turkey

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This Thanksgiving – I’m on your side

Holiday roasted turkey. Photo credit: Ralphs Website

There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to preparing a Thanksgiving turkey.

Organic, natural or solution injected?

To brine or not to brine?

Oven roasted or fried?

It’s pretty head spinning.

By now, you’ve probably made the hard decisions about the bird. If you haven’t, these story links can help.

Talkin’ Turkey Tips with the folks at Ralphs
It’s brine time with Chef Daria
Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, but does it have to be?

But what about the sides? Are you good?

Or –  with all that turkey talk and high figuring, are you in a lurch for one more side dish to make or take as your potluck contribution?

Well, I think this recipe from the good folks at Family Features is perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s tasty, satisfying and healthy too.  So relax, exhale, you got this. Happy Thanksgiving!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Glaze

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: Family Features

(Family Features) The holiday season is typically marked by gatherings of friends and family. Whether you’re hosting overnight guests, drop-in visitors or an important seasonal meal, taking a fresh approach to the menu can make the get-together more special.

As you prepare for the festivities, consider recipes that feature healthy ingredients such as versatile California grapes, which come in three vibrant colors – red, green and black – and can add a palate-pleasing crunch and plenty of taste to everything from main dishes to sides and even desserts. Heart-healthy grapes are also perfect on their own as a snack and their natural beauty can help enhance any table as an edible garnish or fresh centerpiece.

Using grapes as a featured ingredient in your holiday dishes can provide a fresh twist on seasonal dishes, such as this  Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Glaze.

Find more holiday recipes at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Glaze
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup red California grapes
2 tablespoons ready-to-use balsamic glaze

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 450 F.
  2. On baking sheet, toss sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, until sprouts are well-coated.
  3. Roast until deep golden brown, about 17-20 minutes, turning sprouts halfway through roasting.
  4. Stir in grapes and roast 3-5 minutes.
  5. Transfer to bowl and drizzle with glaze or drizzle platter with glaze and pile sprouts on top.

Nutritional information per serving: 150 calories; 3 g protein; 20 g carbohydrates; 7 g fat (42% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 30 mg sodium; 4 g fiber.

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A tasty, home-style, Mothers’ Day “gift experience”

Spinach and Turkey Sausage Lasagne served with fresh, oven-roasted broccoli.

Social activist Anna Jarvis is credited with creating Mother’s Day back in 1908 as a way of honoring the passing of her mother and the sacrifices that all mothers make for their children. History records that Jarvis later denounced the holiday because it became so commercialized. She subsequently spent the later years of her life trying to undo her efforts which led to it being recognized as a national holiday.

Mother’s Day spending

Her efforts failed and the commercialization of Mother’s’ Day grew exponentially year after year. Fast forward to 2018, Mother’s Day spending is expected to total “a near-record $23.1 billion this year,” according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF), with Americans spending an average of $180 on mom to celebrate her.

The NRF survey also revealed another interesting fact: 29% or 3 out of 10 moms would love to receive a “gift of experience” such as a gym membership, spa day, paint and sip outing, gourmet cooking class – you get the ideal.

A heartfelt gift of experience

About 70% of us will book a reservation at a restaurant and take mom out to eat.  That is a lovely experience. While I absolutely appreciate the ritual of dining out on Mother’s Day, I have to admit I equally appreciate the effort of having a lovely home cooked meal thoughtfully prepared, beautifully plated and cheerfully served to me.  And sometimes, avoiding the crowds, long wait times and skipping the hustle and bustle at restaurants is just what I need.

What is more loving and nurturing than having someone you love make dinner as way of honoring you? That is a not only a wonderful experience, it is a most memorable one.

A Mother’s Day recipe

A Mother’s Day recipe she will not forget.

If you are thinking about dining home this Mother’s Day and you are searching for a recipe to wow and honor your mom or the woman who has played a significant role in nurturing you, look no further.

