turkey

Spiralized Zucchini, Quinoa and Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers

August 2, 2018

These easy stuffed peppers are made without rice, and instead filled with healthy ingredients like spiralized zucchini, protein-packed quinoa, and ground turkey sausage for a fast and super healthy all-in-one dinner everyone at the table will love.

The other day I read that the day of the family dinner plate being made up of a main protein (meat, chicken, fish), a side of carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes), and then a side of veggies (carrots, broccoli, whatever is languishing in the fridge), is quickly losing ground as the best idea of what dinner should look like. I grew up on the same idea of that ratio and for many years followed suit.

But thanks to the popularity of meals in bowls, hearty salads served as the main meal, and more all-in-one serving options, the dinner plate has changed. And it’s not only in how we divvy out portion size, but the actual vessel our meal is served in, like using vitamin-packed vegetables such as sweet potatoes, every squash imaginable, and cabbage leaves, just to name a few.

And at our house, there’s really no more versatile vegetable-to-bowl main ingredient than the almighty bell pepper.continue to the recipe… about Spiralized Zucchini, Quinoa and Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers

One-Pot Penne Pasta with Turkey and Spinach

March 8, 2018

30-minute, one-pot pasta meals recipes that are healthy, tasty, and easy enough to make any night of the week make me look a whole lot just like this → 💃💃💃 because guess what?

You many think because I’m a food blogger, I’m in the kitchen every day, whipping up recipes so that I never have to think twice about what’s for dinner. But the reality is that most days I’m NOT cooking, and when I suddenly realize that it’s not just 5:00 somewhere…it’s 5:00 RIGHT HERE…I panic. Because if I haven’t taken the time to think ahead and do a bit of meal prep, just like my teenager, I’m left wondering what’s for dinner, too.

See, I’m betting I’m a lot like you. A gal who is always juggling my roles as a spouse, mom, daughter, sister, friend, business owner, mentor, volunteer, and wanderer-of-the-aisles-at-HomeGoods-deal-shopper as I continually work on finding the right balance so that my own needs don’t get lost in the shuffle in this circus act called life.

The saving grace? Simple, healthy, bold-flavored, all-in-one meals like this one-pot pasta that don’t require a bunch of hard-to-find ingredients or have too many steps. And bonus points go to the recipe if I can scavenge my pantry for most of it. continue to the recipe… about One-Pot Penne Pasta with Turkey and Spinach

21 Easy Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

November 21, 2017

This roundup of 21 easy but creative leftover turkey recipes will help you make the most of the lingering bites of Thanksgiving.

Ahhh, it’s the most wonderful time of year. Thanksgiving is upon us, which means we’ll soon be eating our weight in turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. And even though next day leftover turkey sandwiches with all the fixins’ are a gift from the gods, there’s only so many of them we can manage to shovel down our gullets. That’s why we’re determined to leverage our leftovers as best we can, in as many different ways as we can.

From soups and curries, to pot pies and casseroles, and even pop tarts (yes, pop tarts), we’ve got 21 delicious ways to enjoy your leftover T-Day bird. It’s the stuff tryptophan dreams are made of. Gobble, gobble.

continue to the recipe… about 21 Easy Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Slow Cooker Healthy Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa

October 25, 2017

Comfort food chili cravings never tasted so healthy, until now. This easy slow cooker chili is protein-packed with lean ground turkey, light and dark kidney beans, plus quinoa for an extra safety-net protein source that will keep you filled and full all day long and into the night.

It’s 5:30 p.m. and the sun has set behind the mountains and the sky has already settled into dark. There’s a chill is in the air and comfort food is what we’re all craving now. Turkey Pot Pie? Mac and Cheese? Sausage Lasagna? All delicious in their own right, but not exactly the lightest of fare.

And now that the fall season is here, the wrangling and jostling for the T.V. remote has begun. The World Series? (go Dodgers!). The Voice? (I’m with J-Hud Productions). More tears and tissues while crying with This Is Us? (I mean, seriously!) Or finally, a new Walking Dead? (My Smudge and I are convinced our Big Daddy should be Negan for Halloween.)

Our television viewing habits are as hotly debated as what sounds best for dinner.

But tonight, there’s one less argument to make because Big Mama (that’s me) thought ahead (for once) and put dinner in the slow cooker. And just like that, a healthy dinner is served. And surprise, AliSmudge and Big Daddy don’t even complain that it’s oh-so good for them. But why would they? This homemade turkey chili is delish! And better yet, it’s so simple to make.continue to the recipe… about Slow Cooker Healthy Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa

Turkey Bolognese Lasagna Toss

October 2, 2017

Turkey takes over for traditional pork, veal, and beef in this rich and delicious homemade bolognese sauce to create a short cut lasagna dinner that cuts the calories, without sacrificing flavor.

