Wednesday, September 28, 2011

TURKEY HASH ON EARTH DAY

How much pride would you feel if you and your spouse were sitting in the living room and all of a sudden your child burst in like gangbusters holding a big award with a mile-wide smile on his or her face?

Well, that’s what happened to Shelby the squirrel’s parents in Kathy Stemke’s newest children’s book: “Trouble on Earth Day”. Shelby crashes through the front door waving her first prize ribbon for winning the Earth Day poster contest.  She shows her parents the big poster with the words Rethink, Reuse and Recycle on it. Soon the whole family gets involved with recycling household items.

Shelby hears a homeless bluebird crying in the forest and sets out to help him. The workmen had cut down the bird’s tree and nest. Can Shelby help his new friend and the Earth too?

This wonderful book makes possible a three way dialogue between parents, teachers and students about conserving the Earth’s natural resources; done in a simple to understand fun way.

Besides the whimsical tale featuring Shelby the squirrel, there is a big 22 page supplemental activity section featuring songs, recycling crafts, worksheets, games, and even compound word activities.

Teachers and home-schoolers everywhere will appreciate the vibrant discussions on trees, birds and recycling materials; facilitating the exposition of knowledge to children in a positive, caring manner.

Included in this delightfully interesting book is a history of Earth Day, which will reinforce the young scholars’ understanding of the value of environmental responsibility.

“Trouble on Earth Day” by Kathy Stemke is a fabulous tool for educators and parents, sure to instill superb solid values in young people.

Now what would Shelby’s favorite meal be? One food that always seems to get recycled, to the delight of all, is that big roasted turkey.



Recycled Turkey Hash                                                  serves 6

Adapted from Eating Well for a Healthy Heart Cookbook (2008)

Ingredients
·         2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
·         1 medium apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
·         1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
·         1 teaspoon lemon juice
·         1 tablespoon canola oil
·         1 medium onion, chopped
·         3 cups diced, cooked, skinless recycled turkey
·          1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
·         ½ teaspoon powdered sage
·         1/2 teaspoon salt
·         Black pepper to taste

Method
  • Cover sweet potatoes with salted water, bring to boil
  • Lower flame and cook it for 3 minutes
  • Add the apple and cook 2 minutes, check for tenderness
  • If not tender, cook a little more, but avoid mushiness
  • Put one cup of mixture into a large bowl and mash it
  • Stir in the sour cream and lemon juice
  • Add the remaining unmashed mixture and stir to combine, then set aside

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium flame
  • Add the onion and cook, stirring until tender, 2-3 minutes
  • Add the recycled poultry, thyme, sage, salt and pepper
  • Cook, stirring as needed until heated through. Perhaps 2 minutes
  • Check that nothing sticks, perhaps add a little more oil

  • Add the reserved sweet potato mixture to the skillet, stirring thoroughly, then let sit
  • Press down on the hash with a sturdy metal spatula
  • Cook until the bottom has a browned crust, about 3 minutes
  • Cut the hash into sections so as to flip the entire hash over
  • Cook until that side is brown, about 3 more minutes

This fragrant delicious turkey hash is now ready to serve. Tuck in and enjoy it. Many folks like this for a breakfast meal with poached or fried eggs atop the hash.  But don’t worry about it, this hash is good anytime.          
Shelby’s mom says to save that turkey carcass, because you can make an excellent broth with it. This broth is great for soup, to boil rice in or cook soaked dried beans in. Shelby’s dad says this is a win-win deal, and don’t forget to put those peels and vegetable and fruit trimmings in your compost bin.

31 comments:

Joanne said...

Sounds like an awesome book...very talented lady you've got there...she sounds like a keeper! :O)
Blessings, Joanne

Eat To Live said...

What a great way to teach why we need to recycle and save our Earth!!

What a sweet Hubby you are to toot her horn. LOL!! And you cook too! You are both keepers as Joanne put it.

Torviewtoronto said...

very true
turkey gets recycled a lot
lovely post

Kalyani said...

looks delicious .....

Noemi said...

Sounds like a great book! And that recipe too!
Must try now that I have started to cook again.

Sarah Naveen said...

