Turkey with White Beans in Tomato Sauce

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

Main raw ingredients:
Canned Crushed Tomatoes (top right), White Cannoli Beans (top left),
(bottom) Onion, Garlic, Turkey Breast

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

Oil, Onion, Garlic

·        Add the cubed turkey

·        Mix the cubed turkey into the onion and garlic

Add the Turkey Cubes

·        When the turkey starts losing its pink color and turns sort of white

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

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

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.

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.