Meals on Mondays - Turkey Goulash

In an effort to eat healthier, and having more fresh produce readily available, this weeks recipe comes from my Eating For Life Cookbook - by Bill Phillips.

For those that don't know Bill Phillips, he was the original creator of Body for Life - long before Biggest Loser or any of the other weightloss shows hit the market.  Body for Life as a program is phenomenal - both eating and weight training, because cardio just isn't enough.  Muscle burns more calories than fat SOOOOO more muscle = higher metabolism... regardless of your age!

Okay off my soapbox for now.  We had this recipe last week and it was dynamite! 

American Turkey Goulash

Serves 4

4 portions Egg Noodles (about 8 oz uncooked)
1 onion chopped
1 red bell pepper sliced
1 zucchini, sliced
4 portions lean ground turkey (about 1 lb.)
2 cups tomato sauce
2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp red wine (optional - I left it out)

1.  Prepare egg noodles according to package directions.
2.  Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, saute chopped onion for 2 minutes.  Add bell pepper to the onion and saute for another 2 minutes. Add zucchini and saute for 2 more minutes.  Remove vegetables & set aside.
3.  Add ground turkey to the skillet and saute until no longer pink (about 10 min.)
4.  When the ground turkey is done, return vegetables to the skillet.  Add tomato sauce, basil & red wine (optinal).  Cook stirring occassionally for 5 minutes or until heated through.
5. Place a portion of noodles on each plate and top with a portion of Turkey Goulash mixture.  Serve & enjoy!

Try it!  I bet you'll like it and you won't even know it's turkey! :)
Ciao~

Leftover Turkey Recipe

After my mom had one of her heart surgeries, a good family friend brought this delightful casserole over for our family. We have gotten so many wonderful family recipes over the years that have since become our family favorites.

Since we're all stuffed to the gills today after our wonderful Thanksgiving feast yesterday, I thought this would be an appropriate time to share the recipe with you. This is one of the to-die-for casseroles that is a staple for the leftover bird! A special thank you to Sue, Paul & Karen K.for being so helpful when we needed a hand. You'll always be dear to our family!

Turkey Wild Rice Casserole
1 - 6 oz. tube Jimmy Deans Spicy Breakfast Sausage
1 minced shallot
2 cups cooked turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 box Uncle Ben's long grain wild rice mix
1/3 cup dried, sweetened cranberries
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
2 cups water

Preheat oven to 375. In large skillet brown sausage over medium heat - 10 minutes or until it crumbles. Add shallot and cook 2 more minutes. Stir in all else including water. Reduce heat and cook about 20 minutes - until rice is tender. Season with Salt & Pepper and spoon into a 9x13" casserole dish. Bake about 30 minutes.

The sweet mixed with the savory really make a delicious taste! Hope you enjoy!