It’s raining. The leaves on the mountain outside my front window are in the most vibrant change of fall colors I’ve seen in ten years. We pulled the tomato plants this weekend and I’ve harvested all my basil to make pesto before frost does it for me. There are days when comfort food is absolutely called for. And that’s when a rich, delicious lasagna raises its hand and squeals, ” PICK ME!”

I love a good lasagna with a rich, delicious meaty sauce with loads of cheese layered throughout and then melted on top. I mean, is there anything better?

But the thing is, my skinny jeans don’t always agree. My solution? Put all that rich flavor in a healthier turkey bolognese sauce and instead of layering my lasagna, toss it together instead.

I borrowed this lasagna toss idea from my Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup where the creamy ricotta mixture is added on at the end as an accent instead of playing equal parts to the noodle and sauce equation. I’m a cheese girl through and through, so that way, I meet my comfort food cravings but my jeans won’t revolt. continue to the recipe… about Turkey Bolognese Lasagna Toss

Turkey Avocado Tetrazzini Recipe

March 22, 2017

There is rarely a comfort food I will turn my back on. And this classic Turkey Tetrazzini noodle casserole with a creamy sauce, mushrooms, and a modicum of leftover turkey meat—because when you cook a turkey, there will most likely always be leftovers—makes me want to make mealtime memories every time.

At our house, Turkey Tetrazzini is a holiday and potluck favorite, and next to my Curry Turkey Pot Pie, is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey. But in my opinion why wait for leftovers? I’ll readily fix my favorite turkey breast recipe any day of the week regardless of whether there’s a special occasion to celebrate or not.

In fact, a semblance of this recipe is one of the first meals I made as an adult, when my husband and I served it at the dining table of our first home for my grandma and grandpa for a special dinner just for the four of us.

My grandpa loved it. My grandma gushed over my cooking skills. And I was simply relieved that it came out edible and on time. It’s one of my favorite reasons I love making food for others, for the special memories I recall whenever I think of a special dish.continue to the recipe… about Turkey Avocado Tetrazzini Recipe

A Healthier Meatloaf With Tomato Glaze

February 23, 2017

This lightened up turkey and beef blended meatloaf keeps all the classic flavors intact but lightens it’s caloric load thanks to a few easy ingredient swaps no one will ever notice.

Meatloaf. Like tuna noodle casseroles and deviled eggs, meatloaf is one of life’s ultimate comfort foods that had it’s hey day in the 50’s, but since then, has become one of those dishes eaters rarely cop to craving—at least in public.

But just like most things favorited as retro, what’s old often becomes new again. Over the past few years—like many of our favorite comfort foods—meatloaf has made a comeback and can be found on even the most haute restaurant menus and is one of today’s comfort food Cinderella stories.

Only this baby isn’t going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight.continue to the recipe… about A Healthier Meatloaf With Tomato Glaze

Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

January 25, 2017

These light and juicy turkey burgers cooked on the grill are going Greek, with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, feta cheese, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, for a healthy lunch or dinner recipe!

This post is in partnership with Kroger

January is all about making easy swaps in the kitchen to prepare dinners that are a bit more healthful—but still cure your cravings.

I mean, I love, love, love a great quinoa salad, and I’m totally down with eating my favorite egg white fritatta nearly every day of the week. And a 10-minute salmon dinner? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But when the burger cravings strike during my New Year-mindful-mode, and I’m somehow able to harness the willpower not to make my favorite garlic burgers, I turn to this burger recipe instead.

continue to the recipe… about Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Turkey Pot Pie Soup Plus 10 More Leftover Turkey Recipes You’ll Gobble Up

November 25, 2015

I’ve converted my favorite way to use up Thanksgiving turkey leftovers from a baked pot pie to a totally comforting slurp able soup.

I asked. You answered. And here is what we have to show for it.

Winner, winner, chicken dinnnnnnnn…HOLD THAT THOUGHT. Move over chicken, because THIS is dinner.

A week or so ago I had 5 quarts of freshly brewed turkey stock in need of a recipe to belong to. Plus, I wanted to give you a new recipe to use up that leftover turkey that most likely you’ll have on hand like I did when I made this glorious guy.

So as I am prone to do, I took to Instagram and asked you what you’d like to see made with it.

The requests were all winners. From spicy turkey chowder with lots of veggies in a bread bowl to a turkey risotto to turkey and dumplings, and more.

