Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Sick of Turkey Already?

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I always cook Thanksgiving dinner knowing we’ll have copious leftovers. There are so many ways to prepare leftovers, even the most leftover-hating family member will love them! Many are quick and can be made with pantry staples.

Turkey pot pie is very easy, warm, and filling. It will use up much of your turkey, as well as vegetable side dishes. Simply cut turkey and vegetables and combine with chicken broth or stock. Add some fresh thyme for a fresh herb taste. If you would like to add raw vegetables, sauté first. Thicken with a mixture of equal parts corn starch and water. Place in a casserole dish or use ramekins for individual pies. Top with filo dough (available in the freezer section). Follow the directions on the package. Top with an egg wash and bake until golden brown. To use up some of those mashed potatoes leftovers, replace the dough with dollops of mashed potatoes. Use a piping bag to make shepherd’s pie!  Fancy! Bake till potatoes are golden.

Speaking of leftover mashed potatoes, my favorite recipe is fried potato patties. Mix mashed potatoes with flour (a tablespoon or so) along with a beaten egg to make a slightly stiff mixture. Fry in butter with a little canola oil till brown and crispy. To make cheesy patties, add one cup finely shredded cheddar to the mix. For a little more flavor, add half a cup of finely sliced green onions.

Grilled cheese is not often thought of with turkey, but it makes an awesome sandwich. Layer sliced turkey with mild brie cheese and arugula on sourdough bread. Fry in butter till golden and melty- delicious! Change it up by adding tomato instead of arugula. For a sweet and savory taste, add thinly sliced apple. It pairs so well with brie!

Disguise the turkey entirely by breading sliced turkey and fry till golden brown. Sauté sliced mushrooms (white if you like or the small brown baby portabellas for a more intense flavor), add fresh thyme, and a splash of white wine. Reduce and add leftover turkey gravy. Serve over the turkey cutlets for a quick Turkey Milanese.  This mushroom gravy is awesome on leftover mashed too!

Make a quick turkey chili. Sauté a half cup of chopped onion and green pepper, along with one chopped and seeded jalapeno. Leave in the seeds if you like it hot! When the vegetables are soft, add one tablespoon each cumin and chili powder. Sauté till spices are fragrant. Add two 15oz cans of chicken stock and one can of chopped tomatoes. Add one 15oz can drained whole kernel corn and three cups chopped turkey. Let simmer for 20 minutes, check seasonings. Add salt and Tabasco to taste.

We all make turkey soup and it’s so easy with boxed broth. Add leftover vegetables, fresh onion, and celery. If you’re ambitious, use your turkey carcass to make a wonderful stock. Add some texture with dumplings. Use Bisquick mix to make a sticky dough (recipe on box). Amp up the flavor with chopped fresh thyme and parsley. Drop the dough by the spoonful onto the hot soup. Cook, following directions. The dumplings will make the soup thick and filling. Serve with a fresh salad and leftover dinner rolls.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Why Talking to a Mortgage Specialist is Important Even if You’re Not Ready to Buy Just Yet

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Many homebuyers are typically very excited to begin their house hunting journey. But they often wind up booking showings and visiting open houses before they’ve even had the chance to determine what their financial situation is like and how much they’d realistically be able to afford in a new home.

While it’s perfectly fine to casually browse around, it’s important that you speak with a mortgage specialist and begin the mortgage pre-approval process before you get serious about buying. Even if you’re nowhere near ready to make this big purchase, it’s still in your best interests to chat with a mortgage professional who will be able to identify what your financial history is like and how healthy your credit rating is.

Not only will this help you find out what type of mortgages are available to you, it will also make you more attractive to sellers and show them that you’re a serious buyer when the time comes. Here are some reasons why you should be proactive and speak to a mortgage specialist before you’re ready to buy.

Narrow Down Your Focus on Price

What you think you can afford and what you can actually afford when it comes to buying a house might be two completely different things. Even if you’re not necessarily ready to buy, you might still find yourself browsing online at potential listings. It’s quite possible for you to develop an affinity for certain homes that catch your attention that may be way out of your price range.

Nothing is more disappointing than getting your heart set on a certain home only to find out that you can’t afford it and would never be able to get approved for a mortgage to finance it.

Even if you did manage to obtain a home loan for a certain amount, you could find yourself being ‘house poor’ as a result of maxing out on your limit. And the more you owe on your mortgage, the more you’ll be paying in interest and other borrowing costs, making it that much more difficult to pay down your mortgage.

By speaking with a mortgage agent and getting pre-approved for a home loan, you’ll be able to set more realistic expectations about the price point you can comfortably afford. This will help you narrow your focus on the properties that fall within your price range.

