Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Lee Valley Gravy & Stock Fat Separator Review

My search for the perfect gravy fat separator is over. I have bought gadgets and tried so many methods for removing the fat from the Christmas turkey drippings and they never worked well and usually ended with a big mess to clean up.

I purchase all kinds of things from Lee Valley and am always completely delighted. They sell quality items that work and solve your household problems. From the unique to the extraordinary everyday items, I trust Lee Valley. They stand behind what they sell, too, so I know I always have support. Even in one instance, more that 4 years later! (a grow light seed starter for husband which he never opened. When I gave up and started some herbs myself, the light was intermittent and Lee Valley replaced the whole lighting unit for me! Great customer service). When I found this separator from them I knew it was worth trying.

When I was placing my Christmas gift orders (which was the joke for the 2020 holiday, I bought so many presents it was always "that's from Lee Valley!!!), I noticed the fat separator. Similar to the tea steeper I use, the draining action comes from below, so it is so easy to see when the drippings have drained and the fat line is reached and you are immediately able to stop when it's at that point.

Here's the description from the Lee Valley website:

"This fat separator drains directly from the bottom, so it’s easy to pour off nothing but the juices, leaving only the lighter fats or oils behind.

You simply hold it level and press a thumb trigger to let the liquid run.

The transparent sides let you see when it’s time to stop the flow; releasing the trigger instantly closes the spring-loaded valve without any drips or leaks.

You can pour pan drippings directly into the 6" wide, funnel-like top, which has a perforated lid to strain larger solids.

Made of Tritan, a BPA-free, food-safe plastic that is resistant to heat, impact and discoloration, the pitcher is marked on the side with graduations up to 4 cups/1000ml/32 fl oz.

All parts fully disassemble for easy cleaning and are dishwasher safe."

...and here's their video showing the fat separator in action!

As you can see, the perforated lid also strains the solids and everything is dishwasher safe. It is so easy to use and works perfectly! This isn't something I need all the time but when I do, I want it to work. I am known for my amazing gravy so being able to make it an easier process is wonderful. I wanted to share this excellent separator so that you can eliminate the mess and hassle when you make your own. I give this my highest recommendation!!

Cheddar Ham Soup

I made a spiral ham for Easter dinner and looked for a good soup recipe to use up the leftover meat. Taste of Home was a great magazine I used to subscribe to back in the 90s and I always loved the amazing, easy to make, home-style dishes. I found this Cheddar Ham Soup recipe on their website and gave it a try, even though I knew it was going to be rich and heavier than what I usually make.

The ingredient list was pretty standard and I had everything I needed. It was so easy to make, basically just boiling the vegetables while making a quick cheddar white sauce. Next, simply combining the two and adding frozen peas and the leftover ham.

The result was incredible! My family loved it and hearty it was! Definitely could use this soup as a meal with salad and a good hunk of crusty bread; it is very similar to a great pot pie filling. The batch didn't last long and we were sad when it was all gone. This is one of those keeper recipes I know I'll be making every time we have leftover spiral ham! I highly recommend it!

From Our Chefs Meal Kits

Meal kits, whether in-store or through a home delivery subscription service, are so popular and now more than ever, might be a real help when it comes to getting dinner on the table. I have reviewed Hello Fresh in several posts (you can start with this one if you'd like to read it) and while I really enjoyed getting that monthly box of 3 meals, I did find it expensive. The meals were quite elaborate and often too caloric for my WW (Weight Watchers) points. I also found them rather labour intensive to prepare with several steps involved. Seeing as the idea was to streamline my time in the kitchen, I ended up cancelling my subscription.

While I was shopping for staples at the beginning of this strange and incredulous time, and discovered there was no chicken to be had, I happened to see a few boxes tucked away in the fresh deli section of the store. They turned out to be meal kits and they had one chicken dish and one beef dish left. I picked up both family size kits and each one was $20. That didn't seem too bad for a complete dinner for 4 (obviously only $5 per person) and while my daughter pointed out that I'd just purchased a small lasagna for $20, once we tried it, I was delighted.

