Not Just for Thanksgiving Turkey and Stuffing

Both my family and my husband's family live 300+ miles away and this year we were unable to make the long drive to see them. We still wanted traditional Thanksgiving turkey feast, but without all the big fuss of a whole bird. First, start with your favorite stuffing and spread it across a baking dish. Top it with some turkey cutlets, brushed with sage and butter, and bake. Downside to not cooking a whole turkey is not having the drippings to make a delicious gravy. Just buy some turkey stock, add to a roux with some sage, and, voila, you've got gravy - problem solved. This dish is so easy, I make it all year round.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of your favorite stuffing - or use my recipe below
• 5-6 turkey cutlets
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon dried, ground sage
• Gravy - recipe below

1. Spread stuffing into a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Melt butter. Add in the vegetable oil, salt, and sage, and whisk together. Brush onto both sides of the chicken cutlets. 
3. Place chicken cutlets over the top of the stuffing. 
4. Cover and bake for 20 minutes at 350. Remove cover, and bake 10 minutes. Flip over turkey cutlets and bake another 10 minutes. Turkey and stuffing should both reach a temp of 165F. 

Stuffing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 apple, peeled/cored and chopped
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried, ground sage
• 6 cups croutons - dice any kind of bread and toast in oven until dried out
• 1/2 cup almond slivers
• 2 cups + turkey stock

1. Saute the onion and apple in the butter with some salt and pepper, and the sage. 
2. Add croutons and almond slivers, and mix together.
3. Slowly add in turkey stock and mix well. I like my stuffing moist like it came out of the bird, so I use extra stock. Use more or less, depending on your preference. 

Easy Turkey Gravy Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon dried, ground sage
• 2 cups turkey stock
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Over medium heat, melt butter. 
2. Add sage and flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring with a whisk. 
3. Slowly add in turkey stock, whisking continuously. Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Gravy should be thickened by now.
4. Reduce heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.