What a Turkey!

What do you think of when someone mentions turkey? If you're like me, you immediately think of the autumn and winter holidays, especially Thanksgiving. But seriously, this can be fixed any time.

Here are six turkey recipes to help you through the day, including Lemon-Herb Turkey Breast and Tomatillo Turkey Chili. Enjoy!

APPLE TURKEY PICADILLO

This recipe begins, “This twist on the Latin American staple is made healthier with lean ground turkey and crisp apples. It doubles well. Try tucking it into whole-wheat tortillas or serve over instant brown rice for a quick and healthy supper.”

This is from Diabetic Connect.

To view this online, click here.

Servings: 2, 1 1/4 cups each; Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

1 clove garlic, minced

8 ounces 99%-lean ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 medium tart green apple, peeled and chopped

1 cup chopped tomato

3 tablespoons chopped green olives

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup sliced scallion greens

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add turkey; cook, stirring and breaking up, until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes.

Stir in cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and cloves; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in apple, tomato, olives and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring often, until any liquid in the pan has reduced to a syrupy glaze, about 8 minutes. Stir in scallion greens and serve.

LEMON-HERB TURKEY BREAST

Servings: 12

Source: NTF

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/203.shtml

Ingredients

1 TURKEY BREAST (4-6 pounds)

2 Sprigs each fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, or basil) OR 1/4 tsp. each dried herbs

4 to 6 Sprigs fresh parsley

1 Lemon

Cornstarch

Directions

Loosen skin on both sides of turkey breast, being careful not to tear. Leave skin connected at breast bone. Divide sprigs of herbs and parsley into two equal-size bundles. Stuff each herb/parsley bundle under loosened skin half.

With fork, deeply pierce lemon several times and place in breast cavity. In 11-X 9-X 1-inch roasting pan place breast bone-side-up on meat rack. Bake at 325 degrees F. until breast meat reaches 170-175 degrees F. on meat thermometer. Allow to stand 10 minutes before carving.

In a large measuring cup, drain liquid from pan. Set aside to allow fat to rise to top. Skim off fat and discard. Add squeezed juice from cooked lemon to defatted pan juices. For every cup, dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water. Stir into juices; bring to boil and cook one minute or until thickened.

To serve, spoon gravy over sliced turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 250; Protein: 37 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 82 mg; Cholesterol: 96 mg; Carbohydrates: 2 g

SOUTHERN ROAST TURKEY WITH BOURBON PEACH GLAZE

Yield: 20 Servings

Source: NTF

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/200.shtml

Ingredients

1 15-Pound WHOLE TURKEY fresh or frozen (thawed)

1-1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 Cup peach preserves

2 Tablespoons bourbon

2 Teaspoons Angostura bitters

5 pickled peaches for garnish

Directions

Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well. Blot dry with paper towels.

Sprinkle salt and pepper in the cavities of the bird.

Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with skewers. Fold the wings under the back of the turkey. Return legs to tucked position.

Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (no more than 2-1/2" deep) roasting pan. Insert an oven-safe thermometer into thickest part of the thigh, being careful it does not touch the bone.

Roast turkey in a preheated 325 degree F. oven about 3-3/4 hours. Baste with the pan juices.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, over low heat, combine preserves, bourbon and bitters. Cook until preserves are melted.

During the last 30 minutes of roasting time, baste the bird with the bourbon peach glaze. Continue to roast until the thermometer registers 180 degrees F. in the thigh, or 170 degrees F. in the breast.

Remove turkey from the oven and allow the bird to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Place on a warm large platter and garnish with pickled peaches.

Note: Provides 22 servings at 6 ounces per portion.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 355; Protein: 45 g; Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 258 mg; Cholesterol: 132 mg; Carbohydrates: 5 g

GRILLED MUSTARD TURKEY CUTLETS

Yield: 4 Servings

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=712

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/712.shtml

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Ingredients

1 pound turkey breast cutlet, 1/4-inch thick

2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

2 tablespoons no-cholesterol, reduced-calorie mayonnaise

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Pepper to taste

Paprika

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat broiler. Coat broiler pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Rinse turkey and pat dry.

Mix together mustard, mayonnaise and lemon juice in a small bowl. Coat one side of the turkey with half of mustard mixture.

Broil about 4 inches from heat source 5 minutes. Turn and coat other side of turkey with mustard mixture and sprinkle with pepper and paprika.

Broil 1 minute or until top is browned. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Protein: 26 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 193 mg; Cholesterol: 74 mg; Carbohydrates: 2 g; Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Meat

TERIYAKI TURKEY BURGERS

Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/750.shtml

Ingredients

Burger Mixture:

1-1/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup sliced scallions

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1-1/4 pounds 95% lean ground turkey

3 tablespoons light (reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Rest of recipe:

6 canned pineapple rings (optional)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons nonfat or light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Chinese or honey mustard

6 light wheat or multigrain burger buns

6 slices red onion

6 lettuce leaves

Directions

Place the mushrooms, scallions, and red bell pepper in the bowl of a food processor and process until the vegetables are finely chopped.

Place the vegetables, ground turkey, teriyaki sauce, and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape the mixture into six 4-inch patties.

Grill the burgers over medium coals or cook under a broiler for about 6 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature of the patties reaches 165 degrees and the meat is no longer pink inside.

(To retain moisture, avoid pressing down on the patties as they cook.) Alternatively, coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with nonstick cooking spray and cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side.

If desired, brush the pineapple slices with a little teriyaki sauce and grill or broil for a minute or two on each side, until lightly browned.

To assemble the burgers, place the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl and stir to mix well. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on each bun.

Place each burger in a bun and top with some of the onion, lettuce, and if desired, a pineapple slice. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 243; Protein: 24 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 594 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Dietary Fiber: 6.6 g ; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 2-1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable

TOMATILLO TURKEY CHILI

Makes 6 servings.

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1314

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1314.shtml

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 medium green bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 large red, orange or yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 lb. lean ground turkey meat

4 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 fresh Fresno or jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely sliced

1 Tbsp. coriander

1 Tbsp. oregano

1 tsp. chili powder, or to taste

1 tsp. cumin

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups diced tomatillos or 2 (11 oz.) cans

1 cup frozen yellow corn

1 (15 oz.) can no salt added pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro

1/3 cup chopped green onions

Lime wedges for garnish

1/2 cup non-fat, plain, Greek yogurt, optional

Directions

Quick cooking directions:

In large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers and saute until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add turkey and saute until meat begins to brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir in garlic, Fresno or jalapeno peppers, coriander, oregano, chili powder and cumin. Salt and pepper to taste. Saute 2 minutes, stirring often.

Add tomatillos, corn, beans and broth. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Divide chili among six serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, lime wedges and yogurt, optional.

Slow cooking directions:

In medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Saute onion and turkey until turkey almost cooked through, but still slightly pink, about 5 minutes.

In slow cooker, add turkey-onion mixture and remaining ingredients except cilantro, green onions, lime and yogurt. Stir until combined. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Divide chili among six serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, lime wedges and yogurt, optional.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 256; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 75 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g