My Mother’s Day Spinach and Turkey Sausage Lasagne recipe is  hearty, satisfying, scrumptious and beautiful. It uses fresh spinach and a homemade sauce made with fire roasted tomatoes. One word of caution: this recipe takes time to prepare, so carve out some time and take your time. It is not to be rushed. And after you taste that first bite, it will be your favorite lasagne, rivaling any restaurant recipe.

I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe and that you have a beautiful Mother’s Day.

Oh, and the gifts of experience the NRF mentioned that moms would love to have for Mother’s Day,  add at least one of them too – in addition to making her dinner. After all,  she deserves it.

Cooks note: I did sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each layer of mozzarella cheese to boost the flavor. This is completely optional.  

Mother’s Day Spinach and Turkey Sausage Lasagne

  • Servings: 8 to 12
  • Difficulty: intermediate
  • Print

This will be your favorite lasagne, rivaling any restaurant recipe.

Ingredients


1 immersion blender (or blender if you must)
2 pounds Italian sausage, casings removed
3 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
1 box no boil lasagne noodles (Barilla featured here)
4 cans simple truth fire roasted tomatoes
1 medium bell pepper
½  cup chopped red onion
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning
3 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chopped Kalamata olives
1~ 5 ounce package fresh spinach
16 ounces ricotta cheese
Salt, pepper

Directions

  1. To a large mixing bowl, add 4 cans of fire roasted tomatoes.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet set on medium heat. Add chopped bell pepper and cook for two minutes, stirring frequently. Add chopped onion and stirring another two 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chopped garlic and stir another 30 seconds, until garlic is fragrant.
  3. Add sauté vegetables to bowl of tomatoes.  With an immersion blender, blend until semi smooth, about 40 to 50 pulses.( If you don’t have an immersion blender, and you should, place contents into a stand up blender, and pulse until semi smooth.)
  4. Add blended tomatoes and sautéed vegetables to a large sauce pan. Add 1 tablespoon Italian season, 3 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Blend well. Set heat at medium, once sauce is heated, turn down heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat once done and set aside.
  5. While sauce is simmering, to that same skillet set on medium heat add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once heated, add 5 ounce package of fresh spinach. Sprinkle with a little salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until all the spinach is wilted.  Remove spinach from the skillet and scoop into heat resistant dish. Once cooled, you will chop it.
  6. To that same skillet, add Italian sausage (casing removed). Break up the meat with a wooden spoon once in pan. Cook on medium to medium high heat until lightly browned. Drain off excess fat.
  7. To a large bowl, add ricotta cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup chopped Kalamata olives, chopped spinach. Blend well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to taste it to ensure it has enough flavor.

To assemble

  1. Spray the bottom of a large 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick spray.  Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  2. Using 4 sheet of pasta, form two rows across the length of the dish. The noodles will overlap in the center. Leave a little space between the rolls as the pasta will cook and expand.
  3. Take half of the ricotta cheese mixture and spread over both rolls of pasta.
  4. Take half of the cooked Italian sausage and spread it evenly over the casserole dish.
  5. Scoop out 2 generous cups of sauce and spread over the meat in the casserole dish.
  6. Cover sauce with 1 cup of cheese.
  7. Repeat, using 4 more pasta sheets to form second layer.
  8. For the final layer, top with 4 more pasta sheets. Add remaining sauce and spread evenly over sheet pasta. Spread 1 cup of cheese over the top.
  9. Tightly cover with foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  10. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until browned and bubbly.
  11. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

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Talkin’ Turkey Tips with the folks at Ralphs

The Thanksgiving turkey is the second best thing about Thanksgiving.

What’s the best thing about Thanksgiving? The long awaited gathering of family and friends around the holiday table laden with a cornucopia of food, including that glistening Thanksgiving bird.

Holiday roasted turkey. Photo credit: Ralphs

There are so many ways to prepare the hallowed bird from roasting it breast side up, stuffing herb butter under the skin, engulfing it in a cooking bag, deep frying to brining.

