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Chicken, Christmas & Thanksgiving, Dinner ideas

Oven Roaster Turkey Recipe

This Oven Roaster Turkey Recipe is juicy and crispy all at the same time. Seasoned with just the right spices, it is sure to become a family favorite during your Christmas, Thanksgiving family dinner.

Serving this Turkey up for the holidays? Then you may want to add some other holiday favorites to the table such as my Homemade Cranberry sauce or my Tourtiere Pie

Making this oven roaster turkey recipe for a group? Then your going to want to serve it alongside some mashed potatoes. And I have just the right recipe for you with my Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe!

Want anther tasty turkey recipe? Try my Baked Turkey Wings sometime as well.

I have included an easy homemade gravy recipes as well that utilizes the drippings from the bird right here. So whether your cooking for a large crowd or just a few you will be pleased with this recipe. 

IS ROASTED TURKEY HEALTHY

Yes, it is packed full of nutrients and is considered a lean protein. 

Here in Canada we have our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays pretty far apart. So we tend to have Turkey twice per year.

I have made a few Turkey’s myself over the years and also have watched family and friends prepare it, so you can rest assured this recipe is a Winner! 

By following some basic tips you too will achieve a super moist and crispy turkey this holiday season guaranteed.

How to make Oven Roaster Turkey Recipe

  • Allow the bird to fully defrost and then sit on the counter at least one hour prior to baking, this ensure that the skin doesn’t break and that the bird cooks properly thought out.
  • Butter the turkey all over with solid butter as well as liquid.
  • Place 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan to prevent burning and aid in creating the gravy.
  • Bast the turkey every hour to ensure it stays moist.
  • Cover the legs and wings of the turkey with tinfoil and place the birds legs towards the back of the oven where it’s the hottest and where the bird needs most the cooking. “The breasts always cook the fastest.
  • Do not stuff the bird with stuffing, rather make the dressing on the side.

Note: If you notice the bird getting to BROWN during the last hour, you can put some aluminum foil around it. Or just cover the wings to prevent burning.

CAN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST BE FROZEN

Yes, as long as the Turkey was fresh not frozen in the first place. You can freeze any leftovers or make another recipe the very next day.

Now what is turkey without the stuffing? It’s really not a complete holiday meal now is it, so that part is definitely something you do not want to forget!

Personally I do not make my stuffing in the turkey, and I encourage you not to either. Even though I was raised to do so, I find my turkey comes out much better cooked without it in the bird. 

My stuffing recipe is listed below, if you too choose to do the stuffing outside the bird. Otherwise you can do the same thing and just stuff the bird, keeping in mind you may need to cook it longer.

HOW LONG WILL ROASTED TURKEY KEEP IN THE FRIDGE

Ruffly 2 to 3 days once it has been cooked. Be sure to seal it in a container of sorts so that it does not dry out!

Looking for another way to make a Turkey?

Looking for an awesome Dressing recipe? Try my Sweet and Savory Stuffing

More Christmas & Thanksgiving recipes you may like:

See below for more inspiration!
Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes

Balsamic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin

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This super simple to make Balsamic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin will save you from cooking in the kitchen all day. 

Wanting to serve this with some rice or potatoes? Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chicken stock to this recipe and that will create more of a broth at the end.

I saw a similar recipe done by Rachel Ray a while back and knew it was only a matter of time before I gave it a go!

Paired this delicious tenderloin with a bunch of brussel sprouts, they go great well with balsamic vinegar.

You can always try asparagus, carrots or potatoes as well. 

There really is not much too it, your basically seasoning the tenderloin and then stuffing it with some fresh garlic and rosemary.

Then drizzling more olive oil over top and balsamic vinegar which helps to caramelize the meat.

Then place into a oven safe dish and baking it along with your favorite vegetable of choice. 

Easy peezie weeknight dinner that can easily feed a family of 3.

Wanting to feed more people simply double up the recipe with my easy to use recipe adjust above.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

 

Christmas & Thanksgiving, Date Night, Dinner ideas, Easter

Roasted Leg of Lamb (Greek Kleftiko)

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You have not truly tried traditional Greek food, until you tried a Roasted Leg Of Lamb, also known as Lamb Kleftiko.

