Free Recipes from Master Chef Lexy

Celebrity Chef Lexy Rogers, author of Break Bread on a Budget (Rowhouse Publishing, 2023) says her inspiration for cooking comes from her grandma (Mama Anne) and Aunt Lovie. “At eight years old, I remember being on my tippy toes, peering over the counter to get a peek at my Aunt Lovie and Mama Anne making magic in our tiny, rustic kitchen,” shares Lexy. These ladies expressed their love for family by turning everyday ingredients into extraordinary meals. “Thanks to the aroma-filled, warm-bellied childhood memories created by Mama Anne and Aunt Lovie, cooking for others became my love language, one that I now express to my husband, my children, and my community,” shares Lexy. 

MASTERCHEF 

Lexy’s friend Maryann sent her a flyer encouraging her to apply to be on MasterChef, a food competition on Fox. She says, “I loved to cook, and loved the show, but I never ever thought my two minutes of spontaneous boldness would lead to all of this. My time on that show was challenging.” Lexy was also six weeks pregnant with her third child when she was selected to be on the show. She struggled with morning sickness when she arrived on set. “I was stressed every day, trying to impress the very chefs I had been watching and studying my entire life,” recalls Lexy. Lexy had to press through all the stress. “I heard voices in my head constantly telling me, “You’re not good enough. You’re not worthy. You won’t win anyway. You’re just here to help fill a demographic.” However, she kept making it through to the next round. She earned a spot as a top nine finalist on Season 11 of MasterChef on Fox and received high praise from legendary chefs Gordon Ramsy and Roy Choi. She says, “When I got that apron, I became a member of a new family of chefs that brought me comfort and support … And all because I said yes to being uncomfortable and pushing past my fears, and no to doubting myself.”
 
THANKSGIVING MEMORIES

Growing up, Lexy would help out in the kitchen with whatever job needed to be done, including washing dishes. As a newlywed, she recalls one Thanksgiving in particular at Mama Anne’s house where she was asked to make the fried chicken by herself. This was a big confidence boost for her which carried over into her culinary career on MasterChef.
 
THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS 

After the Thanksgiving meal there are usually lots of leftovers. She says, “The goal is to turn it into something new that your family will eat.” Below are a few recipes Lexy will share with our viewers using leftovers from a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Some are family favorites and a couple others are just fun for the more adventurous cook. 
 

•  Mac-n-Cheese and Sweet Potato Stuffed Egg Rolls - Lay out egg roll wrappers. Spread a thin layer of mashed sweet potato mixture on each wrapper and a small spoonful of mac-n-cheese in the center. Be careful to not add too much filling and overcrowd the wrapper. Using your finger or a small brush, apply water to the edges of the eggroll wrapper. Fold the bottom corner in towards the center, covering the filling, then fold in the two side corners and roll to close. Bake these at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden. You can also deep fry them for 2-3 minutes or air fry for 5-7 minutes at 360 degrees  F.                             
•  Turkey Sandwiches - Open a pack of Hawaiian-style rolls and slice each one in half, creating a top and bottom bun. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, and gravy over the bottom layer of the sandwich. You can also add greens if desired. Place a top bun on each sandwich and bake at 350 degrees F for about ten minutes or until the top layer buns are slightly toasted and the filling is warm.
•  Mashed Potato Pancakes - Using cold leftover mashed potatoes, add 1 egg, and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour per cup of mash. Combine thoroughly with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese of choice, 1 tbsp of chopped chives, and 1/4 cup of chopped cooked bacon. Melt 1 tsp of butter in a non-stick pan over medium high heat. Using a spoon or round food scooper, scoop filling into the pan and fry for about 1 minute on each side, pressing down with a spatula to flatten before flipping. Each side should be golden brown and slightly crisp. Top with sour cream if desired.
•  Burgers with Cranberry Sauce – Using leftover burgers or ones freshly prepared, you can top them this way to use up some of the leftover cranberry sauce. Top each burger with cranberry sauce and arugula. Toast the top bun in a pan with a little butter, then spread goat cheese on it and place it on top of the burger. Lexy’s favorite food is a good burger!
•  Sweet Potato Spice Cake - Using your favorite boxed spice cake mix, prepare the mixture accordingly, leaving out 1/4 of the liquid that's instructed on the box. Replace that with 1 cup of sweet potato leftovers, mashed, and combine thoroughly, mixing for at least 4 minutes. Bake as instructed and enjoy with or without icing! Lexy uses a Bundt® pan for a great holiday look.