The first meal I made was the Chicken Parmesan with vegetables. This kit contained: Raw Chicken, Seasoned Breading, Egg mixture, Brushetta, Fresh Veggie Blend, Cooked Potatoes, Mozzarella, and Marinara Sauce. It wasn't until I got home that I discovered the safety tape had been cut but everything inside was securely sealed. I figured someone had peeked inside to see the contents. When I began preparing the dish I thought someone had actually removed the much sought after chicken packages. The kit serves 4 but there was only one very tiny package of chicken. I asked my daughter if she thought that really could be intended to serve a family and her boyfriend suggested weighing it. Indeed, it was as described on the box and once the package was cut open, it expanded to reveal the pre-cut fresh chicken strips. The dinner was simple to make and delicious. There was no cutting or measuring to do and everything was extremely fresh and well-seasoned. While the chicken portion was small, it was definitely adequate. Two thumbs up! 

The Beef and Spinach Lasagna Meal Box contained everything needed to make the dish: Raw Lean Ground Beef, Lasagna Sheets, Veggie Blend, Fresh Baby Spinach, Cheese Blend, Ricotta & Marinara Sauce, and even the Oven Safe Tray. It was so fast and easy to put together and I was very impressed with the freshness and quality of the ingredients. The lasagna sheets are fresh pasta and the marinara sauce was fantastic. The lasagna was incredible and everyone LOVED it, even daughter who doesn't usually eat that kind of baked pasta. I couldn't wait to try the other meal kits and also, to buy the lasagna again.

I have since purchased the Butter Chicken with Rice meal (excellent, and the whole family agreed!) and look forward to trying Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry and Shepherd's Pie. Even though all these dishes can definitely be made homemade, having the option to have everything fresh and ready to go, with nothing extra to buy, is a wonderful choice. I feel these From Our Chef meal kits (I believe they are PC brand but I'm not sure) are an excellent alternative to home delivery services. There is no commitment, you choose what you want to make and eat, and when, there is no extra packaging to dispose of (cooler boxes, synthetic ice packs, etc.), and they are very affordable when and if you want them. I am delighted and hope they continue to develop other recipes and selections. I am very impressed!

I hope you are all safe and well. These have been trying times and while enduring the COVID-19 stay-at-home recommendations, things have been made extra difficult as we had our puppy's surgery the day before the whole lock-down began (we were assured there was no reason to postpone). Not only did he need to be kept quiet and still, he ended up with complications (infection and wound issues) requiring weekend emergency vet service an hour away during the strict distancing and closures. All family members are working from home so it has been very stressful managing space and volume for all of us. I am SO looking forward to things returning to a more manageable situation and for a good night's rest at some point! Puppy is at least out of danger and on the mend and we are thankfu and counting our blessings. Love to you!

 

Easy Calabacitas Recipe

My friend shared this incredible recipe for Easy Calabacitas from Mexican Please and I could not wait to make it! I hadn't even heard of Calabacitas but it is a very easy-to-prepare mixture of 6 ingredients. As I eat mostly a plant-based diet, and am a fairly faithful Weight Watcher member, I am always on the lookout for simple dishes that are healthy and delicious. This one definitely checks all the boxes!

A couple zucchini, 3 plum tomatoes, onion, garlic, frozen corn (or canned or fresh), AND a beautiful jalapeño are all you need. I happened to be making roasted potatoes so I threw the tomatoes into the oven and roasted them while I got everything else going. The blender works so well to whip up the sauce when the tomatoes are done - just added to the jug with a bit of the sautéed onions and garlic, and the pepper. I removed the seeds because I don't like too much heat, and I was even a bit nervous to use the entire pepper because it was quite large. When the zucchini was soft I added the sauce and the corn and after a few minutes dinner was ready.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe how amazing this calabacitas tastes! The jalapeño added the most fantastic flavour without being overpowering and left a wonderful taste in my mouth!  You can add this as a filling to tacos or quesadillas, top it with avocado or some protein (chicken, egg, beans?), use as a side dish or just eat as is. I couldn't stay away and since it is quite a big batch, I enjoyed a bowlful for lunches over the next couple days. As prepared, the calabacitas is very low in points since only the oil you use to saute the veggies counts with the new WW Blue program. I am so pleased to have this recipe in my repertoire and plan to make it often. If you try it, let me know what you think!