And you don’t have to wait till Easter to serve either, this recipe is so good you will be sure to crave it just as often as the Greeks do in Cypress.

If you follow this recipe to a tea, you will have the most juicy and tender leg of lamb you ever tasted. 

The size of your leg you make depends on how many you are cooking for.

A 6 pound leg of lamb will feed about 8 people so you can judge by this what weight you will need.

I am using 3 pound leg which will feed a family of three to four. 

HOW TO MAKE GREEK LAMB KLEFTIKO 

  1. If your lamb leg is frozen, start by defrosting it in the bottom of the fridge anywhere from 24-48 hours (if fresh skipped this step)
  2. Next prepare your marinade. In a bowl, mix your crushed garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice.
  3. Lay your lamb out on the counter, and season on both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Then take your knife and make slits all over the leg, front and back.
  5. Place the lamb now on a long piece of parchment paper and make a boat around it to hold in the marinade.
  6. Massage the marinade all over the lamb, making sure to get some of the marinade in the slits.
  7. Place the wrapped leg in the bottom of your roasting pan, and allow it to marinade overnight in the fridge.

HOW TO COOK LAMB KLEFTIKO 

  1. The next morning, take your lamb out and allow it to sit on the counter for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
  2. Open up the parchment paper, and pour in your “Chicken Stock” around the leg (try not to pour it all over the leg) rather around. As you don’t want to remove the seasonings.
  3. Now with a little bit of tinfoil cover the ends of the leg to ensure the parchment paper does not fold away.
  4. Preheat your oven to 425 f (convection ovens) or 450 for (standard ovens) for 30 minutes, then lower it to 325 f (conventional ovens) or 350 for (standard ovens) and allow it to bake for 3 1/2 hours.
  5. Once cooked, remove from the oven and open the paper to baste the lamb with the remaining juices.
  6. Place back in the oven for 30 more minutes uncovered till browned. (You may want to add a bit more liquid) totally up to you.
  7. Once done, remove the leg and drain the broth directly into a gravy holder.
  8. Allow it to rest 30 minutes before serving and serve with that delicious broth, adjust to taste.

Note: You can add potatoes into the parchment paper. I like to serve my lamb with pita bread, either are great ways to sop up that delicious gravy. Goes great with my Greek Tzatziki sauce too.

Serve with some warm pitas to mop up that amazing gravy!

You can also serve with mash potatoes and any vegetable of your liking.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Air Fryer, Appetizers & Sides, Vegetarian

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips (Keto)

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These Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are a healthy and delicious low carb snack that is super easy to make.

Looking for more vegetable based air fryer snacks? Then your going to want to try my oh so popular Air Fryer Eggplant Chips.

These Zucchini chips are seasoned with just a few ingredients, that being of olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper, garlic powder and parmesan cheese. They will have you rethinking your snack craving and having you eating healthier.

HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI CHIPS KETO 

A lot of air fryer recipes will have you breading these chips prior with breadcrumbs and then dipping them in eggs before seasoning them.

I like to skip that whole process, which makes these keto.

If your looking to up your keto game, check out the follow link: HOW TO START A KETO DIET

You will find a lot of tips to prepare Keto friendly foods. 

ARE ZUCCHINI CHIPS HEALTHY

Depends on what your using to cook them, I use OLIVE OIL vs REGULAR cooking oil. And when making them this way, you really are using very little.

Then these chips are just simply seasoned with salt and pepper, rosemary, garlic powder and then are sprinkled with some parmesan cheese.

They are much better this way and lower in calories and really crisp up nice on their own, no breading needed! 

As you may know I have been on the fence for the past year about buying an air fryer.

Mainly because I do not eat a lot of deep fried foods and also because I could not fathom spending $150 + for ONE.    

So recently when I came across the Gotham air fryer, that does the exact same thing as an air fryer. I knew that I had to try it!

Then once I tried that, i took the leap and bought a T fal active fryer. I’m now an active air fryer lady, I love air frying now more than I ever could have thought. 

WHAT IS AIR FRYING?

Air frying is a healthy alternative to deep frying food.

And most air fryers have been marketed in a way to make you think that this cooking technique is best for those who make a lot of those at home.  