But one request hit home because it combines my favorite birthday dinner recipe with the slurpable, bread dipping, request of my daughter. She could eat soup morning, noon and night. And does.

Hello world! Meet your new favorite comfort food: Turkey Pot Pie Soup.

continue to the recipe… about Turkey Pot Pie Soup Plus 10 More Leftover Turkey Recipes You’ll Gobble Up

Herb Butter Rotisserie Turkey

November 23, 2015

An herb infused butter rub goes all over the skin of this turkey, which is roasted over the grill, so it frees up your oven for all the Thanksgiving fixins.

You know how there are some things that are just too good not to be shared?

The secret ingredients. The best place to get a pedicure. Your opinions. A bicycle built for two. An easy going, laughter-filled dinner with friends.

And this turkey. It’s one of those things just begging to be shared.

I was originally hired to create, make and photograph this recipe for one of my clients, Saber Grills, to be shared on their blog.

But it turned out so good. So juicy. And so dang pretty I got selfish and turned into a can’t-give-it-up-anti-giver.

And so I’m taking it back. Actually, I’m going to do double duty and share it on both sites. It’s a two-fer!

continue to the recipe… about Herb Butter Rotisserie Turkey

Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers with Yogurt Sauce

May 26, 2015

While lamb or beef is traditional, I prefer ground turkey for these flavorful Middle Eastern skewers, and the creamy cool yogurt sauce adds a lightened dipping sauce thats full of flavor.

Food that is delivered in an unexpected way is always more fun. It must be true, because there’s even a cookbook all about the food phenomenon.

Thai food has it’s skewered Satay, Mexicans love their mayo with cotija-dressed cob of corn on a stick and in China you can even find yourself a fried scorpion on a stick—if you dare. Thank you very much but I’ll “stick” with a good old American mustard-dipped corn dog.

Probably one of the most universal foods on a stick is kofta, a simple blend of garlic-studded, spiced meat shaped on a stick that you’ll find in Greek, Persian, Indian and Lebanese cuisine.

If you think that because it hails from an exotic land that it must be difficult to make, you’re wrong. If you think man, that sounds like it has a lot more flavor than a regular burger, you are right!

And if you can shape a simple meatball, this skewered turkey kofta is going to totally hit your sweet spot.

continue to the recipe… about Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers with Yogurt Sauce

Baked Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Marinara

April 20, 2015

These heathy, easy to make meatballs are made lighter with lean ground turkey, spinach, and fresh herbs, then baked up and served with creamy polenta and zesty marinara for a restaurant-worthy meal at home!

Bikini season is right around the corner. Make that tankini season for this girl. I’m smart enough to realize I’m no Demi Moore and my bikini days are over.

Making small changes for a little healthier eating and working toward a bit of scale tipping in the opposite direction of up is what’s on my agenda. And easy. I want easy meals whenever I can get them but not at the expense of freshness and taste.

This year I’m pleased to be working again with DeLallo Foods whose products I purchased even before our partnership began, making it all the easier to profess my fondness for them and show how I use some of their favorite products.

This recipe for Baked Turkey Meatballs is a mash up of store bought and homemade, with herb filled, from-scratch meatballs that are finished off with DeLallo Foods’ jarred Pomodoro Fresco Marinara and their Instant Polenta. The combo makes for an incredibly easy, fresh and fast weeknight dinner.

And simply because you won’t be able to tell the difference, it’s on the healthy side too.

continue to the recipe… about Baked Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Marinara

Curry Turkey Pot Pie With Homemade Butter Pie Crust

November 18, 2014

Put your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers to good use with this pot pie! The addition of curry powder lends aromatic flavor in this fun twist on the classic chicken pot pie, which also features the most tender and flaky all butter crust.

Pie, pie, pie. It’s all anyone is talking about this time of year. Today I’m talking pie, too. But not just any pie. I’m diverting from the sweet side and heading South to savory to share my FAVORITE recipe: My mother-in-law’s Curry Turkey Pot Pie. And to make it even more special, it’s topped—and bottomed—with a heaven is waiting for this butter crust.

I may start making pies every day of the week because for this wanna be baker, this recipe proved that once you get the basics down, baking pies is really that easy.

The turkey, veggies and creamy filling of the pot pie are the heart of the dish, but the crust is where it finds its soul. And I like me a buttery, flakey soul.

continue to the recipe… about Curry Turkey Pot Pie With Homemade Butter Pie Crust

Buffalo Roasted Turkey

November 11, 2014

This tender and juicy roasted turkey gets a little heat thanks to a basting of spiced up, buttery buffalo hot sauce and is a refreshing deviation from the traditional Thanksgiving turkey.

