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Rev up your ovens and break out your elastic waistbands  . . . Thanksgiving is upon us!

As I was strolling through Safeway, gathering ingredients to make a broccoli casserole for 12, I stumbled upon the turkey display. A glorious pyramid of turkey in all ways, shapes, and forms. Big turkeys, small turkeys, whole turkeys, half turkeys, turkey legs, turkey breasts, turkey tenderloins, etc., etc.

One item in particular caught my eye – The Frozen “Oven Ready” Turkey Breast. All you have to do is pop this frozen bird in the oven and a little over 2 hours later- BOOM- Turkey Dinner! REALLY?!?

Intrigued, I decided to try it out by doing a Thanksgiving “Warm Up Round” earlier this week.

Thanksgiving Dinner for Two

* Total Cook Time: 2 ½ hours

* Servings: 2 +leftovers

Ingredients

• Jennie-O Frozen “Oven Ready” Turkey Breast - Instructions say “fool proof”- and they really are!

Jenny-O Frozen “Oven Ready” Turkey Breast

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove FROZEN turkey from outside packaging. Turkey will be in a second, shrink wrapped bag. Place turkey, which is still inside the shrink wrap bag, in an 8×8 casserole dish. Make 3 slits on the top of the shrink wrap bag. Place casserole dish in the oven for 2 ½ hours.

After the 2 ½ hours, remove turkey from oven and let rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes. This will help to maintain the turkey’s juiciness. Carve and serve.

The turkey also comes with a package of “Homestyle Gravy” that you simply heat in a saucepan with ¾ cup water. (I honestly though it was a tiny bit salty, but not bad for pre packaged).

Stuffin’ Muffins Recipe

Inspired by Rachel Rays Apple & Onion Stuffin Muffin Recipe

Stuffin’ Muffins Ingredients

Ingredients

• ½ cup Diced White Onion
• 1 Celery Stock, diced
• 1 Clove of Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp Chopped Italian Flat leaf Parsley
• 1 Cup dried bread cubes
• 1 ½ Cups Chicken Stock
• 1 Pinch of dried thyme
• Salt & Pepper

Stuffin’ Muffins Cooking Process

On medium heat, sauté onions, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme until veggies are soft. Add parsley and breadcrumbs and continue sautéing for 5 minute; stirring to evenly combine. Add chicken broth and stir. Continue stirring until mixture thickens and bread crumbs have completely absorbed the broth. Your stuffing will be very moist. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray and add stuffing mixture (fills about 6 tins). Add tray to the 375 degree oven for the last 45 minutes of the turkey’s cooking time. Once removed from oven, let cool for 10 minutes in muffin tins to allow the mixture to set. Enjoy!

Stovetop Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Broccoli Casserole Ingredients

Ingredients

• 1 ½ Cups steamed broccoli
• 3 Button Mushrooms, chopped
• 1/3 Cup minced white onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 heaping tbsp flour
• 1 Cup Chicken Broth
• 1/3 cup Shredded cheese

Broccoli Casserole Cooking Process

On medium heat, sauté mushrooms, onions, and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until veggies are soft. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Add butter and flour and combine. Mixture will be thick and clumpy. Add chicken stock to smooth mixture and continue stirring until you reach a creamy consistency. Stir in cheese and broccoli. Cover and continue cooking on low heat for 15 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle extra cheese on top of mixture.

Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Smashed Potatoes Ingredients

Ingredients

• 2 Medium Red Potatoes, cut into quarters
• 1/3 Cup Milk
• 2 tbsp Sour Cream
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1/3 Cup green onions, diced
• Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper

Smashed Potatoes Cooking Process

Boil red potatoes until cooked through (you should be able to slide a sharp knife in and out of potato easily). Drain water and add butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder to potatoes. Mash, adding milk slowly until you reach desired consistency. Fold in green onions and serve.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce Courtesy of Simply Recipes

As the meal was presented, Jim had one critique . . . I forgot the cranberry sauce!!! The world was most definitely coming to an end!! Unfortunately for Jim, he had to do without, BUT here is a recipe that is also “fool proof” and I’m sure you will love. Cranberry Sauces, courtesy of Simply Recipes.

All in all, the turkey was actually good! Full of flavor, juicy, and cooked perfectly. Only 2 complaints- It’s just a turkey breast, so no delicious dark meat. And, it’s skinless, so none of that crispy goodness.

QUICK TIP FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING GATHERING - Once you have removed your traditional 12 lb turkey from the oven, pop a couple of the “Oven Ready” Frozen Turkeys in for guaranteed leftovers. Your guests will be soo excited!!