs

On a grilling pan, heat with olive oil or spray.  When hot grill up the burgers.  You do NOT want under cooked turkey burgers....I always go by how "squishy" the center of the burger is.  When it is more dense it is done!  approx 10 minutes on each side.  I always use fresh kammelweck rolls, spread garlic hummus and top with avocado!  Enjoy!

Homemade Linguine and Clams

This dish was a team effort!  My mama brought over her homemade linguine to pair with my homemade clam sauce.  It turned out divine :)

Clam Sauce: (serves 5-6)

4 cups frozen clams (I prefer just using the meat...less messy when eating than trying to pick out of the clam shells.  Don't get me wrong....I love FRESH clams...but it's also winter in upstate NY.)

1 lemon; juiced

fresh parsley

1 small onion; diced

5-6 medium garlic cloves; minced

olive oil

2-4 tsp butter

1-1/2 cup fresh clam juice

1-1/2 cup dry white wine

hot pepper flakes

In a skillet heat olive oil, onion and garlic through.  Be careful not to burn the garlic.  When soft, add lemon, butter,  and hot pepper flakes into the mix.  When the pasta water starts to boil add the clam juice and white wine.  Right before your pasta is ready or you put your fresh pasta into the water add the clams to cook.  They only take a couple minutes and you do not want to over cook them!  When you pasta is ready, add to sauce and toss with fresh parsley.  Plate and enjoy with your favorite glass of wine and fresh bread to dip in the yummy sauce :)

Moussaka

I have not found time to post on my blog in a few weeks, so here I go attempting to catch up tonight...first on the list a many, moussaka a classic Greek dish.

I have been wanting to try to recreate this meal for my hubby for a few years now.  He always loves it when we go to a local restaurant.  This is a very time consuming meal, makes a ton and tastes great, but I have to say I had to use the one and only Bobby Flay's recipe....why not, right?  If he makes a mean moussaka, I'll try it!