Turkey & Cranberry Ring

Remember when I told you about the perfect coupon score storm to create the Turkey Cranberry Ring? Turns out that some of the ingredients that I picked up were just in my head (which is totally okay, because the stuff in my head totally rocks).

I’m the type of cook who just refers to a recipe rather than follows it. I get that from my dad. Most of us in our ginormous family inherited that trait, and I am so thankful!!

Speaking of being thankful, I am SO STINKIN’ EXCITED that I am going to Texas to visit my family tomorrow morning!! You have NO idea. None. My heart is racing just thinking about it. I have a nephew out there whom I have never met (except on Facebook) and he is over a year old!! Eeek! I can’t wait to kiss his cheeks!! Hope I don’t freak him out.

Yes, we are flying on Thanksgiving Day. It is MUCH cheaper. Bonus: I get to walk into my parent’s house and sit down to dinner. No work for me!! Hee, hee!

Now to that recipe. Follow it or not. Whatever.

The Pampered Chef Turkey & Cranberry Ring - modified by yours truly

• 2 packages of refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 C. chopped cooked turkey (or chicken)
• 1 1/4 C. shredded cheese (swiss is good, but I do cheddar)
• 1/2 C. or more of sliced celery (I opt for a little more)
• 1/2 C. or so of sweetened dried cranberries (If you don’t have any, chopped apples taste great, too!)
• 3 Tbs. snipped fresh parsley (if you have it)
• 1/2 C. mayonnaise (or eyeball it. You want it to be nice and moist!)
• 2 Tbs. (or so) of honey Dijon mustard. (OR, some honey and some Dijon mustard, which is what I do.)
• 1/2 tsp. ground pepper (fresh, of course!)
• 1 egg white, beaten

optional - my additions:

• 1 tsp (or so) yellow curry. Because you seriously can’t go wrong with curry. YUM.
• 1/4 C. (or so) of slivered almonds for the topping.

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large bowl, mix turkey (or chicken), 1 C. shredded cheese, celery, cranberries, parsley, mayonnaise, honey Dijon mustard, ground pepper and optional curry.
3. Make a ring with the crescent rolls like this. (Okay, kinda like this. This one is a mess. Basically, it is one whole tube on the outside, and one whole tube on the inside.)

Fill the ring like this:

Then start wrapping the crescent rolls. Start with the inside.

Then, wrap the outside:

Brush with the beaten egg (I’ve skipped this step, but it looks so much nicer when you DO it!!). Sprinkle with 1/4 C. cheese (really, this is just for looks) and 1/4 C. or so of slivered almonds (which my boys took off).

Bake for 25-30 min. or until golden! Okay, so I kinda forgot to set the timer. This is on the more golden side of golden. Still amazingly yummy!! The boys both had third helpings! YUM!

What is your favorite way to eat turkey leftovers??

My sister is making Turkey Noodle Soup!! My SIL will probably make tamales! Woo Hoo!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!