Compare Different Loan Packages and Lenders

If you start shopping around for a mortgage today, you’ll have plenty of time to compare different loans and lenders and see what each have to offer. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage does not mean you’re obligated to go with a specific package. You’re still free to browse around and see which loan type is best for you that offers the most attractive rates and terms.

In fact, it’s recommended that you shop around with different lenders before settling on one, and a mortgage broker will be able to do all that comparison shopping without you having to do all the legwork yourself.

Be Seen as a Qualified Buyer in the Eyes of Sellers

The last thing sellers want to do is waste their time with tire-kickers who are just shopping around and not necessarily serious about buying right away. This is especially true in hot seller’s markets, which is currently the case in California. In sizzling markets like these, sellers will only entertain offers from buyers who have proven themselves to be qualified and serious about sealing the deal.

When you’ve finally found a home you’d like to buy and are ready to put in an offer, you’ll already be one step ahead of the game. Sellers will likely only look at offers that have come from buyers who have been pre-approved, putting you one step closer to landing that home you’ve been eyeing.

Get All That Lengthy and Cumbersome Paperwork Over With

When it comes to applying for a mortgage, there’s a lot of paperwork to fill out and sign. The amount of information that you have to supply is rather detailed and meticulous and might seem as if you’re signing your life away.

The documents that you will have to submit to your mortgage broker are quite extensive too. Your mortgage broker will want to see items such as a letter of employment, income statements, bank statements, tax filings, and documents outlining all of your assets and debts in order to accurately assess your financial standing and determine how much of a home loan you would be approved for – if you would be approved at all.

Applying for a mortgage can be burdensome and time-consuming. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you can get it over with.

Identify and Resolve Any Issues Earlier

If everything goes without a hitch, you should get a pre-approval letter within a week or two, depending on the lender and the volume of applications that are being assessed at that given time.

However, if there are any issues that come up when your finances and credit rating are being looked at, you’ll have more time to iron these problems out before you start searching for your next home. It would be upsetting to have a potential deal sidelined because of complications that arise during the mortgage approval process.

Get Your Credit in Good Standing

If your credit score is less than par for whatever reason, you’ll have some time to give it a boost before you’re ready to buy a home. Your mortgage specialist will be able to give you some pointers on how to improve your credit rating, such as ensuring all payments are made on time and in full, not maxing out your credit cards, keeping old credit, and not taking out any new debt.

By the time you’re ready to put in an offer on a home and have the formal mortgage approval process start, you may be able to add a few ticks to your credit score which will help improve the odds of mortgage approval and even lower your interest rate.

The Bottom Line

You don’t have to be ready to buy a home in order to start the conversation with a mortgage professional. Not only will you be able to find out how much you can realistically afford once you start the home search, you’ll also gain a better understanding of what your financial situation is like right now and take steps to improve it if necessary.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Holiday Events to Help You Unwind!

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Are you over-stuffed from your Thanksgiving meal?  Are you exhausted from your Black Friday shopping spree?  Then take advantage of these holiday events that will help you to unwind this weekend!

Returning for its 5th year in support of local small businesses, artists, and musicians, Chillfest will take place at various shops in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods this Saturday (2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.).  Each business will host 3-4 artists in a dedicated portion of their space, with musicians playing 20- to 60-minute sets, that are paired to the venue’s ambiance and requested genre as closely as possible.  So, as you take a stroll from venue to venue doing some of your holiday shopping, take some time to chill and unwind!

Join in the wonderment of dazzling light displays at this year’s ZooLights held at the Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  It’s a free, fun, family-oriented celebration with various holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds.  Activities include photos with Santa, 3D displays, live ice-sculpture carving, musical light shows at Winter Wonderlawn, Candy Cane Lane with over 100 giant, themed displays, and much more!  You can also do a little ice-skating among the ponies and goats at the neighboring Farm-in-the-Zoo!!

Chicago’s holiday season also brings festive productions for the whole family, or adults-only, to enjoy and unwind from the craziness this season can bring.  Check out these productions –

The Second City is hosting their Holidazed & Confused Revue: Mandatory Merriment at the UP Comedy Club (230 W. North Avenue, 3rd Floor) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood through December 30th.  Take the edge off by laughing your jingle bells off and putting some holly back in your jolly with The Second City’s legendary flurry of sketch comedy and improv!  It’s naughty, it’s nice, it’s mandatory, and it’s all-new for 2017!!  (R-rated)

Other Theatre continues its 4th season with the third revival of its holiday hit Barney The Elf at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood through December 31st.  After Santa Claus retires, his wicked son begins a not-so-jolly reign as the new head of Christmas!  This production brings pop-infused musical numbers galore and plenty of queer holiday cheer, and it also brings the return of Chicago’s drag sensation Dixie Lynn Cartwright!!

