Now that the holiday dinners and festivities are over, it is time to get back to the normal routine. After all the rich food, it is time to eat more simply and more healthfully. After the hectic pace of the holiday season, it is time to move at a slower pace.
Now what about all those leftovers from the holidays in your refrigerator or freezer? What can you do with them that won’t be tons of work and, at the same time, healthy?
Instead of tossing those holiday leftovers to avoid more over-indulging, use them to your advantage. Here are some practical tips and recipes to help you reduce food waste and space out the calories.
Most foods will stay fresh for up to seven days, but if it looks or smells even a little funky, throw it out!
Leftover Tips:
Serve small portions of leftover turkey, roast beef or ham along with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for sandwiches, salads, wraps or a light main course.
Mix leftover veggies and seafood with small portions of pasta or brown rice.
Reduce portions of high calorie favorites by adding fresh or frozen vegetables to creamy soups, rich pastas or leftover mashed potatoes.
Combine herbs and roasted root vegetables along with a pinch of low fat cheese to make quesadillas, minis pizzas or omelets.
Toss leftover cookies in the work bowl of a food processor and pulse those gingerbread folks and sugary stars into tiny crumbs. Put them in ziplock bags and freeze for up to two months. Use the sugary mixtures to make a pie crusts, a base for bar cookies or toppings for cobblers.
You can pulverize candy canes and use the bits and peppermint dust to flavor ice cream treats for months to come. Sprinkle the candy mixture on top of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Cut the holiday ham or pork roast into small pieces or cubes and use to make quick frittatas or stir-fries. If a turkey or a beef roast was the centerpiece at your Christmas table, shred the leftover meat and add to your favorite chili mixture. Freeze in containers that hold from 4 to 6 cups, and you’ll have a quickie dinner to thaw and serve in January.
Recipes for Leftover Ham
Ham and Bean Soup
Serve with good rye bread and a salad for a quick weeknight meal.
8 Servings
Ingredients:
- 3/4 pound fully cooked ham; cubed
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 16-oz cans Great Northern Beans; rinsed and; drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup potatoes; peeled, diced
- 3/4 cup carrots; diced
- 3/4 cup celery
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley; minced
Directions:
In a 3 quart saucepan, saute ham, onion and garlic in oil until onion is tender.
Add the next seven ingredients; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Add peas and cook for 5 minutes. Add parsley and serve.
Ham-Stuffed Jumbo Shells
8 Servings
1 Serving equals 3 stuffed shells (274 calories)
Ingredients:
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour or Wondra instant flour
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, halved and sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 3 cups cubed fully cooked lean ham
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese, divided
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Reduce heat; add the ham, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese. Cook and stir until cheese is melted.
Remove from the heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved sauce. Drain pasta; stuff each shell with about 3 tablespoons of filing.
Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 350° F. for 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley, paprika and remaining Swiss cheese.
Vegetable and Ham Casserole 
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour or Wondra instant flour
- 1-1/4 cups 1% milk
- 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed
- 2-1/4 cups frozen cauliflowerets, thawed
- 1 cup cubed fully cooked lean ham
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs
- Butter-flavored cooking spray
Directions
In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add cheeses; stir until melted.
Place vegetables in a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with ham. Pour sauce over ham. Place bread crumbs in a small bowl; spray with butter-flavored spray. Sprinkle around the edge of casserole.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
Yield: 5 servings. 1 serving equals 227 calories
Recipes for Leftover Beef
Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- 1 pound leftover beef roast, tenderloin or steak
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- Freshly grated black pepper
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour or Wondra instant flour, divided
- ½ cup reduced sour cream
- Salt
- White pepper
- Cooked egg noodles or rice, for serving
Directions:
Cut the meat in slices about 1/3 inch thick, then the slices into strips 2 1/4 inches long. You should have about 4 cups. Set aside.
Heat the broth in a small saucepan until hot.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened but not brown, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms become tender and start to release their juices, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Add 6 to 8 grinds of black pepper and stir. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Do not brown. Add the hot broth and stir until smooth.
Add the beef to the pan, stir well, and warm just to a simmer, about 3 minutes. Stir the remaining 1 teaspoon of flour into the sour cream, add to the pan and season with salt to taste. Warm gently over low heat until hot, about 7 minutes. The sauce will thin a little; do not boil or the sour cream will break up. Spoon over the noodles. Serve with a green vegetable.
Leftover Roast Beef Italian Stew
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 green pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Leftover roast beef, diced or shredded
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 -24 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 cup bottled whole mushrooms
- 4 small Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- 6 ounces pre-prepared sliced carrots (about 2 medium)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Remove leftover roast and trimmings from refrigerator. Skim off all the visible saturated fat (hard white fat that rises to the top when chilled). Place roast beef on cutting board. Using a sieve, strain the liquids into a bowl, removing any solids and additional fat solids.
Chop onion and green pepper into 3/4-inch pieces. Dice beef into 1 1/2-inch pieces or shred the roast beef . Quarter the potatoes and slice carrots. In a dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, saute onions in olive oil for 3 minutes, then add green pepper and saute for 3 minutes more.
Add beef, strained beef stock, diced tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, oregano, basil, celery salt, and thyme. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper if desired. Add whole mushrooms just long enough to heat through. Serve hot.
Note: If you have leftover potatoes, green beans, peas, or carrots, feel free to use those. Since they are already cooked, add those with the mushrooms just long enough to reheat.
Potato Beef Pie
Ingredients:
- 3 cups finely diced leftover roast beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour or Wondra instant flour
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 to 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
Directions:
Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. Heat oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion in the olive oil until softened and lightly browned. Add beef and sauté for about 1 minute longer. Stir in the flour until blended. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and peas and carrots. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish. If using leftover mashed potatoes, warm them in a saucepan with a little milk until softened. Spoon potatoes evenly over the beef layer and sprinkle lightly with paprika.
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until hot and bubbly. If desired, turn on the broiler to brown the top for just a minute or two, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Recipes for Leftover Turkey
Turkey and Mushroom Risotto
4-6 Servings
Ingredients:
- 8 cups turkey or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups assorted fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 2 cups arborio or carnaroli rice
- 1 cup shredded leftover turkey meat
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Bring broth to a simmer in a medium pot over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover and keep warm.
Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat until it begins to foam. Add onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent and just beginning to turn golden, about 5 minutes.
Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, and any liquid released has evaporated, 5-7 minutes.
Add rice; stir to coat. Add 1/2 cup warm broth and stir constantly until liquid is absorbed. Continue adding stock by 1/2-cupfuls, stirring constantly, until rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 20 minutes. Add leftover turkey meat, stir to combine and to warm through, adding a little stock or water if necessary to keep mixture creamy, about 3 minutes.
Stir Parmesan into risotto. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among warm bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Serves 4.
Turkey Pasta Salad 
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1/2 cup cubed cooked turkey
- 1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup reduced fat salad dressing
Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a serving bowl, combine the pasta, turkey, olives, peppers and feta cheese. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving
Pesto Turkey Club 
1 serving
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons prepared pesto
- 2 slices pumpernickel bread
- 1 ounce sliced turkey
- 1 slice turkey bacon, cooked
- 2 romaine lettuce leaves
- 4 slices tomato
Directions:
Spread pesto on bread. Top 1 bread slice with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and remaining bread slice.
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To parody the song from the Broadway show, Annie Get Your Gun, “Anything you can do with veal, I can do better with turkey”
Menu 1
Roman-Style Saltimbocca
This traditional Roman dish is classically made with veal but can also be made with turkey.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless turkey cutlets (about 4 ounces each)
- Salt and black pepper
- 8 thin slices prosciutto
- 8 sage leaves, more for garnish
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Lemon wedges
Directions:
Sprinkle each cutlet lightly with salt and pepper. Top with a slice of prosciutto and a sage leaf.
Place cutlets between 2 sheets of parchment, waxed paper or plastic wrap. With a mallet or rolling-pin, gently pound cutlets to an even 1/4-inch thickness, pounding the prosciutto and sage into the cutlets.
Spread the flour on a shallow plate and dip the cutlets in it, lightly coating both sides.
Heat a tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large pan. When the butter begins to foam, add the cutlets to the pan, prosciutto side down. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once, until lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer to a platter and cover to keep warm.
Add wine to the hot pan and stir with a wooden spoon to loosen all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce by half, then add the chicken broth and reduce again.
Remove the pan from the heat and swirl in remaining tablespoon of butter. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then pour over the reserved cutlets. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Cacio e Pepe Pasta
Ingredients
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Directions
Bring a 6-qt. pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta; cook until al dente, 8–10 minutes; reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a 12″ skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add pepper; cook until fragrant, 1–2 minutes. Ladle 3⁄4 cup pasta water into skillet; bring to a boil. Using tongs, transfer pasta to skillet; spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the Pecorino Romano cheese over pasta; toss vigorously to combine until sauce is creamy and clings to the pasta without clumping, about 2 minutes, adding some pasta water if necessary. Transfer to serving bowl.
Garlic Green Beans
4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 pounds green beans, trimmed
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 ounce (about 2 tablespoons) toasted almonds,
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the green beans. Boil for four minutes, then drain and dry on a kitchen towel.
Mix together the parsley, lemon zest and almonds in a small bowl. Heat the oil over medium heat in the same pan used for the green beans and add the garlic. As soon as it begins to sizzle, stir in the beans. Toss for about a minute until the beans are coated with oil and cooked garlic, then stir in the parsley mixture. Stir for a minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer the beans to a platter or serving dish, scrape the almond mixture remaining in the pan over the top and serve.
Menu 2
Sautéed Scaloppine with Tomato Vinaigrette
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless turkey cutlets, about 6 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper
- flour for dredging
- 1 cup Tomato Vinaigrette (see recipe below)
Directions:
1. Prepare the Tomato Vinaigrette. Keep the vinaigrette warm.
2. Lay the turkey between two pieces of waxed paper, and flatten each cutlet with the flat end of a mallet until thin.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet until hot. Season the cutlets with salt and pepper and dredge it in flour. Sauté the turkey over high heat, about 1 minute on each side. Remove to a warm platter and serve, topped with the vinaigrette.
Tomato Vinaigrette 
Makes 2 Cups
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (14 oz.)Pomi strained tomatoes
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh basil or dill
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Place the tomatoes, vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce the mixture to a thick consistency, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, place the sauce in a glass container and cool over ice.
Place the mustard and lemon juice in a food processor. With the machine running, add the basil and olive oil. Add the cooled tomato mixture and puree until smooth.
The vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Fennel Layered with Potatoes and Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed (3/4 to 1 lb. after trimming)
- 1 cup firmly packed fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Peel the potatoes and slice them as thinly as possible, about an 1/8 inch thick. Put the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to keep them from browning.
Cut the fennel in half lengthwise. Slice the fennel crosswise as thinly as possible, about an 1/8 inch thick. You should have about 4 cups.
In a another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, and garlic. Mix well with your hands, making sure the garlic is evenly distributed.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400ºF. Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.
Without draining the potatoes, use your hands to lift out about one-third of the slices and arrange them in the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping them slightly. (The water clinging to them will generate steam as they bake and you will need less oil in this dish.)
Season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and a couple of grinds of the pepper. Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with 1/4 cup of the breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Top the potatoes with half of the sliced fennel, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the fennel with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup of the breadcrumb mixture, and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
Repeat this layering process, ending with a top layer of potatoes. Season the top layer with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and some more pepper. Mix the remaining breadcrumb mixture with the final 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes (be sure the aluminum foil is sealed tightly all around the baking dish, or there won’t be enough steam to cook the potatoes).
Uncover and continue baking until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let rest at least 10 minutes before serving.
Quick Broiled Asparagus
While the fennel potato casserole is resting, cook the asparagus in the broiler as described below.
Directions:
Take 1 bunch of asparagus and cut off the tough ends. Wash lightly and let dry completely.
Place asparagus on a cookie sheet or the bottom of a broiler pan.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Move oven rack to the top and turn broiler on low. Cook for 5-10 minutes depending on thickness.
Menu 3
Turkey Cutlets with Mozzarella and Roasted Red Peppers
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 large roasted red bell pepper, cut into 4 wedges
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 (1/2-inch-thick) turkey breast cutlets (about 1 pound)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup dry Marsala wine
- 1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 3/4 pound Fettuccine or cooked rice
Directions
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Season turkey with chopped sage, salt, and pepper. Cook turkey in pan 2 1/2 minutes per side. Arrange peppers and cheese on top of turkey and pour Marsala and broth to pan. Place the lid on the pan and cook 45 seconds or until cheese is melted. Using a slotted spoon, remove turkey cutlets to a plate and keep warm.
Let Marsala mixture boil about 1 1/2 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/3 cup. Take pan off of heat and whisk in butter. Place turkey cutlets over pasta on serving plates and spoon sauce over turkey. Sprinkle with chopped sage.
Tip: to roast pepper:
Seed red bell pepper and cut into quarters. Lay pepper quarters, flesh side down on a foil covered baking sheet; broil 10 minutes or until skin is black. Put peppers in a plastic bag and let rest, sealed for 10 minutes; peel off skin.
Crispy Parmesan Broccoli
4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound broccoli, rinsed, dried, and cut into flat sided small pieces
- 1/2 cup refrigerated egg substitute
- 1/2 cup Panko Lemon Pepper Bread Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs and cheese.
Put the broccoli in a large bowl, add the egg substitute and toss with your hands to coat.
Sprinkle in the bread crumb and cheese mixture and toss to combine.
Transfer to a baking sheet, flat side down, and roast for 12 minutes.
Menu 4
Turkey Osso Bucco
Ingredients
- 6 turkey thighs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
- 5-6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Pat the turkey with paper towels to dry and ensure even browning. Season the turkey with salt and pepper. Dredge the turkey in the flour to coat.
In a heavy roasting pan large enough to fit the turkey thighs in a single layer, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the turkey and cook until brown on both sides, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer the turkey to a bowl and reserve.
In the same pan, add the onion, carrot, and celery. Season vegetables with salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the wine and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Return the turkey to the pan. Add enough chicken broth to come 2/3 up the sides of the turkey. Add the herb sprigs and bay leaves to the broth mixture. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Braise until the turkey is fork-tender about 2 hours, turning the turkey after 1 hour.
Easy Parmesan Risotto
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot, peeled and finely diced
- 2 cups Arborio Rice
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
Heat the broth and water ( total 6 cups) in a pot and keep warm.
In a heavy Dutch oven pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and the oil and cook the shallot over medium heat until it is translucent.
Add the rice and stir to coat.
Add the wine, and cook over medium heat until the wine is almost absorbed.
Reduce the heat to medium low, and add 5 cups of the hot liquid.
Cook for 18 minutes stirring just twice during this period or until the rice is just al dente.
Add 1/2 cup of broth and stir constantly for 3 minutes until the rice is creamy, adding remaining broth if risotto isn’t loose enough.
To finish the dish add the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, remaining butter and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Green Peas
Defrost 1 package of frozen green peas but leave them in the plastic bag that encloses them. Heat in the microwave on high in the bag for 3 minutes. Pour into a serving bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and fresh cracked black pepper.
Menu 5
Braised Turkey Roulade with Pancetta, Shallots, and Porcini Sauce
Serves 8
This recipe can be cut in half to make 4 servings. However, this is a good choice for an entrée when entertaining an would want to make the full amount.
Ingredients
- 2 cups boiling water
- 3/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 3/4 ounce)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 1/2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta (about 9 slices), divided
- 2 cups chopped shallots (about 10 ounces), divided
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 (1 1/4-pound) skinless, boneless turkey breast halves
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrot
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (Wondra flour works well for sauces)
Directions
Combine 2 cups boiling water and porcini mushrooms in a bowl; cover and let stand for 15 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft. Drain through a sieve over a bowl, reserving soaking liquid. Chop the porcini mushrooms.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Coarsely chop 1 pancetta slice. Add chopped pancetta to pan; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 3/4 cups shallots, 2 teaspoons rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook for 7 minutes or until shallots are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in reserved mushrooms. Cool slightly.
Slice 1 turkey breast half lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, the other side. Open halves, laying turkey breast flat (like a book).
Place plastic wrap over turkey breast; pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Spread half of shallot mixture over turkey breast; roll up jelly roll fashion, starting with long sides. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Arrange 4 pancetta slices evenly on top of turkey roll. Secure at 2-inch intervals with twine.
Repeat procedure with remaining turkey breast half, shallot mixture, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 4 pancetta slices.
Preheat oven to 325° F.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add turkey rolls to the pan; cook 6 minutes or until browned, turning after 3 minutes. Add remaining 1/4 cup shallots, carrot, celery, and wine to pan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half (about 2 minutes). Stir in reserved porcini liquid and remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons rosemary. Cover and bake at 325° for 40 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160°. Remove turkey rolls from pan; let stand 15 minutes. Cut each roll crosswise into 12 slices.
