Simple Saturday: Turkey Stock

O.k. I know I have posted this recipe a time or two (or maybe three) before, but I think it is a good one to revisit. If the weather in your neck of the woods happens to be extra chilly, this might just come in handy for a nice bowl of Winter soup.

For today’s Simple Saturday let’s talk Turkey Stock. I like to try and make a turkey at least once a month. You can usually find frozen turkey decently priced, even if it isn’t Thanksgiving. One turkey will last my family several meals, and make for some very quick lunches too.

Stock is a great way to stretch the turkey even further, and you probably have a lot of these items already on hand to get started.

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You’ll need:

  • A large Stock Pot with a colander insert
  • Around 10-12 cups of water
  • Carrots, Celery, and an Onion (I’m using whatever I had chopped in the fridge)
  • One turkey carcass

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It never fails, as soon as my kitty spots the stock pot, he is in the kitchen to see what’s cooking. Feel free to feed your kitchen-kitty-helper a bit of the leftover turkey. He’ll thank you.

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Also feel free to add:

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Poultry Seasoning
  • Bay leaves, or Thyme work well too

The stock is very simple to make… Peel your onion, and rough chop it. Then to your stock pot add in the vegetables, turkey carcass, and enough water to almost cover the bird, but not enough to boil over all over your stove top. Bring the stock to a boil for a few minutes, and then take it down to a simmer. Once your stock is simmering add in your salt, pepper, garlic, and poultry seasoning. Let the stock simmer for a few hours. I let mine simmer until the entire house smells like delicious turkey soup.

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After your veggies have given all of their tasty flavor to the stock, it is time to discard the turkey carcass, and the spent veggies. Don’t forget to taste the stock to see if it needs a little more seasoning. Add in a little more salt and pepper (if you need it), and remove it from the heat. At this point I like to cool my stock, and then portion it out into glad-ware containers to freeze for later use.

The stock works great as a substitute for Chicken broth. I like to use it in soups, chicken and noodles, and even chicken chow mien. Give it a try, and make some tasty Turkey Noodle Soup for a super Simple Saturday.

Yay For Cherry Pie!

It is truly the year of the Pie.

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I tried out a pie crust recipe that I hadn’t made before, and whipped out my new granite rolling pin to make a tasty Cherry Pie.

So stinking good, sadly there are only 3 slices left. Guess this one is a keeper.

The Great Chili Debate

Chili is one of our favorite dishes during Autumn and Winter, but the way that I eat mine, always creates a stir. Maybe it’s a Missouri-thing, but I prefer mine to be Spaghetti-red.

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Yum a bowl of Chili served over Spaghetti! So good.

James says I’m doing it wrong though…

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He is the Chili purist, just crackers only.

So which do you prefer, Spaghetti-red or just Chili?

December’s Tasty Treats

I wasn’t in the kitchen quite as much in December, but I have big plans for January. I did get a few tasty treats made just in time to host three Christmases. Here are some of our favorites from December.

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We made super sticky indoor Smores. The kids loved these, so I am going to have to make them more often.

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I like to keep Banana Muffins stocked in the fridge for a fast breakfast, or snack. They are Dylan’s favorite.

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Agnes loved the corn bread muffins. I served these along side a big bowl of Ham & Beans. This dish is becoming a Winter staple around here.

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I made a few loaves of Banana Bread to serve at the Christmas celebrations, Agnes liked these too. She is taking after her momma with her love of baked goods. Time to get her a little kitchen of her own.

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I finally made some cookies on the very last day of the year. I made White Chocolate Cranberry Almond cookies, and I tested out a new recipe for Vanilla Sugar cookies too. The boys liked the Sugar cookies the best.

Now that it is January it is all about the PIE! I’m baking a Cherry Pie for dessert tonight. I can’t wait to get started.

Pie is the new Cupcake?!?

WHAT?!? I’ve been reading a lot of food trend predictions for the new year, and I’m happy to see this one on top. It looks like the newest and greatest food  trend will be pie! Oh sweet! I’m way happy that pie is conquering the super-cute cupcake for dessert-snack-overall awesomeness domination, and to celebrate this trend get ready to see pie popping up all over the place on my monthly menus. I’m sure the family will approve of the extra desserts.

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Yay! Go pie!