Category Archives: Turkey

Fried Turkey

1     turkey, giblets removed, rinse and pat dry
      salt and pepper, to taste
In turkey deep fry pot, pour in oil to the appropriate mark for the size of your bird.  If your pan is not marked, put the turkey in pot and add water to just above the turkey.  Remove the turkey and mark the depth of the water.  Pour our the water, dry out pot, then add peanut oil to the mark. Preheat the oil to 350º.  Place the seasoned turkey on the stand, use the hook to lower into the preheated oil.  Cook the turkey for 3 minutes per pound at 325º.  Remove turkey and test for doneness with meat thermometer.  The temperature should reach 170º in the breast and 180º in the thigh.
10  Servings

Easy Day Before Casserole

7 oz. macaroni (uncooked)
1 can celery soup
1 can mushroom soup
1 small jar pimentos (optional)
4 oz. mushroom pieces
1 small onion, chopped
2 c. milk
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese diced
1/4 c. green pepper diced
2 c. ham, chicken or turkey, cooked and chopped
1 can water chestnuts, sliced
Combine all ingredients. Place in buttered 3 quart or 9×13 inch pan. Refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before baking. Preheat oven to 350. Bake one hour.
8  Servings

Cranberry-Chipotle Turkey

1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 turkey thighs (about 2 lb), skin and excess fat removed
1 can (16 oz) whole cranberry sauce
1/2 cup salt-free Southwestern chipotle marinade (we used Mrs. Dash)
Place onion, then turkey thighs in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker. Stir 1/2 cup cranberry sauce and 1/4 cup chipotle marinade in small bowl until blended. Spoon over thighs to coat.  Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours until turkey is tender. Remove turkey thighs to cutting board. Cut meat in large pieces from both sides of each thigh bone and slice.  Remove onion from cooking liquid with slotted spoon; discard cooking liquid. Microwave remaining cranberry sauce and chipotle marinade about 2 minutes until melted. Stir in onion and spoon over turkey.
 4  Servings

Turkey Leftovers Casserole

1/2 lb mozzarella cheese (I think swiss would also be good)
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 lb mushroom, sliced thickly
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked cubed turkey
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups homemade turkey broth (chicken or vegetarian can be substituted)
1 1/2 cups sour cream (NOT lowfat)
1/2 cup white wine
1 dash freshly grated nutmeg
1 dash salt
1 dash freshly grated black pepper
1 cup fresh breadcrumb
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
First, grate mozzarella cheese; set aside.
Next, put on a large pot of salted water to boil; when boiling, cook elbow macaroni until almost tender; drain, then return to pot; set aside.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350ºF; spray a large casserole dish (I used a deep 13×9 pan) with nonstick spray like Pam and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 1 tbsp of butter and add oil; saute mushrooms, onion and garlic until mushrooms are tender; drain off any liquid and add to cooked macaroni; stir.  Add cooked turkey cubes to mushroom/pasta mixture; stir.
In a large pot, melt the 1/2 cup butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour; whisk constantly for about one minute or until butter and flour are well combined.  Whisk in turkey stock, sour cream and wine.  Note that lowfat or nonfat sour cream may not be able to stand up to the constant heat without breaking down; that is why fullfat sour cream is recommended.
Over medium heat, whisking constantly, cook mixture until sauce thickens up; add nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Add all but one cup of the sauce to the pasta mixture, and stir well.  Set aside a good handful of the shredded mozzarella, then stir remaining mozzarella into pasta mixture.  Fill prepared casserole dish with pasta mixture, then drizzle reserved cup of sauce over top, then sprinkle with reserved mozzarella cheese.
Combine fresh breadcrumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle over casserole, then top with the parmesan cheese.  Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes; casserole will be quite bubbly.
Serve with a green salad and the wine you used in the sauce.

Turkey-Broccoli Casserole

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of broccoli soup, undiluted
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups cubed cooked turkey or ham (about 3/4 pound)
1 (17-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (10-ounce) package frozen broccoli flowerets, thawed
1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimiento, drained
1 (8 1/2-ounce) package cornbread mix
2/3 cup milk
1 large egg

Stir together first 9 ingredients. Spread into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.

Stir together cornbread mix, 2/3 cup milk, and egg just until moistened. Pour over turkey mixture.

BAKE at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 servings.