Risotto con Tacchino
This is not a true holiday dish but it does grace my dinner table at least once over the holidays. Guaranteed. You see, I have a “thing” for turkey sandwiches and you might be surprised at the lengths I’ll go to make sure that I have turkey sandwiches every Thanksgiving.
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As an adult, the highlight of my Thanksgiving Day Feast has always been the midnight turkey sandwich. Built with slices of turkey (white & dark meat, of course), a healthy portion of stuffing, and cemented together with cranberry sauce, this is the “sammich” of which my dreams are made. No matter what I’m eating throughout that day, I never lose sight of that night’s prize.
Now, when I host the dinner, having enough turkey to make a sammich is no problem. In fact, I buy a bird twice as large as needed so that every guest goes home with a platter of leftovers. Each then can either relive the dinner — sans my buoyant personality, of course — or make at least 2 healthy sammiches. And I will have at least enough turkey for a few sammiches, as well as a good-sized portion destined for the freezer for sammiches to be built at a later date. That’s if I host the dinner. Things can go quite differently, however, if I’m enjoying Thanksgiving dinner away from home.
Over the years, I’ve been invited to some lovely Thanksgiving feasts where the company was warm, the dinner fantastic, and the wine flowed freely. I could say the very same thing about those occasions where friends and I gathered at a restaurant for dinner. Both situations allow me to relax and enjoy my friends and the meal without the stress of having to juggle 6 side dishes on a 5 burner stove top; remember that there are bruschette under the broiler; and keep an eye on Max who’s been keeping his eyes on the tented bird on the counter. Both options sound wonderful except for one little detail. There are no leftovers and without them there can be no sammich. Oh, the pain!
After going sammich-less for a couple of years, I’d had enough. (Well, actually, I’d had nothing.) I decided to roast my own turkey, no matter what, sometime during Thanksgiving week. Granted, when the bird is meant for me alone, I look for the smallest, fresh turkey available, usually 9 to 10 lbs. That’s less than half the size of the behemoth that I prepare when I’m hosting. Even so, I get all the sammiches I want, half of the bird gets wrapped and frozen for another time, and I still have the carcass to play with.
Ah, the carcass! When I remove the meat from its bones, I make sure to leave some behind. Then, when it’s time to prepare the stock, I find and retrieve those bits. As you’ll soon see, they, along with the stock, will be used in my risotto. It really is a nice arrangement. I have a turkey dinner — maybe two! — I enjoy plenty of sammiches, and I have turkey stock to make my “holiday” risotto.
When you read today’s recipe, it may be that I prepare risotto differently than you do — and that’s ok. If you’ve a proven method for making risotto, don’t change for this recipe. The important thing about this risotto is not how it’s made but what is used to make it. In this recipe, turkey stock is used in place of chicken, and, chopped turkey is used instead of any other type of protein or even mushrooms. I don’t want anything to mask the flavors of roast turkey and, if the bird was stuffed, the hint of stuffing.
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Turkey Risotto Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups turkey stock, recipe to follow
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 7 oz (200 g) roast turkey, chopped
- 1 3/4 c Arborio rice
- 4 oz (60 ml) dry white wine
- Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
Directions
- Keep the turkey stock hot, though not boiling. (See Notes)
- Add butter to a large pan over med-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent.
- Add turkey to the pan and continue to sauté until heated through.
- Lower the heat to medium, add the rice to the pan, and toast the grains, about 5 minutes.
- Add the wine and stir. Continue to cook until the wine is all but evaporated.
- Ladle by ladle, add the turkey stock, stirring with each addition and allowing the stock to be fully absorbed before adding another ladle of stock.
- Taste the rice for doneness after about 20 minutes. It should be nearing completion.
- When the rice is al dente and just shy of being done, add another ladle of stock, cover, and turn off the heat.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before adding 2 handfuls of Pecorino Romano cheese.
- If rice is too dry, add a bit more stock before serving. (See Notes)
- Garnish with more Pecorino Romano cheese and serve.
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To make the turkey stock
In a large stock pot over med-high heat, add the roast turkey carcass, a large onion (quartered), 2 celery stalks with leaves (roughly chopped), 2 carrots (roughly chopped), a few parsley sprigs, and enough water to cover – about 5 or 6 quarts. Bring to a boil before reducing the heat to maintain a soft simmer. I let the stock simmer for at least 3 hours, adding water if too much evaporates. The object is to have at least 2 quarts (2 L) of stock when all is said and done. When finished, strain stock through a fine strainer. Refrigerate stock overnight and then remove any fat that may have risen to the surface. Stock is now ready to use in your favorite recipe or to drink, warm, by the cupful.
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Notes
When making risotto, I use a ratio of 3:1. That’s 3 parts stock to every 1 part of rice. I usually have an extra cup of stock ready but, if I run out, I’ll add some hot water. Bear in mind, that I’m only using a little water, certainly not even a cupful.
You may think it odd that I used 1 3/4 cups of rice but that’s because it was the end of the package’s contents. I didn’t see the point of reserving a quarter cup of rice. So, use as much rice as you like but keep the above ratio in mind.
Do keep the stock hot, but not boiling, when adding it to the pan of cooking rice. Boiling stock will hit the hot pan and evaporate before it can be absorbed by the rice. On the other hand, if it is too cool, it will delay the cooking process.
We prefer our risotto to be on the moist side. You’ll find that the rice will continue to absorb the stock even as it sits in the serving platter.
It’s déjà vu all over again …
Just as surely as you’d find a platter of ravioli on our Christmas dinner table, you could count on there being a platter of biscotti on that very same table, served after dessert while 
the castagne, chestnuts, were being roasted. Both recipes that I shared came to my family about 50 years ago. Mom’s Biscotti with Pecans, was a family recipe of a friend who was 90 years young at the time. We know that recipe is at least 100 years old. Zia found her recipe for Anisette Biscotti in a local newspaper. Both are simple recipes and are as traditional to our holidays as is that Christmas tree in the corner waiting for the Feast of the Epiphany (Little Christmas). You can find both recipes by clicking HERE.
