Turkey Recipes

The turkey recipes that I use most were originally developed for leftover turkey meat from the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. One of the great things about turkey is that it's adaptable to any kind of cuisine and there are oodles of great recipes for good, nutritious turkey meals.

The most important thing common to all turkey recipes is that the bird must be thoroughly cooked, right into the cavity. Allow plenty of time for the turkey meat to cook but don't overdo it, because the meat juices are needed for the flavor. And don't forget to remove the giblets! Those innards don't have to be thrown away, because they too can be cooked to make a delicious stock for the gravy.

Although turkey can be a bit bland and dry, the herbs such as sage, oregano or tarragon are ideal for bringing out the flavor of the turkey. Some people like to pep it up with some paprika. Honey glazed turkey is also very tasty and the sweetness of the honey combines well with vegetables such as sweet potatoes or parsnip.

You would have to be a mathematical genius to calculate the exact amount of meat needed over a festive holiday. Plan ahead and think carefully about the size of bird you'll need. It has been known for people to order a huge turkey and then find that it won't fit into the oven!

Leftovers are inevitable and they offer tasty meals with a bit of imagination. It's not a good idea to keep re-heating poultry, so try to use up those leftovers in one go if possible. Turkey recipes for curries can use up leftover vegetables too. Some cumin, chili and coriander will add some zest or you could use a Thai curry paste.

Soup is another idea and there is no waste with this method. The carcass can be boiled for the stock. Add some chicken stock cubes and cook up some carrots, peas and barley with the meat.

Burgers are great for breakfast or lunch, made from ground turkey meat with peppers, onions and tomatoes. Add some Tabasco Sauce for a Cajun flavor.You can top them with grated cheese or caramelized onion and serve with pineapple rings or scrambled egg.

A more healthy option is turkey salad with mixed green leaves, celery, sun dried tomatoes, chutney and mustard. You could accompany the salad with a homemade pizza with turkey sausage topping. Turkey recipes can use up whatever ingredients you have in the cupboard and you'll look forward to the next big bird!