How to Make Turkey Stock and a Great Turkey Salad (even when it's NOT Thanksgiving!)

Every Thanksgiving I would be reminded about how much I like turkey and what a shame it is that I didn't enjoy it more often during the year. Now, several times a year I like to make a healthy vegetable soup for my family using turkey stock and I use the turkey meat to make an awesome turkey salad.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 split turkey breast
• 2 turkey thighs
• 4 ribs celery, cleaned and diced
• 4 scallions, cleaned and sliced small
• dash of red wine vinegar
• mayonnaise to taste (I use a combination of regular and low-fat)
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty foil and place turkey breast and thighs on it, skin-side up. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 60 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes.

2. Remove skin and set aside. Remove meat from bones, chop and put in mixing bowl for turkey salad. Fill a large stock pot with water about 3/4 full, add turkey bones, skin, and whatever bits didn't make it into the turkey salad bowl. Cover pot, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 2 hours.

3. While the pot is simmering, make your turkey salad. Add chopped celery, scallions, dash of vinegar, salt, pepper and mayonnaise to your taste and mix well. Eat in sandwiches or on crackers for tasty lunches or snacks.

4. At this point you can strain the stock into another pot and have stock ready to make into your favorite soup, but I like to make a fat-free version: Allow pot to cool on stove then place in refrigerator overnight, which will allow the fat to rise to the top and separate from the stock. Line a colander with 2 paper towels and strain the stock through it into another large pot. Now you have a delicious, fat-free stock to use to make fantastic soups for your family.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be wondering: Duh, why not put the turkey meat in the soup?? Well, of course you can, but for my finicky sons I like to use the turkey stock to make a loaded-with-veggies soup which I then puree which is why I don't put the meat in my soup.
• This is good old-fashioned home cooking at its best. You spend a few dollars and get several meals' worth out of it, and you can pretty much add or subtract from the recipes to your heart's content.
• See my related article: How to Make a Healthy Vegetable Soup Your Picky Kids Will Eat for a great recipe idea for your turkey stock.

[rcryder]

on 10/27/2009 sounds yummy. 5*s

[georgedm]

on 9/6/2009 I make turkey salad all the time but have been throwing away the bones!! Will definitely make stock next time.

[seldengirl]

on 9/5/2009 I love turkey salad - usually only eat it once a year at Thanksgiving. This is a great idea to try!

[ct825876]

on 7/23/2009 This worked out great! 5*

[mtlhd71]

on 7/20/2009 I am printing this one out now. Great ideas!