The No-Cook Casserole: Turkey
The whole idea of a no-cook casserole is to put together items that have already been cooked, with an interesting sauce or dressing of some kind, so the leftovers get used up.
Some people might call it a salad of some kind but it really is more of a full meal.
One of my favorites used up leftover turkey and all the fixin's and can be eaten cold or heated up.
Due to the gravy there is no further sauce that is needed.
If there isn't enough leftover turkey gravy, make some more (you can buy packets of turkey gravy at the grocery store).
Ingredients: Bite-sized pieces of turkey Mashed potatoes Gravy Turkey stuffing Green beans or peas Onions Cranberry relish In an oven-proof pan, spread the mashed potatoes on the bottom, then the turkey pieces and the stuffing.
Heat the gravy and pour on top.
Then place cooked onions, beans (or peas) and another layer of mashed potatoes.
The mixture can be heated in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes to blend all the flavors, or it can be eaten cold.
Save the cranberry relish to place on the side when served.
This dish is best eaten at the end of the day due to the turkey, which has tryptophan, an amino acid that tends to make one sleepy.
So unless you are one of those lucky people who has boundless energy, save this one for those nights when you don't want to cook.
It freezes well and takes very little time to be warmed up in the microwave.
L-tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids; we have to get it from our dietary sources since we can't synthesize it in our bodies.
L-tryptophan is the precursor for several really important hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, melatonin, the B vitamin niacin, and auxin.
While it has long been believed that turkey is high in L-tryptophan, it actually is the same amount found in all poultry.
The amino acid is also found in the casein in dairy products, in some fish, soybeans, spirulina, egg whites, and a host of other unlikely foods.
In those with depression and SAD (Seasonal Effective Disorder), L-tryptophan has been shown to be useful due to its status as a precursor to serotonin.
This is also why those on SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and other medications that increase serotonin levels are cautioned to avoid foods high in this amino acid, such as turkey and dairy products.
Tryptophan supplements were banned in 1991 due to contamination in a batch from a Japanese supplier but the FDA refused to lift the ban until 2001 despite being aware that it was a manufacturing plant contamination problem and not a problem with tryptophan itself.
©2010Dr.
Valerie OlmstedAll Rights Reserved
Some people might call it a salad of some kind but it really is more of a full meal.
One of my favorites used up leftover turkey and all the fixin's and can be eaten cold or heated up.
Due to the gravy there is no further sauce that is needed.
If there isn't enough leftover turkey gravy, make some more (you can buy packets of turkey gravy at the grocery store).
Ingredients: Bite-sized pieces of turkey Mashed potatoes Gravy Turkey stuffing Green beans or peas Onions Cranberry relish In an oven-proof pan, spread the mashed potatoes on the bottom, then the turkey pieces and the stuffing.
Heat the gravy and pour on top.
Then place cooked onions, beans (or peas) and another layer of mashed potatoes.
The mixture can be heated in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes to blend all the flavors, or it can be eaten cold.
Save the cranberry relish to place on the side when served.
This dish is best eaten at the end of the day due to the turkey, which has tryptophan, an amino acid that tends to make one sleepy.
So unless you are one of those lucky people who has boundless energy, save this one for those nights when you don't want to cook.
It freezes well and takes very little time to be warmed up in the microwave.
L-tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids; we have to get it from our dietary sources since we can't synthesize it in our bodies.
L-tryptophan is the precursor for several really important hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, melatonin, the B vitamin niacin, and auxin.
While it has long been believed that turkey is high in L-tryptophan, it actually is the same amount found in all poultry.
The amino acid is also found in the casein in dairy products, in some fish, soybeans, spirulina, egg whites, and a host of other unlikely foods.
In those with depression and SAD (Seasonal Effective Disorder), L-tryptophan has been shown to be useful due to its status as a precursor to serotonin.
This is also why those on SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and other medications that increase serotonin levels are cautioned to avoid foods high in this amino acid, such as turkey and dairy products.
Tryptophan supplements were banned in 1991 due to contamination in a batch from a Japanese supplier but the FDA refused to lift the ban until 2001 despite being aware that it was a manufacturing plant contamination problem and not a problem with tryptophan itself.
©2010Dr.
Valerie OlmstedAll Rights Reserved
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