Turkey Cannelloni

In the recent weeks economic downturn, Joseph and I have been feeling the pressure. We're wading into new territory together, the poorhouse. Not really, but we are definitely aware of what is happening around us and the certain uncertainty about everything. In an effort to not end up poor and stuck here in this "dustbowl" (JHig) we are trying our best to cut back spending in every way possible. The first luxury to go, eating out. This isn't really a bad thing, because my cooking is better than most restaurants, but the pleasure of ordering and then getting up and leaving the mess is a thing of exciting dates now, and it used to be a regularity.

Anyway, because we're being "thrifty" and trying to make the most of eating at home, we have stocked our freezers and pantry well. Last Monday we shopped at Costco and the Asian Market, just about filling our freezers to the max. We have ribeyes, filets, shrimp, fish, turkey, chicken, bacon, sausage, mini pizzas and some pot pies for Joseph's late nights. That, combined with the bags of stocks, sauces, muffins and breads that I have piled away in there and the pantry FULL of rices, pastas, beans and canned tomatoes I have make it almost impossible for us to go hungry before 2010. We're slowly adjusting the way we live and spend to that of financially responsible adults.... so old, so old.

Left over from the Amy's Late Night Deli days I had a package of three turkey breasts in the bottom of the freezer. I thawed them out in the fridge all week and then baked them off this afternoon. I seasoned all three differently, one spicy blackened, one basil and tomato and one with garlic & Lawry's.
I used the basil tomato one for tonight's dinner, and sliced the leftover for sandwiches. The other two are frozen for another meal. Hence the title, we had Turkey Cannelloni tonight. I sliced the turkey breast longways, filled it with a ricotta/parm/spinach/artichoke filling and rolled it up. Then I covered it with marinara and mozzarella and baked it till it was bubbly and the cheese was melted. Add a bottle of Simi Russian River Chardonnay and it's on! Lucky us. I know it's true, we are lucky to be where we are, doing what we're doing, even if it isn't what I wish we were doing right now. A few days ago, giving in to the stress and pressure of adulthood, I was having a rough afternoon. Joseph sat me down and said, "This isn't even hard. This life we lead, it's a vacation. Babies, houses, a family, that's when it's hard. Enjoy this time, Amy, enjoy it while you can." So smart, so smart, he's right again. This picture isn't awesome, but you can imagine rolls of turkey breast, stuffed with cheese and goodness under all that sauce and cheese.

We're watching the Dodgers game now. They're up 7-2 in the 7th inning right now. If they win this game, they'll be 1 and 2 in the series against Philadelphia. The next two games are in LA, so hopefully they'll win tonight and then the next two. GO DODGERS!