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Coming Christmas Eve to a monitor near you …
Linguine with Seafood in Parchment
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from the Bartolini kitchens 
Delicious! I have made chicken risotto with leftover chicken, so why not turkey risotto with leftover Thanksgiving turkey? I am sure my mom would love this, I will tell her so she knows what to make with all those leftovers. Though I am sure that she will first have to cut up some of the meat for my dad’s sandwiches! Like you, he couldn’t stand the idea of Thanksgiving without leftover sandwiches!
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Great minds think alike, Darya, and I can tell your Father is a great man. 🙂 I hope your Mom does try and enjoys this risotto. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment.
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I love the idea of turkey risotto! Such a great way to use up leftover turkey meat, which we always have after Thanksgiving. Would you frown upon me if I used ground turkey as a substitute during off Thanksgiving season? It sounds amazing John.
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Thanks, Anne. You know, I’ve never thought to use ground turkey but it would be a great way to have turkey risotto year-round. Good idea!
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Hi John,
I really Like you r creativity,great combination with the turkey,it must be very delicious.
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Thank you, Massi, for the nice compliment. Yes, this is a good tasting risotto. The roast turkey flavor is unlike most risottos I’ve ever tried.
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Funny how the main course is really just a jolly means to a longed for end! What we’ll do to satisfy our cravings, eh? Loved your post, John, and am grateful for the 3:1 reminder – the last couple of risottos I made were disappointing because I didn’t allow for post-cooking absorption.
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You know, Meredith, I do the same thing with my “Easter” ham. It really should be called “The-ham-I-bake-so-that-I-can-eat-ham-sandwiches-on-the-days-following-Easter”. With that ham, there’s no risotto but there is a fine pot of split pea soup. Say what you will, when it comes to my sammiches, I’m consistent. 🙂
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Sounds wonderful, never thought to have turkey with risotto!
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I hope you try it. Thanks for commenting.
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I’m not a massive fan of turkey … but I do like a turkey sandwich – just as you like yours, by the sound of it!
Merry Christmas, John 🙂
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Aren’t they the best? THey certainly are a highpoint of my Fall.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, too, Marianne.
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Great words John. I can’t get involved as I really am not a big turkey fan. I do understand the sandwich cravings. I have similar at this time of year for plain white bread, English mustard and rare beef. Thankfully, we are having a 4 rib roast beef for Christmas dinner. 5 will be sitting down so plenty for “sammiches”.
Best,
Conor
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Thanks, Conor. I do love a good beef sandwich, too. In fact, New Year’s Day I’ll be preparing a rib roast, too. What better way to start off a new year than with an ample supply of roast beef sammiches? It works for me!
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The best of both worlds!
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This both looks very tasty (and I got very hungry…), and is a clever way of using the ingredients to the maximum! The true Italian style: don’t waste anything!
Now I have to make risotto for dinner…
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Thank you. Yes, my Mother taught me very well. Nothing is wasted in our kitchens, I hope you enjoyed your risotto dinner. 🙂
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I love your plate – it’s very Italian and so gorgeous. I know what you mean about cooking a turkey twice as big as you need just so you can get leftovers. I do that every year! I’ve just ordered a 6.5kg turkey yet there will only be 14 of us this Christmas. Plenty of leftovers coming up for a samwich for sure! xx
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Thanks, Charlie. I see we’re of the same mind. Except for the time involved, roasting a turkey is the same process no matter its size. Might as well go big and enjoy the sammiches. Well, and some risotto, too. 🙂
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I know what you mean, though I confess I’ve gone off turkey in favour of goose in the last 10 years. I really like the ritual of cooking a big bird and it’s the part of Christmas that I look forward too. If I tire of the sandwiches I’ll be trying your risotto, not to mention frying up some stuffing on Boxing Day 😉
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Thanks, MD. I’ve never cooked a goose nor a duck. Now, I’ve got a duck stashed away in the freezer, waiting for me to get the nerve to try it. A goose, though, requires a special occasion. I’ll have to think on this. The idea, though, of goose risotto has me trying to come up with a special occasion. As you know, we don’t celebrate Boxing Day but, if it involves stuffing in any way, I’m in! Is Boxing Day goose-worthy? 🙂
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Most definitely!
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I’ve not thought of turkey risotto….sounds delicious.
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I’m a bit surprised that no one has tried it before, Roger. For me, it’s a natural thing to do — and it’s damn good, too. 🙂
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I have never had a turkey sammich but you sure make it sound tempting 🙂
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Oh, Colline. I’d no idea you’ve led a life so full of hardship. If ever you come to Chicago, I’ll roast a turkey and you can have as many turkey sammiches as you want. Hmmm … maybe I should roast 2 birds. I may want a sammich, too. 🙂
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I think I may now have to plan a trip to Chicago just to enlighten my taste buds 🙂
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I was just thinking about risotto John, what a coincidence! And as luck (or good planning on my part) would have it, JT and I are hosting Christmas Day dinner at our home, so we will have Christmas turkey this year (we haven’t hosted in years for a number of boring reasons). I love how you prepare your stock, in fact it’s the identical way I’ve been preparing chicken stock of late. The pre-roasted carcass brings a wonderful flavour to the stock.
It’s so nice that you buy a bird much larger than needed to give away left overs, that us so very generous of you, but it doesn’t surprise me; your friends are indeed very fortunate to have you.
You have inadvertently caused me a quandary; I was gifted a jar of roasted chestnuts from a photo shoot and I had every intention to make a stuffing for our bird from it, but that biscotti recipe sure sounds amazing and it’s really making me want to change from my intended use. Oh the decisions.
The pasta dish looks fantastic and even though it’s only 6am, I’m licking my lips.
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Thank yo so much, Eva. You’re always so supportive and generous in your comments.
Do you stuff your turkey? I no longer do but, I must admit, stock made from the carcass of a bird that was stuffed is just incredible. That stock makes the best risotto, too. Using chestnuts in stuffing is how Mom made her stuffing. I had intended to do it this year but I forgot about them roasting in the oven. When I finally remembered, they were a bit too “crunchy” for stuffing.
