Turkey Lentil Ragout Recipes

ROASTED CARROT AND RED LENTIL RAGOUT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the carrots in a roasting pan and toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the carrots, add the onion and roast 15 minutes, until the carrots are brown and tender. When carrots are cool enough, cut them in 1/4-inch dice.
• Warm 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot-and-onion mixture, the chili powders and the cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the lentils. Add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, or as a thick soup.

LENTIL RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy - splash in water if you need. Season.
• If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between pasta bowls or plates, spoon sauce over the top and grate over some cheese. Alternatively, cool the sauce and chill for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.

LENTIL AND VEGETABLE RAGOUT (KORMA)

Steps:

• Put the lentils and turmeric in a deep pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook lentils, gently simmering, partially covered, until cooked but still hold their shape, about 30 minutes. Stir a few times during cooking to ensure the lentils are not sticking to the pan and burning. Add more water if necessary. Add squash, tomatoes, onions and curry powder and mix well. Cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Stir in the nuts and salt; cover and set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add cumin and cook until the spice turns several shades darker. Add asafetida and crushed pepper. Let spices sizzle for a minute then put the entire contents of the pan over the lentil-vegetable mixture. Add coriander and stir just a few times to mix lightly. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with deep fried balloon bread.
• Heat stick of butter in a small saucepan over low-heat until fully melted, 5 minutes. Increase heat and cook the butter until all its moisture evaporates and the milk solids turn brown, and the clear fat will turn golden amber, about 5 minutes. Strain the clear fat usli ghee into a jar.

HEALTHY RIGATONI WITH TURKEY RAGOUT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.
• Heat the oil in a large deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, turkey, tomatoes, vinegar, onion, crushed red pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft and the turkey is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, bring to a simmer and cook until the consistency of tomato sauce, about 4 minutes.
• Add the cooked pasta to the turkey-mushroom sauce along with the parsley. Toss to combine; adjust seasoning if needed.
• Transfer the pasta to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle with the cheese and parsley and serve.

TURKEY, LENTIL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy two-and-a-half- to three-quart casserole. Add onion and green pepper and saute until tender. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until mushrooms are moist. Stir in garlic and ginger and continue to cook several minutes longer.
• Stir in cumin. Add turkey and one cup of the stock or water and stir gently to combine the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add lentils and remaining stock or water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 45 minutes to one hour. Remove from heat.
• Preheat broiler. Uncover casserole and sprinkle bread crumbs over the top. Dot with butter. Place under the broiler just until the top is slightly browned. Serve at once.

LENTIL RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat oil and cook onion and garlic together for 7 to 8 minutes.
• Add lentils, broth, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper to saucepan. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Slice turnips in half and cut carrots into 2-inch lengths. Cut green onions into 1-inch pieces.
• Add turnips and carrots to saucepan and cook 10 minutes.
• Add peas and green onions and cook for 5 minutes more.