So, we have some ground turkey in the fridge but are pretty burnt out on the usual uses (tacos, chili, meatballs, turkey burgers, tossed in pasta sauce, etc.) Any ideas for something exciting and different? thanks!!

Hey, it's ground turkey, how could it be exciting??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Not sure it would really work in this context, as turkey wouldn't have as much fat in it as the sausage and you would need to put some spices in it, but you could try this. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aaron-mccargo-jr/2-in-1-gravy-recipe/index.html We saw it the other night on TV and the idea looked pretty kooky! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I know you mentioned chili on the burned out list, but have you made a white chili? I use ground turkey, canellini beans, the usual aromatics and seasonings, chicken stock, and let it cook all day in the slow cooker. Then I serve it on a bed of arugula.

i have a handful of delicious thai recipes using ground turkey: one is like a meatloaf, the other a stirfry, and another soup recipe. if you're interested i'll search for them and post. you may want to pm contessa; she probably has a big archive of ground turkey recipes.

I don't know that I would consider it "exciting" but a quick staple that I make with it (and my kids love) is browning the turkey with lots of garlic, oregano, whatever Italian herbs I have on hand, shallots, sauteed baby bella mushrooms and fresh spinach - I toss with a Cavatappi pasta and a little olive oil (or chicken stock) and add shaved Parm. Reg. Sometimes I add a can of small white beans-

we take ground turkey and make a soup... quick and easy...
a meal in itself...
Goes great with a baguette...


chicken stock
ground turkey (browned)
sliced zucchini
sliced summer (yellow) squash
sliced carrots
chopped celery
coarsly chopped onions
minced garlic
dried thyme (to taste, don't over do this)
s&p (to taste)

as far as measurements of each ingredient, I use the "that looks like enough" method...

add all to a stockpot and simmer til veggies are done to your liking... we like ours on the firm side, not mushy...

While technically a "burger", these are like making a meal of Buffalo Wings... I made them extra hot because we love spicy! Very easy & loaded with flavor. Served with baked torillas & corn/black bean salsa.

BUFFALO TURKEY SLIDERS (adapted from Rachael Ray)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil + a little for drizzling
2 ribs celery, very finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and grated or very finely chopped
1 small onion, grated or very finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated or chopped
Salt and pepper
2 pounds ground turkey breast
1 rounded tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 (or more to taste)cup hot sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot

Cheese Topping:

1 cup reduced-fat sour cream or fat-free Greek Yogurt
1/3 pound blue cheese or feta, crumbled
Splash of milk or cream

Toppings/Accompaniments
Chopped lettuce or spicy watercress, for garnish
4 tablespoons chopped chives
12 whole wheat slider-size buns or sliced brioche dinner rolls
Carrot and celery sticks, alongside, to cool the burn!
Makes 12 sliders

Preparation
Heat Olive Oil in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add celery, carrot, onions, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook to tender-crisp, 7-8 minutes. Let cool.
Place the cooled vegetables and meat in a bowl. Season with Old Bay, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Mix and form 12 patties and drizzle each with Olive Oil. Heat cast-iron or other griddle or grill pan.

Combine sour cream, blue cheese or feta, splash of milk or cream in a small bowl.

Add burgers to the hot pan and cook 4-5 minutes on each side. Then, pile on buns with lettuce or cress, a dollop of cheese topping and garnish with chives. Serve with carrot and celery sticks alongside.

Try mixing it with some fresh chorizo sausage. make burgers with it. its a nice mix.

Yes, I do have an archive of ground turkey recipes! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> You can use ground turkey as you would ground beef. Sometimes I'll add a little Kitchen Bouquet to change the color plus it adds a little flavor. I have a recipe for
fake'knishes' which is awesome. It takes a little work but they're great appetizers. They can also be made into a 'calzone'. They're made w/crescent rolls.
First, put together 2 crescent rolls to make a square. Pinch them together then roll them into a larger square. Cut into 4 squares. Then put a teaspoon of filling on them. Fold over 2 sides, then the other 2 sides and put the seamed side down.
Filling:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 packet of Lipton Beef Mushroom Soup
1/4 C. seasoned Italian bread crumbs
1/4 grated cheese ( I prefer Asiago or the 3 cheese blend)
Saute the ground turkey and leave in the panb, Add the remaining ingredients.
Mix well. I put this in the blender to make a pate. Then I put a heaping teaspoon onto a crescent square.
These can be frozen at this point. I used to make double batches when the kids were teenagers and when they'd come home from school they'd pop a couple in the toaster oven.
Bake 10 min. 350 degree oven. Very Yumma!!
Enjoy!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

Ground Turkey Bolognese

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs coarse ground turkey (preferred dark meat mixture)
1 medium onion, small dice
2 medium carrots, peeled and small dice
5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 and 1/2 cups dry white wine
2 cans high quality canned tomatoes (ie:San Marzano)
3 cups turkey or chicken stock (packaged is fine)
1 ounce fresh thyme
2 ounces chopped fresh basil
1 small pinch red pepper flakes

Fresh grated Parmigiano cheese
Fresh basil, chopped
Directions:

Saute ground turkey in hot olive oil, season with salt and pepper and cook through. Remove from pan.
In the same pan, saute onion and carrots for 6 to 8 minutes.
Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste and deglaze with wine.
Cook until wine is evaporated.
Add tomatoes and stock and cook for 30 minutes.
Stir in chopped herbs and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust seasonings as necessary.
Serve over linguine.
Sprinkle with Parmigiano cheese and garnish with additional basil. Serves 4-5.

That's it!
I've also put this in a crockpot for a couple of hours and it's awesome. But, saute everything first to give it some extra flavor. Enjoy!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

Ground Turkey Bolognese sounds yummy! Printed out the recipe, will definitely give it a try. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Question... I've seen recipes that call for either white or dark ground turkey.. what brand packages ground turkey like that? My major supermarkets carry the Shady Brook brand and I never have a choice, just ground turkey.

Shady Brook has regular ground turkey as well as ' all white breast' ground turkey. The breast meat is a bit dry for my liking so I use the regular. I also make meatballs with them. I'm making Italian Wedding Soup for Thanksgiving w/mini-ground turkey meatballs.
Enjoy! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Oops! Forgot to add a dash of nutmeg to the Bolognese. I always add nutmeg to sauces. It's the extra flavor enhancer!


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa