Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts

Monday, March 10, 2008

Pappardelle and Meatballs


I modified a Barefoot Contessa recipe for spaghetti and meatballs to get this version using pappardelle (wide ribbon pasta), turkey and a few different ingredients for the sauce, but the technique is the same. Browning the meatballs gives them a nice flavor, while simmering them helps them stay moist, especially if you're using lean turkey instead of beef.


Pappardelle and Turkey Meatballs

1 lb ground turkey (93/7)
1 lb ground turkey sausage (breakfast sausage)
2 slices sandwich bread
¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
¼ c grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
olive oil

In a food processor, mix the sandwich bread until finely chopped.
In a large bowl, mix in everything except the olive oil. Using your hands is best. Shape the mixture into 1 to 1 ½ inch balls. You will have about 20-24
In a large Dutch oven, heat about 1 tbsp of olive oil. Brown the meatballs – you’ll probably have to do two batches. About 3-4 minutes on each side (top and bottom). Set meatballs aside while you make the sauce.

Sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup chopped yellow onions
1 ½ tsp minced garlic
¼ cup red wine
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 ½ tsp kosher sale
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ c grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Using the same Dutch oven in which the meatballs were browned (drain, but don’t clean after browning), add olive oil and cook the onions over med heat till translucent (5-8 min). Add garlic and cook another minute. Add wine and cook on high heat (stirring occasionally) until almost all the liquid has evaporated (3 min). Stir in tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper.

Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover and simmer on low for about 20-25 minutes. Serve over pasta.

Makes 6 servings.
439.8 cal per serving
19.3g total fat
140.9mg cholesterol


Tips & substitutions:

To add more nutritional value to the meatballs, you could add chopped spinach.

To make this dish entirely vegetarian, you could use firm tofu and egg substitute. You'll probably need more egg substitute and breadcrumbs to make the mixture stick better.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Turkey Chili


One of our friends, Forrest, has been talking about chili lately. His office is having a chili cook-off. Since it's a little cold today, and I've had chili on my mind, I made chili for lunch.


The funny thing about chili is that everyone I know who already has a recipe for chili is most likely not going to change that recipe. I did, however, try something different today, and I think it's a keeper.


This recipe includes adobo chile, something that I tried for the first time last week. Technically it's chipotle chile in adobo sauce. A chipotle is a smoked jalapeno. The adobo sauce is made from vinegar, spices, and tomato sauce. I used both the chile and the sauce in my recipe.


The adobo chile and the cayenne in the recipe give the chili a back-of-the-mouth heat while the Tabasco gives it an initial bite. We like to use ground turkey because we try to keep the red-meat intake at home to a minimum. And we like lots of beans so I use three different types (mostly for color).
I like to top my chili with cheddar and sour cream.


Turkey Chili

1 lb ground turkey (85/15 is best)
1 can black beans (14.5 oz)
1 can kidney beans (14.5 oz)
1 can pinto beans (14.5 oz)
1 can diced tomato (28 oz)
1 can adobo chiles
¼ cup chili powder
2 tbsp cumin
2 tsp onion powder (or dried onion)
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne
Tabasco sauce
Salt to taste

In a small food processor, chop 4-5 adobo chiles with about ¼ cup of diced tomatoes. (You will have leftover chiles – you can keep these in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few weeks).
Brown the ground turkey in a large Dutch oven. With ground turkey, you have to keep separating the meat while it is cooking, or you’ll get big chunks of turkey.
Once the turkey is browned, add your adobo chile and tomato mix. Mix to combine.
Add beans, the remaining tomatoes, and the spices.
Allow chili to simmer for at least 15 minutes.
Add tabasco to taste.
Add salt to taste.
**Update: Forrest's chili won Most Beautiful Chili. Maybe he will share his recipe with us!**