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!

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

Turkey Leftovers are Better than the Turkey Itself!

Thanksgiving leftovers are great! In fact its really the only time of the year that I can handle devouring a meal a second time around.  I know what more than a few plates of the original feast are consumed as the long weekend progresses, but what do you do when want to find new creations, new ways of seeing your turkey and sides, new ways to taste the perfection?

I have a few favorites:

Turkey, Cranberry Relish, Stuffing and Havarti Panini- A great way to eat all the flavors you love packing a warm, crispy sandwich. The Italian's version of a grilled cheese, but with a whole lot more! The options are endless here... some want stuffing, some smoked gouda, or even gravy!

Chipotle Turkey, Bacon and Cheddar Panini- Bacon, melted cheese, Crisp chewy bread, turkey... need I say more?

Turkey Noodle Soup- Nothing going to waste I boil the leftover turkey after I've stolen all the meat and make a wonderful broth. I freeze some in quart containers, and even in 8 oz. containers to use later. I always have enough left to make a big pot of turkey noodle soup to warm everyone up as the temperature drops!

Creamy Turkey Enchiladas
 My families favorite! Packs a flavor punch using the broth to make a creamy chicken Enchilada with a red sauce outside its the best of both worlds! And when they wary of the same flavors this Latin American dish really changes the pallet. Turkey Enchiladas