Chunky Turkey Primavera

Yesterday, in between baking delicious pumpkin cookies, going to Target, and seeing 50/50 my mom and I spent some quality time in the kitchen together.

I requested a pasta dinner last night in preparation for today’s run. Instead of going to Bella’s for dinner my mom suggested we make our primavera sauce. We referenced this mouth watering recipe but ended up going down our own path which included lots of vegetables, a mix of dried and fresh herbs, and lean ground turkey!

IMG_4819

IMG_4820

IMG_4818

Please note the amazing blender in the above picture which my parents received as a wedding gift in August of 1977. I can only hope that some of my amazing wedding gifts survive the years to be used and appreciated by my children. We used the blender to pulverize the can of fire-roasted whole tomatoes my dad bought the previous night, along the fresh basil, onions, and spices.

IMG_4824

IMG_4822

IMG_4825

Don’t worry, all my parents’ appliances aren’t 33 years old! This Viking unit is an induction burner which doesn’t put off any heat uses less energy than a stove. It also heats up and cools down quicker as a result!

IMG_4829

IMG_4831

The process of making our own sauce was easier than I remembered, left an amazing aroma in the kitchen, and was quite fast. Admittedly, we should have consulted a few recipes during the process as our primavera, while delicious, needed more sauce. The spaghetti and meat absorbed the little bit of liquid in the sauce leaving it drier than we normally prefer. But, the flavors were amazing especially the basil and peppers!

IMG_4833

IMG_4832

The quality time spent in the kitchen with my mom cooking together was priceless. We had such a wonderful time gossiping over the simmering sauce and boiling pasta.

Chunky Turkey Primavera

Ingredients

1 large can of fire roasted tomatoes

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

A few leaves basil, finely chopped

1 yellow pepper, diced

1 orange pepper, diced

1/2 onion

2 teaspoons oregano

2 teaspoons Italian seasonings

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 container mushrooms, sautéed (Canned works fine if you forget to buy them at the grocery store.)

1 pound pack of lean turkey

salt and pepper to flavor

Extra virgin olive oil

1 package of your favorite pasta

Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Empty can of tomatoes, garlic, and minced basil into the blender. Blend until thoroughly broken down and you can’t seen any chunks or basil strands.  Set aside.

2. Drizzle olive oil in heated pan, medium heat, before placing peppers,onion, and mushrooms in pan to sauté.

3. Flavor with oregano, Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes while the vegetables sauté. 

4. Once vegetables soften, transfer into the tomato mixture.

5. Use the same pan, now empty, to brown the ground turkey, seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

6. Once turkey is browned, transfer the tomato and vegetable mixture back to the pan.

7. Adjust pan temperature to simmer, allowing mixture to cook for 15-20 minutes.

8. While sauce simmers, boil water for pasta.

9. Cook pasta until al dente, drain.

10. Plate pasta, cover with sauce, and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

11. Enjoy with loved ones!

Share Button
Follow:

Serene Savannah

I’m heading home for the long weekend and couldn’t be happier! One of the joys of working in New York City is the random holiday schedule. We have Monday off in honor of Columbus Day. Since Bo didn’t have the holiday off a trip home seemed like the perfect remedy for my stress.

It’s been sixth months since I was home for my mom’s birthday. I’m hoping to spend the five days resting, cooking, laughing, and spending some much needed quality time with my family!

See you from Savannah!!

20111006-084912.jpg

20111006-084931.jpg

Share Button
Follow:
Share:
Comments Off on Serene Savannah

Home Again

 

I can’t believe it’s been 11 long months since I was in Savannah. We’re home again and it feels so good!

This morning included a delicious breakfast over newspapers and current events with Bo’s mom and dad, a quick 4 mile run in Savannah’s heat and humidity, and some quality time with my grandparents.

IMG_7166I haven’t talked about how homesick I am on the blog very much but every now and then it really pulls at my heart, especially in regards to my grandparents. My grandparents are each 91 and their age is starting to show these days. The two hours that I was able to spend with them today was worth more than anything else in the world. All I wanted to do was hug them for hours upon hours and tell them that I love them. Unfortunately, that are too old to travel so the only time I see them is when I’m home. I miss my grandparents more than anyone else in Savannah. That probably sounds weird but I have a more consistent relationship with my brother and parents due to the telephone conversations we have everyday!

Okay, on to happier topics!

My mom and I spent the rest of the afternoon doing what we do best, relaxing and shopping together!

We enjoyed lunch at our favorite spot, Toucan Cafe . Toucan Cafe is a vibrant, eclectic Caribbean and Greek restaurant that has been one of our favorites for at least 15 years! The decor is festive, the service is friendly and filled with Southern Hospitality, and the food is divine! My favorite dishes include their jerk chicken, their sesame encrusted tuna which I enjoyed during one of our first dates, and their homemade honey dressing is irresistible!

Today I enjoyed their house salad topped with jerk chicken and my mom tried a new salad, their raspberry chicken.  IMG_7167IMG_7168

We spent the afternoon completing most of our Christmas shopping in one small shopping center. I was surprised with Talbot’s offerings this season and actually found two pieces that I loved.

IMG_7177 IMG_7179IMG_7178

A trip to this shopping center isn’t complete without a stop in Fresh Market, one of my favorite grocery stores.

IMG_7176

IMG_7170

IMG_7171 IMG_7172 IMG_7173 IMG_7174 IMG_7175

I convinced my mom to try the Fresh Market coffee due to Kath’s obsession with their coffee, especially the seasonal flavors.IMG_7188

An hour later, this friendly face was welcoming us home with a huge smile!  We’re off to dinner with my brother and Bo! Catch you later :)

What is your favorite thing about home?

Share Button
Follow:
Share:
Comments Off on Home Again