The American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences for 16 years to a live 1940s radio broadcast of It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  The cast is incredible at recreating the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score, and holiday carols!  And, don’t forget to have your cookies and milk afterwards served by some of the cast members!!

Hell in a Handbag Productions closes it’s 15th season with its most popular show Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer at Mary’s Attic (5400 N. Clark St.) in the Andersonville neighborhood through December 30th.  Chicago’s favorite cross-dressing reindeer is back and he’s 21 years old!  Come join Rudolph and all his misfit friends as they struggle with fitting in and being normal in an ever-increasing abnormal world!!

How Will You Unwind This Holiday Weekend?

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, River North, Logan Square, Portage Park

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Lincoln Park: With chilly weather here to stay, now’s the perfect time to check out one of Chicago’s fabulous museums. The Chicago History Museum has a new exhibit, “Vivian Maier’s Chicago”. The museum’s website says, “See Chicago through the eyes of Vivian Maier and witness the life’s work of a photographer who wowed the world with breathtaking images of everyday life in urban America.” She lived in Chicago from 1956 until her death in 2009. The collection features 15,000 negatives, 1,000 prints, 30 homemade movies, and numerous slides. The exhibit is open until December 31 and is included in a general admission ticket. Purchase your tickets here!

Lakeview: Get into the holiday spirit with the annual Christmas Pageant at the Annoyance Theatre! The show features a retelling of two classic Christmas stories: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. The cast puts their own spin on the classic tales, while keeping them appropriate for the whole family. The show runs until December 23, every Saturday at 7 pm. Check out the show schedule and purchase your tickets here! Tickets are $20 for general admission and $12 for children under the age of 12.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Have you ever wanted Harry Potter to be real life?? You’re not alone! The Laboratory Chicago is here for you with “The Science of Harry Potter for Adults”. The website proclaims, “Grab your wand, robe, and a table full of your closest friends as we use Muggle science to bring the world of witchcraft and wizardry to life!” The evening begins with guests being sorted into their respective Hogwarts houses. Then, guests will take classes in Transfiguration, Divination, Alchemy, Dragons, and more. They’ll earn House Points as well! The class takes place on Friday, December 1 from 7 to 8:30 pm. A House Table for 6 is $120 and you can add up to 2 additional participants for $20 each. Hurry and reserve your spot now!

River North: It’s time for the Chicago Santa Crawl! Grab your ugly Christmas sweater, your holiday cheer, your friends, and get ready to crawl through the best bars in River North! The crawl is on Saturday, December 16 from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets include a breakfast buffet, gift cards to use on the crawl, a Santa hat, drink specials, giveaways, and more! Bars are subject to change, but as of now include Moe’s Cantina, Old Crow Smokehouse, El Hefe, Bar Louie, Joy District, and Hubbard Inn. Now’s the time to buy your ticket, with super discounted early bird prices, they’re just $10! Buy yours now, here!

Logan Square: If you’re looking for comfort food, look no further! The General is Logan Square’s Southern comfort food specialty restaurant. This winter, they’re serving up Bluegrass Brunch. Live Bluegrass bands play every Saturday! Brunch begins at 11 am and the live music is from 12 pm to 3 pm. This Saturday, November 25, check out Tiny Country. Keep apprised of the music schedule by checking out their website! Sneak a peek at their brunch menu while you’re at it!

Portage Park: It’s time for the annual Portage Park Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities! The festival is on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 10 am. Start your day off by strolling through the craft fair, with tons of handcrafted goods for everyone on your Christmas list. There will be raffle prizes throughout the day! Admission is just $1 (free for kids) and all proceeds go to Friends of Portage Park. There will be free hot cocoa, carriage rides around the park, live music, and a visit from Santa! The tree lighting festivities begin at 3:30 pm. Find more information about this exciting holiday event here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

NAR’s Stats on the Home Search Process in 2017

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Restaurant Review – Bluebird

