Turkey Pot Pie

Credit: Carla Hall, The Chew
Reciepe: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Carla-Hall-Turkey-Pot-Pie

Cochran Review: Hoping to make this tonight.

Pumpkin Cookies

Credit: Cookies and Cups
Recipe: http://cookiesandcups.com/2-ingredient-pumpkin-cookies/

Cochran Review: These are so easy and so yummy! They'll satisfy your cookie and cake craving. Fair warning, they expand while baking. So, make the cookies slightly smaller than you want them to be when putting them on the cookie sheet before baking. We decided not to do the icing and throw some chocolate chips in them. Yum! Enjoy!

Here's a picture of our cookies:

Mini Turkey & Veggie Meatloaves

Credit: One of my best friends, Marianne, found this through Perdue
Recipe: http://m.perdue.com/recipes/details.asp?id=143&titile=Mini

Cochran Review: This is my 100th post! Crazy to me that I've posted so many recipes! Thank you to all of you for having interest in what I'm cooking! My blog gets over 1,000 hits per month, which I find very humbling.

We are having these cute little mini turkey meatloaves for dinner tonight. I decided to throw a broccoli bunch and a carrot in the food processor to mix into the loaves. I like to sneak extra veggies in for our family in dishes like these where they go undetected.

These were good. My son (almost 2) helped with dinner. So, we served it with mac n' cheese. I don't know if it is because Thanksgiving is around the corner of what, but I'd like to try something fun and different with this. I'd like to put green beans in the food processor and mix with the turkey, seasonings, cheese and add stuffing instead of bread crumbs. Then I'd serve it on a bed of mashed potatoes and drizzle with gravy. I may have to try this soon! LOL! Enjoy!

Here's a pic from our dinner:

Braised Chicken Pumpkin

Credit: Michael Symon, The Chew
Recipe: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Braised-Chicken-Pumpkin-Michael-Symon

Cochran Review: I was a little nervous my husband would weird out about pumpkin. So I used half pumpkin & half sweet potato. It wasn't weird at all. Very flavorful & yummy! Also, I substituted sweet peas for collard greens. I think next time I'll use kale. Fair warning, this makes a ton! So make for a large group or plan to freeze. Enjoy!

Pic from our meal:



Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip No Dairy Ice Cream

Credit: Disney Jr
Recipe: I didn't look up the recipe exactly. I just saw a commercial for it and made it up as I went along. I cut up 4 bananas in 1/2 inch slices and freeze. Once frozen, place bananas in food processor or blender and mix till smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. I used natural peanut butter. Then add a handful of chocolate chips. Mix until ice cream consistency.

Cochran Review: This is so yummy, and totally satisfies an ice cream fix without added sugar or dairy. Enjoy!

Fall Party Food & Decorating

A month or so ago I was watching The Chew, and Clinton Kelly had such a cute idea for a cheese selection display. I looked and can't find the idea online, so I don't have a link to share. However, I hosted two parties last month and made my own version. It was a huge hit with my guests, and I want to share with all of you. So easy, too!

First, I went shopping for fresh fruit, dry fruit, various cheeses, and crackers. Then I asked for paper bags from my local grocery. I cut the large rectangular sides out and taped them together with the grocer's name on bottom. Then I cut small pieces of wax/parchment paper to place on top of the bag, but under my cheeses. From there I cut the cheeses and fresh fruit. Then I arranged my snacks on the paper bags, labeling all of them with a sharpie marker right on the taped bags. Ta dah! I very approachable and casual cheese and fruit spread!

 

 

I decorated the tables with gourds drilled with candle size holes in them. I then placed candles in the holes and lite them. So cheap, easy, festive, and pretty! Careful to only to this a day in advance... they molded very fast. 

 

 

Slow Cooker Beer Chicken w/ Beer & Bacon Quinoa

This one is a combination of a recipe found on Pinterest and a creative moment on my part.

Slow Cooker Beer Chicken

 



Credit: LaaLoosh
Recipe: http://www.laaloosh.com/2012/07/09/crock-pot-beer-chicken-recipe/

Cochran Review: Easy to make and decent flavor. The flavor is good and can be eaten as is, but isn't so overwhelming that you can't make the leftovers into a new meal. I shredded the chicken and made quesadillas the next day.

The chicken made a very yummy au jus. I strained the au jus and served it to the side to be poured over our chicken and quinoa. I think next time I might by hoagies to have chicken french dip sandwiches with leftovers!

Pic of our au jus:

Beer & Bacon Quinoa

 

 

Credit: Jen Cochran, me!  :)

Recipe: Make quinoa as directed on side of box. Instead of water or broth, I used a bottle of beer, plus a little water to make up the 2 cups. Cook bacon on side to a crispy consistency... I used 4 thick cut pieces. Let bacon rest and cool. When quinoa is done, crumble bacon and mix with quinoa.

 

Comments: I wanted something to go along with the chicken recipe above. Beer chicken sounds very manly to me and so I thought, hmmm... what else do men love? Bacon! I think the quinoa was the star of this meal! We had chicken leftovers, but gobbled all of the quinoa up. Enjoy!

 



Sausage & Kale Soup



Credit: Taste of Home
Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Sausage-and-Kale-Soup

Cochran Review: It is simmering on the stove now. Super easy to put together and smells wonderful on this cold, rainy day. We will let you know. -- This was great! I used turkey sausage, but followed the rest. Hearty, tasty, easy to make, and pairs well w/ fresh made bread! Enjoy!

Picture of our meal simmering: