Stews are generous in their ability to bring comfort to the dinner table. Typically, though, the comfort only comes through an investment of time and patience.
But shortcuts and smart selections can shorten the long cooking, as evidenced by this homey goulash. Turkey breast stands in for tougher cuts of meat that require more time to cook to tenderness, yet the turkey can stand up to the stew’s brawny flavors.
Mashed potatoes are an ideal partner. Here they are embellished with carrots. Or, try egg noodles tossed with butter and caraway seeds.
Turkey goulash
Gypsy potatoes
Watercress salad
Rye bread
Poundcake with ginger-spiced caramel sauce
Chardonay
GINGER-SPICED CARAMEL SAUCE
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 3 minutes
Yield: About 1 cup
2/3 cup butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup pear nectar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Freshly grated nutmeg
Prepared poundcake
Combine caramel sauce, nectar, ginger and nutmeg to taste in small pan; stir well. Cook gently, stirring, until heated through. Serve over sliced poundcake.
Nutrition information per 2-tablespoon serving:
Calories ………… 75 Fat ………… 0 g Saturated fat .. 0 g
% calories from fat .. 0 Cholesterol … 0 mg Sodium ……. 95 mg
Carbohydrates ….. 19 g Protein …… 0.4 g Fiber …….. 0.3 g
GYPSY POTATOES
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
There are lots of shortcut steps in this recipe. Leaving the peels on the potatoes cuts down on prep time; cutting them in small chunks reduces cooking time.
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut in 1-inch chunks
1/2 pound baby-cut carrots, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup whole milk or more as needed
Salt, freshly ground pepper
1. Combine potatoes and carrots in medium saucepan; cover with salted water. Cook over high heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes; drain.
2. Return vegetables to pan; add butter. Mash vegetables. Stir in milk, salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories ………… 145 Fat ………. 3.6 g Saturated fat … 2.2 g
% calories from fat .. 22 Cholesterol .. 10 mg Sodium ………. 30 mg
Carbohydrates …… 26 g Protein …… 2.9 g Fiber ……….. 3.5 g
TURKEY GOULASH
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Smoked paprika has become popular lately. It has a full taste that simmers with smoky undertones. Use it here if you have it.
2 slices bacon, diced
1 large white onion, diced
1 pound turkey breast tenderloin meat, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
2 small green bell peppers, diced
2 teaspoons sweet or smoked sweet paprika
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
Salt, freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons sour cream
Gypsy potatoes, see recipe
1. Cook bacon and onion in heavy, 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until onion begins to soften, 2 minutes. Add turkey, bell peppers and paprika; cook, stirring, until turkey lightens in color, 3-4 minutes.
2. Stir in vinegar and chicken broth. Reduce heat. Simmer gently until turkey is tender, 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in sour cream. Serve over gypsy potatoes.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories ………… 390 Fat ………… 12 g Saturated fat … 6 g
% calories from fat .. 27 Cholesterol .. 105 mg Sodium ……. 300 mg
Carbohydrates …… 34 g Protein …….. 37 g Fiber .. …….. 5 g
