This is one-pot type of meal I made at least once a week when my kids were young. It is easy to prepare and makes a great winter lunch or dinner. I would whip up large batches and when the kids came home with friends I served it over hot rice. Very occasionally when there was some leftover I did freeze it; it freezes well and is just as delicious defrosted; and could be quickly reheated in the microwave. The short cooking time leaves the turkey pieces chunky and not stringy. The white beans I used were frozen [pre-cooked] but you can use canned or make your own from scratch.
[Preparation time: 10 min + cooking time approximately 30-45 minutes]
Servings: 4 portions – easily doubled or tripled
Ingredients:
· 250 grams turkey breast (cubed)
· 1½ cups white (cannoli) beans – frozen or canned [pre-cooked]
· 1½ cups canned crushed tomatoes
· ~1 Tablespoon sugar (optional-depends on the taste of the sauce)
· 2-3 Tablespoons Canola oil
· 1 small or medium onion – diced
· 4-5 cloves of garlic (roughly chopped)
· 1 Tablespoon paprika
· ¼ teaspoon of hot paprika [optional]
· 1½ to 2 cups of water
· Salt and pepper to taste
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| Main raw ingredients: Canned Crushed Tomatoes (top right), White Cannoli Beans (top left), (bottom) Onion, Garlic, Turkey Breast |
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| Ingredients Prepared for Cooking: Canned Crushed Tomatoes (top right), White Cannoli Beans (top left), (left side - kosher salt, paprika, coarsely ground black pepper) (bottom) Diced Onion, Chopped Garlic, Cubed Turkey Breast |
Preparation:
· In a medium sized pot add the oil, onion and garlic – Mix
· Cook until the onion is soft – be careful not to burn the garlic
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| Oil, Onion, Garlic |
· Add the cubed turkey
· Mix the cubed turkey into the onion and garlic
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| Add the Turkey Cubes |
· When the turkey starts losing its pink color and turns sort of white
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| Turkey Cubes turning White |
Ø THEN:
· Add the beans and Mix
· Add 1 Tablespoon of paprika – Mix and Cook for a few minutes to let the flavors meld
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| Turkey, Beans and Paprika |
· Add the crushed tomatoes and mix it around until everything is coated
· Stir this around and let the tomato mixture cook a bit
· Taste the sauce
· Add some or all of the sugar if the sauce seem too acidic
· Add the water – a bit of salt and pepper
· Mix everything around in the pot – partially cover the pot
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| Turkey and Beans before water cooks out |
· Simmer on low heat until the mixture thickens (the excess water will evaporate)
· Stir occasionally
· The food is ready when the sauce has thickened.
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| Turkey and Beans - READY TO EAT!!!! Notice the sauce has thickened! |
Serving Suggestions:
ØServe over hot white rice, couscous, or mashed potatoes with a green salad.
ØYou can also bump it up a bit by adding cayenne pepper.
ØYou may want to chop some parsley or green scallions and sprinkle them over the food
Cooking tips:
Ø Always keep frozen white beans, chickpeas, peas and green beans in the freezer, they are great when you want to whip up a quick stir-fry or soup, or for healthy side dishes.
Ø When cooking beans or legumes in any recipe – I always add a bit more oil.
