Punched Up Potatoes

     Tired of taters?  Had your fill of mashed, smashed, and smushed during the holidays?  Here are a few add-ins to bring those plain old spuds back to life.

1)  Diced green chiles, sour cream, and shredded pepperjack cheese

2)  Diced green onions, cooked peas, and a dash of soy sauce

3)  Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and oregano

4)  Plain Greek yogurt, diced cooked carrots, and dill

5)  Olive oil, diced green olives, lemon juice, and lemon zest

6)  Chopped cooked bacon, fresh horseradish, and chives

7)  Dijon mustard and tarragon

8)  Drained canned corn, diced green olives, and curry powder

9)  Canned tuna in olive oil (use the oil too) and capers

10) Diced roasted red peppers and Brie

11) Chopped cooked broccoli and shredded Cheddar cheese

12) Diced cooked celery and onions, poultry season, and sage

13) Roasted garlic, lemon zest, and rosemary

14) Caramelized red onions, sauteed mushrooms, and crumbled Feta cheese

15) Drained canned black beans, salsa, and cumin

16) Diced fresh celery, crumbled blue cheese, and Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce

      Leftover mashed potatoes also make a great thickener for soups or stews, or spread them over a plain casserole, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and voila! -- shepherd's pie!

When You Come Out of That Turkey Coma, It'll Be A Brand New Day.

     Okay, so you overindulge.  Embarrassingly.  We all do.  Isn't that what Thanksgiving dinner is for?  Honestly, is there another holiday that focuses so thoroughly on the dining room table?  So forgive yourself and take a couple of days to relax and get back to normal.  If you do it right, you'll be feeling like yourself again by Monday.

     First, starting on Friday, drink plenty of water and perhaps green tea, if you like it.  Eat clear soups, vegetables, and fruits.  Take your multi-vitamin with minerals to be sure you're getting all the necessary nutrients while you're cutting back on calories for a few days.

     Second, get moving as soon as you can.  And I'm not talking about running ten miles, just go out and take a walk.  Stand up straight and breathe deeply.  Get plenty of nice cleansing oxygen in your system.  

     Third, and this may be the hardest one, GET RID OF THOSE LEFTOVERS!  I know, I know -- leftovers are the best part, right?  Well, if you truly believe that, then next year don't eat dinner, just wait until the next day for the leftovers.  But if you ate them at dinner, you've tasted them, they were heavenly, and you don't need to do it all again.  Save the turkey, of course, because there are so many wonderful things you can do with that protein, but toss the skin and the gravy.  Same with the dressing and mashed potatoes.  Reserve one serving of your favorite dessert, and give the rest to your still-recovering-from-the-coma friends.  And now get back to your normal eating habits.  It's the best and easiest step you can take to ensure that those extra couple of pounds are gone by Monday.  

     Four, start looking forward to next Thanksgiving!

Holiday Secret Weapons: Greek Yogurt

     As we spin head-first and often out of control into the busiest, craziest time of the year, I have two little words for you, and you've heard them here before, but they bear repeating: GREEK YOGURT.  That's right, a simple little thing like yogurt could make your holiday simpler.  Listen up.  Faced with one festive party after another and still trying to maintain something resembling our pre-holiday shape, Greek yogurt can help us keep our wits about us.

    1.)  It makes a perfect high-protein breakfast to get your busy day started.  Eat it plain or add fruit and nuts or a handful of your favorite high fiber cereal.  Breakfast? Check.

     2.)   It makes a quick and easy light lunch or midday snack.  Add herbs and seasonings to plain yogurt for a yummy dip for vegetables, crackers, chicken fingers, or shrimp.  Use it to moisten tuna, egg, or chicken salad.  Add flavored vinegar and herbs to thin it out for a salad dressing.  Use it instead of mayonnaise as a spread for your sandwich or wrap.  Lunch?  Check.

    3.)  Need a quickie appetizer for a party?  Make the dip described in #2 above, but dress up your serving platter by putting the dip in a hollowed out head of purple cabbage and surrounding it with other brightly colored vegetables -- red peppers, carrots, purple or orange cauliflower, and radishes.  Party appetizer?  Check.

    4.)  Replace all or part of the oil in your baking recipes with plain Greek yogurt to save on fat and boost the protein content.  It will produce a very moist product, though your cookies and brownies won't have the crispiness around the edges that so many of us love.  You've been warned!  Party dessert?  Check.

     Look for sales on your favorite brand and keep your refrigerator well stocked during the holiday so you'll be ready for anything!

    

Calling All Holiday Cooks!

     It's back -- that heavenly time of year that seems to focus so largely on what's on our plates and in our stomachs.  Maybe you're already pulling out all your traditional family recipes so you can start planning ahead.  Or maybe you're looking for some new holiday ideas.  Either way, let's share the wealth!  Post the recipe for your favorite holiday dish or include one that looks appealing but that you haven't tried yet.  You can post a recipe by leaving a comment, or if you'd prefer, just e-mail it directly to me (marizona2@cox.net), and I'll post it for you.  Let's try some new things this year!