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| Stuffed Holiday Turkey |
by Cindy SanchezEach Thanksgiving families prepare their own traditional meal. These meals have been passed down from generation to generation, and with maybe a few new recipes sitting on the table, the core of the meal remains the same. The dishes are as varied as the families they have originated from but a turkey is part of just about everyone's holiday feast. But again, just as varied are the side dishes, so is the stuffing found in a roasted bird. Perhaps you are partial to a bread stuffing, or a meat stuffing, or a fruit stuffing. Whatever your preference there are a few universal healthy cooking guidelines to follow in preparing your stuffed turkey for your family's well being. Tips On Preparing & Cooking A Stuffed Turkey
Favorite Bread Stuffing (Low-Fat) 1/2 cup water 1 onion, chopped 3 cups sliced mushrooms (about 1/2 lb.) 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced 4 cups cubed bread 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon marjoram 1/2 teaspoon sage 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup very hot water or vegetable stock Heat 1/2 cup water in a large pot or skillet. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms & celery and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F. Stir in bread & spices, salt & pepper. Lower the heat & continue cooking for 3 minutes, then stir in the water or stock, a little at a time, until the dressing obtains the desired moistness. Spread in an oil-sprayed baking dish, cover & bake for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake 10 more minutes. ~*~ Slow Cooker Stuffing 1 stick butter or margarine 1 cup onion -- finely chopped 1 cup celery -- finely chopped 1 can mushrooms -- (8 ounce) drained 1/4 cup parsley -- chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 12 cups toasted bread cubes 2 eggs -- well beaten 1 1/2 cups chicken bouillon Melt butter in skillet. Add onion and celery and sauté until tender. Stir in mushrooms and parsley. Combine seasonings and sprinkle over bread cubes. Add eggs, bouillon and onion mixture. Toss thoroughly until well combined. Spoon lightly into slow cooker. Cover and set on high for 1 hour, then reduce to low and cook for 1 to 2 hours. 22 bread slices (24 ounce loaf) cubed and toasted for 15 minutes in a 300 oven = 12 cups toasted bread cubes. Source: Butterball Makes Any Dinner Special Cookbook. ~*~ Cranberry-Rice Stuffing 1/4 cup brown rice - uncooked 3/4 cup water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups mushrooms -- (1 1/2 lb) sliced 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried basil Cook the rice in the water until tender, about 1 hour. Sauté the remaining ingredients in a skillet until the celery and onion are tender. Add the rice and stir to blend. Use in chicken roaster or double the recipe for turkey stuffing. ~*~ Cornbread Stuffing with Apples & Golden Raisins Cornbread: 2 large eggs, whites only 1 1/3 cups skim milk 1/2 cup applesauce 2 cup cornmeal* 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Stuffing: 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon dried thyme Salt and Pepper to taste 1 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional) 2 cups defatted broth or low sodium chicken broth For the Cornbread: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat an 8-inch-square cake pan with cooking stray. In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, skim milk, and applesauce. Mix well. Combine the remainder of the dry ingredients and add to the skim milk and egg white mixture. Stir until blended and pour into a prepared pan; bake for 15 minutes or until bread in done. Remove from oven and cool. For the Stuffing: Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and sauté celery and onion until tender. Add spices; remove and put into a large bowl. Add raisins, apples, and the cornbread, crumbled. Toss with the broth and sherry and bake covered in a casserole dish previously coated with cooking spray, about 12-15 minutes. If the stuffing appears to dry, add more broth. Toward the end of cooking, remove cover to brown. *Substitute one cup of flour for one cup of cornmeal, if you prefer. Serves 6. ~*~ Mashed Potato Stuffing 1 pound high-quality white bread -- sliced milk or water -- for soaking 4 pounds potatoes 6 tablespoons butter -- softened 2 teaspoons salt 1 cup hot milk 6 tablespoons bacon grease or butter 2 cups onion -- finely chopped 2 cups celery -- finely chopped 2 eggs -- lightly beaten 1 handful celery leaves -- chopped 1/2 cup parsley -- chopped 1. Soak the bread slices in a deep bowl of milk or water for 15 minutes. Lift them out by the handful and squeeze the liquid out. Tear the bread into small pieces. 2. Peel the potatoes, cover with salted water, bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes. Drain. Then add the butter, salt and hot milk, and whip to mashed consistency. 3. Melt the bacon grease in a large skillet, add the onion and celery, and sauté until soft. Stir in the squeezed bread, then combine with mashed potatoes. 4. Add eggs, celery, parsley and pepper. 5. Put mixture into buttered casserole dish. Cover with foil, and bake for 30 or 40 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Baste with turkey drippings, if desired. Serves 10-12. ~*~ Fruit & Nut Stuffing 18 each whole pitted prunes 1/2 cup dried currants 1 cup raisins 24 each dried apricot halves 1/4 cup bourbon 3 each tart cooking apples, unpeeled, cored and chopped 3 each large onions, peeled and diced 3 each celery ribs, diced 4 tablespoons melted butter 2/3 cup whole macadamia nuts 2/3 cup whole cashews 1 cup unsalted walnut pieces 2 cups whole raw cranberries 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon dried chervil leaves 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh parsley 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 each eggs, slightly beaten Put the prunes, currants, raisins, and apricot halves in a bowl and pour the bourbon over the fruit. Cover bowl and soak overnight. If you are using salted macadamia nuts and salted cashews, put them in a strainer and remove salt by rinsing them under cold water. Dry on paper towels. Heat 2 tbsp. vegetable oil in a skillet and add the nuts. Toast them, stirring constantly, until golden. Combine the apples, onions, and celery in a large skillet along with the butter. Cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and celery is tender, about 11 minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the macerated fruit and all remaining ingredients. Gently mix the stuffing with 2 large spoons until evenly blended. Set aside the stuffing while you prepare the turkey for roasting. Stuff turkey 3/4 full and roast according to size. (for a 20 lb. turkey, approx. 9 cups) |
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