Stretching The "Big Meat" -Turkey Breast

This is a new series that I am really pumped about. Cooking a big meat is super frugal! If it can be so cheap...why don't we do it more often? It does take more planning, it can be a little intimidating (for me, at least), and sometimes it is more up front cost... but it is way worth it! I plan to go through every big meat I can find and show you what to do with it. First up is turkey...and it is on sale this week!

I guess I should share a brief history of my quirky relationship with meat. When I started this blog I was very scared of the "big meat". I am just not a raw meat toucher of any kind...it is just nasty! I love meatloaf, but I vividly remember my first encounter with the making of a meatloaf. I was told you just roll up your sleeves and dig in...I was mortified. I could never do that! So, for seven years now I have been mixing meatloaf with a giant spoon.

My first whole chicken!!!! My mom was sick one time and really wanted me to make some chicken noodle soup. Frightened doesn't even begin to explain the feeling I had. I circled Kroger for about an hour just to work up enough nerve to pick it up. (yes, it was wrapped and everything). I finally got the nerve...and brought the thing home. I opened it up and gloved up (yes, I *borrowed* a box of gloves from work just for meat handling) and lifted it in the pot with a heavy spatula and tongs. I couldn't touch it or stand the feel of it, even with the gloves on.

For years I have stayed away from the "big meat", but felt it was time to conquer my fear in 2010. I bought a turkey breast, ham, and a WHOLE chicken-and they were just lurking in the freezer waiting for me. I thawed out the turkey breast first...but I needed my mom for some moral support. So, she watched as I cut the package open and washed him off. I didn't even use gloves this time! I just did it...and it was so liberating! I even put my hand down under the skin to put some herbs and butter.

That was such a great feeling. I may or may not have been screaming, "I did it, come look Daniel, I have my hand in a turkey!!!!!" I figured out it is no big deal, not at all. All this time I was being so silly. I feel as if I can conquer the culinary world now...bring it on...I am ready now. Funny how something so silly can make someone feel so good! I share this to let you all know that I have a LOT to learn in the kitchen. I am a work in progress...but I enjoy the process!

Here is how I used my turkey!

Dinner 1.) Roast Turkey

Dinner 2.) Turkey Tetrazzini

Dinner 3.) Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

I didn't end up eating the turkey after roasting. I just went ahead and cut it up for future dinners. I ended up with 2 big dishes of turkey tetrazzini's, 1 turkey and biscuit dinner, and a huge crock pot full of soup (it made 1 dinner and lunch all week). I didn't make all these turkey recipes in one week. After I roasted the turkey I cut up the meat and froze it for future use. So, don't think if you make a big meat you have to eat on it all week!

I paid $7 for the turkey...you can't beat $7 for all those meals! Do you have any great turkey recipes that could be used? If so, please share them with me!

Photo Credit: www.eatturkey.com