The Anatomy of a Leftover Turkey … A Dirty Word

Now before turkey becomes a dirty word in your house we must discuss leftovers.  Now make sure you have some Ziploc bags on the kitchen counter. As soon as the table is cleared from dinner start to bag up that BIRD.  Try to give every guest that came to dinner a bag of this bird that they raved about.  Make sure that you attached all the recipes from this blog post.  So when they say they don’t know what to do with it you respond recipes attached thanks to this blog.  Instead of wondering what you are going to do with all that turkey (the dirty word) wonder what you will buy on Black Friday.

Asian Turkey Barbecue on Sesame Scallion Toasts

1/3 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup barbeque sauce

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root

2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided

3 cups cooked, chopped turkey meat

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup diced green onions, divided

4 English muffins, split

Preheat the broiler

In a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk together hoisin sauce, barbeque sauce, ginger and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix in turkey, salt, pepper and green onions, gently tossing until all ingredients are well blended. Cook approximately 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the remaining sesame oil and remaining green onions. Brush the cut sides of the English muffins lightly with the mixture. Place the muffin halves face up on a medium baking sheet. Broil English muffins 2 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Remove from heat and top with turkey mixture. Serve warm.

TURKEY NACHOS

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted

3/4 cup salsa

1 cup cubed cooked turkey or chicken

Tortilla chips

Combine soup and salsa in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in turkey; cook until heated through. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Turkey Tetrazzini

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked spaghetti

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

1 2/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese

4 cups chopped cooked turkey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and place in the prepared baking dish.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour. Mix in chicken broth and milk. Cook and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Stir in about 1 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese, and remove from heat.

Mix chicken broth mixture and turkey with spaghetti. Top with remaining cheese. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until surface is lightly browned.

Turkey Enchiladas

2 cups shredded Cheddar and Monterey cheese blend

1 onion, chopped

1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives

24 (6 inch) corn tortillas

1 (19 ounce) can red enchilada sauce

4 cups cooked turkey, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the cheese, onion, and black olives.

In a small skillet, heat enough oil to lightly coat one tortilla, and cook until soft. Remove and dip in enchilada sauce to coat.

Add turkey and cheese mixture to center of tortilla, roll and place in the prepared dish. Repeat until bottom layer of pan is covered with enchiladas. Spread enough sauce over bottom layer to cover.

Repeat process with a second layer; spread remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is melted.

TURKEY LOAF

1/2 pound ground turkey

1 egg

1/4 cup salsa

1/8 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/8 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

                            lemon pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl combine the turkey, egg, salsa, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, onion, bread crumbs and lemon pepper. Mix well with hands until blended. Press mixture into a loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes

Thanksgiving Turkey Bake

1-1/2 cups finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 cups cubed whole grain bread

3 cups cubed white bread

2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast

1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

In a large saucepan, bring the onion, celery and 1/2 cup broth to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in the eggs, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and remaining broth until blended. Add the bread cubes, turkey and cranberries; mix well.

Spoon into a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until a thermometer reaches 160°

Butternut Turkey Bake

1 medium butternut squash (about 2-1/2 pounds)

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter

2 cups seasoned salad croutons

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups cubed cooked turkey

1 cup Chicken Broth

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place cut side down in a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan; add 1/2 in. of hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes.

Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until tender. Scoop out pulp; mash and set aside.

In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the croutons, salt, poultry seasoning and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes longer or until croutons are toasted. Stir in the squash, turkey and broth; heat through.

Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly and cheese is melted.