Time for Turkey Croquettes

With the holidays around the corner, I wanted to post an original recipe that you can add to your spread.  I considered braised short ribs or gumbo, but decided on turkey croquettes because they are a perfect way to transform Thanksgiving leftovers.

You’ll use your leftover stuffing and turkey for this recipe.  Everyone has different recipes for stuffing.  Some use nuts, some use cranberries, some use sausage.  All of that is fine.  You can use what you have.  I included a simple stuffing recipe for these Turkey Croquettes.

You will need:

1 package (12 oz) of seasoned stuffing mix

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup of a combination of green, yellow, and red peppers

3 cups of chicken stock

Italian seasoning

6 cups of cubed turkey

3 cups of milk

1 tablespoon of flour

Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning

Garlic powder

2 cups of seasoned breadcrumbs

2 cups of vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Sauté the celery, onions, and peppers in olive oil.   Add Italian seasoning to this mixture.

When the vegetables have cooked down, add them to a casserole dish and mix with the dried stuffing mix. 

Add the chicken stock and cover with the casserole lid or foil.  

Bake for 45 minutes and then let cool.

Cube about six cups of turkey.

In a large pot or Dutch oven heat two cups of milk on medium heat.  Stir in one tablespoon of flour and continuously stir for about three minutes.   

Add the cubed turkey and stuffing to the pot and stir.  If the mixture is too thick to stir, you may want to add bit more milk.  Then, season heavily with Tony Chachere's creole seasoning and garlic powder.  If you do not have Tony Chachere’s, then you can use a mixture of onion powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. 

When mixed well, turn off the burner and let cool.  Line your countertop with wax paper.  In a bowl, pour a cup of milk.  You will use this to moisten your croquettes before rolling in breadcrumbs.  On a plate, pour two cups of seasoned breadcrumbs.

Heat two cups of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Roll the stuffing/turkey mixture into small balls.  Moisten in the milk and roll in the breadcrumbs.  Place in the hot oil and continue to rotate until the croquettes are golden brown.  Let stand on a cooling rack or paper towels.

Serve warm with Tiger Sauce. 

(If you can't find Tiger Sauce in your local grocery store, you can order it onlin from the Cajun Grocer.  It's worth trying. The spicy, sweet flavor complements meats, seafood, sandwiches, soups, and dips.)

Turkey Croquettes are a perfect snack when you have company because you can put them out on your kitchen counter or coffee table and guests can snack on these hearty and delicious treats at their leisure.  

Begrudgingly,

BB