I’ve always been a big fan of brining, which is a form of marinating the turkey in a salt mixture with various herbs and other ingredients. But it can be quite a painstaking and time consuming production, steeped in mystery and intrigue. The time honored process is not always honored.

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and I at Sur La Table during a recent signing of his book: My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients

At a recent book signing in Los Angeles with Food Network Star and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, I asked the question, “to brine or not to brine?”

His answer: not to brine.  Chef GZ says he has a few fellow chefs and culinary colleagues that are big briners, but he is not. When it comes to cooking the bird, he keeps it simple and that way he gets simply delicious results.

This year I’ve decided to keep it simple. No brine, no lengthy 12 hour marinating time. But I wanted to make sure that my turkey was moist, flavorful and delicious because after all, I have a culinary reputation to uphold.

Kristin Livingston, Natural Food Manager, Ralphs, Westwood, CA.

I reached out to the experts at my favorite market Ralphs for a little advice on making an oven roasted, moist and juicy Thanksgiving turkey. They invited me to chat with Kristin Livingston, Natural Food Manager, at their Westwood store near the campus of UCLA. Here’s a mind-bending fact: it’s the busiest store in Southern California and generates $1.4 million in sales a week.

We had a great chat, I asked her lots of questions, and here are a few tips Kristen shared with me during the time we spent together.

What kind of turkey should I buy?

It depends on your budget and preference. There are whole turkey breasts, oven ready turkeys, natural, organic and frozen turkeys. Most frozen turkeys are flash frozen immediately after being butchered and are delicious. Some turkeys have a salt solution injected into them to make them very flavorful.  I prefer the free range, certified organic turkeys that are feed healthier fed and free of hormones and antibiotics.  I think they are tastier.

There are a variety of turkeys to chose from.

What size turkey should I buy?

A widely used general guideline is one pound of turkey per person. But if you are serving a lot of guests, I recommend preparing two smaller turkeys weighing 12 pounds or less.

What’s the best way to thaw a frozen turkey?

The best way to thaw your turkey is in the refrigerator. A general rule to follow when thawing a turkey is to allow 1 day of thawing for every 4 pounds. Make sure to keep the turkey unopened and thaw it breast side up.  It’s best to cook it within 4 days after thawing.

How should I season my turkey?

Here the possibilities are endless.  Make sure you wash and pat it dry first. Of course you need to generously salt the outside and cavity of the bird. Adding olive oil, vegetable oil or butter on the surface of the bird before adding the salt will help it brown.  There are a lot of traditional turkey seasoning mixes out there, but why not try something different like a Indian or Moroccan spice mix. There are many on the market or you can experiment with making your own.*

Should I stuff my turkey?

So many herbs, so many choices for your Thanksgiving turkey.

Stuffing a turkey is no longer recommended because of health reasons. If the bird is removed from the oven before the stuffing reaches 165°F, some bacteria from the stuffing or from the interior surface of the turkey’s cavity could remain alive in the stuffing.  To get the stuffing up to 165°F, you would risk overcooking the breast meat.  My recommendation is to cook your dressing or stuffing separately.

But do stuff the cavity of your turkey lot of aromatics like onions, garlic, thyme and rosemary. Those aromatics will cook and the flavors will permeate the turkey. Besides, those pan drippings make the best gravy.  Also, many stores stock a poultry bundle that can take the stress out of what herbs to buy. I would suggest trying that.

How long should I roast my turkey in the oven?

I recommend a temperature of  325°F from start to finish.  The  general cooking guideline for a fully defrosted or fresh bird is about 15 minutes per pound.

How will I know when the turkey is done?

A temperature of 180°F degrees is what you are looking for.

