A lot of people forget about cooking turkeys unless they are having a large gathering or celebrating a holiday. Some believe it is a lot of work and not worth the effort. The truth is that cooking a turkey does not have to be an ordeal that consumes a great deal of time, is as versatile as chicken, and can save people quite a bit of money. We all remember the wise old adage "waste not want not". When it comes to a turkey, truer words can not be spoken. Some people discard so much from the cooked turkey it is unbelievable. They are basically throwing away money. The goal is to use everything that can be used. Serve the turkey dinner and once the bird has cooled, refrigerate it over night. This will give it time to rest, while also saving some work for the next day. On the following day, strip all meat and skin from the turkey and throw nothing away. The very best poultry stock is made by boiling the bones with some herbs and seasoning. This is as simple as placing it in a large pan and waiting. After the boiled liquid has been cooled it will be strained. Afterwards even these bones can be ground into bone meal for the garden. This minimal effort makes it well worth the savings on commercially available stock. The bonus is the family knows exactly how it has been prepared and handled. The finished broth can be stored in the freezer until it is need. This is the base for many amazing recipes, including the best "turkey dinner stew" ever. Cook the skin and gel in a pan with just enough enough oil to prevent sticking. Once it has cooked down and the skin has shrunken, add a small amount of the prepared stock. The intense flavor will keep people from ever wanting to use commercial bouillon again. This is a great stew or gravy base. Night two leftovers can become some of the best comfort food ever. Try open face turkey sandwiches with gravy, stuffing and cranberry relish, and maybe green beans on the side. The family will probably be asking for a second helping. Turn leftover rolls into garlic toast to serve with a casserole. Prepare the casserole at the same time dinner is being made in order to save time. These may be frozen until needed. For those wanting to enjoy fresh turkey without preparing an entire bird there is a simple alternative. Remove the wings and legs, slice off the breasts, and prepare and cook the desired portion. Freeze what is unused for another day's meal preparation. Try a new way of preparing an old dish. Turkey stir fry, fired rice, even tacos are a great way to "spice things up". Get creative and do not be afraid to try something new. There are few rules... Cooking turkeys is a great idea for large family gatherings. It is also a perfect idea any night of the week. Get ready for a whole new experience and savings on the grocery bill. Check out www.johnhoweturkeys.com for a summary of the benefits of choosing free range turkeys, now. You can also get more information about John Howe Turkeys at http://www.johnhoweturkeys.com/ today.
Related Articles -
Cooking turkeys, John Howe Turkeys, bronze turkeys, free range turkeys,
|