Ideas for Kid-Friendly Turkey Leftovers

I wanted to give everyone a few kid friendly recipes for after Thanksgiving.  It can be difficult to get your toddler to eat meat by itself, so here is a creative option. 

 Turkey Tetrazzini

	4 cups cooked spaghetti or linguine
	8 tbsp. butter or margarine
	1 cup sliced mushrooms
	1 cup hot turkey stock or canned chicken broth
	3 tbsp. flour
	2/3 cup heavy cream
	Salt and pepper to taste
	2 to 3 cups diced, cooked turkey
	1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
	2 tbsp. dried bread crumbs

1. Cook the pasta 1 or 2 minutes less than the package suggests so that it will not get mushy with additional baking. Drain and toss it immediately with 2 tablespoons of butter to keep it from drying out while you prepare the sauce.

2. Saute the sliced mushrooms in a large saucepan with 2 tablespoons of butter, cooking until the butter is absorbed and the mushrooms' liquid is evaporated. Move them to a small bowl.

3. Heat the turkey stock or chicken broth in the saucepan while you melt 2 tablespoons of butter in another saucepan. Add flour to the butter, stirring to blend for about 2 minutes over medium heat. Gradually add the hot liquid and simmer the sauce on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring as it thickens. Pour in the cream and heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then fold in the turkey and mushrooms. Set aside.

4. Butter a 2 quart, shallow baking dish and layer the bottom with half the prepared pasta. Spoon half the sauce over the noodles, then add the remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle the top with a mixture of bread crumbs and cheese and dot with the remaining butter.

5. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until the dish is bubbling and lightly browned on top. This may be refrigerated overnight or frozen before the final cooking. To hasten the crisping/browning, you may want to place the dish under the broiler for the last few minutes of cooking. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

I got this recipe from Family Fun, they have some great ideas.  I also like to throw a few vegetables in the dish like broccolli to make it even more nutritious!  Happy Thanksgiving!



For more fun and ideas visit Gather group Toddler Activity Room!  See you there!