Ground turkey & Orzo skillet

Picked up a couple of pounds of ground turkey today and then when it was time to cook, I wanted to find something easy. This is pretty good and you could change it up pretty easily to incorporate the things you like most. The best part? One large family sized skillet to clean. Even with the spinach and tomatoes, everyone had seconds - probably because it looked so pretty with the dark green of the spinach and deep red of the tomatoes.

This recipe is written to feed 8.

Ground Turkey & Orzo Skillet

2 lbs ground turkey
30 oz. diced tomatoes (approx. two cans or one box)
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
2 Tbsp. EVOO
1 tsp. dried oregano, basil & rosemary
2 c. frozen spinach, thawed
2 c. chicken broth
1 lb orzo
salt & pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

In large skillet or pan, heat EVOO and add in turkey. Cook for a few minutes and then add in salt, pepper, garlic & onion. Cook mixture until turkey is fully cooked. Add in tomatoes, herbs, spinach and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then add in orzo. Cover and lower heat to simmer for about 10 minutes or until orzo is tender. Serve with grated parmesan.

Beef & Spaghetti Pie Ole

This recipe was tucked into one of my books and I think I had every intention of making it years ago, but never got around to it. It is a very easy recipe and one that will likely be moved into the rotation once a month or so. It got thumbs up from everyone, but the eldest.

Beef & Spaghetti Pie Ole

7 ounces spaghetti, uncooked
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/3 cup Monterey Jack cheese, or cheddar, shredded
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
10 ounces canned chopped tomatoes with chili, undrained
3/4 cup sour cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.

Whisk together egg, half the salt, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder and 1/3 cup cheese. Add pasta and toss. Arrange in 9 inch pie dish, pressing to form shell. Heat large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef and brown 4-5 minutes, breaking up into 3/4 inch crumbles.

Pour off drippings. Season with remaining salt and remaining garlic powder. Add cumin and stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil and cook 3-5 minutes or until liquid is almost evaporated, stirring occasionally. Reserve 2 Tbs. beef mixture for garnish.

Stir sour cream into remaining beef and spoon into pasta shell. Place remaining cheese in center, leaving 2 inch border around edge. Spoon reserved beef mixture onto center of cheese and bake 15 minutes or until heated through.

**Cook's Notes**

I doubled this recipe to feed all 8 of us and served it with a simple tossed salad. Instead of using 2 9" pie plates, I used my large lasagna pan.

I made the following changes:

ground turkey instead of ground beef, plain organic yogurt for the sour cream, regular diced tomatoes mixed with a little bit of tomato paste and some finely chopped jalapenos instead of tomatoes w/chilis, Mexican blend cheese for the Jack cheese, part onion powder for the garlic powder.

I think I just found my new "go to" chili

Um, yeah. BEST I have ever made. LOVED it. The consistency was perfect (thick and the beans were smooth & buttery), the spice was not hot and yet it was a definite chili taste. Did I mention that it was YUMMO? Even the kids ate it. Even number 5 who hates everything. Seriously good chili. Now if I could just find a corn bread recipe that I love the same.....

Di's New Favorite Chili

1/2 large sweet onion, diced
5 jalapeno peppers, chopped (I left membranes & seeds in)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. EVOO
2.5 lbs ground turkey
4 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
1 small can tomato paste (I actually used a mixture of paste & sauce that I had mixed together & seasoned for homemade pizzas because it was in the fridge and needed to be used up)
1 lb. dried small white beans, soaked & rinsed (I use the quick soak method)
1-2 c. corn (I had this frozen from some leftover this summer)
2 c. grated zucchini (again, frozen from the garden)
6 c. of liquid (I used equal amounts of chicken base and beef base (stock) - 1 1/4 c. each and the rest water)
1-2 Tbsp. honey (this is optional - I did add it, but not sure it would have mattered if I didn't)

In a small bowl, mix together flour through granulated garlic. Set aside.

In a large stock pot, heat EVOO. Add in onions, peppers and garlic. Heat until onions are translucent. Add in ground turkey and cook until there is no pink.

Add in the flour/spice mixture & tomato paste and mix together well (allow to cook for a few minutes - helps bring out the flavors.)

Next add in corn, zucchini and beans along with 6 cups of liquid.

Allow to simmer for 2-3 hours.

