Turkey, Turkey, Turkey

I wanted to post this post after Thanksgiving, but we ate at our dinner at our family's house, so I never thought of leftovers. I still wanted to share some things I do with leftover turkey.

First, (other than sandwiches, yummy) I usually keep the leftovers in my second fridge, or just outside, if it's cold enough. About 3 days after the big supper, I usually make Turkey Shepherds Pie. I always make a few extra veggies and gravy on the big supper night just for this recipe.

Turkey Shepherds Pie

First I cook a chopped onion and chopped celery in a big dutch oven in margarine. To this I add the leftover turkey, carrots, corn and what ever other leftover veggies I would like to add. Then I add the gravy. Just keep all this on the stove top on Med-Low to kind of warm it up. I always like to add a pinch of poultry seasoning at this point as well and maybe some chicken oxo if I think it needs some extra flavour. Then I warm up the leftover mashed potatoes in the microwave and then spread them over the veggies and gravy. Then I smear margarine all over the potatoes, cover and bake for about 1 hour at 350.

After we've eaten this meal and sandwiches, the turkey is ready to be boiled into broth. A secret ingredient that my family has always added to their broth is 1 Star Anise. I also add lots of salt and peppercorns. After I've boiled all this for a long, long time, I let it cool, then separate the rest of the meat from the bones and strain the broth. Of course at this point I have to make Turkey Noodle Soup.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Cook 1 chopped onion, carrots and chopped celery in margarine in a large pot. When this is cooked, add the turkey and broth and bring to a boil. Then add homemade noodles and enjoy.

Homemade Noodles

Mix together 1 c flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 egg and 1 Tbsp milk. Let sit, covered, for 10 mins. Roll out on floured surface. (If using a big chopping block like I do, put a damp cloth under it to help it from sliding everywhere) Let dry for 1/2 hour. Sprinkle more flour on top, so that it doesn't all stick together and cut into noodles. Boil these for 10 mins in salted water and drain before adding to the soup.

After we have enjoyed these meals, I still usually have turkey and broth left. So I freeze them in large containers to make soup again and in smaller containers of 1 cup broth and 1 cup turkey meat to make my kids favorite meal, Thai "Chicken" Pasta.

Thai "Chicken" Pasta

Fry 1/2 red pepper, sliced, in 1 Tbsp oil. Add garlic. Turn down heat and add; 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 c peanut butter and 1 Tbsp ground ginger. Turn heat back up to Med. Then I mix 1 Tbsp corn starch into the container of turkey and turkey stock I took out of the freezer. Once everything is hot in frying pan, I add the turkey mixture and cook until sauce thickens. Serve this over spaghetti noodles garnished with chopped green onions. (Snow peas and carrots are also yummy in this.) This is such a quick meal. The sauce is done by the time the noodles are cooked!

Now I think I need to make a big turkey dinner next Larry is home, so that we can enjoy all these delicious meals!