One turkey down....one to go....

**tracyq** · 12-01-2009, 09:50 AM

I cooked my TURKEY and got it done last night! It was YUMMIFUL!!! After dinner, my husband got all of the meat off, and finished carving, etc. We put the carcass in a pot with the turkey drippings and water, celery, and carrots, and made broth for soup which we'll have sometime this week. I cut up all of the turkey, and put some in the fridge for the soup this week. I had made orzo with butter, garlic salt, and parmesan for our side dish, and put the rest of that aside to use in the turkey soup for this week too. I ended up with three other bags full of cut up turkey for the freezer, so we ended up with at least 5 meals from one, 16 lb. turkey that was 29 cents a pound (just under $5.00). So we ended up with an average of $1.00 per meal for 5 people or 20 cents per meal per person for the meat for those 5 meals. I’d say that was my *SAVE of the DAY!* Maybe I’m learning this gradually after all, and can allow myself one pat on the back???? I'm definitely a work in progress!

SO happy that’s done! One turkey down, one to go (the 20 lb. that's in the freezer that we'll probably have right after Christmas). Now, to find some recipes to use that diced turkey in. I’ll use it to replace diced chicken for recipes.

Tracy Q.

**TigerGirl1226** · 12-01-2009, 11:35 AM

Great job! I find that turkey is easy to put in recipes. I made a gumbo with mine. I will make a hash tonight with potatoes and carrot and other yummy veggies!

**sinopa27** · 12-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks for sharing. I have some turkey leftover. I have never froze the leftovers. sorry....I am new at this. I used to give it to the dogs/trash it.
Now....I feel more frugal!

**checkerkitty** · 12-01-2009, 01:07 PM

DH hates turkey. I would love to do what you do, but he won't touch it. At least he likes chicken though! I would think that any recipe that takes diced chicken would take diced turkey, also:

turkey noodle soup

King ranch casserole

Green chicken/turkey enchiladas

Jambalaya with chicken/turkey (and sausage)

chicken/turkey and rice stuffed in bell peppers

cheesy chicken/turkey casserole
8 oz. dry pasta (any type will do, I like fettuccine)
1 cup reserved pasta water
1-2 T oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup (or homemade)
Pepper and garlic powder to taste
2-3 cups shredded cheese, any kind

Cook your pasta in boiling water until al dente. If you are using long noodles, break them into 2 inch pieces as you put them in the water. Drain the pasta in a collander, remembering to save a cup, and set aside. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In your now empty pasta pot, heat oil and saute onion, celery and bell pepper until tender. Add in chicken, soup, pasta water, garlic powder and pepper. Mix well. Blend in half of your cheese. Pour into a 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. This freezes well.