Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Holiday Meal




Homemade turkey gravy

Makes approximately 2–3 cups
Ingredients:
Pan drippings from a fully cooked roasted turkey and additional turkey stock as required (4 cups in total)
6 tablespoons Robin Hood Best for Blending flour or sifted all-purpose flour
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Cooking tip #1:
The turkey neck can be used to make a simple stock to add to your gravy. Place it in a medium saucepan, and just cover it with water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then gently simmer it on low heat for 3–4 hours while the turkey is roasting. Check it often to make sure there is always enough water in the pan, then strain the liquid before using it.
Directions: 
Lift the cooked turkey out of the roasting pan, and place it on a cutting board with a raised edge or lip, which will help collect the drippings.
Strain the remaining drippings and juices from the roasting pan through a fine or cheesecloth-lined sieve into a medium bowl. Make sure to leave the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Let the drippings sit for 15 minutes and then remove the excess fat that has settled on top.
Return the juice from the bowl and drippings from the cutting board to the roasting pan.
If required, add enough stock to make 4 cups of pan drippings/juice.
Place the roaster over two burners on the stove, set to medium heat.
Sprinkle or sift in the flour to the pan while whisking constantly. Be sure to scrape off the browned bits from the bottom. Lower the heat to medium-low, and cook the gravy for about 10 minutes while whisking often.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour into a warmed gravy boat, and serve!
Cooking tip #2:

The ratio of turkey stock to sifted flour is approximately 2 cups to 3 tablespoons, which will equal about 1 cup of gravy once it has reduced and thickened, so if you would like to make more than the 2 cups of this recipe, just modify it accordingly!
Turkey stock
Ingredients:
1 turkey carcass, broken up into smaller pieces; add the unused turkey neck for extra flavour if desired
2-1/2 litres water
3 small onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
2 dried bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 teaspoons dried thyme
Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a large stockpot.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 4–6 hours. Check often, and add extra water if necessary. Also remove any foam scum from the top of the pot.
When done, strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a large bowl, then refrigerate the clear broth.
After the broth has cooled, remove the solidified fat from the top, then either use the stock immediately, refrigerate it for up to four days, or freeze it for up to six months.


http://www.sheknows.ca/food/articles/956719/homemade-turkey-gravy-recipe

Holiday Meal


Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe







Recipe type: Side Dish
Author: Savory Sweet Life
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 40 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Serves: 8
Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter or non-dairy margarine to keep it dairy-free
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, cut crosswise in 1/4? slices
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon dry thyme
10 cups dried unseasoned bread cubes (found in the bread section at the grocery store)
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 egg
Optional garnish: 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter in a large pan. Saute onions, celery, salt, sage, and thyme for 5 minutes on medium heat. Turn off heat. Add bread cubes and gently stir them into the onion mixture. Slowly pour chicken broth over the bread cubes folding everything carefully so the bread cubes do not break apart too much. In a small bowl, gently whisk the egg and add it to the stuffing mix. Continue to fold everything until the egg is incorporated. Scoop uncooked stuffing into a medium casserole dish and bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until nice and toasty on top.
http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-stuffing-recipe/

Holiday Meal


How to cook a turkey





Step 1: Thaw it. If using a frozen turkey, thaw in its original plastic wrapperin the fridge. Allow for five hours per pound, or per 500 g. Quicker method: Cover the turkey with cold water (the sink is a good place for this), and change with fresh cold water every 30 minutes; allow one hour per pound (500 g).Step 2: Season it. Prepare the turkey by removing giblets and neck. Rinse and wipe the cavity; sprinkle with salt and pepper or stuff lightly using skewers to fasten skin over the cavity.Step 3: Roast it. Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in roasting pan. Brush with melted butter or oil. Tent loosely with foil. Roast in 325ºF (160ºC) oven for about 20 minutes per pound (500 g) or until juices run clear when turkey is pierced and when thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180ºF (82ºC) for a stuffed turkey or 170ºF (77ºC) for an unstuffed turkey. Remove tent for last hour of roasting.Step 4: Cover and leave it. When turkey is done, transfer to warm platter. Tent with foil and let stand for 20 to 30 minutes. This allows time for juices at the surface of the bird to distribute evenly throughout the meat.Step 5: Carve turkey. Eat and enjoy!


http://www.canadianliving.com/food/cooking_school/how_to_cook_a_turkey.php



Christmas time !!!

So hey guys,  as you all know it's Christmas time so what better way to fill your tummies than with these awesome recipes i have searched long and hard over the internet for. I'm actually in a culinary class and this is part of the project to post delicious recipes but think of it as a win-win situation for everyone. :P So on to the yumminess of Christmas food.