Posting Behind the Bird: Turkey Salad

Going to post regarding the turkey salad recipe in this episode later today. We had a roasted turkey breast last night so I thought this would be a good way to use some of it up.

I couldn't actually find the recipe on the food network website but this is the episode when the crew was "snowed in" and had to do what they could during that time. Here is the link to utube for the episode.

Here's the recipe:
1 lb Roasted Turkey meat
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 small lemon freshly squeezed
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 c pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
1/4 c dried cranberries, roughly chopped
2 TBSP fresh sage, chiffonade
1/4 tsp kosher salt
black pepper, to taste

Combine everything in a large airtight container. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Store in the fridge for 3 days.

I normally don't like fruit mixed with my meat. But this was great. I think the fresh sage really added a lot to this salad.

It is on page 163 if you have the book.

Cami's Waldorf Salad

I don't remember having Waldorf salad in the past but I've definitely heard the name before. I was excited to try it though because I love salad. Jason teases me a lot because we eat salad for 2-3 dinners a week. It's easy, fast and can sit in the fridge until he gets home without being gross. 

I used pecans because that is what I had and I didn't toast them because I'm lazy like that. I don't think it hindered the flavor. I decreased the amount of mayonnaise because 1 cup seemed like a lot. I used 3/4 cup and felt like it was plenty moist. I served mine on spinach because that is what I had. Otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. (I know I just said I changed half of the ingredients but whatever)

We ate the leftovers for lunch today and it tasted just as good as yesterday. This is definitely a win and I will be putting it in my regular rotation. 

Danielle's Waldorf Hysteria

This salad was really delicious. I've only had Waldorf salad maybe a couple other times, so I don't have much to compare to. But Max and I both really enjoyed this.

I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but I was able to make this with stuff I already had. And I was excited to be able to use some of the things that are growing in my front "yard" (lettuce and mint).

Here are the changes I made:

• I used craisins instead of raisins
• I left out the celery (I'm not a fan)
• I used only Fuji apples
• I decreased the amount of onion and sliced them really thin
• I used pecans instead of walnuts (cause that's what I had)

We put this on lettuce, but I thought the lettuce was unnecessary. I would've rather left it out. Max liked it with the lettuce though, so it's a toss up. I really loved the combination of the curry with the mint and apples. It's a great flavor combination. This was really easy to put together, and it tasted great. Since I keep these ingredients on hand, I can see myself throwing this together often when I don't feel like cooking.

Apple Family Values

I'm sure a lot of you, like me, are not in the mood for anything really heavy this week. I wanted to pick something light and easy. I almost got sidetracked into picking Crust Never Sleeps (that galette sounds really really good), but I didn't want to make or buy a pound cake. And I think it's for the better that I settled on this episode instead.

I'm going to make The Waldorf Hysteria sometime this week, so I'll post about it later after I've made it. You can find this episode on pages 86 through 89 in the book. You can find the recipes for this episode on the Food Network's website here.

Enjoy!

Cami's Chipotle Chicken Nachos

These are so tasty! I love that they have a spicy kick at the end but it doesn't overpower the other flavors. The avocado cream was so perfect and good. I'll have to make another batch just to eat as a dip.

I wanted to make the mango salsa but the mango I bought was very far from ripe. I've never had such poor luck with mangoes before. I'll have to make it next time because it looks really good.

I served these with beans and rice. It was a great meal.

Cami's Chinese Chicken Salad

This was a really good salad. Katie is right, it is nice and light. I think next time I'll add more soy sauce and a little orange juice to the marinade to give it just a little more zing. I added less olive oil than the recipe called for and I'm glad I did. It was perfect. I went ahead and added water chestnuts but I wish I would have used celery like Melanie. That looks really good.

Melanie W.'s Chinese Chicken Salad

I thought this recipe sounded yummy and really wanted to make it even though it seemed like half the ingredients aren't available in Ecuador. So I did, but without the mandarin oranges, chow mien noodles, water chestnuts, and crasins. I also opted to leave out the sesame seeds because I didn't want to buy any.

In order to make it not so boring, I added some chopped almonds, regular raisins, and some celery I had lying around. I'm really glad I added these things. The raisins gave it the sweetness I thought was necessary, and the celery and almonds gave it a nice crunch.

Josh and I both thought the dressing wasn't strong tasting enough. Josh even added a dash of garlic powder. I should have gone easier on the oil, mine was a bit too oily. I think it would also taste good using a bottled Asian or even Italian salad dressing, to give it more of a kick. Overall, it was pretty good but I think it would have been even better if I'd had the mandarin oranges and chow mien noodles!

Danielle's Chinese Chicken Salad

Sorry, no picture.

I have to admit, I wasn't at all diligent in actually following the recipe. I kind of used it as a starting point and then went with the ingredients I had on hand and the time I had available. That said, it turned ok but not great. Max said he liked it pretty well though.

I didn't add chow mien noodles because I didn't have any. I threw in toasted sliced almonds instead. I also didn't plan ahead enough to have time for the chicken to marinate, and I think that would've made the salad better. I was actually in a hurry, so I only had time to throw it all together once the chicken was done cooking. My chicken was still warm when I ate the salad, which I think was a little weird. Cooled marinated chicken would've been a lot better.

That's what I get for not reading the recipe ahead of time. If I try this salad again, I'll definitely follow the directions better next time. :)

Chinese Chicken Salad

I love this recipe because it is really light but beware... I love to eat more of it than I need! My friend made it the other day and omitted the Oil she said it tasted fine.


3 cups cooked chicken, cut up bite size
(I use the canned chicken from Costco (just one can))
1/3 cup salad oil (I use Olive Oil)
3 Tablespoons lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 head lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces (I chop mine up with a knife)
2 11 ounce cans mandarin oranges, drained
1- 8 oz can Water Chestnuts, drained (I have never put these in before)
3/4 cup chow mien noodles
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)

I also added craisins to it. I like the sweet taste it gives every now and again.

Combine cooked chicken, oil, lemon juice, sugar, soy sauce and ginger. Marinate 1 to 2 hours. Toss lettuce, mandarin oranges, water chestnuts, chow mein noodles and sesame seeds with dressing. Servs 10-12. (That would depend on your serving sizes!)

I like to wait to add the chow mien noodles, craisins if you add them and sesame seeds till you are dishing up as the chow mien noodles go soggy.

I really like this recipe when I want something light but good!




I started baking when I was really young. I remember my mom helping us as kids make cookies and other fun things.

My favorite kitchen tool.. Hmm... there are so many I love. I think my kitchen scissors are my favorite though! You can do so much with them!

Oh my favorite spice is deffinitly Italian Seasoning! When I was in Seattle for a work Conference I went to Pikes Place Market and there is a spice shop there! I loved getting spices there they are fresh and taste SO much better!!

My favorite Cook Book would have to be the betty crocker cook book I have! I love the simpleness of the recipes.

If i could Travel anywhere it would be to scottland or South America. I want to go to South America for a month so I can work on my Spanish. Also, I think it would be pretty amazing to do some geneology on my last name! :)

If I had to change my name?? Ugg idk... I really like Katie

I currently live in Ontario, Oregon! I grew up in Hermiston Oregon about 3.5 hours from here!