Showing posts with label Leftovers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leftovers. Show all posts

Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Whole Enchilada: Turkey Enchiladas And Yellow Rice


This is hands down my families favorite leftover, I usually serve it two days into munching on things like Turkey and Cranberry Paninis, and once we need to diversify our palette. Flavors that pack a punch,  recreate turkey into something "south of the border". Nothing like, what we have enjoyed for the last few days, but grow weary of. Enjoy!









Turkey Enchiladas and Yellow Rice

1 medium Onion, diced
3 Garlic cloves, chopped
3 Diced Oven Roasted Chilies, Or (1 can mild fire roasted chilies)
1/4 cup Sliced Black olives(optional)
8 tbs Butter
1/4 cup all-purpose Flour
1 cup Sour Cream- divided to 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup
2 cups Turkey stock, (see Making Turkey Stock) if not, use storebought chicken stock
3 cups Turkey, White and Dark Meat; boned, meat shredded or cut into small pieces (or chicken)
1/2 tbs Salt, or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

2 cups Ranchero Sauce, see below (or canned Mild Red Enchilada Sauce)
10 large flour tortillas
1/2 pound Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, shredded

Chopped tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

Ranchero Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
5 teaspoons red chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
6 ounces tomato paste
2 1/4 cups water
salt and pepper

Yellow Rice, recipe follows

Warm oven to 350 degrees F

Filling
Melt butter in large pan, as soon as melted add onions. Cook until tender and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic in last minute. Melt other 6 tbs butter and stir in flour. Cook the "flour taste" out of the flour over medium low for about 2 minutes. Add broth and stir briskly, bring up heat over medium to a low boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let sauce thicken. About 7 minutes. Mix sauce with chicken in large bowl. Let cool a bit. Add chopped chilies and 3/4 cup sour cream.  Stirring until combined.

Assembly
Take a large baking dish (preferably 9x13) and cover the bottom with some of the 1/4 of reserved red sauce. Now take the flour tortillas and briefly flash them over the stove-top flame (or put them briefly under the broiler if using an electric stove). Using a shallow bowl, coat each tortilla lightly with the reserved red sauce coating both sides(this step can be skipped but sometimes to prevent any exposed tortilla I do this to prevent drying out). Put a scoop of the shredded turkey and white sauce on top of the tortilla followed by a sprinkle of the shredded cheese. Fold about 1/4 of bottom of the tortilla over the filling and then roll the sides like a cigar to enclose it. Using a spatula place the tortillas in the baking dish and continue to do the same with all the tortillas. Finally pour over the remainder of the red sauce covering all exposed tortillas, and top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Bake
Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until bubbly. Garnish Options: Red Onion, Shallots, Sour Cream, Salsa, cilantro and tomato.

Yellow Rice
2 cups long-grain rice
4 cups water
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2-1 tablespoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 bay leaf

Put all the ingredients into a heavy-bottomed pot, stir well, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat until the rice has absorbed the water, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the garlic and bay leaf, fluff with a fork, and serve.

LEFTOVERS- Turkey, Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish, Stuffing and Havarti Panini

There's Something about the crunchy creamy panini that warms the soul. I happen to love the Italian's souped up version of a grilled cheese on any day! Finally a way to use my George Foreman Grill so lovingly gifted to me years back! It makes a perfect panini when you add a little weight to the top.

Turkey, Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish, Stuffing and Havarti Panini

Thinly sliced turkey breast
8 slices Havarti
8 slices Ciabata or Italian Bread
Cranberry Orange Relish (or canned cranberry sauce if not available)
Optional Additions:
Stuffing
Gravy
Very thinly sliced red onions
Olive Oil

Plug in Panini Grill/George Foreman Grill/ or Skillet over Medium Heat. Arrange Bread slices. Using a basting brush, or Olive oil Spray Bottle is preferable, spread one side with olive oil. On other side of bread arrange in this order: Cranberries, Turkey, Stuffing,(and Gravy, Onions, Stuffing, Cranberries again if preferred) finally Havarti.  Place inside panini maker.  Cook for about 3-5 minutes.

Note for Use of Other Pans: If using a skillet or George Foreman Grill apply weight to top. I've used all sorts of sources; cast iron skillet, tea pot, even a rock camping once! Flip Sandwich over half way through, and reapply weight. .

Paninis can be assembled ahead of time and cooked when it is convenient! Delicious!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Fried Rice- Incredibly Easy, Incredible Flavor!

A few easy tips on Fried Rice that those of us to don't have a Chinese Grandmother need to know!

1. Use day old rice! Makes a huge difference! If I don't have have any from a previous meal, Ill just cook a couple cups and leave it in the fridge! Use long grain not minute rice. This is actually a general requirement in my house. It takes longer to digest so you stay full, its healthier and doesn't make you do the blood sugar slump afterwards! 
2. Chinese and Asian dishes always add their sauce or flavor in the end, coating the rice or noodles in a delicious finishing touch. 
3. Make fried rice at a medium high heat, should be very hot, but not smoking. 
4. In fried rice you can very well clean out the refrigerator.  Shrimp, chicken, beef, ham, just egg fried rice,  peas, diced carrots, ginger, add it, skip it... It should be called "Everything, But the Kitchen Sink, Fried Rice"! 
5. Don't skimp on the green onions. Something about them makes the flavor.  

