Thanksgiving Turkey

  Grandma Willoughby taught me how to roast a Turkey when I was a young girl.  Her method is fool proof and has been practiced since the early 1900's.  The big secret is a brown grocery sack!  So when I go to the store to pick up my Turkey, I asked for my secret cooking bag to carry it home...paper not plastic, please! Plan your trip to pick up your Thanksgiving Turkey and your brown paper bag too, ... you're gunna need it!   

Ingredients~
Fresh Turkey
Olive Oil 
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Brown Grocery Sack

     Remove wrappings from thawed Turkey, remove parts from inside Turkey, rinse with water and pat dry, rub with EVOO, sprinkle with Salt, Pepper and Garlic and put inside Brown Paper Sack, roll up the open end and place in roasting pan, following roasting directions on wrapper.  On last 20 minutes of roasting, remove Turkey and tear open sack, put back in oven to finish cooking and browning.  Remove when done, let rest 15 minutes, carve and serve!  Enjoy  ;)

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

     Who says you can't have it all!?  Find that guy and set him straight.  With my Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, you get plenty of rich flavor with friendly macros.  Each of the 6~1/2 cup servings are only 104 calories, 13g net carbs and 3g protein.  It's all about portion control and savoring every single bite.  This one is not to be missed, and check out the recipe for my sneaky healthy twist!

Ingredients for 6~1/2 cup servings:
1 pound diced Potatoes,(I leave skin on)
3 cups (approx 12 oz) diced fresh raw Cauliflower
2 Tablespoons (1oz) reduced fat Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Buttermilk (sub with 1/4 cup Milk with a teaspoon Vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes)
1 Tablespoon Ranch seasoning (sub with Garlic Powder and Onion Powder)
Salt, season to taste
Pepper, season to taste
Sliced Green Onion, as desired for garnish
1 Tablespoon Butter

     Cook Potatoes and Cauliflower, I used ziplock microwavable steaming bags per directions, add cooked vegetables to mixing bowl with Cream Cheese, Buttermilk and Seasoning, whip with beaters til smooth.  Garnish with Green Onions and top with pat of Butter.  Enjoy  :)

Savory Green Beans

     No special meal is complete with out my famous Savory Green Beans.  It is highly requested at family gatherings.  Not for a healthy side option, even tho it is, but it has magnificent flavor.  And, who doesn't love a good Green Bean!?  Each of the 4 servings are only 69 calories, 8g net carbs and 4g protein.  A winner all the way around!

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 Tablespoon Chicken Base or 3 Chicken Bouillion Cubes
3 cups Water
1 double thick slice of Brown Sugar Bacon (I get this in the meat department in the case) ~Sub with favorite Bacon
1 medium Onion, diced
1 pound fresh Green Beans, snapped (sub with canned Green Beans)

     Dissolve Chicken Base in Water in large stock pot while bringing to simmer, add Bacon, Onion and Green Beans and continue to simmer several hours (probably 3-4) til liquid evaporated, stir occasionally.  Serve and Enjoy  :)

Brown Sugar Carrots

     I absolutely love carrots, I love them shredded, raw, steamed or glazed!  And I think they are the perfect addition to any festive table.  And of course I needed to add my healthy twist to the glaze to make it a Holiday favorite!  For 8~3/4 cup servings it is only 50 calories, 6g net carbs and 1g protein.  What sides will you fancy this year at your special gatherings!?

Ingredients for 8~3/4 cups servings:
2 pounds raw Baby Carrots
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon packed Swerve Brown Sugar Erythritol, more if desired
Salt, as desired for seasoning
Pepper, as desired for seasoning

     Steam Carrots, I use the microwavable disposable ziplock baggies and cook according to directions, they work like a charm.  Meanwhile, melt Butter and stir in Brown Sugar til well incorporated and pour over cooked Carrots and stir til well coated, season as desired with Salt and Pepper.  Enjoy  :)

Oven Roasted Stir Fry

     Do you like the idea of one big pan of health, with little mess to clean up!?  Do you like that a hearty serving is only 275 calories, 8g net carbs and 35g protein!?  Do you like that my daughter was the one who inspired this!?  I do, I sure do!  The last time I visited Courtney in her home, she surprised me with this beautiful dish and I knew I had to make it right away...(now it's clear why I became a parent, finally the pay off... Ha)  Yes, there are a few extra things to chop, but it's ok because you will have plenty of leftovers for the next day, two birds one stone!  ;)

Ingredients for 8 servings~
2 Tablespoons fresh chopped Garlic
1 medium white Onion, diced
8oz sliced fresh Mushrooms
1 Red Bell Pepper, cleaned and diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, cleaned and diced
8oz(net) Broccoli, diced
1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
13oz Turkey Keilbasa Sausage, sliced
1 pound Chicken Breast, diced
2 pounds raw Shrimp (I use the 21-25 per pound size)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Dash Cayenne Powder
Seasoning as desired (I used a Garlic lovers blend, or Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt and Pepper)

     Add contents to largest mixing bowl you can find and then spread on foil lined cookie sheets (yes, you need two).  Roast at 500 for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  I served this with Farro, or you could do Rice, Quinoa, Pasta or Zoodles.  Macros only include the Stir Fry.  Enjoy  :)

Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin

     If you are looking for a easy quick and flavorful main dish, then keep on readin'.  My Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin comes together in a flash and looks like you spent hours.  Not only that, it's macro friendly too.  Each 4oz serving is only 145 calories, 4g net carbs and 21g protein.  Have I convinced you yet to add this to the menu!?  Don't let a lean cut of Pork fool you, it truly can be the other white meat.  ;)

Ingredients for 8 servings~
2 Tablespoon Honey
2 Tablespoon Spicy Brown Mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh chopped Garlic
Dash Rosemary, if desired
Dash Thyme, if desired
Dash Salt, to taste
Dash Pepper, to taste
2 pounds Pork Tenderloin

     Mix together all ingredients minus the Pork, til well incorporated, coat the two Tenderloins with half the marinade and sear on all sides in hot skillet, once browned transfer to foil lined pan, top with remaining sauce and roast at 350 for 50 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Weeklong Garden Salad

     For many years I have been very diligent in keeping a Weeklong Garden Salad on hand at all times, ... 'cause I don't want to change my comfy stretchy pants for truth telling pants...with buttons and zippers.  My best advice to staying on track is to develop healthy structured routines on the daily.  That being said, I have discovered the longest lasting set of Greens that don't get wet, soggy or mushy and stays pretty crisp for up to a week.  Every day at lunch I can just grab a couple handfuls, add a lean protein and a Tablespoon of my favorite full fat Salad Dressing and I have a beautiful meal in minutes.  When that noon time hunger strikes, this girl is prepared.  As a side note, this is  a great addition to any large gathering as it feeds a crowd.

Ingredients for Large Salad~
3 Heads chopped Romaine
5-6oz Baby Kale or Spinach
10oz bag shredded Carrots
1 diced Red Bell Pepper
1 bunch sliced Green Onion
Cilantro leaves, if desired
Cherry Tomato, if desired

     Add to largest mixing bowl in order listed, cover with Saran Wrap and store in fridge up to a week.  Enjoy  :)  PS  A Hot Tip is use Balsamic Vinegar, Hummus, Cottage Cheese, Salsa or an Avocado for Dressing, and kick that bottle to the curb!