I rarely order pasta when dining out. When I do, it will most likely be a frutti di mare dish. I love it and this recipe is a good one. That “whoosh” of scented steam when your tear the parchment is really something. 🙂
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Hi John, no we do not stuff the turkey any more, our health department suggests it is unwise to do so (although my dear Mother used to and we never fell ill!).
Hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
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Same here, Eva, and my Mom stuffed her birds every time. It’s a shame because that made the very best stock.
I enjoyed a very nice Christmas and hope you can say the same. Here’s wishing 2014 is a good year for us all.
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I’ve never made turkey risotto but I’m going to make this over Christmas. My thing is a turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwich. I’m just not worth being around if I can’t have that the day after Christmas. 🙂
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You’re singing my song, Maureen. What’s the point of going through the hassle of roasting a bird that size if there are no turkey sammiches as a reward for our efforts? I hope you do try to make turkey risotto and enjoy it. Note that I didn’t use any of my sammich meat, preferring to strip what I need for my risotto from the carcass. Nothing comes between me and my turkey sammiches. 🙂
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John, my goodness it seems everybody has stolen my sandwich. I have it every holiday, or any time I make turkey with all the fixin’s. Usually I’ll have it for breakfast the day afterwards, much to Rick’s dismay. He finds my breakfast choices, like pizza, a little off putting. 🙂
I use the carcass with meat on it for everything from soup to well, risotto. This looks yummy. Haven’t made risotto in a long time. Will try it after Christmas.
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I’m not going to say the sammich idea was stolen. Rather, all great minds think alike. I’ll make myself one of these sammiches anytime I’m feeling hungry over the few days following Thanksgiving. I never tire of them. As for pizza, I always make sure there’s one piece left for breakfast the following morning. Who needs granola when there’s a slice available?
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I love the detailed stories you tell with your recipes. They make your posts priceless and enjoyable as well as informative to read. Love turkey sandwich as well.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you, Francine, for leaving such a nice compliment. I’m glad you enjoy my posts — not to mention a good turkey sandwich. 😉
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I had no idea anyone else liked. the dressing cemented sammich, a guilty pleasure of mine for decades mmmmm! Thank you for the recipes especially the turkey stock. Somehow I always mess it up so am looking forward to following this and making the risotto.!
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Hello, Chris. To be honest, I’m a little surprised just how many people love this sandwich. Then again, what’s not to love? I always run out of turkey before I tire of the sandwiches. Although I now cook the dressing outside of the bird, the best turkey stock comes from a carcass that’s been stuffed. The bits of stuffing left in the bird really do flavor the stock. That risotto, as you can imagine, is really good, too. I hope both your stock and risotto are to your liking. Good luck!
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John, my family loves leftover turkey sandwiches as much as you do -I’d say even more than the turkey at dinner. So we always roast a big bird. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Sue
Womenlivinglifeafter50.com
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We very well might be related, Sue. I think of the turkey as a means to an end. The end being days of delicious turkey sammiches. I hope that you and your family will share a beautiful Christmas, Sue.
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Ooh yum and I’m now thinking…goose risotto! I think it’s great to post these recipes now as we need these ideas tucked up our sleeves for leftovers 🙂 You are a wise man indeed to cook your own turkey…leftovers are the best bit (almost). Ok, now I need to go off and plan Christmas Eve dinner – our seafood extravaganza 🙂
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Thanks, Tanya. I, too, wondered about goose risotto when Mad Dog mentioned he was roasting a goose for Christmas. I bet that it would be wonderful! I really do think that the leftovers are better than the meal. I do love my sammiches!
No big feat here for Christmas Eve, though I’m soaking a piece of baccalà. That will be plenty for me. Enjoy your seafood extravaganza, Tanya, and may you, Big Man, and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
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I completely agree, John! NEED to have the sammich (or two, or three). But that risotto looks VERY fine as well. I’m hoping to get to baking my biscotti tonight (a less traditional recipe to be sure, but easy to make and the ‘absolute favourite’ of one of my friends).
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There’s no sandwich like a turkey sammich! I’m glad that you agree. 🙂 The beauty of this risotto is that you can make it with just the meat you pick off the bones. No ned to use the precious sammich meat. Traditional or not, if your biscotti are good enough to be considered a favorite, those are the ones to be made for Christmas. I hope your friend enjoyed them.. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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Bravissimo. Ad usual.
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Grazie mille! 🙂
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John, did you know I’ve never had a turkey sammich like yours? Never thought of adding all the usual suspects in between slices of bread, and now I’ll have to wait for next Thanksgiving to do so, as the cranberry sauce is way gone and so is the dressing. Some turkey meat is still in the freezer…
your risotto is perfect, I like the way you allowed the turkey to shine and nothing else….
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Oh, Sally. You poor woman! The thought of you going through life never knowing the pleasure of tasting a turkey sammich is almost too much to bear. Like you, I’ve got turkey in the freezer as well as a couple bags of cranberries. For the stuffing, I’ll buy one of those boxes and “doctor” it up. I WILL have my sammich, one way or another! 🙂
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Your risotto sounds so good, John, comforting, delicious and filling. What a way to use every bit of that turkey! I’m reading this on a chilly bus to Toronto on the first of a three leg journey to see my son graduate. Next a plane to Ottawa, then I drive to Quebec. A warm dish of turkey risotto would have been an excellent start to my day. Instead, I had a protein shake blended with raspberries. Good, but still, that risotto …
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Thanks, Mar. Glad to read that I’m not the only one that will eat risotto on a wintry morning. Congratulations to your Son. What a big day for him and your family! I hope your travels were safe without any complications or delays. You’ve a graduation to attend!
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I didn’t think I liked risotto until trying your chicken-gizzard recipe. Yum! Freezes well! Still yum!
