Stretching Money Cooking Turkeys Is Fantastic

Saving money cooking turkeys is delicious. So is the food. Too many people forget about turkey until the holidays. They see it as a food that is prepared for special occasions and large gatherings. These folks are missing out on a great opportunity. Turkey is easy to prepare, tastes fantastic, and can be used in many recipes. It is also extremely cost effective.

The first rule is to use everything. A good size bird can easily become five, six meals, or even more. On the first day serve the family whatever choice of the meat they prefer, along with typical turkey dinner fixings. In order to get the most out of this bird, remove all the meat the day after it has been cooked and separate it according to white meat and dark. Do not discard the skin or the bones, those will be used too.

Take all of the "picked" bones and place them into a pot of water and allow it to boil and then simmer. Add a bit of salt and pepper and appropriate seasoning. Just let it sit until the bones are clean and a nice stock has been created. Once cooled the stock can be strained and used or frozen for later use. The savings at the grocery store will surely be noticed. There are countless recipes that will call for this broth, and homemade is always best. These bones can even be ground for use in the garden.

Save that skin. Save the gel too. Some people will say "yuck", but that gel is priceless. These are the ingredients included to make bouillon. A quick stop at the local grocery store will show just how expensive bouillon can be, and this homemade type is the "good stuff". This will not take a great deal of time. Place just enough oil in a saute pan to prevent sticking, and add the skin. Once it cooks down add the gel and a small amount of the prepared stock. Add seasoning as desired, and viola'. Once anyone makes this at home they will never want to buy it pre-made again. The rich flavor is incredible.

Night two leftovers can become some of the best comfort food ever. Try open face turkey sandwiches with gravy, stuffing and cranberry relish, and maybe green beans on the side. The family will probably be asking for a second helping. Turn leftover rolls into garlic toast to serve with a casserole. Prepare the casserole at the same time dinner is being made in order to save time. These may be frozen until needed.

For quicker meal preparation, instead of cooking the whole turkey separate the whole bird and use what is needed. Freeze the rest for another day. Slice breasts, remove legs and wings, and toss the carcass in a pot of water... Simple, fast, and cost effective.

Be creative. Try a recipe that calls for a different meat and substitute it with turkey. Turkey fettuccine Alfredo, omelets, crepes', and so much more will be a nice treat for an unsuspecting family. Maybe spaghetti sauce... Use the imagination and have fun.

Cooking turkeys is a great idea for large family gatherings. It is also a perfect idea any night of the week. Get ready for a whole new experience and savings on the grocery bill.