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I love Lakeview; it’s the neighborhood that made me fall in love with Chicago. So naturally, it’s my go-to neighborhood for discovering new restaurants. This week, I found Bluebird (2863 N Clark St.). It’s inconspicuous from the outside, you might miss it if you’re not looking for it. The decor is charming and simple, with brightly lit chandeliers, a shelf full of succulents, and a small number of tables. We came in on a Tuesday evening around 7 pm and were the only table at first. The small space and limited number of tables kept the restaurant nice and quiet, even after there were more people. The menu is small, but mouthwatering. I had my eye on the Nashville Hot Hot Hot Sandwich: fried buttermilk chicken tossed in Nashville Hot Sauce, topped with house pickles, and served on a brioche bun. It sounded so good, but I wanted to try a slightly more healthy option. I chose the Mediterranean Salad: lemon hummus, shaved feta, Roma tomato, red onion, English cucumber, and grilled chicken served on a bed of mixed greens with a red wine vinaigrette. First of all, the portion was gigantic! It came in a giant ceramic bowl, filled to the brim. The salad was absolutely delicious- the vegetables were fresh and crunchy. The lemon hummus was bright, tangy, and creamy, a perfect complement. I also loved the seasoning on the chicken! I will definitely be back to try other menu items, the burgers I saw coming out of the kitchen looked fantastic.

Bluebird is open Mondays through Sundays from 11 am to 8:30 pm. The restaurant is BYOB and is available for delivery and take-out as well.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Thanksgiving Countdown

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By now, all shopping and a lot of your prep work is done. Dishes, cutlery, utensils, pots, pans, and linens are all sorted. Set the table the night before and cover with a clean white sheet. Do a quick vacuum and dust early, then it’ll be off your list. Do wash up in the kitchen as you go, it makes your job so much easier at the end.

Much of your prep can be done the day before. I make the stuffing on Wednesday. Sauté chopped celery (2 cups) and onion (1 cup). Warm 1 quart low-sodium broth with 2 sticks unsalted butter. Add about 2/3 of the mixture to Brownberry stuffing cubes and let it soak in; then add more as needed. Pack in a disposable pan for baking tomorrow. Before baking, dot with butter. Bake till heated through and a little crispy on top. For fun, you can bake individual stuffing cakes in a muffin pan.

Mashed potatoes are another great item to prep the day before. Use russets for fluffy, not gluey, mashed. Peel and cut potatoes, cover with water, and refrigerate. Do not add salt until just before cooking. Mash with heated cream and unsalted butter. Always heat the butter and cream for fluffier potatoes. Make them a little stiff. Place in a crock pot container and heat on low for two hours to reheat. Just before serving, whip in a little more hot cream and butter. Appetizers are easy to prep ahead of time too. Crudité veggies, dips, and hot appetizers can all be done the  day before. Veggie prep on Wednesday. Roast Brussels Sprouts and make your green bean or sweet potato casserole. All can be reheated just before dinner; use that microwave! It’s invaluable at holiday time.

Follow the package directions when cooking the turkey. Whole turkeys generally cook for 20 minutes per pound. Don’t stuff! Even though the stuffing is so fab, it’s not safe. You will have to overcook the turkey to make sure the stuffing is up to safe temperature. Let the turkey rest wrapped in foil for at least twenty minutes before carving. It will come up to temperature and juices will redistribute. That’s why we take out the turkey a few degrees early. Save some pan drippings to add to the gravy. No separator? Place drippings in a glass measuring cup, place in freezer. After 20 minutes, the fat will harden. I use McCormick Turkey gravy mix, because my family likes it the best. Reduce water for each packet to ¾ cup. Cook in one- minute intervals in microwave till thick. Watch constantly; it can boil over!

Everyone wants to help. Assign bartenders and dishwashers. You keep the food prep organized. If someone asks, “When is dinner?”, I say around 4. This gives you at least a 45- minute window. Turkeys don’t always cook exactly as predicted. By the way, don’t bother basting. It’s useless and only extends cooking time. Anyway, if things run late, open more wine.

The most important thing to remember is to relax. As a rule, Thanksgiving dinners are composed of forgiving dishes that will reheat well without drying our or losing flavor. There’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a little gravy, broth, or reheating. In any event, your guests are almost always family and close friends, so they are also forgiving. Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO- GETTING IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT!

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Winter is coming- and so is the holiday season! This weekend marks the beginning of the Christmas season! Check out our picks for getting your cheer on this weekend!

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is back! This is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season- with a memorable display of lights along the main thoroughfare in downtown Chicago. Over a million lights illuminate the Magnificent Mile during this family-friendly event, featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse as parade grand marshals. The festivities begin tonight at 4 pm, with more than a dozen family-friendly events, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus! There will also be delicious holiday treats from Connie’s Pizza, Garret’s Popcorn, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, and more. The festivities continue tomorrow at 11 am- with a full lineup of events during the day! The parade begins at 5:30 pm, stepping off from Oak Street and North Michigan Avenue. Check out the full schedule here!

