Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
TURKEY ROULADES — turkey and vegetables, suspended in creamy bechamel, and rolled up in crepes — are my favorite way to serve the Thanksgiving leftovers. If you already have crepes in the freezer, this elegant dish will take you exactly 30 minutes to make and bake. Here’s the recipe, which I originally published one year ago:
Creamy Turkey & Vegetable Roulades
Ingredients for four servings:
8 crepes (here’s my favorite crepe formula)
2 cups leftover roast turkey, diced
1 1/2 cups leftover vegetables, finely diced (sauteed celery is divine)
2 cups Easy Bechamel, recipe below
A little milk, as needed
Easy Bechamel (you can make this in under 4 minutes):
1/4 cup cornstarch, blended to a smooth paste in a small amount of water
2 cups milk
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup grated Swiss or Gruyere Cheese
Seasonings – one pinch each of salt, freshly ground pepper, nutmeg and cayenne
In a medium saucepan, heat milk and butter until boiling; add cornstarch. Stir until thickened, about one minute. Remove pan from heat, and then add seasonings and 1/2 cup grated cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
The Filling. Fold the diced turkey and vegetables into one cup of the bechamel. Then place 2 to 3 tablespoons of this filling on the bottom third of each crepe. Roll into a burrito shape, as pictured above, and place seam-side-down in the buttered baking dish. Bring the remaining cup of bechamel to a simmer, and thin it out with a little milk until the sauce just coats the back of a spoon. Drizzle bechamel over each crepe, and sprinkle grated cheese over all.
Advance Preparation: May be prepared to this point in advance; cover and refrigerate.
Baking: 25 minutes at 400 degrees. Bake in the upper third level of the preheated oven, or until just bubbling and the cheese on top has lightly browned.
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Erika says
Looks great, and I will definitely put this recipe in my file. I like that your bechamel is made with cornstarch, instead of the traditional flour-and-butter roux.
Gardenlady says
If only I could stick a fork into the computer screen and sample your crepes! Thanks for another great recipe. I hope your holiday was nice!
Justin says
My, someone's been cooking awfully early in the morning!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – How astute you are!
Yolanda says
Looks yummy!
Will says
They were delicious. I tried them. WILL
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gardenlady – LOL!
Samantha says
Thanks for this recipe, Kevin! I have so much turkey left over I need all the creative help I can get!
Brenda says
These were delicious…. as I knew they would be! We just finished ours, and I sent a pan along to my parents as well! Thanks for sharing this one!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brenda – so glad you tried and enjoyed the crepes — I hope your parents liked them too.
Samantha – listen to Brenda! Try. These. Crepes.
Adele says
Kevin, I meant to make this last year, but didn't. This weekend I will. I have the perfect leftovers for the roulades…turkey, pearl onions, and glazed carrots.