Strain cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl; discard solids. Combine 1/4 cup water and flour, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Return remaining cooking liquid to pan; add flour mixture and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Serve sauce with turkey slices.
Rice With Cheese
4 servings.
Ingredients:
- Salt
- 1 1/2 cups brown rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup grated Fontina cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly coarsely ground cracked black pepper.
Directions:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add salt, just as you would to cook pasta. Add rice and stir. When water returns to a boil, lower heat and cook rice until tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain in a fine mesh colander or line your colander with cheesecloth if the wholes in your colander are large enough for the rice to fit through.
2. Put butter in the same pan and turn heat to medium. When butter melts and just begins to turn brown, add rice and toss together. Stir in Fontina cheese, the Parmesan, along with freshly ground cracked pepper.
Parmesan Broiled Tomatoes
8 servings
Ingredients:
- Cooking spray
- 4 large beefsteak tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
Preheat the broiler. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Halve the tomatoes crosswise (through the equator, not from stem to bottom). Place the tomatoes flesh-side up on the prepared pan and brush the tops with the olive oil. Season the top of each tomato with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Combine the Parmesan cheese and garlic and mix well to combine. Sprinkle the mixture on the top of each tomato.
Broil 5 to 7 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and tomatoes soften. Sprinkle the parsley over top just before serving.
Related articles
- How Many Ways Can I Make Scallopini? (jovinacooksitalian.com)
- http://thymeforcooking.com/kitchen/substitution.html
- http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_7038426
- http://www.livestrong.com/article/552878-how-to-bake-marinated-turkey-cutlets/
- http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t–1138/how-to-make-cutlets-paillards.asp
When I was growing up, veal dishes were on our dinner table regularly and I know I did not even think about where veal came from in those days. My father would go to the butcher shop and bring home a couple of pounds of veal cutlets, proclaiming “how beautiful they were”. My mother usually breaded and fried the veal in oil; the basis for veal parmesan. We usually just ate it as fried cutlets but occasionally with tomato sauce. Most of the Parmesan style dishes are not found in Italy but have developed, over the years, into Italian-American cuisine.
In the first few months of my marriage, I decided to experiment with one of the veal scallopini dishes from my Ada Boni book. I made the Veal Scallopine with mushrooms and wine. My husband loved it; so I added it to my recipe box. Shortly after, we invited my in-laws for dinner and my husband wanted me to make this dish. I knew his mother liked Italian food but I wasn’t sure about his father. I asked what he liked to eat and my husband said he was “a meat and potatoes man”. I thought, well, this will work. I always served it over pasta with 2 small cutlets per person, but I made a little extra that day and thought “just in case”. When we sat down at the table for dinner, we passed the serving plates and my father-in law said he didn’t eat pasta. I said to my self, UH OH, as he proceeded to take several helpings of the veal and said , “it wasn’t bad.” I was glad I made enough pasta for the rest of us.
Scallopine is an Italian dish made with thin ¼ inch slices of meat (traditionally veal) that are pounded with a mallet to approximately 1/8 of an inch. The veal used is generally taken from a muscle and is cut across the grain and trimmed of any fat. This makes veal scallopine a very low calorie cut of meat. Scaloppine is a fairly quick dish to prepare, since the thin slices of meat require very little cooking time. The classic veal scallopine is often dredged in flour with a few Italian herbs, salt and pepper, and then cooked in a skillet in oil and butter. There are a few traditional additions, such as capers and parsley and sometimes cooked mushrooms. White wine is added to the pan, once the meat is removed, to make a light sauce.
If lemon juice is added to scaloppine dishes then the dish would be called piccata. Adding Marsala wine to scaloppine dishes is traditionally referred to as Veal Marsala. Using chicken or turkey breasts instead of veal can further reduce the fat content of veal scallopine; and if you reduce the amount of fat you cooked the meat in, you will have a healthy entree. Scallopini dishes are good quick fix dinners for busy weeknights.
I know that veal is the traditional type of meat used in scallopini dishes in Italian cuisine but I prefer to use chicken, turkey, pork or fish in my recipes. Animals were once confined to limit their movement; hence, the meat would be more tender and pale. In the past, Milk-fed veal came from calves up to 12 weeks old that had not been weaned from their mother’s milk, but veal of this quality is rare in today’s supermarket. Animal rights activists made the public aware of such practices in the 1980s. For that reason, the consumption of veal was a source of controversy. In recent years, veal producers have attempted to make their system of production more humane.