Your turkey is done when it reaches a temperature of 180°F degrees in the thigh and 170°F degrees in the breast. It’s best to use a meat thermometer to make sure you don’t overcook your turkey. Some turkeys come inserted with a plastic pop up button. But these buttons are set to pop up at 180°F to 185°F degrees and at that temperature, the turkey is overcooked and dry.

How long do I wait before I carve it?

Just like you let a steak rest after cooking so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat, you should let your turkey rest too. About 15 to 20 minutes is best. While its resting, why not use that time and make a gravy out of the those flavorful pan drippings.

Should I carve the turkey at table or not?

Turkey breasts removed and sliced for serving.

I love the presentation of a beautiful turkey at the table. Yet carving takes time. You can carve and plate the turkey right before serving to make it more convenient.  The best way to do this is to:

  • Remove the legs and thighs and cut through the bone that connects them.
  • Remove the wings and separate them at the joints.
  • Remove the wishbone and cut away to remove both breasts.
  • Slice the thigh meat.
  • Slice the breast meat, cutting it at an angle against the grain.
  • Arrange the turkey pieces and slices on a serving platter with fresh herbs and roasted vegetables for a great presentation.

My tip if you need more help

Since 1981 the folks at Butterball Turkey have staffed a Turkey Talk Line with food experts who can help answer any turkey question you might have. You can call them at 1-800-BUTTERBALL (800)288-8372 or visit their site at http://www.butterball.com/contact-us for information on their hours of operation and how you can chat, text or communicate with them about all your turkey questions via social media.

Time to make that turkey

*I like Kristin’s suggestion to make your own Indian or Moroccan inspired turkey seasoning. Here’s an easy mix I created you might want to give a try. Feel free to tweak this rustic blend and add additional ingredients if you like.  Double the recipe if you think you many need more seasoning mix. I recommend you rub the surface of the turkey with olive oil before you season your bird. In a bowl whisk together:
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon sugar

The folks at Ralphs have shared an easy recipe to help you make your turkey moist and delicious.  There are so many other great recipes on their site as well. Make sure to visit  them at https://www.ralphs.com/recipes and see what’s there. Have a Happy Thanksgiving my foodie friends. [Note: this is not a sponsored post]

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

  • Servings: 10 to 14
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Recipe courtesy of Ralphs.

Ingredients

1 turkey (14 lbs.)
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
5 cloves garlic, peeled and whole
1 small onion, cut in quarters
salt
ground black pepper
1 poultry bundle (thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, parsley)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Rinse turkey and pat dry.
  3. Combine butter, 1 minced clove garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Carefully spread the butter mixture between the skin and meat of the turkey, trying not to tear the skin. Sprinkle outside of the turkey and the cavity with additional salt and pepper.
  4. Stuff turkey cavity with onion, garlic cloves and poultry bundle.
  5. Truss the legs and place the turkey in a roasting pan.
  6. Roast for about 3 hours, basting with pan juices every 30 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature is about 170°F when thermometer is inserted into the meaty part of the breast.
  7. Remove from oven. Rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

 

 

 

 

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National Pie Pot Day is coming – I got ya

Turkey Pot Pie Casserole

I don’t need a day to celebrate my love affair with meat pot pies. But it you give me one, I’ll take it.

September 23rd is National Great American Pot Pie Day. Urban legend points to the pie maker and frozen food manufacturer Marie Callender’s as the source of crowning this crust filled observance.

And speaking of crust, it’s the very best part of the pot pie.

Back in the day

I remember how Mom would occasionally stock our freezer with frozen Banquet turkey and chicken pot pies. They were packaged in a gold and red box that made my taste buds weep. We would pop that aluminum pot pie tray into the oven and it seemed like it took ages for it get done. And if you took it out too soon, the crust at the bottom would be soggy. But it didn’t matter, we ate them anyway. Between that golden brown, flaky double crust delight was tender chunks of meat and vegetables mixed in a delicate gravy. They were such a treat and not to mention these little pot pies gave mom a day off from serious cooking.

