Monday, December 7, 2015

Turkey Without All The Trimmings



I wasn't going to post this. After all, it barely qualifies as a recipe. It's not particularly pretty, even if it does taste good, and it only has two ingredients. But in the end, I decided someone might appreciate it.

Some of my friends have already had their big family Christmas get togethers. There are a lot of new traditions because families are so large and people live so far away. You might be one of those who wants turkey for two without a fuss at Christmas. Or maybe you're going to a relative's house for dinner. You won't have a fridge stuffed with leftovers for the turkey sandwiches you love so much. Or you're going to a friend's house for dinner, and she's serving ham. Waah! You wanted turkey! Or maybe you just can't deal with all the work. After all, a big Christmas dinner involves a lot of cooking. So here's my quick and easy solution.

In all honesty, I cook this at least once a month. It's fast, it's easy, and my dogs and cats can eat it, too, as long as it's relatively plain. The oven does all the work!

Now, if you must have some of the traditional side dishes, then pick the ones that are important to you. Cranberries or stuffing, perhaps? It's still an easy meal.

I usually (gasp) roast the turkey and the sweet potatoes without any seasoning. Seriously, turkey and sweet potatoes don't need a lot of help. If you're inclined, you can always rub your turkey with salt, pepper, and herbs or baste it with butter. If you're big on the skin, then by all means season it. If you discard the skin anyway, then leave it plain. Oh, and no skin for the dogs or cats, please, it's too fatty for them.

I recommend using small sweet potatoes. Have you seen the ones the size of a small watermelon? Don't use those because this won't cook long enough. When you take the sweet potatoes out of the oven, the peels will almost glide off. You can mash them if that's what you want, or top them with marshmallows and stick them back in the warm oven, or serve them sliced. They're so good for us! And they're so naturally sweet. They really don't need a lot of help for terrific flavor.

If your turkey breast doesn't want to sit up properly, you might want to use a V-shaped rack. You can also use the sweet potatoes to prop it up a little but don't crowd it so that the meat doesn't cook.


Roast Turkey Without the Trimmings

1 turkey breast
2 to 6 smallish sweet potatoes

Preheat the oven to 400. Rinse the turkey breast, pat it dry, and set it in a large baking pan. Wash the sweet potatoes, remove any price or brand stickers, and pop the potatoes into the pan. Plan on the turkey breast roasting for about 1 1/2 hours. I usually set the timer for 1 hour and 15 minutes and then check it periodically after that.

Be sure to let the turkey stand for 30 minutes before cutting it! Otherwise, it will be dry.

Speaking of cutting - I heard recently that the best way to cut the turkey is against the grain. So slide a knife along the top of the breastbone, pull off the meat in a big chunk, and slice against the grain. It's not pretty, but it's very tender!


Pop the turkey breast and sweet potatoes into a baking pan.

The peel glides off!

See how easy they would be to mash?

Or just slice them!

Slice the meat across the grain.

The juices from the pan. The fat rises to the top in the fridge and you can use the rest when you warm leftovers!


Can you stand one more giveaway? Leave a comment with your email address
 and you could win your choice of these two books! Good luck!




























                                                               

 
















81 comments:

  1. This makes me crave Christmas dinner! It can't come soon enough!
    Thanks for the chance to win one of the books!
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  2. The turkey looks amazing! Thank you for the giveaway. Merry Christmas!
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Do you use a meat rack for roasting all your meats???

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    Replies
    1. For most of them, I guess. I don't always bother when I roast a turkey breast because there's not much meat on the bottom side. But I love the one pan dinners that are so popular, where everything roasts together. The juices blend and they're just so good!

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  4. My belly is growling just reading this! We love turkey and typically just throw a breast in the crockpot.
    jilldaniel_wv@yahoo.com

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  5. I think it's great you posted this! A lot of people fear cooking a big bird, this looks easy and delicious! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I make sweet potatoes most weeks. I just bake them and serve them in the jackets with a little bit of butter on them.

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  7. Forgot my email address.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  8. Thanks, Krista! I've found that the simplest recipes are usually the tastiest. We have a turkey breast in the freezer, and sweet potatoes from our garden, and now I want Thanksgiving food all over again!!! nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

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  9. Looks soooooooooo good!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  10. I love a turkey year round but must try slicing it as you suggest. Thanks for the tip. RUTH NIXON ruthenixon@sbcglobal.net

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  11. When I still lived up north (rather than south Florida), it was so convenient to put the pan drippings out in the snow to quickly cool them for skimming the fat.

    I'm fascinated by the fact that people don't like turkey, but do like chicken. What's not to like?!

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  12. That's my kind of turkey dinner..easy..and the pictures made me hungry! patucker54 (at aol dot com)

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  13. I've been thinking about getting a turkey breast. I already have every Diva book. suefoster109@netzero.net

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  14. I love turkey. I actually made a whole turkey twice in November. A 10-12 turkey lasts me all week for lunch and dinner and I don't mind eating the same thing all week. I prefer the whole turkey to just a breast. It seems more flavorful to me.

    acm05atjuno.com

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  15. I cannot get in the turkey and sweet potato is my favorite vegetable in the entire world! But, I rarely get to eat my sweet potato because my youngest always eats all of it before I do. Crazy kid. Yes, there is always time for one more giveaway. I totally want to read that diva series of yours.SherylHbooth@gmail.com

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  16. Sounds really delish. Sjgolding@sbcglobal.net

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  17. Sounds really delish. Sjgolding@sbcglobal.net

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  18. Looks delicious! I'm always looking for a new way to cook a turkey.

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  19. Helpful post. Just my husband and i for the holidays I believe this year and I love turkey but hate the fuss.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Lady (dot) Janel at hotmail (dot) com

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  20. Helpful post. Just my husband and i for the holidays I believe this year and I love turkey but hate the fuss.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Lady (dot) Janel at hotmail (dot) com

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  21. I always buy extra turkey when it's on sale the week of Thanksgiving---so I've got to try this.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  22. Love turkey & sweet potatoes, but I've never thought of roasting them together. I'd love to get your Ebook.

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  23. This would be perfect for me and my husband. I love sweet potatoes in any form. Thanks for the recipe, I will definitely be trying this one. dr(dot)oldsmobile(at)icloud(dot)com

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  24. Thank you for the helpful post. I didn't used to like sweet potatoes, but as I have gotten older I like them more. crossxjo(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. I am hungry just looking at those pics! I am going to try this after Christmas :)

    busymother @ gmail . com

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  26. I would have never thought to make sweet potatoes this way! I love the giveaway - thank you! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  27. I'm always ready for a giveaway! This sounds like a great meal for me since it is just me. I'll skip the sweet potatoes though-and I MUST season the bird before cooking.

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

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  28. Thanks for a chance to win a book. I love books and recipes. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  29. I love turkey so this is a great way for me to fix it for a small amount of people. Baked sweet potatoes are the best and usually the caramel that rises to the top makes it so good. Thanks for the contest...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  30. Thanks for this great recipe. It is just my type. Ideal. Love the giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. Just bought a turkey breast. I love this idea.Thanks for a chance to win a book.

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  32. Great recipe. Thanks for a chance to win. b5sycop(at)nefcom(dot)net
    b5sycop@nefcom.net

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  33. I love this easy and delectable recipe all year long. Thanks for your great feature. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  34. So easy i think i could surprise hubby and do all but the lifting due to a severe nerve disease but i would love to try. thank you for the chance to win and a wonderful easy recipe. ptclayton2@aol.com

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  35. i'd SO much love to read these two, the turkey, eh.. (i'm a vegetarian) but, i do love a recipe that's super easy! the sweet potatos sound delicious tho. woofmew@aol.com

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  36. Thanks for the chance to win!
    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  37. Ohhh I want to give a the book to my cousin!!!! rachaelabrams317@gmail.com

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  38. Ohhh I want to give a the book to my cousin!!!! rachaelabrams317@gmail.com

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  39. My favorite way to cook. Bobbipad@gmail.com

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  40. I had to read this at lunch time. Guess what I'm doing next is going to the cafeteria. nungwa@hotmail.com

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  41. Always time for giveaways and for turkey (great recipe!) Merry Christmas!! Karlene Barger rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  42. I will try this next time! Kkcochran@hotmail.com

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  43. I love turkey all year long. I'd love to win either book. My email is dellilla9@yahoo.com

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  44. I would love to win a copy of Murder Most Howl. My email is MultiBookwoman@gmail.com.

