**Thanksgiving Turkey for Two: A Flavorful and Intimate Feast**
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing delicious food, and celebrating the harvest. But what if you're just a party of two this year? Don't worry, you can still enjoy a memorable Thanksgiving dinner with a perfectly roasted turkey and all the trimmings. This article presents two delectable turkey recipes for two, ensuring a flavorful and cozy Thanksgiving feast. The first recipe features a classic roasted turkey breast with savory herbs and spices, while the second offers a unique take on turkey with a tangy cranberry-orange glaze. Both recipes are designed for a small turkey, making them perfect for couples or small families. Additionally, the article includes recipes for two essential Thanksgiving sides: creamy mashed potatoes and a flavorful green bean casserole. With these recipes, you can create an intimate and memorable Thanksgiving dinner that's sure to satisfy your taste buds and warm your hearts.
THANKSGIVING TURKEY FOR TWO
One of the hardest meals to plan is a holiday meal for two. You want all the smells and feelings of the season, but you don't want leftovers until June! This recipe is the tasty answer. -Joyce Kramer, Donalsonville, Georgia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place turkey in an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the wine, butter, salt, tarragon and paprika. Spoon over turkey. Arrange mushrooms around tenderloins., Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining pan drippings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 98mg cholesterol, Sodium 429mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
WORLD'S SIMPLEST THANKSGIVING TURKEY
The most-important meal of the year deserves a foolproof recipe for the World's Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey from Food Network Magazine.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h10m
Yield 1 turkey
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Pull the neck and giblets out of the cavity; ditch the liver and save the rest of the giblets for gravy. Dry the turkey with paper towels, then season inside and out with salt and pepper. Fill the turkey with aromatics like chopped onions, carrots, apples and herbs, then place breast-side up in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter. Tent with foil and roast for 2 hours (for a 10- to 12-pound turkey; add an extra 15 minutes per pound for larger birds). Remove the foil, baste with more melted butter and crank the oven to 425 degrees F. Roast for another hour or until the meat at the thigh registers 165 degrees F. Let rest while you make the gravy.
TURKEY FOR TWO WITH PAN-SAUCE GRAVY
This easy Thanksgiving breast is just the right amount to serve two with leftovers, or four for dinner. While the turkey roasts, its juices mingle in the pan with aromatics and just enough cornstarch to add body, creating an expertly seasoned gravy that's ready at the end of the cooking time.
Provided by Anna Stockwell
Categories turkey Thanksgiving White Wine Thyme Rosemary Sage Garlic Butter Wheat/Gluten-Free
Yield 2-4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Season turkey with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, which will help the turkey cook more quickly and evenly.
- Heat oil in a 10" ovenproof skillet over high until just barely smoking. Sear turkey skin side down until deeply golden brown, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add wine to skillet, scraping up browned bits with a spatula, and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, cornstarch, and 2/3 cup water, and whisk to combine.
- Place breast skin side up in liquid in skillet and transfer skillet to oven. Roast, checking every 20 minutes or so and adding 1/4 cup more water if liquid under turkey is evaporating lower than 1" in pan, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breast without touching bone registers 150°F, about 50 minutes (temperature will continue to rise as turkey rests).
- Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
- Meanwhile, remove herb sprigs from skillet and discard. Whisk liquid remaining in skillet until garlic mostly dissolves, adding a splash of water and heating over high if needed to loosen (gravy should be thick but easily pourable). Whisk butter into gravy until melted. Strain gravy through a fine-mesh sieve into a small pitcher or bowl.
- Serve turkey with gravy alongside.
Tips:
- Thaw the turkey properly: Place the frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of weight. For a 12-pound turkey, this means 3 days of thawing in the fridge.
- Use a cooking bag: Cooking the turkey in a bag helps keep it moist and juicy. If you don't have a cooking bag, you can use a roasting pan with a lid.
- Baste the turkey regularly: Basting the turkey helps keep it moist and flavorful. Use a mixture of melted butter, olive oil, and herbs.
- Cook the turkey to the right internal temperature: The safe internal temperature for cooked turkey is 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Let the turkey rest before carving: Let the turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
Conclusion:
A perfectly cooked Thanksgiving turkey for two is a delicious and memorable meal. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily create a turkey dinner that is both impressive and intimate. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, be sure to follow these tips to ensure a successful and enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner for two.
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