That sounds like a nice book :)...
and loved the recipe :)

anthony stemke said...

JOANNE: Thank you, she is.

MY JOURNEY: They don't call her the education tipster for nothing.
They you for your kind words.

anthony stemke said...

TORVIEWTORONTO: Thanks for calling. Read your post about yo yo's. Emjoyed the other one about cooking with children.

KALYANI'S PLATTER: It's a delicious way to serve turkey.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

looks great! wow what a great book!

anthony stemke said...

NOEMI: Although this is a leftover turkey recipe, a lot of folks like to prepare it for breakfast, but it is good anytime. Enjoy.

SARAH NAVEEN: Thank You, it's a great book for children; the hash is very good.

PEGASUSLEGEND: Thanks for saying so, I certainly agrfee with you.

Leovi said...

It seems very interesting this book Kathy. Undoubtedly it has to face a new educational perspective to raise awareness to new generations on the conservation of the environment.

Scott Engstrom said...

Hello This is a test this is only a test and may be removed at your convienance. Signed Scott Engstrom Testing COnsultant of Demorest GA.

Scott Engstrom said...

Kathy and I are very grateful for your comments.
Thank You.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep
Trouble on Earth Day
Author Kathy Stemke (my spouse)

anthony stemke said...

LEOVI: Thanks for your encouraging words.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep
Trouble on Earth Day
Author Kathy Stemke (my spouse)

anthony stemke said...

KALYAN: I totally agree. Thank You.

Leovi said...

I love the food ...

Kalyani said...

looks delicious and lovely

the Junkie book said...

i been wanting to go thru her books coz the concepts sound fantastic but you know how busy we all get and then end up cribbing if we don't have anything to do///

this a lovely post and my husband will drool over this turkey hash...

Angela said...

This looks delicious.

Loved your wife's poem, too. Thanks for leaving it on my blog.

anthony stemke said...

KITCHENMORPH: Thank You for those kind words, I appreciate them.

ANGELA FELSTAD: Thank You for calling.

Miriam said...

Sweet story! Nice meal :), Miriam@Meatless Meals Foe Meat Eaters

anthony stemke said...

MIRIAM: Nice of you to say, Thanks.

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

Turkey for breakfast is a very healthy practice!

Thank you for visiting my blog during my October blog tour. Please email me for your Smashwords coupon for a free download of my novel (for you or a friend who might be interested in reading a soft-boiled mystery! gbaugniet at aol dot com
(May I feature you on my blog for your Yom Kippur Sweet Cherries Noodle Kugel?)

Stephanie said...

I love recycled turkey dinners! The book sounds wonderful! If I were back in the classroom I would use it!

anthony stemke said...

STEPHANIE: Thank You, it is a good book. Kathy's little children from thirty years ago have called her recently and expressed what a difference she made to their lives. As an educator yourself I know you can appreciate that.

Unknown said...

Thank you for all your encouragement with my book, Trouble on Earth Day.

My husband rocks! And yes, he makes the most delicious dishes. The scale is my evidence.

God bless,
kathy

Torviewtoronto said...

I haven't had like this looks wonderful
because of the marinate, and squid being slippery cornstarch helps to coat with the breadcrumbs without the breadcrumbs falling while frying and it is easy to fry
hope you get to try love to hear if you do
regards

Samantha VĂ©rant said...

Ahh! I always come by here when I'm hungry! Big mistake. After signing off, I'm going to get me some lunch. I don't have the ingredients for turkey hash (looks YUM), but I'll figure something out! Kathy's book sounds very timely! Cheers to Shelby doing things to help save our planet!

anthony stemke said...

SAMANTHA: I love your complementary comments, thank you very much.
Kathy's book is marvelous for kids, and the Shelby metaphor is timely and most welcome.
That island you visited is lovely.
Hey, remember those French footballers in the pink uniforms? Do the fans have tailgate parties at the stadiums like here?

Unknown said...

This sounds like nice book. Recipe looks delicious too.

Cheers,
Uma
My Kitchen Experiments

Unknown said...

UMA: Thank You for calling, yes it's a nice childrens book.
The hash is very good too.

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