Tag Archive for drippings

Happy Thanksgiving! Gravy Anyone?

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Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you are with those that you love this year.  It is one of my favorite holidays for so many reasons: family, friends, cooking, eating, games, and time to thank God for all of our precious and often overlooked gifts in life!  We are all so blessed in countless ways!

thanksgiving-dinner

 

How do we do this time of year?  It is a production!  Lots of food, lots of prep, and LOTS of modification on my part.  The menu is planned, I know what I am taking (both by request, and by Keto necessity).  I just panicked though, when I realized I didn’t have a plan for the gravy!  What to do?  I have been researching, and I have two ideas for you folks!

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If you are doing the turkey, this is the preferred method:

Use your pan drippings!  Do NOT use flour.  Instead use Xanthan Gum.  Just add a little at a time until it had reached the thickness of a roux.  Whisk quickly.  This is the one I use:
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This will act as your thickener and then you can add broth, wine, butter, you choose slowly, all while whisking.  Add a few herbs, whisk, and you should have a traditional gravy.

 

I, however, am not doing the turkey and will prepare the gravy at home because we have all heard the saying, “Too many cooks in the kitchen”.  There is so much going on already, and it’s not my kitchen, so I am modifying!  Now, I haven’t tried this, so if you are just looking at this after Turkey Day, this would be a go-to for the leftovers, and I will definitely let you know if it doesn’t work.

  1. Sauté an onion and a few cloves of garlic in LOTS of butter – a whole block of Kerry Gold will do.  Keep sautéing until the onions are very limp.
  2. Next, add your herbs: I like fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, and a bay leaf.  Salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Now add stock, preferable homemade chicken or bone broth.  You can add a bit of white wine too.  Simmer over medium low heat until mixture is reduced.
  4. Transfer to a food processor, and process until you have a smooth gravy texture.
  5. If it still needs thickening, add a touch of Xanthan Gum and you should have a delicious flavorful gravy!

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I’m  keeping my fingers crossed because I really like gravy on my turkey!

 

So what else am I making?  That has been the question of the week.

Everything I am taking is listed on this blog except for the veggie tray!

I am taking:

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with garlic and cream cheese

Bacon Brussel Sprouts

A vegetable tray with cilantro dip, ranch dip and spinach dip

Pumpkin Muffins that I have modified into cupcakes by adding cream cheese frosting to the top.

Pumpkin Pie with Whipping Cream

Kerry Gold and Pink Himalayan salt

 

We will enjoy the turkey, salad, squash and other veggies that other family members are preparing as well.  Needless to say, we will have full bellies, full hearts, and count our many blessings!

God bless each of you, and have a safe, happy and very healthy Thanksgiving!

 

Posted in Dinner, Holiday Dish, Lunch, recipe, Sauces and Dressing, Side Dish, special Occasion, tips tagged with , , , , ,

ABC’s Are Not Just for Children!

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This is what we call an ABC Burger!

A=Avocado

B=Bacon

C=Cheddar Cheese

Put it all together, and what do you get…delicious, filling, and crowd pleasing!

No need for a bun.

Every Sunday, I make sheets of bacon to munch on during the week!  This allows us to have bacon every morning, even in a pinch.  I used to make it in the skillet every morning the old fashioned way, but this way allows me to make much more at a time, save all the bacon drippings, and have more time in the morning.

Cookie Sheet Bacon

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with sides (jelly roll pan) with heavy duty aluminum foil.

Lay your bacon out without the sides touching.  I can usually get 10 to 12 pieces on a sheet.IMG_0777The cooking time really depends on how thick your bacon is, how you are going to use it, and how cooked you like it!  If you are going to keep cooking it in another dish, I do it par-baked which just means I remove it before it is thoroughly cooked through.

I use pretty thick bacon and usually cook it about 20 minutes.  For thinner bacon, start checking it at about 12 to 14 minutes.

This is about 20 minutes for thick bacon:
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Remove your bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain and crisp.

Do not discard your drippings.  I almost always try to make a dish using the bacon drippings the day I make bacon such as the Bacon Brussels or Bacon Green Beans.  If I am not cooking a dish, I save the drippings in a mason jar.  (Yes, just like Grandma used to save hers!)  Make sure you strain the bits out if you are using a jar – I use bits and all when preparing a dish the same night.

I reuse the tray over and over until I have enough bacon (and drippings) for my immediate and future bacon needs!  Then, when you are finished, drain your drippings and toss the foil!

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This evening, we made ABC Burgers AND Bacon Green Beans (post to come) with all of that delicious bacon.

It is super simple, and your family will love you.

ABC Burger

I used 2 lbs of grass-fed 80/20 ground beef, and hand mixed with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (and any other herbs and spices you like in a normal burger).

Form the meat into patties the size you like.  My husband grilled them out back as usual, but about 5 minutes before removing them, adds the bacon and tops with sliced cheddar cheese.  After the cheese melts, remove them from the grill.

We place them on a bed of lettuce with mayo (you can use mustard too) and top with sliced avocado. You will realize you never need a bun again!

This is a super easy weeknight meal or a fun weekend meal!

Here is your tip for the week if you need it even easier…Order Up, in San Antonio, makes their own version of an ABC Burger made with grass-fed beef that is delicious!  They serve theirs in a lettuce wrap, on request, and serve their delicious Chipotle Mayo on the side.  It is fantastic, perfectly Keto, and we love the people there as well.IMG_0785Enjoy!

Posted in Breakfast, Dinner, Kids, Main Course, recipe, Uncategorized tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,