This recipe is straightforward and uses the turkey bits economically. I may well have to try it sometime…
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I’m still happy that you like the family’s risotto. I’m grinning ear-to-ear having just read that. Just keep this recipe “on file” for the next time you roast a turkey. Not only is it economical, it’s darn good, too. :
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This sounds like an excellent idea and looks delish! I’ve made risotto with chicken in it, but I’ll have to try this. How I’d love to be at your dinner table with ravioli, risotto and the biscotti to boot! Yum!! 🙂
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Thank you so much. If you make risotto with chicken, then this will be a snap for your to prepare. Give it a try. Now, I hate to disappoint but we would never serve ravioli and risotto for the same meal. That means that you’ll just have to come back the next night for Round Two. 🙂
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WOW – WOW & WOW !!!!!! I love each and every recipe – and – I can’t wait to see the one for the seafood cooked in parchment. I simply adore risotto – and adding some leftover turkey is such a great idea!! I, too, am crazy about turkey sandwiches!!
John, I just love how your fabulously fun personality comes across in each & every one of your posts!!
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Thanks, Cecile, for the nice compliments. It is surprising to learn how many people are like us, loving those turkey sandwiches. So why do most of us only cook a bird only once a year? If you like risotto, you’re going to love this dish. It definitely has plenty of turkey flavor and is no more difficult to make than a “normal” risotto. The seafood pasta is coming up in a few hours. Stay tuned …. 🙂
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You are indeed a kindred spirit…the sammich is the whole point of cooking a huge Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey! We usually use leftover turkey (after the sammich portion is taken care of) for making Turkey Tetrazzini; I started this tradition years ago after looking through a cookbook for recipes and ideas for leftover turkey. I will have to try your risotto…it looks delicious!
Happy holidays, John!
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Thanks, Angeline,. For me, the beauty of this dish is that it is made from scraps. The meat is the last bits to come off of the carcass before it is used to make stock. It doesn’t cut into my sammich meat and won’t affect your tetrazzini, either. It does give you another option, though, for the days following the holiday. I hope you and your family enjoy a very Merry Christmas, Angeline.
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I’ve made a chicken risotto, but not a turkey one – I gotta try this! Such a good idea. I’m with you on leftovers being the best part of Thanksgiving (or Christmas – we repeat our Thanksgiving meal for Christmas, although with fewer sides). On those occasions when we enjoy Thanksgiving away from home, a day or two later we always prepare “Second Thanksgiving” – that’s right, we redo the entire meal, often just for the two of us. That we we get to cook our favorite meal of the year, and we have all the leftovers we can handle. 😉 Fun post – thanks.
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You know exactly what I mean then, John. Nice a it is to eat out, the leftovers are a big part of my holiday dinners. It just ain’t right without them. If you make chicken risotto, then this will be a snap for you. I hope the Holidays are fantastic for you and all the Riffs, John.
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Ah, you build the exact same turkey sandwich that I do – got to smoosh that stuffing & cranberry sauce in there. My husband believe it or not puts just slices of white meat on bread – wha??? Anyway, I didn’t have any this year because I was sent home with what I figured was a bag of salmonella (my SIL let the turkey sit on the counter for 6 hours & we had a 2 hr. ride home) so I decided that gracious gift was going in the trash unfortunately.
You’ve found the perfect solution & with all that you get from a little bird, you’re set for a while. I hope Max gets at least some of the bounty.
Now as for adding water to the broth in the risotto, maybe consider this – I dump a little white wine or vermouth in there instead & of course since the bottle’s open…
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Thanks, Diane. Just white meat? Well, that’s just a sandwich. It takes turkey, stuffing, and cranberries to make a sammich. Your poor DH doesn’t know what he’s missing. Think twice before you clue him in. There’s only so much leftover stuffing and cranberries. Best to keep him in the dark so that you’ll have plenty. 🙂
Although I’ve used a touch of white wine at the end, I’m leery of it. If I use too much, it can overpower the flavors of the risotto. I rarely need any liquid, though. I try to have at least an extra cup of stock heated up an ready to go.
Happy Holidays Diane, to you and yours!
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Excellent point on the proper sammich makings John. I think you’re right – I’ll just let him eat his dry ol’ white meat.
Have an exceptional Christmas & terrific New Year.
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Such an intriguing dish, John! I have never heard of it before. Maybe because we do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Italy so we do not have to deal with turkey leftovers. 🙂
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Thanks, Francesca. I’m sure you’re correct. If turkey was more prevalent in Italy, I’m quite certain that turkey risotto would be common. Buon Natale!
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I didn’t even wait, John. I just printed out the Risotto and the Biscotti recipes! What a great idea to cook your own separate turkey! I need to remember that, or at least cook one mid-season sometime. I give a lot of leftovers away, too, feeling that I owe it to my guests somehow. And then I have very little left over for us. But I did make stock and it’s in the freezer. I am going to try your method. I would not say that my risotto is always a success. So I’m going to read your recipe again carefully and keep trying. I did make a pistachio and cranberry biscotti the other day that I really enjoyed, but beyond enjoying the recipe, I really enjoyed baking the biscotti. I don’t think we’ll ever be without it for long again. It’s a very rewarding effort! I’d love to try both of these recipes. I’d love to say that I make one of Zia’s specialties. 🙂
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Wow, Debra! Thanks for the vote of confidence! 🙂
Every year, I say that I should roast a turkey “off-season” some time. I never do and it’s foolish. I really enjoy turkey and, well, those sammiches! Oh, the sammiches!
It took me some time to make a good risotto, Debra. Just keep at it. One day, it will “click” and you’ll never look back. You should have seen Mom & Zia at the old two-flat on “biscotti day.” With each singing in her own kitchen, there were biscotti everywhere and the entire building smelled terrific. At day’s end, they’d each trade half of the day’s work and both families had enough of both kinds of biscotti to last through the holidays. And I’ve memories to last a lifetime. 🙂
I do hope you’ll try and enjoy them, Debra. I hope your holidays are most memorable.