Serve with mexican blend cheese & cornbread. Perfect for a cold, blustery night and even better for lunch the next day. /rubs tummy happily/

Sloppy Joes on potato rolls & Ranger cookies

The Sloppy Joe recipe is originally from Cooking Light and oddly enough, I haven't changed really anything in it except that I don't use ground beef. If you are a sloppy joes fan, I will guarantee you this will be the only recipe you'll ever want to use again. This is definitely a family favorite especially when served on fresh potato rolls.

Most of the time I make it on the stove top, but I've also done it in the slow cooker and that is how it's being made this time. Substitutions for the slow cooker are noted in the Cook's Notes area.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb ground turkey
3/4 minced fresh onion
1/2 c. diced green bell pepper
1/4 c. diced celery
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. ketchup
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 package of hamburger buns (or 6-8 homemade)

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until turkey is cooked through, stirring to crumble. Drain well.

Combine turkey mixture, water and next 7 ingredients in skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer mixture 15 mins., stirring occasionally.

Serve on buns.

Cook's Notes:
Since I am not using beef and just lean ground turkey, I rarely drain the meat mixture and instead cut down the water I add to 1/4 c. or so and because I always double to feed the whole clan, I use a whole 6oz. can of tomato paste. I don't bother measuring out 4 Tbsp.

When making this recipe in the slow cooker, I generally used dehydrated minced onions (about 2 Tbsp.) and dehydrated minced garlic (about 1 tsp.) I also add in all the water the recipe calls for. Cook on low for approx. 6-8 hours. The texture does change a bit cooking it in the slow cooker, but the taste is basically the same.


Ah lovely dessert! Haven't made cookies in a long while so I tried these today. YUM!

Ranger Cookies

1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 c. Rice Krispies type cereal
1 c. quick oats
1 c. coconut
1 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter & sugar together. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
In small bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt.
Add dry mixture into butter mixture a bit at a time.
Stir in rice krispies, oats, coconut & chocolate chips.
Bake for about 10 mins. or until lightly brown

Cook's Notes:
These have a really nice texture. I think next time I may toast the coconut first along with some pecans or slivered almonds. I think these are WAY better than regular chocolate chip cookies.

Recipes & pictures from 5/3/2010

Whole Wheat French Bread

1 1/4 c. warm water
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
2 tsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. oil (I use canola)
approx. 3 c. whole wheat flour

Mix water, yeast & honey in mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook. Add oil. Add two cups flour plus salt. Continue to add remaining flour slowly until dough starts to come together and leaves the side of the mixing bowl. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until dough is no longer sticky and is elastic. Allow to rise covered in a well oiled bowl for 30-45 mins.

Punch dough down and remove from bowl. Cut into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into an approx. 10"x13" rectangle and roll tightly along the long end. Pinch the ends & seams together and place seam side down on a lightly oiled sheet pan (I use my silpats instead of oil). Cover & let rise for another 30 minutes. After rising make 3 large slits on top of bread with a sharp knife. Bake at 350 for 30-40 mins.

Obviously for my purposes last evening, I doubled the recipe & cut the dough into smaller pieces. Overall, I think the bread is good for grinders, but as you can see from the picture, I will need to make them wider next time.



This is my standard "meatball" recipe. I use it for anything "Italian" themed (sauce, grinders, etc.)
Turkey Meatballs (for grinders)

2 1/4 lbs. of lean ground turkey
1 c. panko soaked in 1/4 c. milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. salt*
1/2 tsp. pepper*
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese*
2 tsp. dried basil*
2 tsp. dried oregano*
2 Tbsp. minced onion*
1 tsp. minced garlic*
1/4 c. ketchup*
2 Tbsp. regular yellow mustard*
Few shakes of the Worcestershire bottle

Gently mix all ingredients into large bowl. Measure out 2-3 Tbsp.* sized meatballs on lightly sprayed sheet pans. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Immediately add meatballs into your favorite marinara sauce and simmer for 15-20 mins.

* Unfortunately I am in the habit of not measuring. These are approx. measurements.



Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (No bake)

In large pan add:

1 stick of butter
1 3/4 c. sugar (you could probably do even less than this)
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. cocoa

Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Boil exactly one minute. Remove from heat and add:

1/2 c. chunky peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla

Stir until peanut butter is totally melted. Then add in:

3 1/2 c. oats

Stir until oats are fully coated and then drop by teaspoonful onto wax paper and refrigerate.

These ended up being pretty good. The kids each had one after dinner and liked them. I liked them because they were done in less than 15 mins. and chilled while we ate our dinner. Good recipe to use when having your little ones help you in the kitchen, too.