After this bird shows up to the table, Thanksgiving may never be the same.

Most people who know me, know that I am not what most would consider a traditionalist. Strike that. I do have some traditionalist tendencies, so I guess I’d consider myself a progressively wavering traditionalist. I’m a little stuck in my ways but always open to trying something new.

Take Thanksgiving for example. It’s the ultimate traditional holiday. Back in the day the family always gathered ’round to reconnect for that one must-meet time of year. The kids watched the Macy’s Day parade. The women cooked. The men watched football. We all snuck swipes of whip cream from the freshly made pumpkin pies. Then we joined hands, said thanks and we ate. Then we said we were full. And then we ate again.

And then we put a whole wrench in the traditional monkeyworks and swapped out roles so that now the guys and gals cook together and the ladies are the first to fist pump the SF 49ers as they roll over those Seattle Seahawks in this year’s turkey day’s big game (fingers crossed!) And then we join hands and we say thanks. And we eat. And then we complain about how stuffed we are. And then we eat again.

Just another reason to celebrate tradition with a twist. Like this Buffalo sauce basted bird. Yep, that’s definitely bucking with tradition.

continue to the recipe… about Buffalo Roasted Turkey

Skinny Slow Cooker Kale and Turkey Meatball Soup

January 8, 2014

This healthy spin on classic Italian Wedding Soup is made lighter with turkey meatballs, white beans, and plenty of kale, all in a light and comforting broth.

We’re all feeling it, aren’t we? It wouldn’t be the New Year without focusing on cleaning up, clearing out and and cleansing from tip to toe.

Keeping with my new year tradition every single year, I’m taking advantage of my healthy resolve and I’m eating clean. This week. And maybe next. With just a side of butter and maybe a bite or six of cheese. And please, don’t hold it against me if there’s a nibble of chocolate here and there.

Balance, it’s the new black.

In thinking about eating strategies and menu planning, I still have cravings that need to be filled. Savory but simple. Filling and fortifying.

And can we make it in the slow cooker please?

continue to the recipe… about Skinny Slow Cooker Kale and Turkey Meatball Soup

Roasted Turkey Breast with Lemon and Oregano

November 20, 2013

This post is presented in partnership with Swanson. Thanks for supporting companies I believe in, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you.

This time of year always brings out the party bug in me and the holiday season and entertaining go hand in hand. Swinging their joyously clasped palms in unison as they skip along and infest everyone they see with a big dose of cheer.

Parties. Entertaining. Friends and family. When the party bug in me invites the cooking bug to the festivities, that’s when I get busy in the kitchen.

I’ve always been a holiday cook. As a kid I would bake for days, striving to create the best lemon bars on the planet while snacking on my Mom’s Best Homemade Fudge. As an adult, I’m now the hostess hoping to be the mostess for Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas brunches where without fail, we make this every single year.

But it wasn’t always that way.

As a kid, our family almost always did the same celebratory traipsing when it came to holiday time together. Christmas brunch was always at my mom and dad’s house and Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve were always at Grandma Mary Jane’s. It’s so funny to me that we all referred to it as “Grandma’s house” even though Grandpa was always there too. Maybe because she was the heartbeat of the family, adored by her husband, children and their children that the label just stuck.

Grandma was one of those women who just had the “it” factor. Call me biased, but it’s true. The woman possessed poise in the most genuine and accessible way possible, making everyone around her feel instantly part of the fun.

continue to the recipe… about Roasted Turkey Breast with Lemon and Oregano

Juicy Roast Turkey Breast and Friday Faves

January 18, 2013

It’s the new year and a lot of us (ME!) are subtlely watching the food going into our mouths in proportion to the numbers on the scale going up. Or if you’re being diligent like I’m trying to be, going down.

A popular protein this time of year is chicken. Chicken, chicken, chicken. Lean, white meat that can be masked in multiple applications and hardly offensive to any sensitive palate. It’s not like we’re talking liver here.

I do like free-range, organic chicken, but what about the other white meat? Pork? Yes, pork, but not this time. I’m talking turkey. In fact, turkey breast.continue to the recipe… about Juicy Roast Turkey Breast and Friday Faves

Mexican Turkey Meatball Sandwiches with Avocado Smash and Game Day Sweepstakes

January 14, 2013

Enter Avocado from Mexico’s Game Day Sweepstakes via FoodieCrush here. See what you might win and details at the bottom of this post.

I’m just saying it now. So get out your cute little Moleskins, grab a pen and take heed.

2013 is the year of the meatball.

