Turkey for a Turkey

We recently celebrated Tim's Birthday! I will spare him the humiliation of stating how old he is on the blog. Let's just say that the number of gray hairs have certainly increased this week. My man, for the most part, likes his meals to be fairly simple. At the same time, he does not enjoy repetition and seeks variety. As for me, I love complicated. The problem--there is simply no time!

And, so as his birthday approached, I fervently tried to discover his favorite foods so that I could slave away in our kitchen making him the most very special meal, for such a special man on his special day.

He wanted turkey and stuffing.

I thought it was an unusual spring meal, particularly given that the pasture was wide open for the picking. But, I (of course) obliged and made the turkey and stuffing meal. I must say, it was one of my best meals yet!! (And, to boot, it was not complicated at all!!)
















Crockpot Cornbread Dressing

This dressing is quick to fix, moist, and easy to cook in the slow cooker. It is now one of my dear husband's new favorites!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces ground pork sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 package (16 ounces) seasoned cornbread dressing crumbs
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage, optional
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (I substituted dried apples, and it was yummy!)

Preparation: Spray a slow cooker with nonstick baking spray.
In a large skillet melt butter and add sausage, cooking and breaking up, until sausage is lightly browned. Add onion and celery and continue cooking until vegetables are tender. Add parsley poultry seasoning, and sage, if using.
In a large bowl, combine the sausage and vegetable mixture with the crumbs. Stir until blended; add chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste and blend well. Blend in the lightly beaten egg and stir in the cranberries or raisins. Spoon into the prepared slow cooker; do not pack. Cover and cook on HIGH for 45 minutes. Reduce heat to LOW and cook for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours longer.

Crockpot Turkey Recipe

Ingredients:
--4 to 6 pound turkey breast (bone-in or out. your choice)
--2 cups broth
--1 stick of butter
--1 onion
--salt and pepper
--garlic
--carrots
--celery

Preparation: Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Unwrap the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. If desired, cut off the skin with poultry shears, and discard. Salt and pepper the breast liberally (I also put some thyme and oregano on our bird breast). Plop it, breast-side down into the crockpot. Wash your hands well. Cut up the onion, celery and carrots coarsely and push some pieces down next to the turkey and put a few in the rib cavity. Add the stick of butter. Pour the broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours, or on high for 4-6. Use a meat thermometer to test doneness--it should register at 170