Today, shoppers are more likely to find calves fed a nutritionally balanced milk or soy-based diet that is fortified with essential nutrients. Many producers of veal are committed to animal friendly housing and humane treatment of their animals. The calves feed on a combination of milk and nutrient rich grains free of antibiotics. New facilities in America sometimes surpass strict European humanely raised standards. While the old veal was white and bland, the new veal is pink and flavorful. Although veal is supposed to be leaner and more tender than beef, not all veal is made equally, and not all cuts carry the same level of quality.
According to the website, Organic: Love to Know, “A good way to tell if veal is humanely raised is simply by looking at it. If it’s pink, that most likely means the calf had an adequate supply of iron.” They conclude that this pink veal is sometimes called Meadow, Rose, Pastured, Free-range, and Grass-Fed. The New York Times adds that you should look for the label “certified humane. ”These “Certified Humane” calves are now given abundant space free from harsh weather and given good, dry bedding. Furthermore, calves are kept in small groups with others of similar size and age, allowing each to receive the full care from the veterinarian or the farmer. The pinker the meat, the older the animal was at slaughter and, therefore, the meat may be tougher and stronger-flavored. If the meat is a reddish tone but still marked as veal, it may be a calf between 6 and 12 months and should more appropriately be called baby beef. Or, the calf may have been allowed to eat grains or grasses, which also darken the meat. The choice is yours.
Anything you can make with veal, you can make with chicken, turkey, fish or pork. I will describe below the different preparations for the type of meat or poultry that you choose to use. To prepare the cutlets, you will need is a meat mallet with a smooth side. The flouring process is quite important. The flour helps brown the meat, but also lends more texture to any sauce produced at the end. Without flour, the addition of canned tomatoes or fresh tomatoes is likely to result in a watery sauce. In the wine deglazing process of a traditional scallopine dish, the collection of flavorful bits that accumulate in the middle of the pan while cooking the meat, is made easier when the meat is flour coated.
Scallopini Preparation
Chicken Scallopine.
To serve four, start with four 6-ounce boneless and skinless chicken-breast halves. Cut each breast crosswise on the bias into two equal pieces. Place the pieces between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Proceed with the recipe.
Pork Scallopine.
To serve four, start with eight 3-ounce slices of boneless pork tenderloin completely trimmed of fat. Place the slices between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them several times with a meat mallet to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Proceed with the recipe.
Turkey Scallopine.
To serve four, start with eight 3-ounce turkey cutlets. (Most turkey cutlets are sold pre-cut in supermarket meat cases; if not, use boneless turkey breasts and cut then into slices and come as close as you can to these weights.) Place the slices between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of about 1/ 4 inch. Proceed with the recipe.
Fish Scallopini
Fish is not pounded, so buy thin fillets (4 small white fish fillets (such as tilapia, flounder or sole), about 1 pound total). Salt & pepper the fish. Put them into a shallow dish and cover with milk. (Soaking in milk helps to freshen the fish). Set aside. Lift out of milk and proceed with the recipe.
Technique
Use a small skillet that fits 2-3 cutlets at one time. This way very little fat will be needed. It is better to repeat the process with a second batch of cutlets. Cutlets are removed to a dish to be kept warm and the sauce is made in the pan after the cutlets are removed. The sauce is then poured over the cutlets on the serving platter.
For each batch of 3 cutlets:
Flouring
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Season the scallopine with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour to coat both sides lightly and tap off excess flour.
Cooking
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet. Cook the cutlets until golden brown on the underside, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the second side is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove to a platter and cover with foil. Repeat with remaining scallopine.
You will need the following ingredients for the sauce:
Number of Servings: 3
- 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- If you like the taste of Marsala, you can use that instead of white wine. You may like red wine in the sauce for pork scallopini.
- 2 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Completing the Sauce 
Add all the sauce ingredients to the skillet, except the parsley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 30 seconds. Pour sauce over cutlet that are on the platter and sprinkle with parsley. I like to serve scallopini with a green vegetable.
Related articles
- Super Quick and Super Easy Turkey Scallopini For Two (friendseat.com)
- Veal with Capers and Lemon (rgrull.wordpress.com)