Now that the holidays are over, there is only one problem to overcome: what the heck are you going to do with all that leftover turkey? Why do we always have to buy a turkey that big, anyway? But there is hope! You may be tired of slices of turkey, with gravy and dressing, but there is still a lot more you can do.
Start by removing the meat from the bones and set aside. In a large pot, sauté a chopped onion, bell pepper, a chopped and seeded jalapeno, and a few cloves of garlic, add chicken or turkey stock and the leftover bones, and simmer for an hour or so, and remember, as always, taste and re-season with Tony’s, red pepper flakes, and maybe a dash of Italian seasoning as necessary along the way. Now you have a great stock that can be used in many ways. If you want to freeze the stock, reduce it by at least ¾, then pour it into ice cube trays, freeze it, then put it into a zip lock bag. When you need stock, pop one or two out, add water, and heat.
One of my favorites for leftover turkey is a big turkey sandwich. I use a multigrain bread, thickly sliced. Homemade aioli makes this a great sandwich. It is so easy to make if you have an immersion blender. Add one cup of olive oil, one whole egg, and a tablespoon or so of lemon juice to a cup slightly larger than the head of the blender. Pulse the blended and the aioli will start to thicken, it shouldn’t take but a minute or two. If you want to spice up the aioli, add a little curry or diced canned chilies, or if you want a little bite, add diced and seeded jalapenos. If you have a good, ripe tomato (Rouses almost always has a few heirlooms) and some fresh, crisp lettuce; combine it all and you will have a great lunch.
A turkey stew is pretty easy to put together using that nice stock you made, You might want to sauté another onion, bell pepper, and a jalapeno in some oil first. Add the stock and diced turkey, season as necessary. If it’s a little thin to your liking, make a dark brown roux (equal parts oil and flour) and stir it in, simmering until it thickens.
Leftover turkey also makes for a great taco (use guacamole and salsa), a curry with coconut milk, an omelet with cheese, and along with a little gravy, served over grit cakes.
