parsnip

Turkey Pot Pie with cheddar crust

I know it's been nothing but apples hand over fist this week at SippitySup. But it's An Apple A Day here, the bitter end is nowhere and in sight. Because I am craving something warm and hearty. Something not at all sweet. So naturally this young man’s fancy turned to apples.

That’s right warm and hearty… savory apples. So get off your high horse ‘cuz apples are great with savory dishes. And I don’t mean to say "with" as in beside, next to or accompanying.

I mean "with" like inside and integral.

So if you’re still with me and have not yet abandoned this apple ship, then today I have a pie. An easy as pie apple pie.

“Hey” I can hear you saying. Apple pies are sweet. Well, tell it to the marines, ‘cuz not all apple pies are sweet!

My pie is a Turkey and Apple Pot Pie with a Cheddar Biscuit Crust. How do you like ‘dem apples?

Sippity Sup Continues »

Turkey Apple Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust

Turkey Apple Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust
Prep time: 90
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 parsnips, peeled cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 sweet-tart apples, such as granny smith or jonathan, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 t thyme leaves
  • 3 T unsalted butter
  • 0.25 c flour
  • 4 c roast turkey meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 c all-purpose flour
  • 2 t baking powder
  • 1 T baking soda
  • 0.25 t freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1.5 c coarsely grated extra-sharp cheddar
  • 6 T stick cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 T vegetable shortning
  • 1.25 c well-shaken buttermilk
  • 3.5 c chicken stock
  • 0.5 t kosher salt, or more to taste

Directions

Cook onion, carrots, celery, parsnip, apples and thyme in butter season with salt and pepper in a 12-inch-wide shallow pot, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are almost tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Stir in stock , scraping up any brown bits as you pour in the stock. Bring the pot to a boil, stirring, then lower the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in turkey, and additional salt and pepper to taste. This part can be done up to one day in advance. Bring the mixture back up to a simmer when ready to proceed. Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle of the oven. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper into a medium bowl. Add cheese and toss to coat. Blend in butter and shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir just until a rough dough forms. Drop biscuit dough onto filling in68 large mounds, leaving spaces between biscuits so that can rise. Bake until biscuits are puffed and golden brown and filling is bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Notes:

serves 6 This is a great Thanksgiving leftover meal, and perfect for the % Start Foodie Make-Over Challenge! http://fivestarfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/turkey-breast-roast-with-truffle-butter.html
butternut squash soup with wild rice and apples

We are already on our third recipe in this Apple A Day series and I just realized we never really talked about choosing a good apple.

You know the phrase about one bad apple spoiling the bunch. That can be interpreted very broadly and metaphorically if you like. But it's also a literal truism when it comes to actual apples. Ripe apples emit ethylene gas as they age and ethylene gas is a party drug to apples. One whiff of the stuff and perfectly fine apples think the party is ending and they hasten their own ripening process, leading quite quickly to the rotting process. Chilling apples can slow the party down, so it is one fruit I do keep in the fridge. But chilled or no, apples should not be kept in a bag or a pile. They are less likely to pass (ethylene) gas onto their neighbors if they are stored in a single layer.

Since bad apples can be so detrimental to good apples, I usually start my choosing process by eliminating the bad apples.

Sippity Sup Continues »

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Wild Rice and Apples

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Wild Rice and Apples
Prep time: 120
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 1 butternut squash 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
  • 4 T whole almonds
  • 3 T unsalted butter
  • 1 onions, roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 1 large turnip, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 large parsnip, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 t kosher salt
  • 0 freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 0.5 c wild rice
  • 2 apples, cored and chopped into rough 1/2 inch dice
  • 2 scallions, finely sliced (green parts only)
  • 1 pn cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 4 c vegetable broth

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the almonds on a baking sheet; toast until fragrant, shaking the pan once or twice, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop. Raise the heat in the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and strings. Place cut side down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Once the oven has pre-heated place the squash on the center rack and roast until soft and fragrant about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the squash. Remove from oven and let cool almost completely before proceeding. Scoop the flesh from the squash placing it in a bowl and set aside. Discard skins. Using a large soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, add the onion, celery and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved squash, turnips, parsnips, 2 teaspoons of the salt, and some pepper; cook stirring until the vegetables are well coated. Add about 3 1/2 cups of the vegetable broth to the pot along with the thyme; bring this to a boil, the lower the heat to a simmer. Cook stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 30 minutes. Fill a small sauce pan with water, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the rice. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat. Simmer until the rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain and set aside. Remove the soup from the heat and let it cool some. Using an immersion blender process the soup until smooth and creamy adjust texture with the remaining stock as necessary. Return the soup to a medium heat and allow it to re-heat. Melt the remainy 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan . Add the apple and cook with out disturbing until slightly browned and soft, about 3 minutes. Add the scallion slices, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Cook an additional minute gently stirring the mixture together. Add the cooked rice to the pot and mix it in well and is heated through. Ladle the soup into individual soup bowls, and garnish with the apples, scallions and almonds. Serve warm.

Notes:

serves 6