This is my favorite combination~ 

BBQ Pork Fried Rice

Bunch green onions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup diced Chinese BBQ pork
OR cooked ham, shrimp, beef, or chicken
3 large eggs 
3-4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, or as needed
2 tsp sesame oil
3 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs oyster sauce (if you don't add oyster sauce substitute 1-2 tbs more soy sauce)
4 cups previously cooked long grain white rice, at least 1 day old (I prefer Jasmine) 

Dice BBQ Pork, slice green onions, and beat three eggs in separate container. In a deep 12-inch heavy non-stick skillet or wok heat 2tbs oil over medium heat, adding eggs beaten with a fork. Cook until just done and chop loosely with spatula or fork. Will only take a minute or two to cook, flipping once. Set aside in serving dish.
Raise burner, adding 2 tbs oil and 2 tbs sesame oil, to moderately high heat until hot, but not smoking. Add pork and sliced green onions, flipping and tossing for about 2-3 minutes, Add rice and toss for about 1-2 minutes more.  Creating a empty area in center of skillet; Stir together oyster and soy sauce and add to center, quickly combine in fried rice, tossing to coat evenly. Cook for about 1-2 more minutes, finally tossing back in chopped eggs.  Serve immediately or even at room temperature! Its so tasty and delicious! 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Chipotle Turkey, Bacon and Smoked Cheddar Panini

Spicy, Smokey, Cheesy, Crispy, Melty, Warm... 










Chipotle Turkey, Bacon and Smoked Cheddar Panini
8 slices ciabatta bread (or Italian)

Chipotle Mayonnaise
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 -2 Chipotle Chilies
1/2 tsp honey

8 oz. sliced turkey, white meat
8 (1 oz.) slices Smoked Cheddar or Pepperjack cheese
8 slices pre-cooked bacon (See Perfect Oven Bacon)
8 slices tomato or Avocado
4 tablespoon olive oil

Combine mayonnaise, Chilies and honey in blender or food processor. Heat up panini grill, George Foreman grill, or skillet over medium heat.  Oil one side of bread. Slice Cheese, and tomato or avocado if you prefer. Place bread oil side down on griddle, smear bread with chipotle mayonnaise,  cheese, turkey, bacon, and add schmear other piece of bread with chipotle mayonnaise.  Placing on sandwich with oil side out.  Close grill.  If not a panini grill, add weight like a kettle or another pan. Cook until golden and melted. About 4-6 minutes. Enjoy!

Optional: Opt for thinly sliced red onions if you like them! Yum!

Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup is very traditional in many homes after Thanksgiving.  After the Turkey Broth slowly simmers for hours, the making of a delicious soup loaded with tender pieces of turkey, egg noodles, fresh carrots and celery is a wonderful, quick fix meal.

Turkey Noodle Soup
15 minutes or less

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, whole peeled
2 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 celery ribs, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 fresh thyme sprigs, or 1 tsp dried
1 bay leaf
2 quarts turkey stock
8 ounces dried wide egg noodles
1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, cubed or shredded
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Place a soup pot over medium heat add olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery. Cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. Add garlic, thyme and bay leaf in last minute Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes until tender. Add chicken, and simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Leftovers Step 1- Homemade Turkey Broth

Waste Not, Want Not- Ok, conservatively I'm pretty frugal.  In actuality the reason I spent the time to make a broth, and pick the turkey clean of every bit of flavor; is because the delicious dishes created out of it are more than worth it in richeness and flavor with little effort. I admit being arm deep in a bird, post feast is not my favorite pastime. But the rich, enticing broth, the plates full of amazing sauces, sandwiches and soups is well worth the 30 minutes it takes me to glean every last morsel, and through the clean bird in a pot to simmer overnight.

Homemade Turkey Broth

1 turkey- most of the meat to removed from the bone to the best of your ability.  Turkey meat stored in containers for use in leftovers and later meals. (I usually separate the white and dark meat.)
2 stalks celery, sliced into 4 pieces each
2 carrots, sliced into 4 pieces each
1 Bay leaf
salt, about 1 tsp each
Whole Peppercorns, or
Onion from pan and that roasted in the turkey.
1 Large Pot

Optional Flavor additions:
Whole Cloves of Garlic
Fresh Parsley
Celery seed
1/4 tsp thyme

This is a very simple process.  A bit messy up front getting all the meat from the bird, but after that is done the process becomes effortless. Once the turkey has been cleaned of all its meat, put entire turkey, you may have to break it into smaller parts to fit, carrots, onions and celery into pot. Cover completely with water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to Low and simmer for at least 4 hours. If doing overnight place in crock pot on the low setting for at least 10 hours. Feel free to remove any foam that appears on the top so broth remains clear. Once done using a strainer pour out broth catching vegetables, bones and tender meat from the bones in a colander. Putting broth either in storage containers for freezing or another pan to make turkey noodle soup!

Before freezing allow broth to cool on counter and/or refrigerate overnight.

USES: 
Soup Bases and Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey Enchiladas
Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey Mushroom Risotto
Turkey Chili