Roast Turkey, Asparagus and Wild Rice Casserole
"Not your average casserole. Roasted asparagus, a sherry cream sauce with wild rice, roasted almonds and toasted bread crumbs make this a dish to entertain with or just a big family dinner. This served in individual serving dishes is wonderful or a dish made for two to serve for a very elegant dinner. You can always switch this up by use leftover chicken and even broccoli or green beans if you are not a fan of asparagus."
- Ready In:
- 1hr 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 14
- Serves:
-
6-8
ingredients
- 2 cups turkey, leftovers is perfect for this, you can substitute chicken for this as well (shredded or chopped)
- 2 1⁄2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1⁄4 cup sherry wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped fine
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 lb asparagus, roasted (just remove the tough ends and cut in 3-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
- 5 1⁄2 ounces wild rice, already cooked (1 box Uncle Bens or similar)
- 1⁄2 cup toasted sliced almonds
directions
- Rice -- Prepare the wild rice accordingly to directions and set to the side. You can make the quick cooking, original anything you want, even white and wild rice mix. I just like the wild rice flavor for this. But please you can use what you enjoy best.
- Asparagus -- Roast the asparagus (broccoli or green beans if you are not using asparagus), as the rice cooks. On a cookie sheet covered with foil or parchment or even on a grill or grill pan, drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 400 for about 7-10 minutes or grill for 5 just until 1/2 way done. Remove and cool.
- The Main Part -- In a medium pot, melt the butter on medium heat and stir in the flour to make a roux. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a medium low boil until the sauce thickens. Then stir in the turkey and sherry and mix until combined and heated through. Add a little salt and pepper to your taste and the fresh parsley.
- In a large casserole dished sprayed with pam or greased add the rice, then top with the turkey and cream sauce, asparagus (or other vegetable), positioned through the dish and top with bread crumbs and almonds. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for about 25 minutes until bubbly. The last 10 minutes I remove the foil so the bread crumbs can brown. You can also put under the broiler to get it nice and brown the last few minutes if you prefer that.
- As I mentioned, individual serving dishes make a great presentation but it can just as easily be done in a large casserole dish as well. ENJOY!
Questions & Replies
Got a question?
Share it with the community!
Reviews
Have any thoughts about this recipe?
Share it with the community!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
