“Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots”

When I created my recipe for Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots, I was thinking about childhood memories. Does anyone remember old fashion diners and the wonderful food served there? Whether found in your city or town and on family vacations, diners were found everywhere. Sandwiches were the most popular food items served at “greasy spoons” as diners were later known. No matter what part of the world, diners were the place you visited for good, cheap home-cooking.

New Jersey is known as the capital of diners and has more diners than any place around the world. Providence, Rhode Island was home of the first diner in 1872 and meals were served from a horse-drawn wagon, most often sold in the evening. Lunch and breakfast foods eventually became very popular later on. Read more about the history of diners here and here. Nothing like a bit of nostalgia on early food preparation.

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots

So, back to my Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots, a creation based on Saturday’s with my Mom. Some Saturdays Mom would take my sister and I to our favorite places to eat and then meet my Dad after work. Our day usually consisted of a movie, a little shopping, and lunch. Those days were the best and one of my favorite meals were the Turkey Hot Shots. Maybe you can recall Hot Turkey Sandwiches as were called on some menus back in the 70’s. You don’t find this sandwich much anymore on any menu in any restaurant. Such a shame for an old fashion down home, cooked meal to just fade away.

Yet, I’ve often wondered why we never eat turkey but around holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. It’s a lean, healthy protein which we should eat more often. The oven roasted turkey breast featured in my recipe can be sliced for sandwiches and salads with the leftovers. Fresh roasted turkey makes awesome sandwiches for packed lunches with all the fixins of your choice.

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots

In preparing the turkey, 1/2 of butter, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper mixture is placed under the skin. The rest of the butter mixture is spread on the outside before roasting in a 325 degree oven. The smell of roasting turkey will remind you of Thanksgiving. While turkey is roasting, make your mashed potatoes and gravy and reheat when turkey have finished cooking. Is your mouth watering yet? The taste of plain white bread topped with fresh roasted turkey, a big dollop of mashed potatoes, and then smothered with chicken gravy. One bite will have your taste buds singing and doing the happy dance. My mouth is watering just writing this post for you and I may have to plan to make my recipe again soon.

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots

Nothing is any better than simple home cooking. Big flavor can happen with a few simple ingredients. I do recommend making the hot shots with homemade mashed potatoes and homemade chicken gravy. If you’re short on time then store-bought will work. Roast your turkey the day before use. The next night prepare your mashed potatoes and gravy. Reheat your turkey and dinner will be ready in no time. I think you and your family will fall in love with Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots. This recipe makes for one cozy weekday or weekend meal. Enjoy!

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hot Shots

One – 3 pound fresh turkey breast half, bone-in, rinsed, and patted dry

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 t. chopped garlic

1 t. dried thyme

1/2 t. kosher salt

1/4 t. pepper

Mashed Potatoes, homemade or store-bought

Sliced white sandwich bread

Chicken Gravy, homemade or store-bought

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Lift skin from half the turkey breast to make a pocket. Divide butter mixture and smear half under the skin. Smooth skin in place and rub the rest of butter mixture over skin and exposed meat.

Place in shallow baking dish, roasting for 1 1/2 hours or until inserted instant read thermometer registers 160 degrees. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

To assemble Hot Shots: Plate 2 slices of white bread on serving plate. Top bread with turkey breast slices. Place big dollop of mashed potatoes on top of turkey. Pour on chicken gravy and serve.