California Turkey Recipes

CALIFORNIA TURKEY BURGER

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Brush both sides of the sweet potato slices with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Grill the slices on one side of the grill pan until dark grill marks appear and the slices can be pierced easily with a knife, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Grill the turkey burgers on the other side of the grill pan according to the package directions for the grill.
• Meanwhile, add the kale, almonds, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and the remaining 3/4 cup oil to a blender. Puree, scraping the sides as needed, until smooth.
• Mash the avocado with a fork in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the mayonnaise until combined.
• Spread the kale pesto on both halves of each hamburger bun, then spread the avocado mayonnaise on top of the pesto. Top the bottom half of each bun with 1 tablespoon alfalfa sprouts and a burger patty. Top the burger patties with some sweet potato slices, a tomato slice and the top bun.

CALIFORNIA TURKEY CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, poblanos, celery and onions. Saute until the vegetables soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the turkey and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the turkey with the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir to blend. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add the broth and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the flavors blend and the chili thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Serve with garnishes.
• Cook's Note: Other garnishes that you could offer: chopped radishes, pickled jalapenos, crumbled cotija cheese, tortilla chips and/or pico de gallo.
• Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.
• Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.
• Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.