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it would have never occurred to me making risotto out of a leftover turkey carcass, this is great! I might need to roast another turkey, just so I have no excuse and make this. Those turkey sandwiches you describe …. I just had lunch and Im hungry again!
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Paul, once you go sammich, you’ll never go back to a plain turkey sandwich again. They’re life changing. I roast my own turkey just to make sure that I can have some during the holidays, for heaven’s sake. This risotto is no harder to make than any other and it’s a great change of pace. If you try it, I hope you’ll like it as much as we do.
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Sounds wonderful John. A big bowl of warmth, and comfort.
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Exactly, Dave! It’s perfect for the cold days ahead.
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I am a fan of risotto. This is such comfort food for me and when the weather gets cold, I crave this! I am looking forward to your Linguine with Seafood in Parchment! Thank you for the recipes!
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I’m with you, as far as risotto goes. It’s a great meal for a wintry night. THe seafood pasta recipe will be posted in a few hours. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Thank you for the visit and for taking the time to leave a comment. Happy Holidays!
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How exciting. Can’t wait! 😀 Happy New Year!
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I’ve been making risotto at least once a week lately. It’s such a good, warm, comforting dish. I’ve never seen a turkey risotto though. I’m typically not a big turkey fan, except on thanksgiving, but I had never thought to use stock and leftovers in risotto. We just may have to give this a shot! Looking forward to your linguine dish too!!! The kids will LOVE it (just made them seafood risotto tonight). And if I haven’t told you yet, your Lasagna will be our Christmas Eve meal! Merry Christmas John. 🙂
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Thanks, Kristy. I’ve not seen a recipe anywhere for turkey risotto, either bu, for me, it’s a no brainer. It’s basically made with turkey scraps so my precious supply of sammich meat remains untouched. And it’s tasty, to boot! I’m honored, Kristy that you’d cook one of our recipes — again!!! — on Christmas Eve. I consider it a compliment – and vote of confidence – when someone tries one of our recipes. It’s something else completely, though, when a recipe is chosen for so special a meal. Zia will be thrilled when I tell her. Thank you so much.
I hope you, Mike, and your talented Sous Chefs have a wonderful Christmas.!
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Yum. I love that you cook a turkey for personal dining even if you’ve eaten out. Yep, me too. Because I am such a slave to traditons I’m fond of, they’re not the same without the right food. We haven’t had a turkey for a couple of years but when we did we made our sammichs the same as we do with roast chook… fresh white bread, creamy potato salad and stuffing. As we are out and about on Christmas day often, sometimes we have this for lunch and then enjoy a proper dinner later in the cool of the evening. The G.O. doesn’t eat rice, but I can make similar with risoni… mmmm.
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Thanks, EllaDee. We’re very much alike when it comes to traditional foods and holidays. That turkey sammich at midnight is as much a part of my Thanksgiving as is anything else. I do like your idea of including creamy potato salad in your sammich. I need to give this a try. I may like my tradition but I’m not tied to it. I can change.
Risoni would work well here. In fact, I should give this a try, too. 🙂
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How delicious! I love risotto too and this sounds great. We didn’t host this year so I was bummed not to have some of my favorite leftovers. We had sandwiches for a couple days, but I really would have liked to cook something. Last year it was turkey tortilla soup and a turkey and wild rice soup.
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I can so identify. Not to sound ungrateful because it is wonderful to be invited to someone’s house for Thanksgiving. Still, there’s something to be said for cooking the meal and having the leftovers to “play” with. For me, of course, it’s the joy of grabbing the fixins to make a sammich. Now that’s something to be thankful for. 🙂
Have you blogged your turkey tortilla soup recipe? It sounds really good!
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I haven’t blogged the soup. It was just something I threw together. I will be working on more soups soon though. Tis the season for soups, even here in the South!
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I feel like a disadvantaged child 😉 ! Since we lack Thanksgiving and I have never cooked a turkey for Christmas . . . BUT, turkey pieces have become hugely popular in Oz, including packets of largish legs, usually sold as twins. . . . roast a tad more than you need for the table and do enjoy these awesome sammiches which so make your life 🙂 ! Oh, am looking forwards to your next recipe also, once you have slept off the Christmas Day wonders 😀 !!
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oops’a’daisy!1 Forgot to say I just love risottos, mostly cook vegetarian ones, but am more than willing to try this next time when is ‘turkey’ time!! [Or that of any four feathered friend!]
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Thank you, Eha. You sound much like y Zia. She enjoys turkey but even the smallest breast is too much for her. She’s been buying turkey wings and roasting them. There’s plenty for her dinner and still have leftovers, too. If you do save a little turkey for this risotto, I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do. 🙂
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Now that’s an original recipe! Turkey risotto looks just great. I will definitely make it next time I roast a turkey.
The sammich sounds delicious too, though usually after Thanksgiving dinner, and roasting quite a few, I can’t bring myself to eat another piece of turkey for a long while… 🙂
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Thank you, Ronit. I’m glad you like the recipe enough to try it. Having once worked at an Italian foods “factory”, I know how you feel about turkey. I hope your turkey aversion doesn’t last too long. 🙂
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Dare I admit to the fact that I still have a smoked turkey carcass in the bottom of my fridge? Left from Thanksgiving? How long do those things last? Doesn’t smoking make things last longer? In any case, if I dare… this sounds so good. Perchance, manservant will smoke another and I can have smoked turkey risotto. After all it is just the two of us for Xmas Day. Unless we decide to go out for Chinese!
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I don’t have much experience with smoked turkey, Abbe, I’m afraid. The only time I use it is to make my Thanksgiving turkey stock, a few days before T-Day, using a smoked wing or two. I’m no expert but I think that your bird’s best days are long behind it. I do like the idea, though, of making a smoked turkey risotto. Maybe it’s time to buy another couple of smoked turkey wings. 🙂
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Reading your recipe and looking at these pics, really made my mouth water. I love how you say “sammiches.” 😀
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Thank you. I don’t want anyone to think that these sammiches can be compared to sandwiches. A turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sammich is in a class all its own. Look at the lengths I go to insure I can have them every year! 🙂
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😀
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I must be the only person on Earth who doesn’t fancy turkey! I love all the sides and the leftovers, I just eat those and make sammiches for everyone else 🙂 I however, adore risotto and have shamelessly made myself a pressure cooker version when craving has struck.
