This classic bird and its rich gravy can easily anchor any traditional holiday feast.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; discard liver. Reserve turkey neck and giblets. Pat turkey dry with paper towels; trim and discard excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen the skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between the skin and meat.
3. Combine 2 tablespoons sage, olive oil, butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Rub sage mixture under the loosened skin and over breasts and drumsticks. Squeeze juice from 1 half of lemon over turkey; place remaining lemon half in cavity. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Place reserved giblets, neck, garlic, carrots, celery, onion, and bay leaf in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Add 1 cup stock and 2 cups water to pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side up, on roasting rack. Bake turkey at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes, rotating pan every 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425° (do not remove turkey from oven). Bake turkey an additional 30 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 165°. Remove turkey from pan; place on a cutting board. Let stand for 30 minutes. Carve turkey; discard skin.
4. Place a large zip-top plastic bag inside a 4-cup glass measure. Strain pan drippings through a colander into bag; discard solids. Let drippings stand 10 minutes. Seal bag; snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain pan drippings into a medium saucepan, stopping before fat layer reaches the opening. Add remaining 1 tablespoon sage, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, and wine to drippings in pan; bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes or until reduced to 2 1/2 cups. Combine flour and remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir flour mixture into stock mixture in pan; bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring gravy constantly. Serve gravy with turkey.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
If you don't want to spend your entire Turkey Day in the kitchen, this is the entrée for you. A bold spice rub gives the meat big flavor and gorgeous color.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. To prepare turkey, combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl; add turkey, turning to coat. Marinate at room temperature 20 minutes. Remove turkey from marinade; discard marinade. Place a rack inside a roasting pan; coat rack lightly with cooking spray. Arrange turkey breasts on rack. Bake at 450° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part registers 155°. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes; cut turkey diagonally across the grain into 16 slices.
3. To prepare sauce, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil; swirl to coat. Add onion and garlic to pan; sauté 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine stock and flour in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add stock mixture to onion mixture, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve sauce with turkey.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
This essential trimming can be made up to a week ahead. Cassis is black currant-flavored liqueur. If you can't find it, substitute orange liqueur.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add shallots; sauté for 4 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium-high. Add cherries, crème de cassis, sugar, and cranberries; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 8 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in rind. Cool to room temperature.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Simple roasted Brussels sprouts get a big flavor boost from one simple addition: salty pecorino Romano cheese, which punctuates the traditional fall veggie dish with meaty umami notes. You can also use subtler Asiago or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, if you prefer. Quarter the larger sprouts so they are about the same size as halved smaller ones, and spread them in a single layer in two different roasting pans so they brown nicely and evenly.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, and Brussels sprouts in a medium bowl; toss well to coat. Divide Brussels sprouts mixture evenly between 2 small roasting pans or jelly-roll pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are browned and crisp-tender, rotating pans after 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle Brussels sprouts evenly with cheese. Serve immediately.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
This speedy, simple stovetop dish saves you oven space and can be prepared at the very last minute and then brought to the holiday table. Roma or plum tomatoes are the best choice this time of year.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Add shallot, and sauté 2 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add Broccolini; cook 2 minutes. Add wine and tomato. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, salt, and black pepper; cook, uncovered, 4 minutes or until Broccolini is crisp-tender.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
This delicious yet budget-friendly dish comes to $1.15 per serving. Look for a poultry herb blend in the produce section--one package contains all the herbs you need. Slice leeks and swirl them around in a big bowl of water to wash.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet or jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 18 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add leek and next 5 ingredients (through garlic); sauté 10 minutes or until leek begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in mushrooms; sauté 8 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally. Place the mushroom mixture in a large bowl. Add toasted bread cubes, chicken stock, and remaining ingredients except cooking spray. Toss mixture gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into an 11 x 7inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until top of stuffing is browned.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Here's a crowd-pleasing side that's easy on the pocketbook: just 67 cents per serving! If money is no object, consider finishing with a flourish of white truffle oil.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Cook the green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, and drain well.
