Not his real name, but a public servant
who cooks like a real pro.
The man who calls himself Slim Oakheart recently caught my notice on social media with his fantastic food posts. Not only did everything he made look really delicious, he also described it all so beautifully, almost poetically. Some of the recipes appear to be originally his, insofar as culinary inventions can rightly be attributed to individuals; others he freely acknowledges as test versions from clearly cited sources. Chef Oakheart seems to love cooking and writing about it as much as I do... so rather than stew in my own envy, I requested his permission to re-post his reports here at Danny's Table.
Here is Chef Oakheart's recent suggestion for BACON BLISS TURKEY LOAF made from Thanksgiving leftovers:
Turn your leftover turkey into a flavor-packed masterpiece! Bacon Bliss Turkey Loaf is a simple and satisfying recipe that combines shredded turkey with savory herbs, a hint of Parmesan, and a mouthwatering bacon topping. No need for fancy equipment—just mix, shape, glaze, and bake! Perfect for a quick and delicious family dinner, making those leftovers the star-of-the-show. It's comfort food with a crispy bacon twist!
I take the turkey on a journey through the food processor to get the right texture and then proceed to the stand mixer.
Ingredients:
3 cups shredded leftover turkey
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
For the glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Topping:
6-8 slices of bacon
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the shredded leftover turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and beaten eggs.
Mix on low speed until the ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a greased baking dish or on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to create the glaze.
Spread the glaze over the top of the turkey loaf.
Lay the bacon slices on top of the glaze, covering the entire surface of the turkey loaf.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Allow the turkey loaf to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve slices of the turkey loaf with your favorite sides.
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NOTES:
I look forward to sharing more gems from Slim Oakheart. Public Servants understandably need to protect their anonymity, so please refrain from posting his name if you think you know his true identity.