Turkey & Cranberry Roll

Need something unique to use up the Thanksgiving leftovers?  This is one of a collection of fun "filling" recipes by Pampered Chef.  They give a few different ways to create a "shape" using crescent roll dough and you pick the filling.  We used this one for my first host party and have made it a few times since.

2 cups chopped cooked turkey (I cut up leftover pieces with the kitchen shears)
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese (I didn't have any Swiss this time so I just used mozzarella)
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries (I used good ol' canned whole cranberries I had for leftovers)
3 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley (fresh? ha! 1 tablespoon of dried parsley works fine)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard (I only had brown spicy mustard...good enough.  And I used a little more than 1 tablespoon)
1/2 teaspoon coarsley ground black pepper (I just used my pepper grinder shaker thing until I thought it was enough)
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 375.

Combine all ingredients (only 1 cup of the cheese) except for the egg and mix well.

Time to make the shape!  I used the wreath shape; here are some online instructions.  And here are some pictures of the book (All the Best).

Mine never looks that great but who cares, it all tastes the same in the end!

Once the shape is constructed, brush the egg white over the dough and sprinkle the rest of the cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

I used to make this dish a lot with the Sam's Club brand chicken because the cans came with the recipe.  I have since lost the copy of the recipe but I conjured up my own version tonight and I think I got it spot on!  Easy, cheap, and delicious...my kind of meal  :-)

1 can chicken
1 4oz can green chilis, chopped
1 cup (approximate) of salsa verde or verde enchilada sauce
5-7 tortillas (depends on how stuffed you like your enchiladas!)
1 cup (approximate) heavy cream
2 cups (approximate) shredded cheese (I like monterey jack but you can use your favorite Mexican blend!)

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease the bottom of a shallow pan, about 10 x 14.

Mix the chicken, green chilis, and salsa together in a medium bowl, shredding the chicken as you mix.  Scoop portions of the mixture into the tortillas, fold, and place seam-side down into the pan.  Cover the stuffed tortillas with the heavy cream (I found cream by aMexican company, Cacique, famous for its cheeses, and it was a bit cheaper than good ol' heavy cream), enough to cover the tops completely.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until cream is bubbling.  Top with your desired amount of cheese and bake 5-10 minutes longer.

You top with some more of the salsa/enchilada sauce, (red) salsa, and/or sour cream to spice it up even more.  Serve with your favorite Mexican sides!

One version I read online include using a can of refried beans in the mixture - I am trying that next time!!

Easy Homemade Pizza Crust

Since discovering this receipe, we have been making a lot of pizza at home!  Its quick, easy, and much cheaper than buying crust or ready-made pizza. 

2 1/2 cups flour
2 3/4 tsp baking powder (or 1 1/4 tsp baking soda but eliminate salt)
1 tsp salt
1 tblspn oil (I use olive oil)
1 cup water

Mix dry ingrediants; add water and oil; stir into a ball.  Once is mixed and sticky, start kneading with your hands until it forms a good ball to roll into crust.  I use a pizza stone and spread a little oil so that it doesn't stick to the stone.  It also helps to flour the dough, rolling pin, and stone before rolling. 

To make the crust edges, roll the dough out just pass the edges and roll the ends in.  It takes some manipulating and practice to make a nice round crust; sometimes you have to make another ball and start over!

Bake the crust at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes before adding your toppings; bake again for about 10 minutes.

Some of our favorite fun additions:
* add italian seasoning and garlic salt (use less salt) to dry ingrediants (or any of your favorite seasonsings)
* for a BBQ chicken pizza, use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce and cooked chicken cut into small pieces
* slice string cheese length-wise and roll into crust edges