Tag Archives: turkey

Stuffed Turkey London Broil and Brussel Sprouts w/Pancetta

Posted on June 6, 2011 | 5 comments

Snack Drawer

What’s in your snack drawer?  We all deserve a little something sweet or crunchy (or both) once in a while right?  My problem was that I would find my kids continually sneaking the food upstairs in their room or down the basement and worse, hiding it from me.  Something felt seriously wrong about this – I was creating very bad habits not to mention ruining my kid’s appetites for a healthy dinner.  Then I realized, “If I don’t want them to eat the food, why am I buying it?”.  Perhaps I was really buying the snacks for me but using the kids as an excuse.  Sure a few Doritos with your sandwich sounds like a great idea but it all goes wrong when you find the empty bag under the couch or worse, YOU eat half the bag.  Save the occasional junk food for the snack bar at the baseball game or the pool.  In the meantime, gradually transition to some healthier alternatives (e.g., granola bars, cut up fruit, cheese/crackers or even some chocolate covered raisins).   Now about MY secret stash of chocolate/almond bark in the freezer….shhhhh.

Turkey London Broil (aka ½ a turkey breast w/ tenderloin attached).  This is easy and pretty enough for a  dinner party.

  • Rinse a turkey London broil (1-3 lbs.), pat dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Lay slices of prosciutto, mozzarella and basil on one half.  Fold the turkey like a sandwich and tie the roast together with butcher string.
  • Drizzle or paint a little EV olive oil on the top.
  • Bake in oven at 350 for until turkey reads 155 degrees (about 60 mins).
    You can also grill the turkey on Med heat for 45 mins.
  • Take turkey out of oven and cover with foil for 10-15 minutes to continue cooking.

Brussel Sprouts w/Pancetta

  • Cut up some pancetta (or bacon) and fry in a pan for a few minutes until crisp.  I keep some pancetta wheels in the freezer.
  • Add brussel sprouts (cut in half) to pan.  Sprinkle with salt/pepper.
  • Continue cooking until tender (7-8 mins).  Add a drop of water and cover to speed cooking.

Spinach w/shiitake Mushrooms

  • Heat a clove of garlic in a pan with EV olive oil.  Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender (7-8 mins.).  Add a splash of white wine and cook a bit more for extra flavor.
  • Add a bag of fresh spinach and a little salt/pepper.  Toss with a drop of water and continue to cook for about 5 minutes until soft.

How the Kids Can Help:

  • My daughter layered the prosciutto, cheese and basil onto the turkey (see bikini picture above).
  • She also used the “paintbrush” to paint some EV olive oil on the turkey once it was tied.
  • Kids are great at measuring and pouring to make the rice pilaf.

Did You Know?

  • A male turkey is called a “Tom” and is also referred to as a gobbler.  Female turkeys are called “Hens”.
  • Enjoy this Turkey puzzle:  http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/turkeypuzzle3.htm
  • Children and teens that have frequent family meals are likelier to say that they can confide in their parents.*
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Grilled Turkey Breast, Honey Roasted Carrots and Sweet Potatoes, Crunchy Salad

Posted on June 23, 2010 | 1 comment

Food Shapes Character

What traditions were important to you as a child?  What traditions are important to you as a parent?  Whenever it’s somebody’s birthday or Mother’s/Father’s Day or just any random Sunday night, my local family, “the core” (that’s my sister, her kids, my dad, my husband and our kids) will enjoy a nice sit-down dinner.  On special occasions, we all watch, joke and laugh as the guest of honor opens all their cards (some hand-made by the kids) and opens their presents.

I truly enjoy watching my children say grace, eat (of course the family dinner) and listen to the conversations at the table.  As they mature, it’s fun to watch them interject their own opinions or comments into the exchange.  They don’t know it yet, but these nights are just as character-forming (if not more) as the college they select or the job they choose.  Now I do know that these dinners give my children confidence and shape their character but what I don’t know is how much of the dinner conversation they will actually remember – I can only hope for the best.

Grilled Turkey Breast:  This was the fastest, most delicious turkey breast I ever made.  I bought a 5-6 pound turkey breast and cut off the string that held it tightly together (otherwise it’s too thick).  You can grill the breast flat or I loosely tied it to keep it moist inside.

Marinade:  Mix about ¼ cup of EV olive oil with some herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme), salt/pepper and pour it over the turkey breast.  Let marinate for 10 mins. or 10 hours in a Ziploc bag.

  • Grill on some tin foil on MEDIUM for 20 minutes each side.
  • Take off the grill and cover with tin foil for 10 minutes.

Honey Roasted Carrots

  • Peel carrots and cut into slices about 2 inches
  • Toss with a little EV olive oil, salt/pepper and honey
  • Roast for 30 minutes or until tender

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

  • Peel sweet potatoes and cut in half – then slice into wedges.
  • Lay on a baking sheet (line w/ parchment paper for easy clean-up) and toss with a sprinkle of brown sugar and salt/pepper.
  • Roast for 30 minutes or until tender.

Crunchy Salad:

  • Cut up some grape tomatoes, orange peppers, cucumbers and celery.
  • Toss with some fresh basil, EV olive oil, salt/pepper and red wine vinegar.

How Can the Kids Help?

Did You Know?

  • Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses added to it
  • Brown sugar has less calories than white sugar.
  • A slice of apple or a few drops of water will loosen hard brown sugar in the bag.
  • Sweet Potato Plant:  http://www.garden.org/images/App/articles/2125a.jpg

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