Roast Turkey with Cornbread and Dried Fruit Stuffing and Yogurt Mashed Potatoes

I am sorry to say that I do not have a recipe for Giblet gravy. My family never cared for it so, I didn't ever have the desire to make it. But, I'm sure that whatever kind of gravy that you traditionally make for your Thanksgiving feast works very well and goes a long way for pleasing your family so go well into your faithful gravy traditions. Gravy is just not one of mine. However, the recipe for the Turkey is pretty basic and follows the picky eating habits of my family, although, slightly modified through the years. Also, we are going to be working with a 12lb turkey so, if yours is bigger you may have to make some slight adjustments.

Make your stuffing first! This could be made separately a day ahead and refrigerated, covered and then brought to room temperature before stuffing the bird.

CORNBREAD AND DRIED FRUIT STUFFING RECIPE

CORNBREAD:

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

3 tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp ground hot red pepper

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

Preheat oven to hot 400 degrees. Lightly grease square baking pan, about 9x9x2 inches.

Stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, paprika and ground red pepper in a large bowl. Whisk together buttermilk, oil and egg in a small bowl. Stir into flour mixture just until no lumps remain. Pour into the prepared pan.

Baked in preheated oven, 400 degrees, for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan to room temperature. Invert, when completely cool, cut cornbread into 1 inch cubes. Place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated moderate oven at 350 degrees for 12 minutes to dry it out.

**If you don't want to prepare your own cornbread use 8 cups of packaged prepared cornbread stuffing and skip the toasting part of the recipe.

THE STUFFING RECIPE(Dried Fruit)

3/4 cup pitted prunes, halved 5 ounces

2/3 cup dried apricots, halved 4 ounces

1/2 cup warm water

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 large onion finely chopped

2 cloves garlic thinly sliced

1 cup chicken broth

Combine prunes and apricots in medium size bowl. Add the warm water and set aside.

Heat butter in large skillet over low heat. Add onion and garlic, saute' for 10 to 12 minutes or until very soft. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add cornbread cubes, chicken broth, prunes and apricots with soaking water and mix.

Makes about 10 cups, enough for a 12 pound turkey.

**If your turkey is bigger then adjust the recipe according to your needs.

ROAST TURKEY RECIPE

1 turkey, about 12lbs, thawed

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups water

2 carrots, pared and cut into 1 inch pieces

2 medium sized onions, peeled and quartered

4 parsley sprigs

Preheat oven to hot 400 degrees. Prepare the turkey. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey(reserve for gravy if making it) and rinse turkey with cold water, inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle neck and body cavities with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Spoon your prepared stuffing loosely into both cavities. Or spoon into a greased pan, about 13x9x2 inches, or baking dish.

Bake, covered in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through. Uncover the last 10 minutes for a crispy top.

Roast turkey, uncovered, in preheated oven 400 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Cover pan with tight fitting lid or aluminum foil. Roast for 2 1/2 hours.

Uncover and roast for 45 minutes longer or until meat thermometer registers 180 or 185 degrees and center of stuffing registers 160 to 165.

Remove from Oven and let stand for 15 to 30 minutes before carving.

**Juices should run clear when thigh is pierced.

Makes 10 servings with leftovers.

**Remember, if you are roasting a larger bird, you need to follow the instructions on the package for pounds and temperature because it will vary.

Below is a wonderful video that I have found to be very helpful in seeing someone actually prepare a turkey for roasting and it includes stuffing the bird as well! Just in case this is your first time. But, remember this, some recipe differences may not apply to your recipes that you are using. This is just to show how to prepare and stuff the turkey in the traditional manner. Again, this video really helps with that. Pay particular attention to the glass dish that she puts the rest of her stuffing in to bake.

PREPARING AND STUFFING THE TURKEY

YOGURT MASHED POTATOES RECIPE

2 lbs of russet potatoes, pared and cut into 1 inch cubes, about 5 cups

2 1/2 tsp salt

1 cup low fat plain yogurt

2 tbsp unsalted butter

Bring medium size sauce pan of water to boiling. Add potatoes and salt. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and return to sauce pan over very low heat.

Add the yogurt to potatoes and mash potatoes with potato masher.

Now, if you want to serve them this way you can or to brown them on top, spread potatoes in a baking dish, drizzle with butter and broil for 3 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned.

Either way, when you are ready to serve them you can garnish them with sprinkles of chives or cilantro if you desire.

Makes about 4 servings.

Below is a video that I have found with a little bit different recipe for mashed potatoes using cream cheese. Also just as delightful and tasty as the yogurt recipe. Plus they give some cooking tips on cutting and cooking the potatoes for better even cooking. If you don't like russet potatoes, they use different ones and even explain which ones are starchier than others.

Always remember that this is a hard time of year, not just for some but, for everyone. Some people have been hit a little harder than others. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have and right now, more than ever, it's the simple things that might make someone's Holiday a little brighter.

If you know someone or a family in need, don't hesitate to invite them. I know that we are in a rough time in our Nation right now and gathering rules are hard to adhere to. At least put on a mask and take them something to share even if it's just a pie or a plate of food. You don't know, you may be the only bright spot in their Holiday. It will make a bigger difference than you know!