What To Do With That Pumpkin

Bought a fair size pumpkin before Halloween and just getting aeround to "doing something with it". So cut it into quarters, removed pulp and seed, popped it into the oven on two roasting trays, and baked at 350F for a couple of hours (till it was soft with a fork). Removed skin then puree'd using an emersion blender, and vwa-la, I now have 24 cups of pumpkin mash (that's a lot of mash). My first thought, of course, was make pumpkin pie (good timing, 2 days after Thanksgiving), but this is enough for 12 pies, so I need alternate plans.

Thai Pumpkin Soup (except I leave out the sweet potato, tofu, and chickpeas and emulsify blend everything into a bisque)
Pumpkin Pancakes (except I add a bit more pumpkin, makes the pancakes more dense but more moist too)
Pumpkin Beer (if I were still making it, bad timing being pregnant and all, though)
Cajun Spiced Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Hot Chocolate (haven't tried this yet, but fully intend too. Love me some homemade hot chocolate).

Poor Man's Rain-Collection Barrel

This easy DIY rain collection barrel gives you a free source of chlorine-free water at the optimal temperature for plant growth plus an ideal place to periodically add fertilizer. Doesn't hurt that it's cheap and easy to build too. You can substitute something prettier, like an old wine barrel, but it will cost a little extra.

Click here for detailed instructions:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2gdNar_rMtAMjQxNzUxYmItYjU1ZC00YzYzLTgwNjMtZjg1ODA2MjYxMzdk/edit?hl=en_US

Funny Quote

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." – Ronald Reagan

Make Ahead Freezer Meals

Until now, I've never been big on "cooking ahead" or "freezer food" (at least not freezer food that was homemade and already completely prepped). But for the last few years, my mother-in-law has inspired me. Each time we visit, I notice she has all of our meals pre-cooked, this even includes Thanksgiving. She'll fill up the grill with chicken and pre-cook bulk amounts of chicken for use in soups, chicken salads, shredded topping for baked potato, etc.. Long story short, she's an inspiration to me in the kitchen. It just seems so much more efficient, on so many levels.

You can take inventory on what you have and what you need, buy only what's necessary, cook it all at once where nothing will get wasted, use the minimum amount of energy for cooking, minimum amount of total time cooking and cleaning, and you end up with "instant" meals that are completely homemade and healthy (if planned that way). To top it all off, if you're an avid gardener, this also provides a way to freeze / store excess produce.

I found several websites that provide some good ideas for meal preparation in this manner:
http://pregnant.livejournal.com/17071127.html
http://onceamonthmom.com/
http://www.offthegridnews.com/2012/11/02/how-to-create-garden-fresh-freezer-meals/
http://www.marthastewart.com/274277/freezer-friendly-foods
http://freezermealsforus.blogspot.com/

Now to plan this week's meals....
Turkey and Brocolli Pretzel Calzones
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Feta Stuffed Meatballs
Turkey Shepards Pie (Yum!)

Chicken casserole: 

http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2010/01/chicken-and-rice-it-tastes-so-nice/

Spinach Baked Egg Galette

Me = not an egg lover. Hubby = very much the egg lover. This breakfast = perfect compromise. The whole family really loves this dish.

1 pie crust divided into 4 pieces. Fold up edges and shape into 6" discs. 
1/2 finely diced medium-sized onion
1 tsp diced garlic
spice: nutmeg, red pepper flakes, black pepper
feta
1 bag fresh spinach, chopped just a bit.

Saute onions, garlic, and spice first. Then add spinach and cheese. Scoup mixture into crust, make a little hole in the middle, and top with one raw egg and black pepper. Pop in 350F oven for 15-30 minutes until egg is white and crust starts to brown.

Optionally: use ham, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, etc…

Note to self: Next time, I think I'll cook everything except the egg first, until the crust looks almost done, then add the raw egg and cook 5 more minutes (I like my yolk runny!).

The Coupon Scoop for Birmingham

Store	Bogo	Competitor	Manufacturer	Stacking	Other	Link
Aldies					No coupons but have great weekly deals	Weekly Ad
Earth Fare	Almost never bogo sale	No	No doubling	Yes	Have great weekly deals	Coupons
Food Giant	?	Yes	No doubling	?	?	?
Piggly Wiggly	1 is 1/2 price	No	Double up to .99	Yes	?	Weekly Ad
Publix	1 is 1/2 price	Yes. Accepts dollars off total too.	Double up to .50	Yes	Weekly penny items and good bogo.	Coupons, Weekly Ad
Target	Must buy 2	No	No doubling	Yes	Price matching (including bogo?).	Coupons , Weekly Ad
Walmart	?	No? Yes?	No doubling	Yes	Price matching (including bogo). If coupon exceeds purchase price, can receive cash back	Local Ad , Coupons
Western	Can apply coupon to bogo	?	Double up to .65	?	?	Weekly ad
Whole Foods	Must buy 2	No	Double up to .50	Yes	No official coupon policy (varies per store)	Coupons
Winn Dixie	Must buy 2	No	Double up to .50	Yes	2 coupons/item (even bogo). Fuel perks + baby club. 1/week, receipt creates dollars off total coupon. Good bogo.	Bogo

Coupons.com
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