Taste of Home Tuesday: Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini

Ingredients
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sherry or reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
4 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain, reserving 2-1/2 cups cooking liquid. Stir bouillon into cooking liquid and set aside. Place spaghetti in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray; set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in sherry and reserved cooking liquid. Add the lemon-pepper, salt and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Reduce heat to low; stir in milk and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese until blended. Add turkey; cook and stir until heated through. Pour turkey mixture over spaghetti and toss to combine. Sprinkle with paprika and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8 servings.

Justin and I bought a turkey after the holidays to cook and then have leftovers.  We found this recipe to try with our leftover turkey.  It was very good.  Every little bit we would taste a hint of the nutmeg which was different for us.  We halved the recipe for just the two of us. 

Something Different

I haven't updated on all of my doctor's appointments recently and thought I would bring everyone up to speed.  Starting around the end of September, the beginning of October, we were making several trips to Wichita throughout the month to see the specialist.  I took a fertility drug for several consecutive months.  After that did not produce the result the doctor was hoping for we switched drugs to a similar, but different drug, and added an injection.  This required even more trips, I was lucky and it worked out that they fell on many of the days I was already off of school.  Unfortunately this drug did not have the desired effects either. 

Back in November my cousin told me about a chiropractor she had seen who had an interesting story.  It intrigued me and made me think about how my body was created to work.  Up until this time, I had never thought about how my body worked in terms of my nervous system.  I was unaware that a nerve coming from my spine could possibly be pinched without me knowing it.  I was also unaware that a pinched nerve could mess with how the rest of my organs worked.  To make a long story short, I made an appointment with this chiropractor, he took some x-rays, and the vertebrae around the nerve going to my reproductive organs were not in place.  Unfortunately driving to Hutchinson 2 to 3 times a week was just out of the question so I started searching for a chiropractor near Herington.

I did a little searching on the Internet and found some information concerning infertility and chiropractic adjustments.  Sadly in the world of infertility there is very little conclusive evidence of anything.  Because every one's bodies work differently and react differently, it is hard for scientists to nail down any hard facts.  However, there was some favorable evidence that acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments may aide in the issue of infertility.

I found a chiropractor near Herington who practices chiropractic care as well as electro-acupuncture.  Electro-acupuncture stimulates the acupuncture points with microcurrent.  I decided to make an appointment with him.  On my first visit I was explaining our story.  He told me in all the classes and meetings he has to go to, in order to keep his license up to date, they've been talking about infertility.  He said there have been a couple of women who have come to him but have lived to far away to continue treatment.  He was excited to treat me and try some of the things he had learned about.  On my last visit he did some tests and there are four supplements my body seems to be low in.  We are going to try taking the supplements and continue treatment to see what happens.  We decided that even if this doesn't produce the results we are hoping for in terms of infertility/miscarriage, my back will be realigned and the lower back pain I have will be gone!!:)

When we were celebrating Christmas with my family my dad was reading parts of the Christmas story.  He was talking about the "appointed time".  Jesus came at the appointed time, at the end of his life he wasn't seized until the appointed time.  God has a plan in our lives and we will continue to walk hand in hand with Jesus every step of the way.      

Taste of Home Tuesday: Caramelized Onion & Garlic Pasta

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 package (16 ounces) uncooked angel hair pasta
9 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Fresh basil leaves, optional

Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add the onions, pepper flakes and salt; saute until onions are tender. Stir in garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes or until onions are deep golden brown.

Add the tomatoes, vinegar and 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; toss with onion mixture.

Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with bacon, cheese, and pepper; heat through. Garnish with basil if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Justin made this dish tonight while I was at an appointment.  It was tasty, but he said it was a lot of work for what we got in the end.  Lots of mincing and cooking he said.  He halved the recipe for the two of us and it made enough leftovers for his lunch tomorrow. 

Christmas Break Puzzle

A couple days after Christmas, Justin and I purchased this puzzle at the Calendar Store for half off.  We thought it would be a fun way to finish up the break.  I am an organized person and evidently when doing puzzles the picture needs to make sense.  This puzzle was SO random.  I think Justin enjoyed the challenge.  I enjoyed putting the last 50 pieces in.:)  The next puzzle is an actual picture.  My brain is excited to start something that makes sense!!;) 

Taste of Home Tuesday: Sausage Breakfast Pockets

Ingredients
•1/4 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
•1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
•2 ounces cream cheese, softened
•1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
•1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions
•In a small bowl, combine the sausage, cheddar cheese, cream cheese and parsley.
•Unroll crescent dough and separate into four rectangles; seal perforations. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Place 3 tablespoons sausage mixture in the center of each rectangle. Bring four corners of dough over filling and twist; pinch to seal.
•Bake at 375° for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 4 servings.

These pockets were yummy, super fast and easy!  They would be perfect if there is just a little bit of sausage left over from something else.  We ate them for dinner one evening, but I was thinking Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast!

Taste of Home Tuesday: Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold butter
2 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

EGG WASH:
1 egg
1 tablespoon water

FILLING:
1/2 cup butter
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup pecan halves

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in the butter and shortening until crumbly. Combine water, vinegar and vanilla. Gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Beat egg wash ingredients; brush over pastry.

For filling, melt butter and chocolate in a microwave; stir until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, molasses, vanilla and salt. Stir in chopped pecans and butter mixture. Pour into pastry. Arrange pecan halves over filling.

Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

This pie is as sweet as normal pecan pie with chocolate added to the mix.  Their crust is refrigerated 8 hours before using.  I didn't have that much time, so I used my own crust recipe and it tasted fine.  If I make it again I will allow enough time to try their crust. 

Christmas Part 3 & 4

Wednesday afternoon Justin and I drove down to Pretty Prairie to join the rest of the Basinger's for our Christmas.  Mom had some yummy pork chops for dinner with an ice cream roll for dessert!  After the dinner mess was cleaned up we headed to the living room to open presents. 

Justin watching Kyle open his present.

Kyle opening his new fire poker set.

The Daddy to be and I

Mom is checking out her new Bible cover.

Dad opening some shirts

Thursday we all headed over to Grandpa's house for the Schrag Christmas.  Nathan and Ashley were here from Pennsylvania which was extra special.  We hadn't seen them since last April! 

Justin received this game above.  I made it down to one peg which means I'm a genius!!  I had to take a picture to document the occasion.

Grandpa grinning about his new coat.

Kyle and Erin sneaking in a quick nap.

The yummy snacks.

Look closely for Melissa's super cute melting snowmen cookies!

Kyle and Erin watching the croquet game.

A little friendly competition.

The momma to be showing the fellas how it's done.

Chad and Kyle playing with Grandpa's toy.

A friendly game of Pit

Dad's thinking up his next move in Rook.

The boys brought out the BIG GUNS!!

Grandpa playing a little Rook.

Me and the Hubs

Kyle had one too many green wreaths

My Rook hand.  The cards were not in my favor for most of the game.

Nathan and Ashley

Kyle and Erin

It was so wonderful to be home again and see ALL of my family.  I didn't get pictures of everyone but they were all there!  It was a wonderful few days together.