Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 5/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: I'm going to be hosting a high school graduation party for my daughter in a few weeks.  Last summer, at a country music festival, a booth was serving a turkey croissant sandwich.  My daughter and I had one, and it was delicious.  She wants me to serve something like this for her party.  It was a delicious warm sandwich with shredded turkey served on a croissant.  The turkey was in a light gravy type sauce - I have no idea how it was made.  All I know, is that the turkey mixture was kept warm in crock pot looking containers, and it was served on a croissant (with a fork).  I have a feeling it was a real simple recipe, but of course they wouldn't tell us how they were made.  Would you have any idea, or a recipe for something like this?  We figure there will be 60-75 people at my daughter's party.

ANSWER: I can help more if you tell me about the sauce taste. Was it cheesy? Did it taste sweet? Was it a meaty gravy like at Thanksgiving dinner? What are the things you are pretty sure were in it?  If you point me in the right direction, I'll get you a recipe for the amount of people you are expecting.

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QUESTION: ok - sorry, I didn't think of that.  It was not cheesy, not sweet tasting.  It was a meaty gravy like taste, like Thanksgiving dinner (but definitely no sage in it).  It looked just like shredded turkey breast with a bit of light brown colored gravy mixed into it.  Maybe that's all it was?  I don't recall it having any particular spice type taste to it.  It was served on a croissant, like a sandwich, except they gave it to us with forks, I guess just because it was easier to eat with a fork, as opposed to picking it up.  Hope this helps.  Thanks!

ANSWER: In all probability it was something like shredded turkey in a commercial brown gravy--very easy to make and even easier to buy! The freshness of the croissant will be paramount to the success of the sandwich, Costco sells a wonderful one and it's very reasonable.
You will need: *75 people
80 Croissants
5 oz of turkey per person--24 pounds
2 oz of gravy per person--about 1.5 gallons
Here's a nice beef gravy scaled for 75 servings

20 cups water (5 quarts)
3/4 cup and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
13-1/2 onion, chopped
3-1/3 cups butter
Brown the onions in the butter, add water and beef base *I like using 'Better than bouillon', thicken with flour or if you prefer, cornstarch for a clearer gravy.

Congratulations to the grad!

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QUESTION: I'm surprised that you'd use a beef gravy with turkey, but I'll give it a try!  Thanks so much for your help!

Sue

Answer
I only sent beef because you mentioned it was a brown gravy--you can easily change this to a lighter chicken onion gravy by subbing chicken base for the beef--and Better than Bouillon makes a turkey flavor too--it's up to you. Fresh croissants will make the dish.
Blessings,
Teri Davis Newman