Your risotto looks lovely though, and I can imagine how flavourful it is with the turkey pieces cooked in it from the beginning and all that flavourful stock. I’ve never thought of making turkey risotto, I make chicken risotto all the time but next time I will definitely have to remember the turkey version.
I hope you’ve had your fill of turkey sandwiches, btw, your sandwich sounds quite delicious, anything with stuffing is pretty yum. And that biscotti….mmmmmm.
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Thank you, Nazneen. I hope your family appreciates you, making a turkey and sammiches when you do not like it.
If you make chicken risotto, you’d have no problem making this one with turkey — once you get beyond your aversion to the bird. The stock does give the risotto a nice flavor, though, even better if your stuffed the bird, Those little bits of stuffing in the bird’s cavity add a nice taste to the stock and subsequent risotto.
Thanks for commenting, Nazneen. I’m glad that you liked today’s post.
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Oooh I love a good poultry risotto! But the ‘sammich’ sounds gorgeous too 🙂 Bring on Christmas day and all the leftovers!
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I like how you think. A holiday dinner is the appetizer for some fantastic leftovers. 🙂
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is it wrong that I laughed at ‘and I still have the carcass to play with’? 😉 Great recipe John!
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Wrong? I was hoping someone did. It was lonely out there on that limb, laughing all by myself. 🙂
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Love this recipe – but not sure if I can tackle risotto again – although your method seemed to go quite faster than mine.
Have a happy holiday!
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Thank you. If you’ve a recipe for risotto that ‘works”, I’d stick with it. Just use turkey stock and turkey meat. Even so, you’ve 3 restaurant critics to contend with. Turkey risotto recipes can wait a while.
I bet those 3 are pretty excited, eh? They’ve got a couple really great days ahead. What fun? I hope you all have the best Christmas ever!
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Oh yes, the sandwiches, the stock, the leftovers for pot pie … it’s all worth roasting your own no matter where the main meal is enjoyed. So worth it! Your risotto sounds delicious, John, I’m sure the homemade stock made all the difference. 🙂
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Those are my thoughts exactly, Judy. The turkey, to me, is worth more leftover. The turkey stock is essential to this risotto. It really does flavor the rice very well. I hope you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas, Judy.
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You sure do love your turkey John. That is a beautiful looking risotto. I love risotto so much, I will eat it in any flavourful variety I can get my hands on! And what a genius idea. We all have turkey leftover, no? I have to say, I like turkey but I much prefer a turkey sandwich or turkey enchiladas. Probably this turkey risotto too! I guess what I’m trying to say is I would rather a “leftover” turkey dish than turkey itself.
And the Epiphany… la Festa della Befana! That is why I love your storytelling John, you bring back such fond memories of growing up in an Italian household! Grazie!
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Guilty as charged, Lidia. I’m a turkey lover!!! 🙂 We are in total agreement, too. I much prefer the turkey leftovers — the sammiches!!!! — to the actual turkey dinner. Turkey enchiladas, by the way, sound wonderful. So many people have suggested some great recipes for the leftovers that I may have to make changes next year. I’m certainly not going to cut back on my sammiches, so, I’ll need a bigger bird.
Dad wasn’t much for traditions and the like but the one thing he did insist upon was that our tree remain until the Epiphany. By the time it came down, there were pine needles everywhere but it didn’t move until January 7th. 🙂
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What a wonderful use for the carcass, John. I love it when nothing is wasted. Good on you. Even though an invite is not to be sneezed at, I do like to celebrate the big occasions at home. There is something special about being the host or hostess.
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Thank, Glenda. Mom taught me well: you do not waste food! I agree that hosting an event, though a lot of work, is something special. And I never have to worry whether I’ll like the main course/ 🙂
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Hi, John,
“After going sammich-less for a couple of years, I’d had enough. (Well, actually, I’d had nothing.)” Hehe. I am glad that you took matters into your own hands! 🙂 This recipe looks delicious – and your midnight treat sounds like pure heaven. I like that you keep your eye on the prize: delicious! It sounds like you will have to continue to make sure you have a turkey sandwich at midnight – and keep spending Thanksgiving with good friends, too. This year, I sent all of my guests home with leftovers, including (of course!) white and dark meat turkey, apple-fennel stuffing and cranberry chutney. They could have certainly made a sandwich at midnight. Like you, we make a VERY large bird – or two. I enjoyed reading the anecdote, the recipe – and the pointers on risotto. I am still working up the courage to try it! This may be a sign.
A very happy holidays to you! Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Shanna
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Thank you so much, Shanna. You’re always so kind and supportive in your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
My love of turkey sammiches knows no bounds. I know what it is like to be a guest for Thanksgiving dinner, only to be turkey-less come time for my midnight sammich. Never again! I think my methods are spreading, too. This year’s dinner was at a restaurant and a friend confessed that he, too, had a turkey at home. See? Converts!
I wish you and your loving family warm and joyous holidays!
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John – Oh my gosh. I will never underestimate your dedication to the supreme turkey sandwich. You are even proselytizing your love of it to your friends! 🙂 You are out to convert the masses! 🙂 A very happy holiday to you. Best – Shanna
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as you know i love risotto, in fact i might make a good old plain risotto with some wonderfully delicious parmesan cheese on top! I am not a big turkey eater but I Love the stuffing!! I imagine it would make a fine risotto.. Now I am off to eat soup leftovers for lunch! yum.. have a lovely day.. c
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I like risotto of all kinds, Celi, especially now, when the weather has turned cold. Turkey risotto is good but if you’re not partial to turkey, go with chicken instead. I’ve promised to make that soup for Zia when I visit her next. They may not have much in her area but they do have squash, plenty of squash.
It’s another cold one. Keep warm!
