Happy Thanksgiving!

Italian bird

Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday. It's pretty much just about being together, remembering our blessings, eating and well, football. (At least at  our house). Thanksgiving also means remembering those who are less fortunate than we are. Thanksgiving at my mom's house usually means new faces every year. There's always family and a whole bunch of friends who have no family close by. I learned to open my heart and home from my mom. Her philosophy, and now mine is, "cooking for 20 is just as easy as cooking for 4!" So far the count is at 15, but that might change by tomorrow.
The bird I made last week was a version of the Hemingway bird. But it's the Jane Austen version. No, I shouldn't say that...because I decided to make him completely Italian...but I don't think I want to call him Dante either.
Italian Style Turkey

1. Clean out the bird and reserve the giblets and neck for gravy or your dog.
2. Poke holes in a large lemon and stuff inside the cavity of the bird along with fresh herbs. I used rosemary, thyme and oregano along with a couple of cloves of garlic. 
3. Season the inside with kosher salt, pepper and olive oil.
4. Separate the skin from the breast meat and season up under the skin with  salt, pepper and olive oil. I usually add a few whole sage leaves and leave them there because it makes a pretty presentation when it's all roasted.
5. Rub the outside of the bird with olive oil and salt and pepper.
6. Roast at 325* F. until  juices run clear. Usually about 15 minutes per pound depending on your oven. The internal temperature should be 165*F.

 You could serve your Italian bird with $1,000 squash which is an Italian inspired side dish. If you need a vegetarian entree to go with your meal, don't forget Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna.

I also used this Olive oil dough to make the Rosemary Bread,

which I served with garlic herb butter.
Then there's the day after Thanksgiving.

Turkey noodle soup

I am sure that it was a frugal Scotswoman who decided to boil the carcass of an already spent bird and turn it into Turkey Soup. Why not?  Instead of throwing the carcass away after I stripped it of it's meat and skin, I threw it in my crock pot with a couple of coarsely chopped carrots and onion a couple of bay leaves, some fresh thyme, a clove of garlic and a few whole peppercorns. I let the whole thing cook overnight. The next morning, I let it cool, then I strained out all the vegetables and discarded them. I saved the meat in a separate bowl and then I chilled the broth. After it's cold, it's easier to skim or scrape off the fat.
Turkey Noodle Soup
Saute one chopped onion or one thinly sliced leek (How to clean a leek) in some butter and/or olive oil.
Add:
A couple of stalks of celery, sliced
A couple of carrots, sliced
De-fatted turkey stock

1. Simmer until vegetables are nearly tender. Season with salt and pepper
2. Add diced or shredded turkey meat. (I added some breast meat to the dark meat)
3. Noodles...whatever size or kind you want. Cook until noodles are tender.
4. Garnish with fresh, chopped parsley.