Sunday, November 30, 2014

Turkey and Dumplings

Everyone loves a good thanksgiving feast, with turkey and all the trimmings, but if you're like many reheating the turkey or eating endless turkey sandwiches can get boring.  My favorite way to use those turkey leftovers is by making Turkey and Dumplings.  This recipe is similar to another recipe I make with chicken, but the process is different because I am using already cooked turkey instead of raw chicken.  If your family is anything like mine, they will love every last bite.

Ingredients:

4 cups shredded left over turkey, light and dark meat
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups baby carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp thyme
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup water with 1/2 tbsp flour mixed in

For Dumplings:
3 cups flour
6 tbsp butter, softened
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tbsp parsley
1 tsp salt

Directions:

1.  Add turkey, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt & pepper, basil and thyme to large pot.  Cook on medium heat for 35-45 minutes, until carrots and celery are cooked through.  

2.  In a large mixing bowl, add flour, butter, baking powder, parsley, salt and milk.  Mix well, until a loose dough is formed.  If you need to add more milk to gain this consistency, add it one tbsp at a time until the dough loosens.  

3.  Add the flour/water mixture to the pot of turkey and vegetables prior to adding the dumplings.  Using a large spoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto turkey vegetable mixture in pot, until the entire surface of the pot is covered and all dough is in the pot.  

4.  Cook uncovered for 10 minutes over medium heat.  Then cover and cook another 10 minutes.  Serve and enjoy this hearty and delicious recipe.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Chicken Sausage & Cabbage Stew

This is my new take on an old favorite, kielbasa and cabbage.  Since I am eating healthy, I have had to find a way to make the recipe a little healthier and I did that by using chicken sausage instead of kielbasa.  I like the Johnsonville Chicken and Apple Sausage but I am sure any type would work. This meal is definitely a fall favorite in my house.

Ingredients:

I pkg Johnsonville Chicken & Apple sausage
4 medium red potatoes, chopped
1 medium rutabaga, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/2 head of green cabbage, chopped
15 baby carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp thyme
1/2 Tbsp oregano
Sea salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions:
1.  Place rutabaga, onion, carrots, garlic and spices in a large pot.  Add 4-5 cups water (enough to cover everything.)  Bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

2.  Add potatoes and sausage.  Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

3.  Add cabbage.  Cover and simmer another 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.