2. Place walnuts in a large nonstick skillet; cook over medium heat 7 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan frequently. Remove walnuts from pan; set aside. Add 4 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and thyme to pan; cook 17 minutes or until onion is very tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove onion mixture from pan; keep warm.
3. Return pan to medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add green beans; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Add onion mixture and vinegar to pan; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, tossing to combine. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with nuts, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
This bright, fresh salad of winter greens and sweet-tangy citrus is studded with red pomegranate arils: It's a dramatic, holiday-worthy plate and a welcome course for vegetarians.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Add grapefruit, orange, and blood orange sections; toss gently.
2. Combine the shallots and next 6 ingredients (through pepper) in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Divide salad evenly among 6 plates. Divide the pomegranate arils and toasted pistachios evenly among servings.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Sweet Italian sausage, chopped fresh fennel, and apple combine with tangy sourdough for a classic Thanksgiving stuffing.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet or jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly. Place in a large bowl.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage to pan, and cook for 5 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently to crumble. Add sausage to bread in bowl.
4. Return pan to medium-high heat. Add onion, fennel, and celery to pan; sauté for 7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in apple and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add sage to pan; cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Add onion mixture to bread mixture; toss well to combine.
5. Combine chicken stock, apple cider, eggs, and black pepper in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add egg mixture to bread mixture, stirring gently to combine. Spoon bread mixture into an 11 x 7inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until top of stuffing is browned.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Prepare polenta through step 2 up to two days ahead. Before serving, let the dish stand at room temperature one hour, cut polenta into triangles, and toast them at mealtime. Pork sausage gives them a wonderfully familiar, stuffing-like flavoring.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage; cook 2 minutes or until sausage begins to brown, stirring to crumble. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
2. Add 1 1/2 cups water and milk to sausage mixture in pan, and bring to a boil. Gradually add polenta, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in salt. Cook for 3 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Spoon polenta into an 11 x 7inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cool to room temperature; cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
3. Cut the chilled polenta into 8 squares, and cut each polenta square diagonally into triangles. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil; swirl to coat. Place 8 triangles in pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining olive oil and polenta triangles.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Sweet potatoes laced with bourbon, butter, and cream--what could be better?
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Place garlic and potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 18 minutes or until tender. Drain. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
2. Return pan to medium-high heat. Add butter; cook 2 minutes or until browned and fragrant. Stir in bourbon and sugar; bring to a simmer. Return potato mixture to pan. Stir in salt and pepper; mash with a potato masher until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in half-and-half.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
For convenience, you can prepare the soup up to two days ahead and chill. Reheat and garnish just before serving. Tangy yogurt and smoky bacon provide a nice counterpoint and finishing touch.
Photo by: Photo: José Picayo; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add parsnip and next 8 ingredients (through garlic); sauté 8 minutes. Add stock, 2 cups water, and vinegar; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until parsnips are tender. Remove from heat; uncover. Let mixture stand 10 minutes.
2. Place half of the parsnip mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, and discard solids. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining parsnip mixture. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon yogurt. Sprinkle evenly with parsley and bacon.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2012
Two Turkeys & All The Trimmings
Roast Turkey with Sage Pan Gravy
Spicy Maple Turkey Breast with Quick Pan Sauce
Cranberry Sauce with Cassis and Dried Cherries
Romano-Topped Brussels Sprouts
Sautéed Broccolini with Tomatoes
Mushroom and Leek Stuffing
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts
Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad
Sausage and Apple Stuffing
Polenta-Sausage Triangles
Browned Butter Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Parsnip and Apple Soup
Cooking Light
If you're up for a new word on the bird, we've got two great approaches. If it's sides you'd like to play withthis holiday, we have a whole mess of them--stuffing to sprouts.
Roast Turkey with Sage Pan Gravy
Spicy Maple Turkey Breast with Quick Pan Sauce
Cranberry Sauce with Cassis and Dried Cherries
Romano-Topped Brussels Sprouts
Sautéed Broccolini with Tomatoes
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts
Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad
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Two Turkeys & All The Trimmings