Tonight is the 104th Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! This is a Chicago tradition- a giant, glittering tree set among Chicago’s skyline, nestled in Millennium Park. Chicago’s 104th Christmas tree was donated by Darlene Dorfler of Grayslake, Illinois. The huge 62-foot Norway spruce was selected out of 71 submissions! The ceremony will be led by WGN’s Demetrius Ivory and Erin Ivory. There will also be a special appearance by Mr. And Mrs. Claus! Admission to the Tree Lighting Ceremony is free and begins at 6 pm.

Today is the first day of Chriskindlmarket! This has been one of Chicago’s favorite Christmas traditions since 1996. This year Chriskindlmarket has 3 different locations: Daley Plaza, Naperville, and The Park at Wrigley. The market offers a unique holiday shopping experience. There are handblown and painted ornaments, nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, and more! There is also a variety of food and beverage options, including beer and wine, baked cheese, Austrian strudel, schnitzel, curry fries, and much more! Admission to the market is free and it’s open daily! Hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 11 am to 8 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 9 pm. 

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opens today! Located in Millenium Park, the rink opens at noon and will remain open until Sunday March 4, 2018. Skating is free and open to the public! Skate rentals are available for $12 Mondays through Thursdays and $14 Fridays through Sundays (and on holidays). Hours are Mondays through Thursdays from noon to 8 pm, Fridays from noon to 10 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 10 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 9 pm. Find more detailed information about special holiday hours here.

Take your kiddos to Cookie Decorating Day tomorrow! Located at IRL on Level 3 of Water Tower Place, this is the perfect way to get into the spirit before the lights parade. Complimentary sugar cookies are provided, as well as decorating kits. There will also be complimentary personalized monogramming from home accessories brand Kassatex. Decorating is open from 11 am to 3 pm.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT THIS WEEKEND???

INFOGRAPHIC: Home Financing Trends in 2017

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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, South Loop, Andersonville, Oak Park

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Lakeview: Ready to get your laugh on? Come on down to Hitch Cocktails at the Annoyance Theatre! The show runs every Friday at 10 pm until December 29. It starts with an audience suggestion, then the players create a full length thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. The stage is complete with a wet bar and the actors are forced to partake as the plot develops! The show also features live music and parlor games, so the audience can have refreshments as well. General admission tickets are $20, $15 for students. Buy your tickets here now!

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret is hosting a rockin’ Christmas show. Mark your calendar for “Mistletoe and Martinis” on December 15 at 8 pm. Jordan Von Haslow and Jennifer French are going to croon you into the Christmas spirit. In the spirit of the giving season, 2 U.S. Marines will collect Christmas toys before and after the show for “Toys for Tots”, for less fortunate children in Cook County. Bring at least one new, unwrapped toy, and get ready to sing along to your favorite holiday songs! Buy your tickets now!

Lincoln Park: One of Chicago’s favorite Christmas activities is back! Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is the perfect holiday event for the whole family. Zoo Lights opens on November 24! The lights are showing from November 24-26, December 1-3, 8-23, 26-31, and January 1-7. Hours are 4:30 to 9 pm. Festive activities include photos with Santa (through December 23), 3D displays, warm spiced wine and frosty lager, holiday snacks, holiday gift shopping, live ice-sculpture carving, musical light shows, and more! Find more information here.

South Loop: With the weather getting chillier, it’s the perfect time for a beer tour. Check out the Sin and Suds Beer Tour in the South Loop! A trained guide will lead you on a 1-1/2 mile walk through the Loop and South Loop neighborhoods. In 3 hours, you’ll learn about Chicago, beer, and taste some fantastic local brews. You’ll visit an old Chicago speakeasy and restaurant, one of the oldest bars in the city, a blues club started by Buddy Guy, and a new microbrewery. Find more information and buy your tickets here!

Andersonville: Come to a traditional Swedish Christmas dinner at the Swedish American Museum. Julmiddag, a festive Swedish smorgasbord will be served at the museum on December 17 at 5 pm. Children are invited to participate in a St. Lucia procession, there will be a special visit from Tomten, and dancing around the Christmas tree. Cost is $60 for members, $70 for non-members, $20 for children 12 and under, infants 12 months and under are free. RSVP by December 13 on the museum’s website or at the Museum. Prepaid and confirmed tickets are required. No refunds are available for cancellations with five days of the event.

Oak Park: Get into the holiday spirit at the Oak Park Conservatory’s Winter Greens Market! It’s the perfect place to find a hearty selection of winter greens for your home. An array of fresh greens are available, including balsam, fir, boxwood, winter berries, magnolia tips, and spruce tops. You can even drop off a container and have your arrangement done for you! Limited space is available- call 708-725-2400 to reserve a spot. The market opens on November 21 and is open during regular conservatory hours, Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Find more information here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO