So, if your mister is anything like mine, he's already scanned the newspaper to find out which football games will be on the telly, mapped out his position on the couch and laid claim to the remote...anyone who dares to touch it shall be smote! Or is that smitted? Either way, it's bad. The mister requires "football food"...which is basically chips and dip and anything with trans-fat. But today...he's going to get something a tad bit better...not that he'll notice, oh no, he won't notice anything but the blind refs and the stupid calls and the idiots on the sidelines who make the stupid calls...it's all part of the FUN of football on Thanksgiving weekend!
I almost hate to waste this on the mister...because he won't give it the appreciation it deserves. It's rather elegant and would be lovely to serve at a ladies brunch or an afternoon tea...so to serve it to a caveman during a football game seems almost sacrilegious...but then, I do have leftover turkey to use so I'll pretend that when I see him licking his fingers he's doing so with the utmost gratitude!
I plan to do my best to help the economy today...I figure it's my civil duty to shop...my patriotic duty...and I'm nothing if not patriotic - I LOVE this country! So while the mister is devouring this delish-dish and squandering away his day in front of the tube, I'll be trying to save the United States of America's economic crisis...a woman's work is never done!
Turkey-Cranberry Strudel - Adapted from Every Day With Rachel Ray Magazine, November 2008
4 tablespoons butter, plus melted butter for brushing pastry
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 cup sliced almonds, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 pound ground turkey (you can use leftover cooked turkey, cut into very small pieces, about 1 cup)
salt and pepper to taste
1 package Puff Pastry, (two sheets per package)
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and add onions, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions have just started to soften then add the ground turkey (if using cooked turkey, wait to add it.) Stir in the cranberries, thyme, salt and pepper and 1/2 of the almonds and cook until the turkey is done, about 6 minutes. (If using cooked turkey, add it now.) On a baking sheet, unfold one of the puff pastry sheets (they are folded in thirds) and brush with melted butter. Spoon half of the turkey/onion mixture into the center of the pastry, then fold the sides up, meeting in the middle and pinching to seal. Seal each end. Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle some sliced almonds on top. Repeat with remaining puff pastry sheet.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until pastry top is lightly browned. Slice into pieces and serve warm. Serves 6. (This is also good reheated the next day IF you have any left over!)
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
