One of my favorite vegetables joins the multilayered crunch brigade that parades across your pallet tonight. Crisp bok choy and sliced water chestnuts are supported by toasted slivered almonds in a crunchy explosion of flavor-loaded stir-fry.
Bok choy is a small but significant member of the regiment of miracle foods standing by to ensure your good health.
Though traditional preparation of this seasonal classic uses broth from the turkey carcass and a little leftover meat, a delicious version can be made using veggie broth and Chick’n strips, or other similar plant-based products.
Ultimately you want the delicious flavor of turkey and noodles with the slight firmness of chopped carrot, and the pop of green peas. In my family’s version, we added the earthy flavor of chopped hard-boiled egg to finish the flavor profile.
When I was a kid, folks called this dish “shepherd’s pie,” “hot dish” or “leftover casserole.” Whatever the name, it’s delicious and a great way to use up a bunch of leftovers. This recipe works fine with either plant-based Chick’n or leftover turkey.
If you made stock last night with the turkey carcass, take time now to remove and discard congealed fat, reheat, then strain and remove bones and skin etc. Store strained broth in fridge. (It can also be frozen.)
It’s that special day for cooking and feasting as we celebrate our bounty.
When considering making Thanksgiving Dinner, it is best to remember that Mom and Grandma often had help in getting the feast on the table.
Many people today celebrate this feast day by dividing up the cooking duties. Feel free to assign different participants portions of the meal like; Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and extras like cranberries, rolls, relish trays and desserts.
Splitting up the preparation duties will make meal preparations much simpler.
I’ve included both Plant-based and Traditional Turkey Options today.
Tonight make a dinner of leftovers and clean out your fridge. You’ll need refrigerator space as you prepare Thanksgiving dinner, and also to store leftovers after the feast.
Whether you’re cooking all or a portion of the dinner tomorrow, I’ve laid out the progression of the dinner preparations for the next two days.
Start tonight by making the dressing. If you’re going plant-based you won’t be stuffing a bird. The dressing gets cooked in a separate pan or casserole dish. Cook it tonight and simply reheat it tomorrow. It may require a couple of 9X13 pans.
Lacinato Kale is in the works tonight and it’s cooked in a tangy sauce with dried apricots. The greens are topped with sliced Chickenless tenders and the special umami of toasted hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts are also known as Filberts. (You remember Aunt Hazel and Uncle Filbert? There was no question they were both nuts, but they had great taste!)