‘Tis the season for turkey and all the trimmings, but if you’re investing in this versatile meat for the festive season, Paul Dickson believes that you should ensure you maximise it throughout your menu.
Everybody expects to see turkey on a Christmas menu, but it can be a big investment and it’s not always practical to serve a full roast dinner every day – particularly if you’re trying to keep your menu fresh each day in a café, education or care setting. A good turkey sandwich or curry can be a favourite memory or tradition for many at Christmas, so don’t hide them away until you’re using up what’s left, build these ‘leftover’ dishes into your core offering and hero the turkey in more ways than one.
Curry Favour
Is it even Christmas without a turkey curry? If you regularly feature curry on your menu, it’s a great way to incorporate it into your festive specials, giving diners the opportunity to feel included in the festivities even if the traditional Christmas dinner isn’t their bag. If you want to go all out fusion, why not incorporate some spice into your Yorkshire pudding batter and serve the curry inside a giant one, which can be used instead of naan bread to mop up the sauce. Experiment with other elements of the meal, such as adding spices to your cranberry sauce to replace the mango chutney and spicing up your pigs in blankets.
Take Stock
If you’re using whole turkeys, please do not let the carcass go to waste. A good quality turkey stock will elevate your gravy and soup offering throughout the festive period, but it can also be portioned and frozen, ready to add flavour and nutrition to your soups and sauces throughout the winter months.
Fully Loaded
Sandwich trends are always changing, which is why it’s always a good idea to have a changing sandwich special on your menu, particularly with grab and go options becoming increasingly popular across age ranges. Make your festive sandwich the talk of the town by making it extra loaded and add a side of dipping gravy for the ultimate indulgence and upsell opportunity.
Recipe Inspiration
Visit the Country Range Recipe Page for full recipes and making ends meet more inspiration.