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I love turkey sandwiches and the dishes made with leftover turkey. I think this risotto would be much, much better than my mom’s arroz con pollo. She always insists on making it every New Year (for good luck), but no one eats it but her!
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Thanks, Arlene. I guess we all get “stuck” in our holiday traditions. I’m lucky that I’ve no one else’s tastes to consider when I prepare “my” dishes. I cannot imagine many people saying, “Yum! Turkey Sandwiches!” on the 3rd day of my serving them after Thanksgiving. Well, no one but me. 🙂
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looks absolutely gorgeous!
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Thank you. It’s a great way to deal with the turkey leftovers.
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I too always buy a larger bird than needed for leftovers and the bones do not go to waste either. I would sometimes make broth other times I may make congee (Chinese rice soup). Is there a reason for listing the broth twice in the recipe? Your risotto sounds easy to make, need to give it a try.
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Thank you Norma for the comment and for pointing out my error in the ingredient list. I am the world’s worst proof reader and appreciate all the help that I receive. I only prepare turkey once a year. I might as well cook a large one and have enjoy it. I’ve got a nice portion frozen and, in a couple weeks, i’ll have turkey again. 🙂
Your congee sounds wonderful. Will you post the recipe? 🙂
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Great idea to use the turkey for risotto. I tend to go for mole or curry, but risotto would be that bit more comforting. As for the sammich, got to be a mix of brown and white meat, couldn’t agree more 🙂
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Thank you for the comment and for the suggestion of creating a mole or curry. My mind just doesn’t go in those directions and both sound very good. One of the best things about this post is reading everyone’s opinion on what goes into a good turkey sammich. I really had no idea! 🙂
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My last foray into risotto was not spectacular, but I really like this recipe. In fact, I’m trying it again, just like you’ve laid it out here. I mean, you cannot go wrong with turkey stock.
I’ve read your notes carefully and I’m excited to try this again. I know this will be fantastic.
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Thank you, Ruth. Making risotto is no easy task. It took me several attempts to “get” it. Once you do, though, it’s like riding a bike. It will be smooth sailing no matter how often you make it. Good luck!
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This sounds wonderful, John! I love turkey and of course I adore risotto, so this is like a killer combo for me! 🙂
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Thanks, Stefano. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. To be honest, I’m surprised that turkey risotto isn’t more popular here. It seems like a natural thing to do with all of the leftover turkey after the holidays, especially if you use the carcass to make stock. 🙂
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Oh boy this looks good John! I adore a good leftovers recipe, and love the sound of turkey stock, which I’ve never made before. Your risotto sounds beautiful, with not too many ingredients – no doubt the turkey positively sings!
Very much looking forward to your Linguine with seafood in parchment recipe. I’ve never tried the pasta-in-paper technique. I do enjoy your regular taunting of us with photos of the next episode!
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Thanks, Saskia. Whether you make risotto, do make turkey stock. You will be amazed at how flavorful it is. And if you stuff the bird, those little bits of stuffing in the cavity makes your stock even better. You’re going to love it. I must say, though, that it does make a very good risotto, too. Try ’em both! 🙂
The seafood pasta has been posted. Enjoy!
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John, oh I love risotto! It is one of my alltime favorite comfort foods! Never even heard of it having turkey in it though! That’s creative! The best risotto I’ve ever had was in Ireland…it was loaded with asparagus…so good. Another one I had at a restaurant was a vegan tomato risotto, which when I returned home, I recreated and it will be on the blog. Risotto I could eat DAILY! 🙂
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Thanks, Brandi. I must say I’m a bit surprised that no one has heard nor tried turkey risotto. For me, it’s a natural thing to prepare. If you have turkey stock, make turkey risotto. Both risotto that you’ve tried – asparagus and tomato – sound delicious. Funny how some of our most lasting souvenirs from our travels aren’t trinkets but are a memorable dish served to us. 🙂
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John, you made me smile, I love the idea of you cooking up a turkey just for you, so that you could make sandwiches and risotto! We bought our first ever turkey a few weeks ago – just after Thanksgiving, which isn’t really celebrated here. Costco (of course) had it reduced to just $30 for a 7.5kg (16.5lb) fresh (not frozen) bird. We’ve never cooked anything like it, and it was SO big that we cut it in half. It was like a scene out of Mr Bean, manoeuvring the turkey, legs akimbo, as we tried to slice it in half with a cleaver. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we roasted just half the bird, with stuffing and oodles of butter, and even after the four of us had eaten all we could, there was still a HUGE amount of meat left. It became sandwiches (with cranberry sauce and stuffing), pasta sauce and even made it into a fried rice. I’m going back to Costco after Christmas to see if I can do the same again! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful December, and all the very best for a great Christmas and New Year! xx
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Thank you, Celia. I won’t be doing any post-holiday turkey shopping this year. I’ve still got quite a bit of turkey in the freezer. When it’s gone, I know I’ll regret not buying one.
One of this year’s highlights, Celia, has been getting to know you. It’s truly been a pleasure and I look forward to seeing what 2014 has in store for us. I hope your Christmas is the stuff of which warm memories are made.
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I always enjoy your posts so much! Your risotto looks wonderful and I could just taste it as I read about it. I just made a couple of liters of stock from moose bones and the little bits of meat. It had been freshly butchered and the “left-over” bones needed to be used. May you have a very Merry Christmas!
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Thank you so much. Moose stock? Oh, how I’d love to try making a moose risotto! It would be sure to raise a few eyebrows among the traditionalists but that’s OK. I’d just want to taste it I hope that you and your wonderful family have a most memorable Christmas. What fun for the little ones! 🙂
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Oh this looks all kinds of yummy! I love risotto!
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Give this one a try, Teri. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
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A perfect holiday treat! Wishing you and your family a wonderful, blessed Holiday.
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Thanks and may your Christmas not only blessed but also the most memorable one yet for you, your Wife, and awsome Son.
