RE: Ground turkey
I have been cooking quite a bit with ground turkey lately and have had some good results. Here are two recipes (anyone who has tried ground turkey before and did not like it...please give these a whirl...it will change your mind). And Erica is right. Make sure you buy ground turkey breast only.
Both of these come from a cookbook by Jane Brody.
Turkey Burgers
1 pound ground turkey breast
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs, preferably whole grain
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce (I use reduced sodium version)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients, and shape the mixture into 6 patties.
Broil or grill burgers until done, about 5 minutes per side.
My note: Use Pam spray on cooking surface or use a nonstick electric frypan. Burgers are pretty fragile so turn and handle as little as possible. Serve on whole grain buns.
I always double this recipe because even my finicky husband and son love it. So I make enough for an extra meal or two. Good hot or cold.
Next recipe, when you have time. Worth it, I swear.
Turkey Loaf
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 large cloves)
1 cup finely chopped celery (2 large stalks)
1 cup thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts) or
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups diced sweet red pepper (2 medium) or 2 roasted red
peppers, diced
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms (1/2 pound)
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey breast
1 egg white or 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt, if desired
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
dash nutmeg
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (1 slice)
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil briefly, and saute the garlic, celery, leeks or onions, and red pepper, stirring the vegetables until they are slightly softened (do not let them burn) about 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, boil a kettle of water, and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. Stir the mushrooms into the red pepper mixture, cover the pan for a few minutes until the mushrooms start to give up their liquid, then remove the cover and saute the vegetables, stirring them, until all the liquid has evaporated. Remove the vegetables from the heat and set them aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, egg white or whole egg, salt, pepper, nutmeg, crumbs and parsley. Add the sauteed vegetables and combine the ingredients well. Transfer the turkey mixture to a lightly greased loaf pan (approximately 8x4 inches and set the pan in a large, shallow baking dish.
5. Place the pans in the preheated oven,pour the boiling water into the outer pan to a depth of about 1 inch, and bake the loaf for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove the loaf pan from the outer pan an from the oven. Let the loaf rest for 15 minutes, then remove it from the pan for slicing.
I hope that anyone who has never tried ground turkey will give these recipes a shot. Also, anyone who has tried ground turkey before but did not like it may be surprised how good it is. I believe it is a healthy food choice but it takes some special handling and cooking to make it taste good. Just getting some ground turkey, making plain patties and grilling them is indeed pretty bland. Turkey needs a little jazzing up.
After I cook it I drain it in a colander and then rinse it with hot water. So, is there still a % of fat in the meat? Do I still need to spend more money on the "lean" beef, or am I removing enough to buy the more economical 27% fat beef? Just curious...and on a budget 