Friday, October 17, 2008

Got Leftover Turkey?

Just coming off of Thanksgiving on Monday, I seem to have a excess amount of leftover turkey. How exactly should I use all this turkey up? Here is one of my favourite leftover turkey recipes.

Mushroom, Turkey and Rice Casserole
Preparation Time: 20 mins. Cooking Time: 35 mins.

Brown rice and mushrooms add a deep earthy flavour to leftover turkey for the perfect easy holiday meal. Serve with a spinach salad.

2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb. sliced fresh crimini or white Mushrooms
1 cup sliced celery
3/4 cup sliced green onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp EACH dried thyme leaves, sage leaves and salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
4 cups cooked brown and wild rice*
2/3 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup coasely chopped pecans
2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

In large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery, onions and garlic; sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in thyme, sage, salt, pepper; sauté for 2 minutes and add chicken stock. Remove from heat and set aside. In 2.5-3 qt (2.5-3 L) casserole combine turkey, rice, and pecans, stir in mushroom mixture. Bake in 350°F (180°) oven for 25 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Makes 6 Servings

*In medium saucepan bring 2 ½ cups (625 mL) water to boil. Add 1 cup (250 mL) uncooked brown and wild rice mix. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 35-45 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is until tender.

Tips: Brown and wild rice take longer to cook than white rice so cook it the night before to have ready for this recipe. Brown rice is much more nutritious than white since it is the whole grain and contains the bran which adds fiber and vitamins. Wild rice is not rice at all but a long grain marsh grass that gives a nutty flavour and chewy texture. It is less expensive to buy a mix of brown and wild rice that is available in bulk at many stores.

If substituting ground thyme and sage for thyme and sage leaves, reduce to ½ tsp (2 mL)-3/4 tsp (3 mL)

Nutritional Information:
Per Serving
Calories: 372
Sodium: 575 mg
Protein : 32.5 g
Fat: 14.4 g
Carbohydrates: 28.4 g
Dietary Fibre: 4.3 g

Here's two more if you have tons of leftover turkey:
Turkey and Mushroom a La King
Turkey Bacon Mushroom Caps