Afterthanksgivingturkeychili Recipes

THANKSGIVING TURKEYS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate chips in a medium stainless steel or glass bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate has melted, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• For each turkey, push 5 candy corn candies, tip-side down, into the cream filling of a chocolate sandwich cookie to make the feathers for the turkey. Lay the cookie on a work surface.
• Dip the flat, larger end of a peanut butter cup in the melted chocolate allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the peanut butter cup, chocolate-dipped end down, onto the sandwich cookie.
• Dip a malt ball into the melted chocolate allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the malt ball above the peanut butter cup to make the head of the turkey.
• Dip the flat end of the white candy corn tip in the chocolate. Place on the malt ball, to make the turkey beak. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set, about 10 minutes.
• Place the Red Frosting in a piping bag. Using scissors, cut a small opening in the end of the piping bag. Pipe a small piece of frosting under the malt ball to make the turkey's beard.
• Place a cookie (with top half removed) on a platter. Stand the turkey upright into the cream filling. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Beat on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is smooth. Color the frosting by mixing in 1 drop of red food coloring at a time until the desired color is reached.

POST-THANKSGIVING TURKEY CHILI

Steps:

• Break up turkey carcass and place with leftover meat in a large stock pot.
• Cover completely with water.
• Add chopped onion and bay leaf.
• Bring to boil then cover and simmer for 1 hour (Meat should fall easily from bone).
• Strain juices and pour back in pot, along with one or two cans of chicken broth for a fuller flavor (Boullion is also OK, but keep in mind you will have less liquid to work with).
• Separate meat and chop any large pieces, then return to pot.
• Discard any bones, skin, leftover stuffing and other non-edibles.
• Add beans, tomatoes, garlic and spices.
• Simmer, uncovered, for twenty minutes to reduce liquid.
• You may wish to add a bit of flour, if the sauce is thin: To minimize lumps, ladle a cup of liquid into a mixing bowl and whisk in flour a teaspoon at a time, then stir into chili (Keep in mind that chili will thicken in the refrigerator or freezer, so if you are planning to store it, a little thin is OK).
• Serve and garnish with shredded cheese, chopped onions, scallions, cilantro and sour cream, or dip with crackers.

DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DINNER

Steps:

• Mix together the stuffing and mashed potatoes.
• Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
• With your hands, form 1-1/2 to 2 inch balls (patties will work as well).
• Place the balls on a greased baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven until heated through and a bit crunchy on the outside (about 15-20 minutes).
• While the stuffing balls are baking, make a roux, as follows:.
• Sift the flour, salt, pepper and thyme together.
• Melt the butter.
• Add the seasoned flour, one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each. (I use a whisk to keep the consistency smooth.).
• When the roux is smooth and bubbling, remove from heat and slowly add chicken broth, stirring and incorporating after each addition.
• Stir in the gravy and the milk.
• Return to heat and bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth.
• Stir in the turkey pieces and heat through. (At this point, you can add more of any of the liquids if the sauce is too thick.)
• Serve the turkey and gravy sauce over the crunchy stuffing balls. Any leftover vegetables can be served with the meal or a green salad would be a great compliment. And don't forget the cranberry sauce!