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  45. Mmmmm..looks good. I'll just have to substitute the sweet potatoes,not a big fan. Jill; minishoes@msn.com

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  46. This recipe is perfect for two! I'm so glad you shared it Krista! Thanks for the chance to win The Diva Steals A Chocolate Kiss and Merry Christmas!
    dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  47. I love really easy things like this that turn out amazing. :) It looks tasty, and mashed sweet potatoes are so good! Thank you for sharing.

    brookeb811 at gmail dot com

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  48. Your turkey looks amazing! I have never had good luck cooking turkey. Made Ritz Cracker chicken for Thanksgiving dinner this year and it was amazing. Thanks for another chance at winning one of your books.

    diannekc8@gmail.com

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  49. Your turkey looks amazing! I have never had good luck cooking turkey. Made Ritz Cracker chicken for Thanksgiving dinner this year and it was amazing. Thanks for another chance at winning one of your books.

    diannekc8@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh my! this makes me hungry. foxyj00 at hotmail dot come

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  51. This recipe lokks quick, easy, and delicious. Thanks for the giveaway! If I win I would love Murder Most Howl. I have been dying to try it! Thanks for the chance!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  52. Hi! Great post! I'd love to win today!! Thanks for the chance! Happy holidays!! lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  53. I always make an extra turkey breast for Thanksgiving. Doing it with sweet potatoes will save oven space . Thanks for the tip and the giveaway opportunity.
    6186pep(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love your Diva series but haven't tried the Paws and Claws one yet. Thank you for the opportunity to win one.
    Dianeherr @ cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I make something similar for my husband and kids with chicken and red potatoes! Sometimes simplistic is definitely the best. staceytoney6@gmail.com

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  56. I love turkey. I just don't love cooking it, but this looks easy. I can't wait to read Murder Most Howl. gillian.pilcher@gmail.com

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  57. I love turkey & your awesome recipes, I would love to win one of these books, IO love your mysteries. Thanks for this awesome chance. Linda May lindamay4852@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thanks for sharing your recipe. sable677 at yahoo dot com

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  59. Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  60. Thanking you in advance! Donna.townsend01@comcast.net

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  61. This looks like a great recipe. I make turkey breast a lot. I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance!
    Moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  62. Can I stand another giveaway? Are you crazy? The answer is yes, yes, yes!!!!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  63. I love that you do giveaways! utaker555@gmail.com

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  64. To go with turkey, I must have cornbread dressing & homemade (sugar free) cranberry sauce. Yum! Is it Christmas yet? lol edith.patchan@live.com

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  65. Always appreciate your recipes and tips, Krista! Getting extra turkey while on sale for various meals! xo

    lola777_22@hotmail.com

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  66. wow that does sound easy. and when the grocery stores have the sales on turkey i may just get a few to keep in the freezer. thanks for the recipe and chance to win one of two amazing books. kayt18 at comcast dot net

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  67. Forgot my email. mjhopper@cox.net

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  68. That is interesting about cutting the turkey against the grain. marlene.ezell@gmail.com

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  69. Now if this was a Tofurkey... Lol!

    Merry Christmas!
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark@gmail.com

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  70. Now if this was a Tofurkey... Lol!

    Merry Christmas!
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark@gmail.com

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  71. Yum yum. Thank you for sharing. breannaherron@icloud.com

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  72. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  73. Thanks for the chance! donner-gavas@sympatico.ca

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  74. What a beautiful blog! Thanks for the chance! donner-gavas@sympatico.ca

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  75. I'd love to win The Diva Steals A Chocolate Kiss. Krista's Diva series rocks! Thank you for a chance to win.
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  76. Wow - just two main ingredients and they are the best parts of a holiday meal! I need to come back to this post again and again.
    jenne.turner@unt.edu

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  77. My aunt used to get a breast and drumstick and roast those. They didn't need more she said, and they each got the part they liked the best.
    pmettert@yahoo.com

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