Easy Lettuce Wraps

7 oz. ground turkey - DO NOT SALT IT
1/2 red bell pepper
other misc. veggies as desired (mushrooms, onions, etc.)
1/4 cup Yoshida's sauce
Large iceberg or butter lettuce leaves

Peel lettuce leaves from head of lettuce (trying to keep them as intact as possible).  Wash and pat dry.

Meanwhile, heat skillet with medium heat.  Add ground turkey and chopped pepper.  Cook until turkey is no longer pink.  Add in Yoshida’s Sauce, stir to combine.  Remove from heat.  Spoon mixture onto individual lettuce leaves, wrap them up, and enjoy.  Serve with a side of rice.

Note:  Yoshidas is pretty salty already.  Do not add extra salt.

Dirty Quinoa

If you have never tried quinoa, you should! It is very high in protein, fiber, calcium and iron and is a fun change from your basic potato, rice, pasta staples! Rinse it in a fine mesh strainer before using.


Dirty Quinoa
Adapted by Mimi from Confections of a Foodie Bride

1 lb lean ground Turkey
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup medium white or yellow onion, diced
1 stalk of celery, diced
1/2 medium green or red bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 green onion, sliced thinly (dark green parts separated from white/light green)
1 cups quinoa, uncooked
2 cups chicken broth/stock
1 bay leaf
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne (optional)
Tobasco sauce (optional)

Brown lean ground turkey in a non-stick pan over medium heat until mostly browned. Remove from pan and set aside. Add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Stir frequently until the vegetables begin to brown. Add garlic and white/light green parts of the green onion. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes.

Pour in quinoa and stir to mix. Add cooked ground turkey, chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally) until the liquid has been absorbed. Season to taste. Serve topped with green onions, additional chopped bell pepper (if desired), along side your trusty bottle of hot sauce.

Serves 4.

Turkey Tacos

Ground turkey is usually pretty bland, but the addition of the saucy ingredients make flavor of this taco meat is very yummy! Add cheese, tomato, avacado, sour cream, scallions, lettuce, and other taco toppings.

1 tsp. canola oil
1 onion, minced
2 T. chili powder
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. oregano
1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. brown sugar
salt and pepper
8 taco shells, warmed OR
corn tortillas

Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat . Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, garlic, and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until almost cooked through, but still slightly pink, about 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Makes 4 servings

Source: America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook

Spaghetti Casserole

8 oz. spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package directions
1 egg (or 1/4 cup egg beaters)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 of 10 0z. pkg frozen cut spinach, thawed
1/3 cup onion
3/4 lb. ground beef or turkey
any other vegs. chopped very fine (bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini) optional
4 cups spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 8x8 baking pan.

Toss cooked spaghetti noodles with egg and shredded parmesan. Put in baking dish.

Drain thawed spinach, pressing out any additional liquid, but putting in a colander and pressing out with back of spoon. Spray large skillet.

Cook ground beef or turkey with onion, and any other vegetables you desire (not spinach yet) unti browned, breaking up meat. Drain off any fat. Add spinach and spaghetti sauce and heat through. Add to baking dish on top of noodles.

Top with mozzarella cheese, cover with foil and bake 40-45 minutes or until bubbling. Let sit 10 minutes, cut in squares and serve.

Serves 6. Can be doubled, and half frozen for another time.