Turkey Thighs Stuffed with Port Wine Cheese

2 turkey thighs - rinsed and excess fat removed (retain outer skin)
8 oz Port Wine Spreadable Cheese (I used Kaukauna)
2 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon sage seasoning
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
dashes of salt and black pepper
dashes of parsley flakes
1 Bay Leaf


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Gently move your hand between the turkey skin and meat to loosen skin, but don't remove it.  Spread 1/2 of port wine cheese under each turkey thigh.

Using a pastry brush, add 1 tablespoon of butter to each turkey thigh.  Add sage, poultry seasoning, parsley flakes and dashes of salt and black pepper to both sides.  Place in a baking dish and add the bay leaf to the dish.

Bake covered for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove cover and continue baking an additional 15 minutes.

Serves 4 to 5.

(1983)

"A Christmas Story" is one of my all-time favorite holiday films. It is so popular, that every year a cable station runs it 24 hours straight. Our star is poor little Ralphie (played by Peter Billingsley), a kid growing up in the mid-west in the 1940's. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun, but everyone tells him "you'll shoot your eye out!" Lots of great characters, including his wacky parents played by Darrin McGavin and Melinda Dillion. This film will put a smile on your face, because it was a time of sweet innocents.

In the movie's final scenes, the family's Christmas turkey is ruined by a pack of hungry dogs. Turkey is the Dad's favorite meal, so we were inspired to bring you our recipe for an easy to prepare turkey dish that can be ready in a couple of hours and not an all-day event.  Our recipe for Turkey Thighs Stuffed with Port Wine Cheese is a new twist on an old holiday favorite. Great flavors and pure joy in every bite.

Enjoy the clip of "A Christmas Story."

The Best Lobster Bisque for Two

PRINT THIS RECIPE

Lobster Stock Ingredients:

3 cups chicken broth

1 lobster tail shell (retain lobster meat to be used later)

1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup onion, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup sliced carrots

2 bay leaves

1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves

2 tomatoes, chopped in half

2 Tbs. Sherry

Dashes of black pepper

--------------------------------

2 Tbs. butter

2 Tbs. flour

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 shallots, minced

1/2 cup white wine

meat of 1 lobster tail, chopped into large chunks

1/4 cup Half and Half

Dashes lemon pepper

Dashes hot sauce

Optional: chopped fresh chives



Bring lobster stock ingredients to a boil in a pot. Lower heat and let simmer 50 minutes.  Strain, retaining the liquid.

Over medium high heat, melt butter in a large sauce pan. Add flour and stir well until it becomes slightly darkened. Stir in garlic, shallots and white wine. After well combined, stir in and Half and Half and lobster. Increase heat to a boil.

Stir in Lobster stock, stirring until smooth. Lower heat and let simmer 8 minutes. Season with dashes of lemon pepper and hot sauce. Optional, top serving with chopped chives.

Serves 2.

"Splash" was a hit film in 1984.  Tom Hanks plays Allen, a guy who falls head over "fins" in love with a mermaid.  Daryl Hannah is Madison, the mermaid who is a normal girl out of the water, but reveals her fish tail when wet. Talented Director Ron Howard (yes, Opey) unites these two unlikely lovers while giving us plenty of hearty laughs.  One of the most memorable scenes takes place in a restaurant when Madison and Allen are on a date.  Madison eats her lobster in a very unusual way. Great scene, loved it!

Our lobster bisque recipe is a perfect 10 on the flavor scale and is the perfect meal for two.  This recipe isn't for lovers only, but love always makes food taste better!

Cubed Steak and Gravy

PRINT THIS RECIPE

5 Tbs. vegetable oil, divided
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1 lb. cubed steak

Gravy:
3 Tbs. butter
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbs. flour
1 1/2 c. water

Combine flour, black pepper and  seasoned salt on a large plate.  Coat cubed steaks in flour and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium high heat.  Add onions and saute until soft and lightly browned.  Remove onions from skillet, reserving oil.

Add 3 tablespoon of additional oil to skillet.  Add cubed steaks and let cook until brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.  Remove from pan. 

To make the gravy:  melt butter in the skillet.  Stir in flour, seasoned salt and black pepper.  Cook until medium brown.  Add water, stirring until well combined.  Reduce heat to medium and let simmer until thickened.  Return onions and steak to skillet and let cook until steak is heated through.  Delicous with rice or potatoes.  

Serves 4.

Reel Good Recipes is shining its spotlight on gifted Artist Ice Cube. He is a Rapper, Actor, Director, Writer, and the list goes on. Our recipe for a delicious Cubed Steak and Gravy is in honor of of Ice Cube.  Enjoy the clip below from one of his funniest films, "Friday."