Irresistible BBQ Turkey a national contest finalist

Heather Beedle, of Curlew, Wash. is one of five national finalists in the French’s national cook-off on Feb. 25 in New York City.

Beedle entered one of her family’s favorite recipes, Irresistible BBQ Turkey (To Sigh For). She says it’s a hit with her six kids, ages 3 to 17.

She’ll prepare the recipe live for a panel of judges for a chance to win $25,000.

The easy recipe uses leftover turkey. Beedle says it just doesn’t taste the same if you substitute different brands for the ingredients. That’s why she thought of the recipe immediately when she saw a magazine advertisement for the contest.

“You don’t have to sweat and cook for hours,” she says. “It just tastes like you did.”

Her recipe and those of the other finalists can be found online at www.frenchsfoods.com.

Irresistible BBQ Turkey (To Sigh For)

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 cup Cattlemen’s Classic BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup apricot preserves

1/4 cup French’s Classic Yellow Mustard

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons Frank’s RedHot cayenne pepper sauce

4 cups leftover turkey, pulled apart and shredded (chicken can be used, too)

6 ounces French’s French Fried Onions

Cook chopped bell pepper until tender. Add barbecue sauce, apricot preserves, mustard, brown sugar and Frank’s RedHot. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.

Add turkey leftovers and cook until heated through. Serve over roll halves and top with French’s French Fried Onions.

Yield: 8 servings