Friday, November 29, 2013

Fall Off the Bone Turkey

 Fall Off the Bone Turkey  

This Thanksgiving we weren't feeling 100%, so we didn't get to spend the holiday with our extended families.  While the family in TN was making turkey, my parents in SC were making 4 turkeys (yes, you heard that right), and family in NC was making both a turkey and a ham, we were left with no turkey...or so I thought.  My husband made a mad dash to the grocery store looking for a small turkey for our family of four.  The only full size turkeys available were HUGE, so he had an alternate plan.  He brought home a 7.5 lb turkey breast.  Awesome!  I can make this work, I thought.  Only...it was frozen, and I wasn't sure there was enough time for it to thaw with it being the night before Thanksgiving.  Hmmm....  I scanned ideas on the net and settled on an idea that never would have crossed my mind.  My crock pot was to the rescue!!!!

I know what you are thinking.  How can you cook a turkey in a crock pot, and how on earth will it come out tasting good?  Trust me.  You can, and it does!  And best part is there is no need to baste or watch it.  It cooks overnight!!!!

 Ingredients:

  • a frozen turkey breast (I used 7.5 lb) 
  • 4-5 stalks of celery chopped
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 5 carrots, shredded and cut into sticks
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 stick of butter 
  • 1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix

  1. Place frozen turkey into crock pot.  If you'll notice in the picture above, I couldn't get the gravy package out because it was frozen solid.  After a few hours of it cooking, it slid right out.  I threw the package away and made my own gravy (see below for details), but you can use it if you like.
  2. Surround the turkey with the cut up vegetables.
  3. Pour the water over the turkey and vegetables.
  4. Cut the stick of butter into thick slices and place on top of vegetables.
  5. Sprinkle the packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix on the turkey and vegetables.
  6. Cut crock pot on HIGH for 1 hours.  Then switch to LOW and cook an additional 10-11 hours.  ****Note: If using a thawed turkey breast, it should only cook for 6-7 hours.
If your turkey sticks too far up above the rim of the crock pot like mine did, simply put a large sheet of aluminum foil over the top of the turkey and fold around the rim of the crock pot.  It will help hold the heat in and help it cook.  I still placed the lid on top because eventually, as the turkey cooked, the lid began to fit properly.


This is what the delicious result looked like!!!!!

When my husband reached in to fetch the turkey out, it LITERALLY FELL APART!  Juicy, Juicy, Juicy, Tender, Tender, Tender!

MAKING DRESSING 
Once we got the turkey breast meat on a plate, I used a ladle to scoop out the onions and celery.  I then put the tender and flavorful onions and celery pieces in a bowl with 1 cup of the stock (juice) to aid in making the dressing.  The stock was so tasty that there was no need for extra salt or other seasoning.  I don't know about you, but instead of dried bread, I use homemade biscuits.  

MAKING GRAVY
To make the gravy, simply use the stock (juice from the turkey) and mix it with a little flour.  Cook it on the stove in a pan.  Voila!  Again, there is no need for extra salt or seasoning.  It comes out perfect!

GOING THAT EXTRA MILE FOR FLAVOR AND TENDERNESS
I am all about gravy!  I love gravy!  I'm Southern!  After I make the gravy, I put my turkey into the gravy to soak up that amazing goodness.  I let it sit for maybe 10 minutes before serving.  

I've got to say that of all the years I've had or made turkey, this was the best.  It far outranks roasted, grilled, and fried turkey.  I think this is going to be a keeper for me.  If I ever have a big crowd over one year, I may need more crock pots!  Ha!