OKAY, LET'S TALK TURKEY! After all, that time of year has crept up on us with stealth and a loud and blood curdling, "GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE!"
First some Turkey tips from this Bird about Another:
1) Try a kosher Turkey. They are held to the strictest standards and are therefore of very high quality, are extremeley clean (cleaned and processed by people, not by machines in giant factories), and come already partially brined, and that means a nice juicy roast!
2) If you're buying a regular or heirloom bird, be sure to brine it. Heirlooms and free-range birds can be wonderful, but are often a little drier than regular turkeys. Not sure where to put your bird while brining? Try a small cooler. It will keep it cool and won't take up valuable space in the fridge. Alton Brown has a great brine recipe on FoodNetwork.com.
3) Consider cooking your stuffing outside of the bird. Not only is it safer (sparing you the potential for an uninvited guest of Salmonella at your Thanksgiving feast), but your bird will cook more quickly.
4) Invest in a good probe thermometer. Those little plastic pop-up things are useless (and kinda creepy, don't you think?). You can pick up a decent one for under $25.
So, you've made your turkey, survived the hubbub with the relatives and in-laws, stuffed yourself silly and have a refrigerator full of cold turkey carcass to show for it, right? So that brings us to todays topic:
COLD TURKEY ~ The Day After Thanksgiving Conondrum
The question is, what to do with all that leftover turkey?
Why not embrace the low pressure and slow pace that the day-after brings with a lazy late morning brunch? Some chilled bubbly, orange juice and a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice makes a wonderful holiday mimosa. Pan fry some patties of left-over mashed potatoes and garnish with a dallop of sour cream and chopped chives for an easy side! Set out a tray of our quick, easy and delicious "Cold Turkey" sandwiches (Cranberry Walnut Djon on Brioche or Turkey Tea Sandwiches) and you have the makings of a very lovely wind-down from the big Wing-a-ding-ding.
Cranberry Walnut Turkey Salad
¼
cup chopped Walnuts
3
cups cooked Turkey
1 tsp fresh thyme
3/4
cup Mayonnaise
1
TB Dijon mustard
1
TB Honey
1
celery rib, diced
¼
cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
Salt
and pepper to taste
4
toasted croissants or sliced & toasted brioche
In a small sauté pan,
lightly toast the chopped walnuts (about two minutes on medium-high heat). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In the bowl of a food
processor, pulse turkey and thyme for 10 pulses (being careful not to over
process into turkey paste). Remove to
medium bowl.
To turkey, add light
mayonnaise, mustard, honey, celery, dried cranberries, & walnuts. Mix to combine. Salt & pepper to taste.
Serve a generous scoop of
turkey salad between two slices of toasted croissant or brioche.
Turkey Tea-Sandwiches with Toasted Sesame Seeds
¼
cup slivered almonds, chopped
3
cups cooked Turkey
1 Tablespoon Fresh tarragon leaves
(basil works beautifully as well)
3/4
cup Light Mayonnaise
1
celery rib, diced
10
slices soft sandwich bread
Toasted
sesame seeds (black, white or a combination of both)
Salt
& Pepper
Makes
approx. 20 tea sandwiches
In a small sauté pan,
lightly toast the chopped slivered almonds (about two minutes on medium-high
heat). Remove from heat and allow to
cool.
In the bowl of a food
processor, pulse turkey and tarragon for 10 pulses (being careful not to over
process into turkey paste). Remove to
medium bowl.
To turkey, add light
mayonnaise, celery, and almonds. Mix to
combine. Salt & pepper to
taste.
Place a small scoop of
turkey salad on a slice of soft sandwich bread.
Top with another slice of bread, lightly press, then remove crusts. Cut into quarters diagonally.
Using a butter knife, spread a thin layer of
light mayonnaise along one side of each little sandwich. Then dip that side into a bowl of toasted
sesame seeds.
Please share your ideas for Turkey Leftovers by clicking the "COMMENT" link below!