Quick and Easy Turkey Dinner Anytime of the Year

Thanksgiving dinner is by far my favorite holiday meal of the year and I always go all out. However, sometimes I would like to have some of the staples of this seasonal holiday feast at other times of the year without the all day cooking and days of preparing. There are times that I will buy a small turkey breast or even a whole turkey if it's small and cheap enough, but that still requires work and preparation and for a quick weeknight meal, this just doesn't work. As far as what I consider the "staples" of a Thanksgiving meal, this would consist of the turkey, of course, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Now if you're thinking already that this is just going to be too much to do, especially with the kids and possibly the husband in your way while wanting to know where dinner is, then think no more. Believe me when I say that this is an easy and delicious way to serve a great weeknight or even weekend meal.

To begin with I purchase a Kentucky Legend Over Roasted Turkey Breast which is pre-cooked and can be found most likely at the end of the meat case near the hams in your local market. I never have a problem finding these at Publix and quite often they are on sale. There is also a smoked version, but I prefer the roasted. If you cannot find this particular brand, then any similar pre-cooked turkey breast will do. Just slice this onto a microwave safe plate, which if preparing for company, place the slices in a nice over-lapping design for serving right from plate.

Next we move on to some stuffing, which as far as I'm concerned, must be made. I cannot have a hot turkey meal without stuffing, unless its a hot open-faced turkey sandwich, which you know, bread and bread - not the way to go. Anyways, since I almost always have leftover bread crumbs from the holidays as I buy the large bags, both cubed and crushed, and always have plenty left and let's face it, they don't get stale. Of course you can always use fresh bread crumbs if you prefer. All I do it throw some into a buttered casserole dish, chop some celery into it and toss with dried minced onion and some parsley. If you have an apple laying around, I may also chop a little of that into the dish also. Then all you have to do is stir it up with some chicken broth, or what I prefer is to use my Glory's Foods Cooking Base in chicken flavor added to some hot water, until your stuffing is moistened. I then heat the casserole in a convection oven or use your regular over or large toaster over somewhere around 350 degrees for about fifteen minutes.

If you have a little extra time and prefer to do so, then make real mashed potatoes. However, since this is a quick meal, then grab that box of flakes (certainly a constant in our pantry) and make instant. You want quick then this is quick.

The last thing you need to make is some turkey gravy. If you have some, then the easiest thing is to heat up a jar or can of turkey gravy in the microwave. If you don't have that but like me, keep a ready supply of powdered gravy mixes, then make a packet or two of these. Once you stuffing is heated through, your mashed potatoes are made, along with the gravy, then toss the plate of turkey slices in the microwave for about a minute or two. This of course depends on how thick you like your slices.

Now your meal is done and if you have taken all the shortcuts, then this should have only taken about thirty minutes from beginning to end to get a hot delicious meal on the table in no time with items that could be on hand at all times, with the exception of the turkey. Good luck and enjoy!