Well I am here to tell you that you do not need to just be a deep fried food lover to want to use this cooking method.

RATHER if you love to bake food, then this is also a great alternative. And in most cases is much healthier than traditional baking methods. 

Because air frying mimics deep fried foods but uses little to no oil. And if your cooking something fatty, the fat will drip away and off the food.

So you can enjoy all the same deep – fried or baked foods that we have all come to know and love again but in a healthy way.

HOW TO AIR FRY ZUCCHINI CHIPS 

Making air fryer Zucchini chips is easy, first you will need either a Tabletop Air Fryer or a Gotham Air Crisper Tray.

  • Start by slicing the Zucchini into 1/4 inch slices on a cutting board.

HOW TO AIR FRY ZUCCHINI WITHOUT BREADCRUMBS

  • Once the Zucchini is sliced, place them into a large bowl and toss with olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper along with fresh rosemary. 
  • Place the Zucchini chips in or on the Air Fryer making sure they are not crowded, then allow it to do the Cooking.
  • My T fal active fryer has them cooked in 15 – 20 minutes. 
  • Remove and allow to cool down 10 minutes prior to serving. 

AIR FRYER COOKING TIMES

I use the T-Fal air fryer and put them on for 15-20 minutes, please check with your air fryers cooking instructions. 

However, to convert an oven-cooked recipe to an air-fryer one, the general rule of thumb is to reduce the suggested temperature by 25°F or 3.889 C and then cut the cook time by about 20%

CAN I USE ANY KIND OF AIR FRYER?

YES! 

I currently have and use the T-fal ActiFry Fryer and the Gotham Air Crisper

Both tools work well for this recipe! Cooking times vary with each air fryer, so best to check your settings. 

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRY ZUCCHINI CHIPS ON THE GOTHAM AIR CRISPER TRAY?

SPREAD OUT AND AIR FRY FOR 30 MINUTES!

They are going to shrink down, just like this.

Then you will want to allow them to cool so that they become extra crispy! 

  • If your using the Gotham Air Crisper Tray I would advise to turn your oven to Conventional bake, which will make the chips more crispy.
  • Otherwise, if your oven does not have that setting you can simply place the crisper on the middle rack. 

The air hot air is what cooks the food not the oil. If you have some frozen foods on hand, feel free to throw out any deep fryer you may have because the air fryer can now do the same job. 

But it is not only frozen food that can be cooked this way, pretty much any food you can think of can. 

This is my forth AIR FRYER recipe that I have shared on this blog. And I hope you like it!

WHAT MAKES ZUCCHINI CRISPY?

The air flow that is create under and around the Zucchini. The more dryer they become the more crispy they will become.

Also the thinner the fries the easier it is for them to become crispy, I like to cut mine about 1/4 to 1/2 of a inch thick.

CAN I USE ANY KIND OF AIR FRYER? 

YES!  Air fryers promise that you can get that deep fried texture without all the grease. 

If you have a table top Air Fryer all these recipes will work the same. Because Air Fryers all use the same type of cooking techniques = AIR.

IS AIR FRYER FRIES HEALTHY? 

Yes, very. Since the hot air is doing all the frying, saving you from using oil. But also giving you a deep fried taste without all those trans fats.

The food ends up crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

If you have never used an air fryer, now is the best time to start.

Because they are more affordable now than ever before. 

Plus if you use the Gotham Air Fryer it is super simple to clean, I am talking hard sticky food at the bottom of the tray just slides right off.

No scrubbing at all is needed, it couldn’t be more simpular that this guys.

Another reason I like the Gotham Air Fryer is because it cooks more food than the typical table top Air Fryers.

Because it has a lot of space on that large tray !

Wanting some more AWESOME Air Fryer recipes? See below for some more inspiration! 

Stay tuned to this blog for more “Air Fryer“ inspired recipes to come!

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© CanadianCookingAdventures.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you, Jacqueline 

Christmas & Thanksgiving, Quick and easy recipes, Vegetarian

Parmesan Rosemary Brussel Sprouts

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These Parmesan Rosemary Brussel Sprouts are the perfect side dish to just about any holiday meal.

Made with just a few simple ingredients, such as olive oil, salt and pepper, minced garlic, rosemary and lemon juice. 