Turkey pot pie remake

To this day I love pot pies. And for years I have made and served a modified version of a turkey pot pie. It’s made in a casserole dish and has a single, puff pastry crust. I’ve posted pictures of it on my social media pages. But I’ve never published the recipe – until now.

While the flaky puff pastry crust is definitely the star, the filling is deliciously satisfying and flavorful. Using turkey thigh meat makes it hearty.  And the Jersey sweet potatoes and fresh rosemary elevates the dish to something you’ll be proud to serve company.

Enjoy National Great American Pot Pie Day and enjoy this recipe any day you want that down home pot pie flavor minus the gold and red box of course.

Turkey Pot Pie Casserole

  • Servings: 6 to 8
  • Difficulty: intermediate
  • Print

It’s made in a casserole dish and has a single, puff pastry crust.

Ingredients

2 cups Jersey (white) sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
½ cup chopped yellow onion
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 ½ to 2 pounds skinless, boneless turkey thighs cut in chunks
Cooking oil (Grapeseed oil used in this recipe)
1 ½   teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
2 ½ cup chicken stock (organic used in this recipe)
1 cup frozen sweet peas
4 tablespoons flour
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (Pepperidge Farms used in this recipe)

Directions

  1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a non-stick skillet set at medium heat. When oil is hot, add Jersey sweet potatoes and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula. They will be slightly browned. Remember, color equals flavor. When done, place in a separate bowl or plate.
  2. To that same skillet, add about a teaspoon more of oil and add sliced carrots. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula.  When done, place cooked carrots in a bowl or plate with sweet potatoes.
  3. Wash and pat dry turkey thigh. Cut in 1 inch pieces/chunks. Place cut meat on waxed paper or parchment paper. Generously season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to your taste. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over turkey meat and mix well. Add 2-3 tablespoon of oil to that same skillet set medium heat. When oil is hot, add turkey thigh meat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly until done. Add the cooked meat to the sweet potatoes and carrots in your separate bowl or plate.
  4. To that same skillet, add another teaspoon of oil, onions, garlic and 1 teaspoon of rosemary. Sauté for 1 minute. Add 4 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of oil. Mix well, stirring for a minute until flour is well incorporated.
  5. Whisk or stir in 2 ½ cups of chicken stock into flour mixture and mix well.  Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Turn down the heat and simmer 2 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken.  Make sure to stir mixture constantly while simmering. Season with additional salt and pepper to your taste.
  6. Add in cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, turkey thigh meat and 1 cup of frozen sweet peas to the thickened stock mixture. Stir well. Pour mixture into a baking dish (13 x 9 used in this recipe) sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  7. Place one thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured, parchment paper covered surface. With a rolling pen, gently roll out pastry to fit the inside of  your baking dish. Roll puff pastry loosely around the rolling pin and ease it on top of the mixture in casserole dish.  Lightly press it into place. If pastry is too wide, just press the edges up along the sides of the dish. Lightly the brush the surface with milk or an egg wash.  Make 6 to 9 prick marks in pastry with a fork to vent the surface. Sprinkle top with the remaining ½ teaspoon of fresh chopped rosemary.
  8. Place casserole dish in oven and bake 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
  9. Remove from the oven and cool 20 minutes before serving. Cut into 6 squares.

    Cook Jersey sweet potatoes 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula.

    Cook sliced carrots 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula.

    Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder and flour over turkey meat and mix well.

    Add turkey thigh meat to a skillet and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly until done.

    Add flour and oil to sauteed onions and garlic.

    Whisk or stir in chicken stock into flour mixture and mix well.

    Add in cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, turkey thigh meat and frozen sweet peas.

    Pour mixture into a baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

    Gently roll out single sheet of puff pastry to fit the inside of baking dish.

    Ease puff pastry on top of the mixture in casserole dish. Lightly press it into place and brush with egg or milk wash.

    Cut into 6 or 8 serving squares.