Turkey—The Ultimate Comfort Food

According to the latest restaurant trends, America is becoming nostalgic for the "good old days" of Mom, baseball and apple pie—not to mention turkey pot pie. Comfort foods, those foods that remind you of family dinners filled with warm feelings and lively conversation, are taking up space on more and more menus this year as restaurants move to capitalize on America's fascination with simpler times and wholesome foods.

According to Thomas Food Industry Register's FoodTRENDS '97 survey, comfort foods are on the menus of nearly half (47 percent) of restaurants. Thirty-five percent of restaurants featuring these items said they are serving more of them than they did a year ago.

According to Sherrie Rosenblatt, public relations director for the National Turkey Federation, it's easier than ever to enjoy comfort foods. "Time-pressed consumers don't have to visit a restaurant to experience the great taste and comfort of traditional meals," says Rosenblatt. "With convenient products like pre-cooked turkey roasts, deli turkey breast, prepared gravy and pie crusts, it's easy to prepare a quick family meal in the comfort of your own home."

And, although they were once thought to provide warmth and cozy feelings only in winter, summer and fall are the perfect time for traditional comfort foods. Vacations and weekends spent with family and friends provide the ideal backdrop for enjoying hassle-free foods from your childhood.

A turkey roast (of white meat, dark meat or a combination), frozen vegetables and refrigerated pie crust make Turkey Pot Pie a quick and easy option for a traditional family meal. Of course, chefs with more time can adjust the ingredients to add their own ideas and prepare the perfect, flaky pie crust.

Most families have come together at the dinner table to enjoy a hearty meatloaf. This tradition continues with Turkey Ham Loaf, which combines turkey ham, ground turkey, mushrooms, onion and garlic to produce a tasty main dish with plenty of leftovers for sandwiches.

Mashed potatoes and gravy over a hot, Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich is so simple to make, it's easy to overlook as a dinner- or lunch-time option. This sandwich-and-meal-in-one evokes memories of holiday leftovers and is simple enough to prepare year-round.

Whether you are in the mood to rekindle fond memories of childhood, or if you are simply looking for additional recipe ideas, the great taste and convenience of turkey opens many options.