roast turkey
Turkey seems to get trotted out to the dinner table once or twice a year, and then it remains in the realm of sandwich fare. Although most families don't need to cook a 12-pound bird every week (or would want to), there are other ways to prepare smaller cuts of turkey for dinner as an alternative to the standard chicken. Add this to my Recipe Box.
A simple roast
You don't have to buy the entire turkey to enjoy a turkey dinner. Supermarkets sell single breasts of turkey or just the legs if you prefer dark meat. Although breast meat is denser than leg meat, it won't take nearly as long to cook as that Thanksgiving turkey. Put the meat in a roasting pan, rub with butter, salt, pepper and sage, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Covering the breast meat and basting regularly will prevent it from drying out. Serve the meat in slices with gravy alongside vegetables and rice, and you have a complete meal.
Casseroles, pot pies, soup and more
Turkey breast, thinly sliced, chopped or cubed, can work into soups, stir-fry, casseroles and pot pies. Turkey can be substituted for many dishes that call for chicken or beef, and it does particularly well in casseroles and dishes that have a rich, creamy sauce.
Turkey a la king is classic dish that mixes chunks of turkey with peas and mushrooms in cream sauce. This can be served over rice or noodles or constitute the filling of a pot pie. Turkey tetrazzine is another popular baked dish that combines turkey, spaghetti noodles and cheese into a delicious casserole. Cubed turkey can be used in a homemade turkey soup or sliced thin and added to a stir-fry.
Look for turkey breast tenderloin at the supermarket. These will be smaller than the whole breast and are usually skinless. Tenderloin can be stuffed with vegetables, grated cheese and herbs and baked. These also make good steaks when coated with flour and seasoning and pan-fried over a medium heat.
Ground turkey and turkey sausage
Ground turkey can be used in the place of beef in many dishes, but it is most commonly used for turkey burgers. Ground turkey can be used for meatloaf, chili and in burritos, tacos or enchiladas. Turkey sausages can be grilled or pan-fried with onions, peppers and served over rice or noodles. Turkey sausage also goes very well mixed into an egg scramble for a "breakfast for dinner" meal, used to top a homemade pizza crust or stuffed into pita bread for a Greek-style hot sandwich.
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