Every once in a while, I survey what is hiding in my freezer and decide to make something with the frozen goodies. Winter is a very good time to do that for me. Since our growing season is just about here in the south, I have to make room for my CSA produce. A biggie is the leftover Thanksgiving turkey and gravy which shouldn’t be stored for too many n\months. So this week turkey pot pie was on the menu, Since I still have the turkey bones, soup is on the menu next week. This week the frozen ham bone gave is split pea soup for lunch. A box of frozen artichoke hearts were just right for pizza and the extra applesauce made a delicious bread.

Applesauce Bread

Recipe for Baked Applesauce:

https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2017/01/18/cooking-with-winter-fruit/

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, oil, eggs and milk; beat well. Sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt; stir until smooth.

Fold in the pecans. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.

Turkey Pot Pie

Following Thanksgiving, I had quite a bit of turkey and turkey gravy leftover. I placed some in the freezer for the future. The future is here and I decided this was a good time to make a turkey pot pie.

Ingredients

2 refrigerated 9 inch pie crusts, at room temperature

Filling

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups leftover turkey gravy, defrosted if frozen
2 cups diced turkey, defrosted if frozen
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 small baking potato, peeled and diced
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat the oven to 425°F. Unroll pie crust and place one pastry in a 9 inch pie pan.

In a large mixing bowl combine all the filling ingredients and mix well.

Spoon the mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.

Bake 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. During last 15 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Artichoke & Fontina Pizza

Ingredients

9 ounces frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion sliced into thin rounds
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 sprig basil leaves sliced
Salt and black pepper to taste
One pound of your favorite pizza at room temperature
1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese. drained
8 oz Italian Fontina cheese, sliced thin
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat the oil in a medium skillet and saute the garlic and onion until tender. Add the artichoke hearts, lemon juice, salt and pepper and simmer until the artichokes soften.

Cool the mixture to room temperature.

Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Oil a pizza pan. Stretch the pizza dough to fit the pan.

Combine the ricotta with basil, salt and pepper

Cover the dough with the sliced fontina cheese. Top with ricotta and then the artichoke mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Place the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Split Pea Soup

Recipe for Glazed Ham:

https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2017/01/27/birthday-dinner/

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups dried split peas
2 quarts cold water or broth
1 1/2 pounds ham bone
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
/4 teaspoon dried marjoram or thyme
2 bay leaves
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 large russet potato, peeled and diced

Directions

In a large stock pot, cover peas with 2 quarts cold water and soak overnight. If you need a faster method, simmer the peas gently for 2 minutes, and then soak for l hour.

Once peas are soaked, add ham bone, onion, salt, pepper and marjoram. Cover, bring to boil and then simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Remove bone; cut off meat, dice and return meat to soup. Add celery, carrots and potatoes. Cook slowly, uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in apples, Bread, Cheese, Healthy Italian Cooking, Pizza, Pot Pie, Soup, Turkey, Vegetables Tags: cooking from the freezer