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I’m with you on the “sammiches” John. With my partner being a veggie I rarely bother with meat but sometimes I’ve just got to go for it. I sometimes buy a leg of Turkey, I know it’s not the same as a whole bird but it does me well, and yes I get to make a truly rich stock from the bones, in fact I think its one of my favourite soup stocks. Now where’s the risotto rice……
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I fully understand, Claire. I’ve friends where one is vegetarian and the partner isn’t. Buying a leg alone is a great idea. My Zia will often buy turkey wings when she has a taste for turkey. She makes a small dish of stuffing, a little cranberry sauce from a handful of frozen berries, and has quite a meal for herself. ShHe tries to convince me to to do it but she doesn’t understand just how important those sammiches are to me. My turkey dinner is really an elaborate starter for my sammiches to come. Turkey wings just won’t do. 🙂
I agree, too, about the turkey stock. The best stock comes from a bird that was stuffed before being roasted. The extra flavor those bits of stuffing gives the stock, and then the risotto, is so very good. Do give that a try sometime. 🙂
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I love the sammich of your dreams! That is awesome John, a true food lover! And I am just going come out and ask that I be asked to your next big gathering…I’ve never been to a dinner party where left overs were handed out like door prizes! You have some lucky friends! I had been waiting for this risotto recipe, it does NOT disappoint!
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Leftovers as door prizes! That’s good, Tanya. I just don’t want anyone to be hungry at mid-night and nothing in the house. I’ve been there and it’s not a good way to end Thanksgiving: hungry. Besides, when it comes to roasting a turkey, whether 10 or 24 pounds, the process is the same — but one does give you more sammiches!!!!
I’m glad you like today’s recipe. I hope you do give it a try and like it as much as we do.
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Love this post John! Haha, as someone who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, I find it interesting that the leftover turkey sammich is your fave part of the holiday feast! We don’t even eat a turkey at Christmas (Aussies often have seafood at the beach) so I’ve never had a fresh turkey sandwich (I have eaten one made out of pressed turkey meat from a delicatessen but that doesn’t really count). Love the sound of this risotto though, yum! Gorgeous homemade stock, glistening arborio rice, it sounds heavenly. I do hope that the Bartolini’s enjoy a beautiful Christmas and a blessed new year!
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I’ve never been to a warm climate at Christmas so spending the day at the beach is a strange concept. Then again, going through life without ever tasting a roast turkey is no less strange. Maybe I should come to Oz one Christmas, bringing a roasted turkey with me. I could serve turkey sammiches at the beach and both of our “shortcomings” could be erased in one afternoon. 🙂
Wishing you and all whom you hold dear a very Merry Christmas, Laura, with joy and good health in the New Year.
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OMG, ciao amico! may I come over, prego! 🙂 back home from wonderful and sunny Gran Canaria… thanx for all your comments, John! have a X-mas full of hope and joy, peace and serenity… plenty of friendly wind into your stern and sails… my very best and friendly hugs, Mélanie
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You’ll always be welcome, Melanie. Thank you for your support and positive comments. I wish you a most memorable Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
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Reblogged this on global_food and commented:
Looking forward to making this, YUMMY
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Thanks for the reblog. If you do give this a try, I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do. I look forward to it every year. 🙂
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oh how I love turkey and this looks to be a fantastic way to use it. Yum 🙂
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We do enjoy it, Liz. Give it a try. I bet you will, too!
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What a lovely risotto! A great way to use leftover holiday turkey! Thanks John!
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You’re welcome, MJ. The beauty of this risotto is that you’re really not using much turkey. It doesn’t at all interfere with the sammich making. 🙂
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Loving turkey and I love Risotto 🙂 So this must be fantastic yummi then 🙂
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We are in total agreement. I love this dish! 🙂
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Planing to do something with turkey today, but still dont know exacly… Who knows maybe a risotto then or try it on the saltstone 😉
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Either way will be good, I’m sure. 🙂
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Ended up with a tasty Piccata instead 😉
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Delicious! I know I would have enjoyed it.
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You’ve inspired me, I have been turkeyless this Christmas and bemoaning the loss of leftovers and a beloved sammich. Mine would be toasted but the same otherwise! I love the idea of making a risotto. On the years that I do have too many leftovers, this is a lovely idea and a welcome change from the plethora of sticky turkey casseroles that flood the internet. And the addition of wine.. heavenly, I’d have one for myself at the same time:)
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We are of the same mind, Barb. I’ve not seen any other recipes for turkey risotto and I love that this dish is so unusual. Whether I serve it to myself or to dinner guests, it’s a treat and not just another dish for leftover turkey. And of course, there must be enough wine for the cook. If there isn’t, the dish will just have to do without. I know my priorities! 🙂
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The next time I have left over turkey I am so making this little risotto dish. Why not? This is way better than any turkey sammy I have ever seen. We had so many leftovers from our Timpano pasta dome that I had to finally freeze it in batches after we ate off it for 3 days. I would die for some leftover turkey so I can make your risotto. Chow, BAM
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Buona notte, BAM. I’ve wanted to make a timpano dome but haven’t because of the leftovers. It’s very rare when I have a varsity football team over for dinner, so, what would I do with it all? 🙂
I very rarely make turkey tetrazini nor many of the other casserole dishes with turkey leftovers. I do love my sammiches. This risotto gives me a delicious dish and doesn’t cut into my sammich meat. It’s a definite win-win!
Wishing you and your loving family a most joyful and blessed New Year!
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How did I miss a whole two postings! I laughed when I read this post. Turkey only means one thing to me too – ‘sammiches’. For me it has to be on white bread, sliced turkey breast, stuffing and like you cranberry sauce. I also like the addition of a pickled onion on the side! We too have turkey risotto – cooked your way. My only addition is to add a handful of peas. I still have my eye on your quail egg recipe – cannot wait to try it.
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Thanks, Maria. It really has been something to learn just how many people love these sammiches. Then again, what’s not to love? And the great thing about this risotto is that you can prepare it without cutting into the supply of sammich meat. It’s a win-win! I like your idea of adding peas to the risotto. They’ll add a nice flavor without overpowering the turkey. Thanks for the tip!
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