Turkey (and Oyster) Pie

TURKEY AND OYSTER PIE

While looking for ways to deal with Thanksgiving left-overs, I stumbled upon this recipe in TheNew England Cookbook. Unfortunately, the original version of the recipe seems like a terrible idea. As far as I can tell, the Chicago Culinary Arts people back in the ‘50s thought that adding oysters to something would make it “from New England.”

Original Recipe                                                                                                Essen Girl Version

1 C flour                                                                                                                              1 C flour

½ tsp salt                                                                                                                            ½ tsp salt

1/3 C shortening                                                                                                      1/3 C shortening

2 ½ tbsp cold water                                                                                            2 ½ tbsp cold water

3 C cubed cooked turkey                                                                           4 C cubed cooked turkey

1 pt. oysters                                                                             2 C cubed cooked yam/sweet potato

                                                                                                                    2 C chopped cranberries

4 tbsp butter                                                                                                                   4 tbsp butter

4 tbsp flour                                                                                                                      4 tbsp flour

½ tsp salt                                                                                                                            ½ tsp salt

½ tsp MSG                                                                                                                      ½ tsp MSG

Few grains pepper                                                                                             ½ tsp ground cloves

1 C milk + oyster liquid                                                                                            ½ tsp cinnamon

                                                                                                                      ½ tsp ground coriander

                                                                                                                           ½ tsp garlic powder

                                                                                                                             Few grains pepper

                                                                                                                                             2 C milk

                                                                                       I decided that the oysters were completely

                                                                                       unnecessary – I don’t like them, and I

                                                                                       figured that the oysters and their liquid

                                                                                       would only add a distinctly unpleasant

                                                                                       fishiness to the dish.

Mix flour, salt, and shortening together with a fork or pastry blender until crumbled. Add in cold water slowly, combining until pastry dough is of desired smoothness. Roll out flat on floured surface. Cut a simple design in the crust to allow steam to escape.

Drain and reserve liquid from oysters. Mix                  Mix turkey, yams, and cranberries together

oysters and turkey together in a greased                      in a greased casserole dish and set aside.

casserole dish and set aside. Mix remaining                Mix remaining ingredients into a medium

ingredients into a medium thickness white                   thickness white sauce. Pour sauce over

sauce. For liquid, use liquid from oysters                    turkey mixture in casserole. Drape pastry

plus milk to make 2 cups. Pour sauce over                  crust over casserole and seal around edges

turkey and oysters in casserole. Drape pastry             of dish. Bake at 425^oF for 20 to 25 minutes

crust over casserole and seal around edges                 or until pastry is lightly browned.

of dish. Bake at 425^oF for 20 to 25 minutes or

until pastry is lightly browned.

Like I said, I figured that the oysters were unnecessary, so I completely dispensed with them. The resulting dish was nice, but not awesome. But, leftovers are leftovers, and everybody loves a casserole on a cold autumn day!

Have a question or a request? Put it in the comments below and I’ll be sure to respond. Fröhe essen!