So good that you won't want to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to make it!
No disrespect to pot pie, but this is hands down the very best leftover turkey dish there is. Unlike the main attractions of the Thanksgiving feast, this dish is light and healthful. It takes minutes to whip up as as opposed to hours, and the result is as delicious as it is visually stunning. Asian pears are essentially a cross between an apple and a pear, juicy and crisp but not terribly sweet, almost watery. When scooped, they make the most darling cups, perfect for a quick-and-easy turkey salad made with a little of this and a little of that. Roasted, smoked, or fried turkey meat will work equally well, light or dark. This recipe is more concept than it is a proscribed list of ingredients, so make it your own!
Equipment: cutting board; chef’s knife; dry measuring cups; measuring spoons; large mixing bowl; whisk; rubber spatula; melon baller or spoon
Ingredients:
¼ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh marjoram leaves (or other herb of choice)
2 cups diced turkey meat (about ¼-inch pieces) 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
4-inch piece of celery, finely diced
¼ cup craisins
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 Asian pears
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, maple syrup and fresh herbs. Add the turkey, pecans, celery, and craisins. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Slice each Asian pear horizontally, leaving the bottom as 2/3 of the pear and the top as 1/3 of the pear. Scoop the seeds/core and some of the flesh from the bottom to fashion a cup to hold the turkey salad.
3. Divide the turkey salad among the Asian pear cups and top with their "lids." Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
ILOC tip: leave the stems on the Asian pears. Not only will this look so much more elegant, but it will make for easy lifting during preparation and service.
