Seasonal Recipe: Our Favorite Turkey Stuffing

Every family has a tried and true stuffing recipe. The one below is a real favorite, at Thanksgiving and any time of year! 

This recipe calls for baking the stuffing in a casserole dish, and resting turkey legs over top. The juices and the flavor drips down into the stuffing, keeping it moist and delicious, and you also end up with some extra turkey meat you can save and use the next day for some turkey pot pie. Keep reading below for this fantastic recipe...

Our Favorite Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 loaves white sandwich bread cut until 1/2" cubes
• 3 lbs turkey wings separated at the joints
• 1 1/2lbs sage sausage without the casings
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus extra to grease the baking dish)
• 1 large onion, chopped fine
• 3 ribs celery, chopped fine
• 2 teaspoons table salt
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parlsey leaves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 250F.
2. Spread the bread cubes in an even layer over two rimmed baking cheets. Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally during baking.
3. Transfer bread crumbs to a large bowl, then increase the oven temperature to 375F
4. Use the tip of a paring knife to poke a few holes into each wing segment.
5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to simmer. Add the wings and cook until golden brown (about 4 to 6 minutes). Flip wings and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer wings to a medium bowl and set aside.
6. In a dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat until it starts to foam. Add the sausage and cook, using a wooden spoon to break it apart to small pieces. Cook, stiring frequently until only a few bits of pink remain (about 8 minutes).
7. Add onions, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring until vegetables are softened but not browned (7 to 9 minutes).
8. Add thyme, sage, and pepper, and cook for about another 30 seconds.
9. Add a cup of broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer, using a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the dutch oven.
10. Once it has reached a simmer, add the vegetable and sausage mixture to the bowl with the dried bread and toss to combine.
11. Grease a large baking dish with butter. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 1/2 cups broth, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and any accumulated juices from the wings that have been set aside.
12. Add the egg/broth mixture and the parsley to the bread, and gently toss to combine.
13. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish.
14. arrange the wings on top of the stuffing, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, then place it in the oven.
15. Bake until the thickest parts of the wings register 175F on a thermomeber (about 60 to 75 minutes).
16. Remove the foil and transfer the wings to a dinner plate, or the fridge for later use.
17. Use a fork to gently fluff the stuffing, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
18. Enjoy!

Creative Seasonal Dish: Turkey and Pumpkin Chili

Whether you've got Thanksgiving leftovers or you're just hankering for the flavors of the season, this creative chili recipe is just what the doctor ordered. A perfect blend of turkey and pumpkin along with a few other traditional chili ingredients (black beans, diced tomatoes, onion & pepper), it's the perfect way to spice up an ordinary dish. 

Best of all, you can indulge in this protein-rich chili without overstuffing on calories. Keep reading for this amazing recipe...

Turkey and Pumpkin Chili Recipe

(makes 10 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped (red or yellow would be ideal)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cubed avocado and thinly sliced green onions, optional for garnish 

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers to the skillet, cooking and stirring them until soft. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
2. Transfer to a five-quart slow cooker and stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook, covered, on low for four to five hours. If you’d like, top your bowl of chili with freshly cubed avocado and sliced green onions. 
3. Enjoy!

Starter Recipe: Basil Tomato Soup and Turkey Meatballs

Keeping true to our name, we'd like to share one of our favorite tomato-based dishes: a tomato soup with, yes, turkey meatballs!  This strange-sounding, yet surprisingly savory dish relies on allowing the turkey to cook right in the soup.  And when you add a bit of basil pesto and some red pepper flakes in the meatballs, the result is just the right mix of sweetness from the tomato with the heat from the pepper.  Scroll on down for the details!

Basil Tomato Soup with Turkey Meatballs

(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients

• 8 oz. ground turkey
• 3 tablespoons basil pesto
• 3 tablespoons whole wheat bread crumbs
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 small carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 small stalk celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2-1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the ground turkey with the pesto, bread crumbs, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Mix until evenly blended.
2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, occasionally stirring vegetables.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about another minute.
5. Add the broth and diced tomatoes (with the juices from the can) and bring to a simmer.
6. Cover the pan again, and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
7. While that is cooking, roll the turkey into uniform meatballs (you should end up with about 13 1" meatballs).
8. Once the broth/tomato mixture is done simmering, add to a food processor or a blender (with a blender you may need to do this in two batches). Pulse for about 3 1-second pulses, then let blend for a full minute, or until the soup is as smooth as desired.
9. Return the pureed soup to the saucepan, and add the pasta and meatballs. Cook on medium for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked.
10. To serve, top with grated or sliced parmesan.
11. Enjoy!