General Chat

My daughter gave me a turkey from her freezer a couple of days ago, as she wanted to make some room for something else. My hubby, being the cook in this household, said he would roast it. I suggested that we cut it up (we had to look up how to do that!) and maybe make a couple of casseroles (or something) with it to freeze. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

How about a curry

stir fry,

Personally speaking Wend, i would just treat it as a very large chicken. So, how about, cutting a piece off on side, and roast it for the first day, and perhaps sandwiches, when it is cold. With all the meat that is left, do as Julie says, and make some, chopped up, into a curry, or two, which you could freeze for latter. Then, perhaps make some of the other meat into a couple of casseroles with veggies. Or, take off some slices from the breast and coat in egg and flavoured (perhaps Southern Style) breadcrumbs for escalopes. Don't forget to boil the carcass, afterwards, for stock, which could also be frozen.
The possibilities are endless, only difference between the turkey and a chicken is that you have got more of it. LOL
Good Luck
Julia in Derbyshire

Too late Julia - I've just been downstairs and he's already cut it up! What we have now is nearly 4 lbs of meat, two legs and thighs and the carcass. I like the curry idea and thought we could make two with the meat bits to freeze and give one to my daughter. He said he is going to roast the rest, but I'm not too sure. We've already got chicken casserole for this evening. Shall we make 1 or 2 casseroles with veggies with the legs and thighs, d'you think?

Also, the carcass - usually after Christmas I make two batches of stock in the microwave (20 mins each time). Do I need to microwave an uncooked carcass for longer? Also, should I put the parson's nose in with it?

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

Wendy x

I know I'm pathetic, but cooking really is not my thing!

Wend, Curries will be great, and yes you can use the thighs and leg meat for casseroles.. Sorry can't help with the microwave idea, as I do not have one. I am abit of an old-fashioned cook, so if I was in your position, I would probably cook the carcass in the slow oven (you can use a crockpot type) of my Aga,leaving it all day, then when cold picking any meat off, which can of course be put back into the stock.
Good Luck with your 4lbs of meat.
Julia in Derbyshire

Thanks so much Julia - he's just been up to say hurry up because the ovens been on for ages! I told him I was waiting for a reply and you came up with the goodies! Casserole it is! lol x

glad you caught it our turkey legged it when we lifted the freezer lid, think he was worried about something xx

it may be a bit iffy to refreeze it again once you have cooked it with it already being frozen, what was the selby date on it?

hayley, its ok to refreeze once cooked , i will do it to specky after and we can all have a nibble lol xx

Puss, isn't there a joke about a parrot being rude, so its owner put it in the freezer and it begged to be let out, said it would be polite, and asked what the chicken in there had said that was rude? Mmm, roast specky sounds good. I'm up for that with a glass or two! Lovely smell of roast turkey carcass in this house, by the way! Anyone like a bit? xx

Morning Wend and All
As I am dead nosey, what did you end up doing with all your Turkey LOLOL
Julia in Derbyshire

Morning Julia - lovely day here in Sussex by the sea! Annoyingly I've got to go to the dentist at 10 - I just want to get out in the garden and catch up with things. Haven't planted out my Pak Choi yet and they're starting to flower! Anyway, turkey very successful. We have 2 curries in the freezer, 1 casserole in the freezer and we had the other one last night, with enough left for this evening too - very tasty, got the recipe off the net. We roasted the carcass, as you suggested, and I'm going to make stock with that and the giblets to-day. Thanks again for your help - have a good day. xx

Hi Wend, you certainly made your Turkey work for you. LOL
Sun just trying to get out here, after an early morning mist. Weather girl has made some wonderful promises for today, so hope they come true. I want to get my melons and squash potted into larger containers, and put into mini greenhouse. Tomatoes already done, and planted up with baby marigolds for the fly. Still some Bizzy Lizzies to get out in the window boxes on the summerhouse. Then, start to clear/clean out the greenhouse for the next things to grow. Kitchen windowsill full of mini pots of seeds for autumn/next season. It is never ending when you are a gardener, isn't it.
Good luck at the dentist. I am off this afternoon to Derby hospital, about 15 miles away, for an out-patients clinic. I really begrudge using a good garden working afternoon to go all that way, for a lecture.
Speak soon
Julia in Derbyshire