Conserving Money Cooking Turkeys Is Delicious

By Author: Jenifer Whitmire
Total Articles: 324
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A lot of people forget about cooking turkeys unless they are having a large gathering or celebrating a holiday. Some believe it is a lot of work and not worth the effort. The truth is that cooking a turkey does not have to be an ordeal that consumes a great deal of time, is as versatile as chicken, and can save people quite a bit of money.

First off, remember the "golden rule" of turkey cooking - waste nothing. Every single portion, from skin to bone, to gizzard and organ meat, will be used. There will likely be just about nothing for the trash bin. The number of meals that can be prepared using this one good size bird is truly amazing. On night one consider cooking a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. This may seem like a lot of work at the beginning, but in the end it pays off and saves time in the future. After the big meal, just relax and place the cooled turkey in the refrigerator. On the next day remove all meat and skin and discard nothing. Keep wings, legs, white meat and dark separate in order to make storage more organized.

The very best poultry stock is made by boiling the bones with some ...
... herbs and seasoning. This is as simple as placing it in a large pan and waiting. After the boiled liquid has been cooled it will be strained. Afterwards even these bones can be ground into bone meal for the garden. This minimal effort makes it well worth the savings on commercially available stock. The bonus is the family knows exactly how it has been prepared and handled. The finished broth can be stored in the freezer until it is need. This is the base for many amazing recipes, including the best "turkey dinner stew" ever.

Turkey skin generally has a layer of fat and a lot of flavor. Place the skin into a saute pan with a very small amount of oil. Only use enough oil to keep it from sticking to the pan. After a few minutes the fat will begin to melt and release the trapped flavor. Once the skin has shrunken and turned less brown, pour in a bit of the prepared stock. This will make the best, most flavorful gravy or stew base imaginable.

Night two, make open faced turkey sandwiches with gravy, potato, and vegetable. This is a quick way to turn "leftovers" into comfort food the family will look forward to. Whatever is left of the turkey can be used for sandwiches or casseroles that may be stored in the freezer for busy nights when there is no time to cook.

For quicker meal preparation, instead of cooking the whole turkey separate the whole bird and use what is needed. Freeze the rest for another day. Slice breasts, remove legs and wings, and toss the carcass in a pot of water... Simple, fast, and cost effective.

Try a new twist on an old recipe. Turkey cordon blue, fingers, or Parmesan are great alternatives to traditional recipes. Think about all the different methods of cooking that will transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. This is how family favorites are created. Be creative, have fun, and enjoy the food.

Cooking turkeys is a great idea for large family gatherings. It is also a perfect idea any night of the week. Get ready for a whole new experience and savings on the grocery bill.

View our homepage for a brief summary of the benefits of choosing free-range bronze turkeys, now. You can also get more info about John Howe Turkeys at http://www.johnhoweturkeys.com today.