What a Blast from the Past

Do your remember the Smoked Turkey we shared for the Feast of Holy Innocents? Yeah, we smoked that turkey on Thanksgiving. This year it was just the three of us for Thanksgiving. So that 10 pound smoked bird gave us a lot of leftovers.

Since it was smoked over the Thanksgiving Holiday, some of those leftovers were put to good use. There was shopping to do, decorating to accomplish, gifts to wrap – you know how crazy hectic the Secular side of Christmas can be. That’s okay, so long as we don’t forget the Reason for the Season in the first place – our Lord Jesus Christ.

To simplify the hectic nature of the holidays, some simple home-cooked meals made sense. What is better than the comfort of a Blue Plate Special in the midst of Holiday Madness? We enjoyed this so much, Hubby and I are talking about smoking a Turkey Breast for a two-part supper other than Thanksgiving. A Smoked Turkey supper with all the usual trimmings, then open faced sandwiches later in the week.

Now if you don’t have a smoked a turkey just laying about, that’s okay. Lord knows we wouldn’t if I had’t served this meal up just days after Thanksgiving and saved the post for later. All you need do is visit a good deli, and have them slice up some nice, thick slices for you. Enjoy and remember to give thanks to the Lord above. May His peace be with you.

Diner Special Open Faced Smoked Turkey Sandwich
Almost from Scratch Turkey Gravy
1/2 cup Smoked Turkey
2 tablespoons Butter
1 tablespoon Flour
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
2 jars Turkey Gravy
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Remove any skin remaining on the smoked turkey. Finely dice turkey meat, set aside.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add diced turkey, sprinkle with flour. Cook over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, bring to a boil.

Lower heat, continue to cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Add jars of Turkey Gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.

Open Faced Sandwiches
1 lb thick-sliced Smoked Turkey Breast
1/2 cup Chicken or Turkey Stock
8 slices Sandwich Bread, white or wheat

Place sliced turkey in a saucepan with a little stock. Gently warm the meat, keep warm until ready to serve.

Lay bread out on individual plates until ready to assemble sandwiches.

Instant Mashed Potatoes
3 cups Milk
1/ cup Water
4 tablespoons Butter
1 pouch Family-size Instant Mashed Potatoes
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

In a microwave safe large bowl, add milk, water and butter. Heat for 5 minutes on high. Carefully remove bowl from microwave. Add instant potatoes, fluff with a fork.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep potatoes warm until ready to serve.

Green Beans
1 can Cut Green Beans
1 tablespoon Butter

Drain green beans, rinse to remove any excess salt water. Empty beans into a saucepan. Add butter, gently warm over medium-low heat until ready to serve.

To Serve: Top each slice of bread with some warmed turkey meat. Place a scoop of mashed potatoes alongside the open face sandwich. Drizzle potatoes and turkey with warm gravy. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve alongside green beans for that true Blue Plate Special.

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Here am I, Lord; I come to do Your will.