Savory Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Apple Cider Gravy

 

Ingredients for Stuffed Turkey Breasts
4 thick turkey breasts, sliced in half (lengthwise) 
1 cup apple cider (from 1/2 gal container)
4 TBS melted butter
2 TBS Poultry herbs (see below)

Directions for Stuffed Turkey Breasts:
1.  Slice the turkey breasts in half lengthwise.  Add them to a bowl with 1 cup of apple cider.  Cover and refrigerate for 4 hrs.  Remove and pat dry with paper towels.  
2.  Season the inside and outside of the turkey with salt and pepper.  Stuff each piece with stuffing packed tightly.  Place in a large greased baking sheet, allowing space between each piece.  Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with mixed herbs.  (

Stuffing Ingredients:
8 cups (14 ozs loaf) bread, cubed (toasted)
2 TBS olive oil
2 cups celery, diced 
1 cup fresh fennel, diced
1 cup carrots, shredded
2 cups onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 cup water
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp sage
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups chicken broth
8 TBS butter
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 egg, beaten

Stuffing Directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cube the bread and place it on a baking sheet.  Toast in the oven for 10-12 mins at 350 degrees.  Remove from the oven and put aside.
2.  Heat the oil in a skillet at medium temp.  Saute the celery, fennel, and carrots for 5 mins.  Stir in the onions and garlic and cook for 5 mins.  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir in the raisins, water, and dry herbs.  Reduced temperature, cover, and simmer for approx. 10 mins or until water is almost evaporated and vegetables are soft.  Add the chicken broth, butter, and parsley and bring to a slight boil.  Remove from the heat.  
3.  Fold in the bread cubes, coating thoroughly with the liquid.  Cover and let it sit for 10 mins.  Fold again.  Store in a bowl, covered until ready to use.
4.  Fold in the beaten egg to the stuffing mix after the stuffing has cooled.  Adding egg is optional.

Apple Cider Gravy Directions:
1.  Heat the remaining apple cider from the gallon container in a saucepan at medium/low temp.  Add a cinnamon stick and 1 tsp of allspice.  Simmer until thickens (approx. 45-60 mins).  Stir occasionally.
Note:  If your apple cider contains spices, do not add the cinnamon and allspice.  

Savory Herb Blend: Equal amounts of your favorite herbs
Thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, etc.
Other Choices:  Bell's Seasoning or Poultry Blend

Pistachio Butter

 

Ingredients:
8 ozs raw pistachio nuts, shelled
2 TBS coconut oil
1/8 tsp salt, optional

Directions:
1.  Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Place the pistachios on a large baking sheet.  Spread them out so they are not touching each other.  Roast in the oven for approx. 7-9 mins.  Do not burn, or your butter will taste like it.  
2.  Remove the pistachios from the oven and place them into a small blender/grinder food processor.  Chop the nuts until it becomes a semi-fine powder (this step will take several minutes).  Add the coconut oil, one tablespoon at a time.  Puree until your desired creaminess.  Let it sit for 30 mins then puree again until smooth.  (I will do this step several times just not to burn out my processor).  

Note:  1.  You can use pre-roasted pistachios.  Just warm slightly, so they are easier to grind.  I like unsalted so I can control the salt intake.
           

Pecan Pie Cookies

 

Ingredients for Pecan Filling:
1 egg, beaten
2 TBS butter, room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup agave
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup pecan flour

Ingredients for Pecan Cookies:
1 egg, beaten
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour or (gluten-free without xanthan gum)
1 cup pecan flour, ground fine

Directions for Pecan Filling:
1. Beat the egg in a medium-size mixing bowl.  Add the butter and sugars to the egg.  Add the vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and whip them together.  Whip in the pecan flour until all the ingredients are incorporated, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula.  Put aside.
2.  In a separate mixing bowl beat the egg.  Add the butter, sugar, and vanilla.  With an electric mixer whip until creamy.  Add the salt, cinnamon, and flours.  Whip until incorporated, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula.  
3.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper.  Use a 2 TBS cookie scoop and drop round balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet approx. 3 inches apart.  With your thumb make a hole/well in the center of each ball, not pressing all the way down to the bottom of the cookie.  Fill each hole with no more than 1 TBS of the filling.  Bake for approx. 12 mins or until golden brown.  Let cool completely before removing the cookies from the baking sheet since cookies will be soft in the center.  

Makes 32-34 cookies

Egg Quiche Muffins

 

Egg Quiche Muffins

Ingredients:
8 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk 
2 TBS scallions, chopped
1/4 cup red bell peppers, diced fine
1/4 cup shredded carrots, chopped
2 TBS grated cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 TBS fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup bread, cubed

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease the inside of a cupcake tray (12 count)
2.  Beat eggs in a large bowl.  Whisk in the milk.  Stir in the scallions, peppers, carrots, cheeses, and parsley.  Season with salt and pepper.  Fold in the bread.  Fill each cupcake well with the egg mixture, dividing into 12 portions.  Bake for approx. 20 mins.  

Makes 12 egg muffins