The Beyond Meat Beyond Burger Plant Based Burgers at Home!

The Beyond Meat burger has been available at A&W in Canada for some time and I quite enjoyed indulging in the plant based sandwich a couple of times when my family visited the restaurant. The patties contain several vegetarian ingredients like beets, apples, yellow peas, beans, rice, potatoes and even pomegranate seeds! The burgers are very satisfying and rich in protein. The classic hamburger toppings make this an authentic burger experience and I really enjoy having the combination of lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments flavours back in my hot sandwich life! Since I am not vegan, I also added a slice of cheese. While the Beyond Meat burger is a filling treat it is still high in calories (and WW points) and I find it very rich, something I'll only have on occasion for sure. This is also especially tricky when going to the fast food restaurant leads to the temptation of French fries, onion rings, and root beer!

Last week I was quite excited to find out that the Beyond Burgers are now available in grocery stores. I picked up a package (on sale for $7.99 for 2 patties) and hubby bar-b-qued for the family on the weekend. The home version tasted almost identical to the A&W one and it was nice to participate in the grilled dinner with healthier sides we prepared. Of course these Beyond Burgers are great options for vegetarians but I think the health-conscious consumer who is trying to reduce meat in the diet will find these a super substitute for ground beef. They are a really tasty alternative and may just become a regular part of a family's meal plan.

Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend

I have heard about this Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend for years on Weight Watcher chats but alas, it is only available in the States. Since we now always fly to our vacation destinations south I don't get the chance to browse and stock up in the grocery stores like I used to when we took the kids on road trips. However, thanks to the king of online shopping, Amazon, I was finally able to order a couple of jars of this much talked about flavourful topping I was anxious to try.

My order arrived the next day (I only got regular free shipping so I was so surprised!) and I couldn't wait to try the blend. It is a mix of sesame seeds (white, black, and toasted, it appears), salt, garlic, and onion flakes. I had seen it sprinkled on avocado toast on the Today Show and that was going to be my first taste. Excellent! It is very garlicky! Next I added it on top of my 2-ingredient bagels (you can read about those in THIS POST). Also fab, just like an 'everything bagel'. The label suggests using it everywhere and on a plain bagel smeared with cream cheese. I could do that! Sure, I realize you could easily make up one's own blend but I wanted to try the original first to evaluate the ratio of ingredients.

So a big thumbs up for the amazing Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. It is available in the U.S. at Trader Joe's or you can shell out a whopping CDN$13.50 plus tax to order it from Amazon. I know each jar will last quite a while and because of my impressionable and impatient nature, ordering was inevitable. I will definitely throw a couple in my suitcase the next time I'm in the States and have a car. I don't know how much a bottle costs AT Trader Joe's but I'm sure it is a lot less than $15. Until then, I will enjoy that everything bagel flavour on everything possible until my supply is gone.

Hello Fresh Za'atar & Feta Tart

I'm definitely discovering that savoury tarts made with phyllo pastry are my favourite delivery from Hello Fresh! This Za'atar & Feta Tart was absolutely fabulous and I can't wait to make it again. As you can see in the prep photo, all the amazing ingredients were sent in the box, clearly labelled and portioned according to the easy-to-follow recipe. I am loving these creative vegetarian meals!!

I was not familiar with za'atar spice/seasoning but learned it is a Middle Eastern blend typically of dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some similar combination, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt. It was amazing and I loved the flavour sprinkled over this crispy tart. It's also lovely to have a small salad provided, even if it's simple greens, to round out the meal.

Another hit from Hello Fresh. This month's order had to be cancelled because it didn't work out with my schedule but I'm so excited for February's. I'll be whipping up some Burrata Margherita Pizzettes, Warm Beet and Lentil Farro Bowl, and (a repeat) Spicy Shakshuka with Chickpeas. I hope the missed recipes from January will turn up in the rotation again soon since I was really anticipating trying the dishes.