I just love Brussel Sprouts, but this wasn’t always so.
 
I actually hated them as a kid, along with broccoli, carrots and peas.
 
However today I love all of these veggies and that is because I have found the correct ways to prepare them.
 
 
There are many ways to prepare Brussel sprouts, you can bake them, fry them and even boil them.
 
My least favorite way, I must admit.
 
Baking them is truly the best, because something magical just happens to these veggies when you place them in the oven.
 
And trust me the kids will love them too!
 
 
Plus these delicious veggies are super healthy for you because there packed full of feel good fiber.
 
They take less less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish so really you can’t go wrong with this recipe.
 
First you will want to rinse then cut the ends off the brussels.
 
Then you will dice them in half and toss them in a bowl with olive oil and then bake in a preheated oven at 450 f for 15 minutes. 
 
 
Once the 15 minutes is up, season with salt and pepper.
 
Then add in the minced garlic, rosemary and parmesan cheese and return the dish to the oven to cook for the remaining 10 minutes.
 
That is it, then there ready to enjoy!
 
Oh wait you can also drizzle some fresh lemon juice overtop of them right before serving, this makes them taste extra delicious! 
 
 
Baked to a tender crisp, these brussels are something special. I’m confident you are going to love it too!
 

More Christmas & Thanksgiving recipes you may like:

See below for more inspiration!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it!Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

 

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes

Mustard Honey Pork Chops

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These Mustard Honey Pork Chops are super easy to make and are really really delicious! Go ahead and serve these pork chops with mash potatoes or a vegetable of your liking.

CAN YOU USE ANY KIND OF PORKCHOP? 

Absolutely! Any kind of porkchop will work for this recipe. Such as bone in pork chops, pork loin or ribs. 

I just love the way the dijon mustard, vinegar and honey coats the pork, it creates a sweet yet tangy taste that is absolutely delicious!

And the nice thing about these chops is that they take no time at all to make.

Can you believe that this beautiful dish can be on the table in less than 30 minutes?

So if your expecting guests over at 6pm you can through these in the pan and have them plated in no time. Just be sure to marinate them prior and your good to go!

I really like to serve these pork chops during those busy weekdays, where I am craving something filling yet fast.

You can easily saute or bake some fresh asparagus, brussel sprouts or broccoli on the side that would accompany this dish very well. It’s your dinner, so I will leave those option ideas with you.

If your not on a paleo diet, then why not go ahead and bake a few potatoes. Those would also go along really well with these pork chops.

HOW TO MAKE HONEY MUSTARD PORK CHOPS

The trick to having the best cooking the best Dijon Mustard Honey Pork Chops is in the marinade.

I like to marinade my chops the night prior, however you can also marinade it one hour prior if your in a rush.

Then all you are simply wanting to do from their is remove the chops and generously on both sides prior to cooking with salt and pepper. 

Searing them in a non stick frying pan on both sides till cooked. Once cooked remove and plate, then place the sauce in the pan and saute on medium heat for 5 minutes and pour on top of the chops.

Be sure to use ample butter when frying the chops, which will help to sear them properly give it it’s depth of flavor while still keeping the chops moist and juicy.

If you follow these tips you are sure to prepare the best pork chops ever. Also feel free to use bone in pork chops, pork loin or ribs.

To prepare the pork you will want to sear chops in a non stick frying pan with a little butter, rosemary and seasonings. Each side will take about 8 minutes to cook, while cooking baste with butter in the pan.

LOOKING FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES FOR PORK CHOPS? 

Or an Excellent Side Dish?

Note: These chops can be done on the grill as well. Save the marinade to cook on the stovetop for a juicy sauce that can be served right overtop.

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Christmas & Thanksgiving, Dinner ideas

Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry

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These Turkey pot pies made with puff pastry and are my go to recipe whenever I have leftover turkey. 

These pot pies are absolutely delicious and a bit different then the average pot pie recipe you will find.