No matter it’s nationality—Italian, Swedish, Vietnamese, Greek, every country has it’s version of meatballs—the meatball is a ubiquitous culinary staple that is the figurehead of basic, down-to-earth, comfort food. In. My. Mouth.

The meatball has even made its way into popular culture, including as the title of one of my all-time favorite movies now being made into a T.V. series by none other than the creator of Friday Night Lights (I’m so ready to discover who will become my new Riggins, IF, and that’s a big IF, he can be replaced.) Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the good times? Ah, yes, about now I certainly am.continue to the recipe… about Mexican Turkey Meatball Sandwiches with Avocado Smash and Game Day Sweepstakes

Turkey and White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion & Grape Grilled Cheese

April 6, 2012

Hallelujah and haul out the tambourines. It’s National Grilled Cheese Month!

Grilled cheese. A brilliant choice by whoever is the event-of-the-month designator. Wouldn’t that be an awesome assignment? Deciding what is worthy of a whole month of celebrating? Job envy. Kinda like the guy that gets to choice the names of wall paint colors.

A whole month to say its okay and perfectly reasonable to eat grilled cheese every day.

I first discovered Grilled Cheese Month thanks to Clementine Bakery in West Los Angeles. Every April they celebrate the entire 30 days with 15 grilled cheese specials that make you say, “Whoa, I gotta get me some of that.”

From the Philly Cheespaocalypse to the Cuban Sandwich Crisis, these sandwich makers know how to put a spin on the traditional grilled cheese.

For the month of April I’ll be sharing my ode to the grand grilled cheese. Each week I’ll feature a cheesey compilation—pure melt-worthy goodness between golden pieces of toasty bread. Week one starts now.

Turkey and White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion & Grape Grilled Cheese

Celebrating Grilled Cheese Month with a recipe for Turkey & White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion and Grape Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion sliced
12-15 red seedless grapes
1 tablespoon sage slivered
1 pound turkey deli meat shaved
2 cups white cheddar cheese grated
1 cup arugula leaves
8 slices sourdough bread
salt and pepper

Instructions

In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and vegetable oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until semi-transparent and caramelized. Add grapes and sauté for 5 minutes more. Add sage and remove from heat.
Heat a skillet on medium. Butter one side of each piece of bread. On unbuttered side of 4 slices of bread layer 1/4 cup cheese, onion and grapes, 1/4 portion of turkey, 1/4 portion of arugula leaves and 1/4 cup more cheese. Place slice of bread on top, buttered side up, and grill in skillet until bread becomes golden. Flip sandwich once and cook until cheese melts and bread becomes golden. Cut in half and serve hot.

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili

November 10, 2011

Seasonal is the new black.

Everywhere you look and everything you hear is all about eating and cooking farm to table, with what’s fresh and in season. Add to this foodie phenom a plethora of fall squash—not just your everyday butternut or spaghetti—and I’m seeing some serious foodie cravings.

It seems that there’s a bigger demand for recipes that include non-run-of-the-mill varietals and cooks who are ready to experiment with easy recipes, like these two that I found in my tweet feed within minutes of one another for Kabocha squash: Pistachio-Dusted Kabocha Squash from Turntable Kitchen and La Fuji Mama’s Simmered Kabocha Squash in Miso.

I’m squashing my squash craving (doh!) with this recipe I whipped up thanks to some gourds and pasilla peppers pulled from the garden before the first frost. It makes for a super easy party with friends.

These are the steps: Make it, heat it and serve it.

No last minute fuss, throw out a few bowls, some sliced baguette for dipping and you have time to sip a glass and visit with guests—the antithesis of my normal party-prep frenzy. I’m thinking the recipes was a success, given that I had 3 people asking for it.

continue to the recipe… about Roasted Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili

turkey

Spiralized Zucchini, Quinoa and Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers

One-Pot Penne Pasta with Turkey and Spinach

21 Easy Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Slow Cooker Healthy Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa

Turkey Bolognese Lasagna Toss

Turkey Avocado Tetrazzini Recipe

A Healthier Meatloaf With Tomato Glaze

Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Turkey Pot Pie Soup Plus 10 More Leftover Turkey Recipes You’ll Gobble Up

Herb Butter Rotisserie Turkey

Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers with Yogurt Sauce

Baked Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Marinara

Curry Turkey Pot Pie With Homemade Butter Pie Crust

Buffalo Roasted Turkey

Skinny Slow Cooker Kale and Turkey Meatball Soup

Roasted Turkey Breast with Lemon and Oregano

Juicy Roast Turkey Breast and Friday Faves

Turkey and White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion & Grape Grilled Cheese

Turkey and White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion & Grape Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

Instructions

Roasted Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili

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