Blue Zones Creamy Corn Chowder

I was craving a hearty, creamy soup for lunch and yet still wanted to stick to my healthy January goals. I went to the Blue Zones to find something to make and found this Creamy Corn Chowder recipe. It was perfect, especially since I had all the ingredients on hand and it was very quick to prepare. By making use of frozen corn niblets this is a great chowder to turn to when you want something fast and easy. The only thing I did differently was omit the almond flour because of a nut allergy. I substituted about a tablespoon of regular flour mixed in a bit of water. The pureed soup is thick already so I didn't find it needed much more. Also, the potato really adds a creaminess, along with the corn so it turns into a definitely satisfying chowder without the addition of any cream at all!

You can find the recipe HERE. I absolutely loved this soup and the recipe yields a whopping 10 cups. I simmered it up in my giant Dutch oven then portioned out enough for the rest of the week in the fridge and a few containers for the freezer. A+ recipe in my book!  

Instant Pot Pizza Pasta

I wanted to try some new recipes and this Instant Pot Pizza Pasta was a great place to start. Dinner is always so rushed and since I had all the ingredients ready to go it was only a few minutes to get this meal on the table.

The kids love anything with pepperoni so I knew it would be a hit. They weren't crazy about the mushrooms but I always try to keep them in there for 'exposure'! One day.....

I didn't have penne so I used bowtie pasta and it worked just as well. Hubby said the centre of the bows were a bit too al dente so next time I will increase the cook time slightly if I have to use that variety again. Other than that, everyone said it smelled amazing and loved the cheesy pasta. This was definitely a hit all around and I will be making it again. It's a great way to use up pepperoni and sauce after pizza night too!

You can watch the video below and use the Instant Pot link in the info to print out the written recipe. Enjoy!

Hello Fresh 1st Delivery Review

My next Hello Fresh delivery arrives this week...and I'm paying for it. The first free trial box arrived right on schedule and it was really fun to find the giant shipment on my doorstep. It was packed extremely well, with each meal separated in a paper bag. They were all clearly labelled and one meal noted to "eat it first" as it was more perishable. Under layers of cardboard were excellent cold packs and the meat alternative required for my recipe.

The first dish I made was a vegetable packed calzone. Layers of puff pastry stuffed with red peppers, leeks, tomato sauce, cheese and seasoning and it was absolutely scrumptious! The servings are so generous I was able to eat it over several meals/days. They also supplied a beautiful spring mix salad and a homemade dressing. I have to say, the little bottles of oils and vinegars are so cute!

The second recipe I made was a Veggie Shepherd's Pie. This one was simple to prepare and assemble, especially since I make Shepherd's Pie fairly often.  It was a treat to have a vegetarian version just for me and have all the necessary ingredients waiting at the ready. The bag contained great looking potatoes and fresh peas, along with veggie ground round, the diced vegetables (Mirepoix), cheese and seasonings. I'm not a huge fan of meat substitute but the pie was delicious and it's more just a mental thing for me. My daughter even shared this dinner with me! Leftovers are now in the freezer for quick meals.

The final recipe was for a really lovely roasted squash risotto. I was really rushed the day I made it because we'd had a tough, emotional week with the passing of my daughter's new kitten, so I ended up adapting the recipe in order to use my Instant Pot. Everything was the same except I didn't have to stand at the stove and stir. I did add a drop of white wine to deglaze the pan before adding the broth to the rice, and that adds such a great flavour to the risotto. Another amazing dinner!

So I will give a thumbs up to Hello Fresh for convenience, quality ingredients, inspired recipes, and just plain fun! I really love and enjoy being spoiled having everything ready to go and yet still be able to quickly and easily cook meals myself. There is no minimum number of meals required to keep one's account active and you can choose or skip any week's offerings. I have looked ahead and skipped any meals with ground meat substitutes or soy since I don't care for them and kept the ones that are different, interesting and yummy.

This week I look forward to a sweet potato curry dish, pan-fried gnocchi, and a spicy shakshuka chickpea recipe. My daughter already made the gnocchi and said it was to die for! I'm so excited for my delivery today!