So read along if you want to learn how to make them! And trust me it is easy as pie 🙂

WHAT’S IN TURKEY POT PIES

  • DICED CARROTS
  • CORN
  • PEAS
  • GREEN BEANS
  • LEFTOVER CURRY
  • SPICES

ARE TURKEY POT PIES GOOD FOR YOU

Yes, they are packed with vegetables and lean protein (leftover turkey meat)

TURKEY POT PIES WITH PUFF PASTRY

  • You will want to start by making the pie crust. You can pre purchase the “puff pastry” which is that crust you see on the top of these pies” or you can make it from scratch yourself. I really encourage you to try making it from scratch as it tastes best. 
  • The crust recipe I have provided is also foolproof. I have tried many pastry puff recipes in the past and this one is the winner folks.
  • Then ONCE the pie crust has been made. Simply defrosted some frozen vegetables and add to the turkey mixture to make the filling.
  • These pot pies can be ready in under 45 minutes. As long as you pre-make the puff pastry one hour in advance you can have this on the table in under one hour. If you would prefer to make one big large pie, you can do that with this recipe as well.

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY POT PIES

  • The main difference with my recipe and all the others is that I like to use my leftover “Turkey Gravy” instead of heavy cream in my pies.
  • It does the same thing, keeps the pies moist yet adds that extra level of flavor.
  • You will want to start by making the pie crust recipe. Once the pie crust has been made you will roll it out on a clear kitchen counter that has been sprinkled with flour.
  • Place your bakeware over top and with a knife cut around the bakeware to create the pie crust as seen below.

  • Then you will prepare the filling and place that in the bakware before folding over the pie crust.
  • Brush the crust with butter and bake. 

Also, I like to use a frozen vegetable mix, that contains green beans, peas and carrots to fill the pies.

The more veggies the healthier right?

Plus all three go so well together and make these pies AMAZING!

So if you too are wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey, then look no further because this recipe is not only simple to make it’s absolutely delicious!

CAN TURKEY POT PIES BE FROZEN

Yes, as long as the turkey was not frozen to begin with.

Don’t want to make individual pies?

No problem, simple place the pie filling inside a large pie baking dish and make a large one with the same recipe.

Totally up to you 🙂

So instead of placing the ingredients into four smaller dishes place it into one large and cover with one crust. I hope you enjoy!

Notes: If you don’t have any leftover turkey gravy, feel free to use canned or cream in replace of.

Recipe Inspiration: Easy puff pastry recipe

See below for more inspiration!

Also check out my roundup of Thanksgiving & Christmas Recipes from around the World or my 10 delicious stuffing recipes! for more inspiration!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

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The Best Shepherd’s Pie

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This is the Best Shepherd’s Pie! Made with fresh carrots, sweet corn and frozen peas. Along with perfectly seasoned ground lamb and beef this pie is sure to please the whole family.

Shepherds pie can be made all in one dish.

That is if your using the type of dish that can go from the stovetop to the oven like I have here with my Rock Dutch Oven.

Otherwise, you can prepare it first on the stove then move it to a separate baking dish to finish it in the oven.

Not to hard and worth the effort because this recipe is something you will not forget anytime soon.

You are sure to taste the difference with this recipe here, since it uses two kinds of meat.

Creating the best of what is known to some as a “Cottage pie” which is typically made with just beef and the “Shepherd’s pie” which is  made with minced lamb.

I grew up eating the cottage pie, which is made with beef instead of lamb. Traditional Shepherds pie originated from Ireland and is made with just lamb.

So even though you may have thought that you were enjoying a Shepherds pie in past, it may have been the ladder.

Anyone who has ever tried my recipe has said to me “this is the best” shepherds pie they have ever tasted! So that is why I named it the BEST!

Just make sure you are using fresh carrots not frozen. Because there is a huge difference in taste and texture with the fresh. Also use fresh rosemary and thyme if you can it just enhanced the flavors that much more.

Now you will want to start by taking the easy way to preparing this recipe. And to do that you will want to start by skipping the peeling of the potatoes and boil them instead.

This will allow for you to run them under cold water once they have cooked. Being able to simply peel them by hand. From there you will mash them with some whole milk, sour cream and an egg yolk. 

Now the hardest part is done, next you simply are going to saute the two meats in a large pan for roughly 5 minutes before adding in the chopped onion, garlic and spices.

The pan I use is the rock its a large dutch oven type pan that goes from the stove to the oven.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! If you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!