leftovers (still)

pea & potato cakes

I love to make these pancakes when I have leftover mashed potatoes. They're not pretty, but they're always delicious. I have made this several times, and not yet gotten them quite right. Take the advice in the note at the bottom: adjust the recipe as needed to make the consistency sticky and somewhat thick. If the mixture is too wet and runny, the cakes will fall apart. But don't be afraid! They're quick and worth the effort.


Pea & Potato Cakes

3/4 c fresh or frozen peas
4 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced (or 2-4 green onions, sliced)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups cooked mashed potatoes
1 cup cheddar cheese (about 4 oz)
2 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sald
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a small saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil over high hear. Add peas and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain, put in a medium bowl, and cool slightly. (If using frozen peas, just set out to thaw.)

Wipe the saucepan clean and heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 4 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Place in a large bowl and cool slightly.

Add the peas, potatoes, cheese, flour, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir until well-blended. Shape into 8 round cakes.

Heat 1 1/2 tbsp of the remaining olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cakes and cook for 8 minutes (I let them cook as long as it takes to get a good sear on the one side. They stay together better that way.) Transfer the cakes to a plate to keep warm and repeat with the remaining 4 cakes. Serve with mesclun salad.

Note: If your leftovers are made with butter or milk, omit the cheese and add a little more flour to bind them. Always test a small cake first for consistency.

from Simply Organic by Jesse Ziff Cool

more leftovers

turkey blt soup

I used up some of our bountiful turkey supply and some leftover potatoes to make this tasty soup. Enjoy!

olive oil for drizzling
6 slices bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
3 small celery ribs finely chopped
2 small to medium carrots, chopped
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper
3 medium starchy potatoes
2 quarts chicken stock
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes or 1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1-2 cups shredded turkey (optional)

Heat a medium soup pot or deep-sided skillet over medium heat. To the hot pan add a drizzle of olive oil and the bacon. Cook the bacon until brown and reserve. Drain off all but 2 tbsp. of the remaining fat and add the chopped celery and carrots. Cut the leeks lengthwise and then into 1/2-inch half moons. Place the sliced in a colander and run them under cold water, separating the layers to wash away all the trapped grit. When the leeks are clean, shake off the water and add to the celery and carrots. Stir the veggies together, add the bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. While the leeks cook until wilted, 3-4 minutes, slice the potatoes.

Cut each potato into thirds crosswise. Stand each third upright and slice it thinly. The pieces will look like raw potato chips.

Add stock to the vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the potatoes, tomatoes, and turkey (if using). Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and starting to break up a bit. Add the reserved bacon and parsley and stir adjust the seasonings.

adapted from Rachel Ray's Express Lane Meals

thanksgiving

Somehow I've made it more than a month without posting a thing. And I've started the last few posts with apologies like this one. I hope to get back on track!


Anyway, I hosted Thanksgiving at my house this year for the first time. It was truly a team effort with my parents, husband, and brother each helping with an aspect of the meal. My mom made the turkey and several of the sides. My mother-in-law contributed stuffing to our meal as well, even though she was hosting her own dinner at her house.

apple, onion, and celery stuffed turkey

gruyere beer bread

butternut squash coleslaw & sage sausage stuffing

cream cheese filled pumpkin cupcakes